Breathing New Life into an Old Saw Speedway Model 70

Need a new saw or tool but cant afford to get the top of the line? Should you run out to the big box nearest you and pickup the cheapo tool just to get that project done? In my opinion you should never settle for buying a new low quality tool just because you need to get by. Why not look on craigslist, garage sales, resale, or goodwill instead and pickup something better?








Even an old tool can be cleaned up and give you years of use.

Many of the older tool out there are made with high carbon, high quality steel, less plastic, and better components than even the top of the line tools out there these days. Save yourself some money, pickup something used from a local shop or neighbor, cleanup it up and have something worth cherishing.

When I am planning a project I start by planning ahead and start looking around for those needed tools. Local resale and second hand shops, eBay, Goodwill,  and craigslist are great resources to start with. It is much better to support your local community than to run out for the cheap made in China junk that will most likely end up in the land fill after you use it three times.

How many of your tools will be around in 40 years? This particular saw is, as far as I can tell, about 40 years old. The company is no longer in business but manufactured quality tools from Illinois. As I took this saw apart I could tell that it was engineered and built with one thing in mind, quality. There were no talks about outsourcing, finding cheap suppliers, or how the could make their tools for less than the other guy. It was more about quality and dependability they were worried about. This was from a time when the word of your neighbors experience with something that meant more than any commercial or fancy packaging.

This saw is no doubt old and may not last me as many years as it did the previous owner. But after cleaning this saw up and working with it for a few hours I have a new found respect for the quality that used to be the pinnacle of America manufacturing.


13 Amp 2 prong replacement cord - http://amzn.to/1NiHI4G
13 Amp 3 prong replacement cord - http://amzn.to/1NiIfnl

All of these products and more recommended items from the SSL Family are available at the

Simple Suburban Living General Store

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Music - "Insomnia" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/Insomnia

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How to Replace a Damaged Power Cord Circular Saw Drill Router Hand

Check out this video to see how to make a quick replacement of just about any power cord. In this case I am replacing the power cord on a Black and Decker circular saw but the process should be very similar for just about any brand and also other power tools.


STOP! If you are here on this page or about to watch this video you have no doubt already considered just wrapping some electrical tape around that cord that you cut. Am I right? How many of your tools already have tape on the cords? Come on, be honest, we have all done it. But before you break out that giant roll of black tape and start binding things together you may want to consider getting the job done the right way. Tape doesnt exactly make for the safest electrical connections and no one wants to see someone get hurt.


So now that we have that covered lets move on to a very fast and easy repair for that damaged power cable. You can pickup a new cable at any home center, hardware store, or via amazon with the links below. There are only two things to consider when getting a replacement. Does your tool have a 2-prong or 3-prong plug and what amperage does the tool draw. For most tools the amp rating is written on a label somewhere with the model number. It might even be on the cable itself. In my case I have a 10 amp tool. That just means that the cord I buy to replace the one I cut needs to be at least 10 amp or higher. In this case I purchased a 13 amp cord which will be just fine for this application.

Normally with any power tool the casing comes apart and splits in half exposing the trigger switch and the power cord inlet. Check out the video for an example. Once you take out those screws just unscrew the wire leads connecting to the switch (pay attention to white and black and their respective terminals) and remove the cord protector from the old cord. This is that hard rubber piece that is at the most flexed part of the  cord, where it enters the tool.  In my case removing the cord protector was the hardest part.

Once you have the old cord removed just slide the cord protector on to the new power cord and then fit it snugly back into the tool handle. Reconnect the wires to the correct terminals (Hot (black), neutral (white), and ground(green)).

Once things have been reconnected make sure the wires fit nicely back into the handle cavity and then replace the cover or side of the tool. Done!

This is a very simple and cheap (less than $6) repair that when done properly can add years of life to your tool. Dont risk electrocution or someone in your family getting hurt by putting a band aid on your tools with tape!

13 Amp 2 prong replacement cord - http://amzn.to/1NiHI4G
13 Amp 3 prong replacement cord - http://amzn.to/1NiIfnl

All of these products and more recommended items from the SSL Family are available at the Simple Suburban Living General Store

 

Please follow us on....

http://www.pinterest.com/simplesuburban/
http://www.facebook.com/simplesuburbanliving
http://www.twitter.com/simplesuburban5
http://www.instagram.com/simplesuburbanliving


Music - "Darien Gap" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/DarienGap


This post has been shared at:  Homestead Blog Hop

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