Difficulty raising blade height (a bit long winded in an effort to be complete)

[mabush]

Greetings all:
I am a newly registered member, though I've lurked here on and off for many years. By way of introduction, I got my first BT3000 around '94 or '95 (a 13 amp model) and was very happy with it (when I had the opportunities to use it). After moving about 4 years ago, I came across a local 15 amp version with some extras and made the purchase. I am just now getting around to setting it up, and gave my old saw to my brother-in-law in Cincinnati last weekend (I'm outside of DC). Unfortunately, for me, I think I gave him the better saw.
I thought I tested this saw when I purchased it, but...

It is very difficult to raise the blade height. Lowering is no problem. After reading many posts and articles on several sites, I thought it might be a problem with the shims, or a cleaning/maintenance issue.

I took the everything off to clean it out and to see what was going on. The shims still appear to be functioning correctly. There was a lot of sawdust on and around the crank shaft (that extends out and to which the handle (for raising/lowering) is connected. I vacuumed and used my compressor to blow out everything I could see.

The problem still persists.

I have not yet applied any lubrication to the ways on which the shims travel. I saw that somone reccomended graphite, and yet others appear to recommend a liquid dry lubricant. (Is this like White Lightning? - I already have some of that, and use it for lubricating my bike chain)

Is there a consensus as to a preferred lubricant between the shims and the ways?

And what else am I missing?

[Ken Massingale]

Welcome to the forum!
When I had my BT3K I used the spray white lithium grease that drys to a film.
Good luck

[Black wallnut]

Be sure to check that the riving knife is not dragging at the rear of the opening. Lube the elevation shaft with candle wax, the shim surfaces with a dry spray lube that does not attract sawdust (white lightning may work but I've never tried it). Some have found that the lower nut on the elevation shaft needs to be slightly loosened for proper function, YMMV.

[LCHIEN]

I always lubed my shim surfaces with johnsons paste wax

rub on well, allow to dry for about five minutes, then wipe off the excess.
raise and lower the blade to get at parts you missed on the first lube.

[jabe]

I had that same problem and did lube the shims but the problem never went away. I had found that the raising handle shaft was sticking due to rust & grime. When you turn the bevel locking lever it suppose to let the handle shaft slide in or out to engage or disengage the gear. I took it apart and tapped the inner shaft out and cleaned it and lubed it with dry lube and now it works peferctly.

[jackellis]

I have a 3100 and in the past, ran into problems raising and lowering the blade if the riving knife was not adjusted properly.

Absolutely lubricate the raise/lower mechanism.

[charliex]

If the elevation shaft mech is lubed and adjusted okay and that doesn't fix the problem you can try this.
1. remove the motor from the mount, split the guides and remove them from the ways.
2. Clean all parts throughly.
3. Using 600 grit wet / dry paper pinched between your thumb and forefinger and with medium pressure, polish each way ( the part where the shims ride.) with about 10 - 15 strokes.
4. Clean throughly and coat with wax. (I use MinWax furniture wax)
5.Reassemble.
I had to do this process twice but it fixed the problem for me. I can now go months without the problem returning and when it does I just clean the ways without disassembly and re-coat them with wax.
Chas.

[mschrank]

Just a quick reminder: Make sure that whatever lube you use does not contain silicone. At least some of the White Lightning products do. Silicone won't harm the saw, but it'll find it's way onto your wood and cause grief when it comes time to apply finish.

[cork58]

New as well! Well like you, looked for awhile.

I have 2 BT3000's. One has the mod to make sure the shims stay in place and the other does not. The one that does not I applied "dry" graphite and is working well. I agree with the othe posts that warn against using wet or silcone lubes as these will find there way to the wood. I'm in Alaska and we pay dearly for our wood so it means allot that we don't have many problems. Make the plan, measure 3 times and cut. There are allot of thoughts on the binding problem so you need to go with what works for you!

Cork