olddog/newtrick

[olddog/newtrick]

Putting a plastic blade adj. crank on a steel shaft is such poor design/execution that i'm guessing that there are numerous viable remedies out there for a replacement "handwheel" (even if I wanted a crappy OEC replacement they're extinct. So far i've learned that for about 20 bucks i can get metal crank+adapter from craftsman. hey! "voice of experience" can you help a brother out? Talk to me please...ideas, websites, tel. numbers,

[Black walnut]

Have had my saw for about 21.5 years and it still has the OEM crank/bevel handle. Since I have not needed one I haven't had to source a replacement. Good luck and Welcome to SawdustZone.org!

[LCHIEN]

Unfortunately the BT3 designers chose a odd shaped non standard shaft end for the crank.
No commercial crank fits, But you can buy equivalent cranks for$10-20 bucks, don't pick one oversize because the handle will interfere with the rip fence handle when you least want it to.

There is a fairly easy adapter to fit the shaft to a 1/2" dia. ID crank handles. Shown here on a Grizzly handle I bought, too.



I documented one I bought commercially for the day when and if my OEM handle breaks. But I have not had to use it.

https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...dapter-drawing

Someone should be able to make one 3D printed, but it would still be plastic.

I figure by having the spare parts on hand I can dodge the bullet.

[woodturner]

There are 3D printing vendors that will print in metal, if one prefers. There are also online vendors that will machine parts from metal. Since there is an existing drawing, it should not be difficult to have the part made in metal.

[twistsol]

Have had my saw for about 212.5 years ...

your saw had a bicentennial and we missed it?

The handle should not be under any stress unless the gears are jammed or you are encountering the dreaded shim issue. In that case if the handle is forced the handle fails instead of stripping gears and causing more costly damage to the mechanism. thats what originally lead me to this site and its predecessors two decades ago.

Unfortunately, I also have no suggestions for locating this part.