Obsolete? (commentary)

[<Joe]

I've got a Skilsaw 5250 with a cracked "upper guard assembly". The "upper guard assembly" is the piece that goes over the top of the blade and attaches to the handle. The broken place is at the back where the screw goes through from the blade height adjustment from the foot assembly.

Web searches show it as 'unavailble' and a couple calls to Skil say 'obsolete' (and no longer available). They say that no others interchange.

I've got three Skilsaws. They work fine for my needs. I'm not slamming Skil in particular. Oddly, all three model's covers the same except for the labels and paint jobs.

Reason for my rant - what the heck can be obsolete about a saw part? You can add a laser, change the color, whatever, but it's still a motor, a plate, and a sharp thing that goes roundy-roundy.

That's like having to junk a car instead of changing the oil filter.

Off my soap box.

[dpb]

and attaches to the handle.

height adjustment from the foot assembly.

(and no longer available).

in particular.

plate, and a sharp thing that goes roundy-roundy.

The model becomes obsolete and parts with it...and, of course, even if later saws were designed using the same dimensions and all from a previous saw or even your model specifically, the parts inventory system will stock them by the saw they're used with. So, even if a present model would fit, unless you talked to an engineer or service rep who just happens to know, there's no way for the body answering the phone to cross-reference--ergo, the answer is "no interchange" even if it might must be the same except for the cosmetics.

Guess you could try to do the swap and see if there are some details that prevent the match....

In an ideal world, any such derivative parts if they existed would continue to be listed with older models they would support, but it just ain't a gonna' happen...

[rivahrebel]

Try ereplacementparts.com; they show several housings that should work

[<Joe]

Thanks for the link, but their (very nice) site was one I referred to in my web searching. I called and they weren't aware of any substitution - they apparently work from Skil info.

continue to be listed with older models they would support, but it just ain't a gonna' happen...

Maybe someday somebody will invent a big electronic storage device, able to cross reference and search. Presuming the data gets entered. Even if just the auto dealers and parts places bought one to cross reference trim panels that fit many year's vehicles and any color it would pay for itself. :)

Then again, if we consumers didn't accept a bell this year and a whistle the next year on a 'new model' . . .

The reason explained for obsolesence was that it's more expensive to repair than replace. Three screws hold it on (plus moving the rubber bumper over); a new saw is $70. I'm in the wrong business.

Thanks to the forum for letting me jump up and down. Now I gotta decide what color to get if I replace it.

Part #

2610341304 MOTOR HOUSING Obsolete - Not Available $12.65 (Skil calls it an upper guard assembly)

[nailshooter41]

I don't know if this saw has some sentimental value or if you are just hacked off because like the rest of us, you are feeling slighted by the tool manufacturers these days.

I have a Milwaukee circular saw that is about 30 years old. I rebuilt it (bearings, brushes, switches, cords) as needed for years. But now parts are so expensive for it, I can literally buy a new Milwaukee for less.

When I need parts for an old favorite, I keep an eye on the pawn shops for some old junkers (when I have time) as well as ebay. I retired that oldest Milwaukee as I found one in literally perfect shape that I won on ebay for $77 or so to the door. It was the spittin' image of my old favorite and never saw more than a cut or two in its life. It even had the original steel blade (the saw was about 20 years old) on it.

Robert

[Bob the Tomato]

Craftsman used to make some decent tools. I have a well made drill that I used and abused for about 25 years. Replaced bearings and brushes and other parts as needed.

Now it's time to get a gear for it. "Unavailable".

I had a Craftsman tablesaw from the mid 80s. I wanted to replace the insert with a zero clearance one. Because of it's shape it would be difficult to make one. "Unavailable".

Both of them had online parts diagrams and parts lists. They just make a few select parts unavailable (and probably a few more each year) so that you have to buy a new one. The drill you have is useless junk without that planetary gear.

I have now developed an obsession to finding a replacement part for it before I die. I know I'll run across an old one with a bad switch at a garage sale. Screw the K-Mart managers who now run Sears. I'll never buy another drill from them.

Bob the Tomato

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Don't blame the managers, blame the consumer. It does take up space, ties up dollars, etc to carry repair parts and they are usually priced to take care of all of that. But, look at reality. Of the hundreds of thousands of drills sold in 1980, how many do you think are still around? How many people repair anything today? Aside from a few guys here, most consumers are quick to just toss that tool that is not running so it is not at all practical to carry parts 25 years later. Sears (as well as their supplier) are in business to make a profit and I doubt there is much profit in 25 year old parts.

[Morris Dovey]

| I had a Craftsman tablesaw from the mid 80s. I wanted to replace | the insert with a zero clearance one. Because of it's shape it | would be difficult to make one. "Unavailable".

Do you still have the saw? If you do, and can provide a copy of the drawing, then I may be able to help (or a local machine shop may be able to make one for you.)

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[jo4hn]

drive shaft. A sometimes poster (sorry about my senior memory, but I have forgoten your handle) made me a new one. Other than that it works just fine. mahalo, jo4hn

[Bob the Tomato]

I appreciate the offer. I actually looked up the price of phenolic sheet stock at Mcmaster Carr... It would be a little difficult to make because it's 1/8" thick around the edges and 1/4" thick in the middle. Add an unusual round-in-the-front, flat-in-the-back shape and it kept getting more difficult. CNC would be just the ticket. If the saw didn't have some other serious shortcomings, I would take you up on it!

So I ended up foisting it off on my father-in-law in return for borrowing his truck to pick up a "real saw". :-)

Got the Jet 3 HP with 50" bessey clone, and the monster sliding table. I am REALLY looking forward to the weekend when I can get this thing put together and lined up.

Hooo-ah! Bob the Tomato

[Morris Dovey]

| CNC would be just the ticket. | If the saw didn't have some other serious shortcomings, I would | take you up on it!

Ok (phew!) Someday (RSN?!) I'm going to build a whole library of part programs for blank inserts. (Probably right after all the rest of the stuff catagorized as "RSN") :-)

| So I ended up foisting it off on my father-in-law in return for | borrowing his truck to pick up a "real saw". :-) | | Got the Jet 3 HP with 50" bessey clone, and the monster sliding | table. I am REALLY looking forward to the weekend when I can get | this thing put together and lined up.

Yeah - you suck.

| Hooo-ah!

:-D

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[Bob the Tomato]

Finally, I get to be on the RECEIVING end of 'you suck'... :-)

Bob the Tomato