4511 Arbor Shaft Broke

[Southwood]

My Arbor Shaft just broke on my saw. Only thing that broke was the very end. It came flying off, and went somewhere. Will try and get a picture here in a while.

[Bob D.]

My Arbor Shaft just broke on my saw. Only thing that broke was the very end. It came flying off, and went somewhere. Will try and get a picture here in a while.

Wow, that's not good. What were you spinning at the time (what blade or a dado maybe)? Were you in the process of making a cut or was the saw just idling(spinning) when it happened?

I know the 4511 is new, but how many hours use do you think you have on this tool?

[Southwood]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0zy78Uadz_8/ShX233LEbJI/AAAAAAAAAJE/oERNSLdDxtE/s512/IMG_4091.JPGhttp://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P-m5nVciV3nTC-fZFNa2MQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuFvqSWiOO2jAE&feat=directlink

Here is one picture, lets see if this works, before I try more

[Southwood]

Ok here we go.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0zy78Uadz_8/ShX2vyt5OEI/AAAAAAAAAI4/XQk44jpUwz4/s512/IMG_4088.JPG

I was using the dado for the first time. Not enough room for the washer so I went without. Freud says it is OK. Srarted it up to check to make sure all ok, and heard a noise like something broke. Shut down and checked it out. This is what I found. Saw was bought 4-25 and might have 15 hrs on it.

[Bob D.]

Ok here we go.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0zy78Uadz_8/ShX2vyt5OEI/AAAAAAAAAI4/XQk44jpUwz4/s512/IMG_4088.JPG

So all that is left is enough thread to put on a single balde from your dado set and an arbor nut?

Where you making a cut when this happened?

[Southwood]

No Bob that is the whole dado, set to cut a 3/4" dado. All that broke was maybe 2 threads off. They just popped off.

[ronan]

Weird! I'm guessing that the shaft was damaged/weakened when the treads were cut. That must be an extremely rare occurrence.:eek:

[Bob D.]

No Bob that is the whole dado, set to cut a 3/4" dado. All that broke was maybe 2 threads off. They just popped off.

Oh, OK, looking at the photo again I can see the other blade on there. That is even more strange. Have you talked to CS yet? I would be cautious about using the saw until then. Imagine what would have happened if it had broke on the other side of the blade next to the arbor flange? :shocked2:

[tomapple]

Looks to me like the shaft was overly hardened (too hard), made it brittle.

You need to get that replaced.

[Southwood]

Saw is going back, just don't know which store yet. Store I got it from won't have any in until after holiday and another store has 2 in the box. Of course it's 1 hour drive each way. Then I have to reassembly another saw. really not looking forward to that.

[cpw]

Saw is going back, just don't know which store yet. Store I got it from won't have any in until after holiday and another store has 2 in the box. Of course it's 1 hour drive each way. Then I have to reassembly another saw. really not looking forward to that.

You should call RIDGID or HD. There may be an easier way than getting a whole new saw (e.g. just swapping a part out). I think would certainly be covered by an LLSA, but that could be more hassle than a return. If you prearrange it, you might not have to repack a whole 300 lb saw, but possibly just exchange the main cabinet or the like.

[Southwood]

I talked to Ridgid, I can not replace the part myself. Something about the part in question. The lady said there are a few parts that they will not let customers replace and of course this is one.

Thinking I will wait until the store I purchased from has more. The store that has 2 in crates, well they aren't real friendly, on the phone.

The only thing I will be out is the replacement tape measures I put on. Should go together easier next time, I have practice now.

[Roadster280]

I'd think they would be interested in getting it back for failure analysis. At least I would like to think so. There aren't many more crucial parts of the saw from a safety perspective than the rotating parts, and particularly when the part in question holds the sharp bit.

[tomapple]

Yes, you would think if they understand the issue they would really want to get it back. Because if it failed due to improper heat treatment as I suspect...they have a bunch more just like it floating around (as they would not be heat treating parts one at a time)

[chrisexv6]

can you pull the build date off it?

It would be something like 2 letters followed by 4 digits. The 4 digits seem to represent the build year and build week of the year.

Its located near your serial number, but its not the actual serial number which is 5 digits.

[Southwood]

CD0835- Not sure what the CD would be, but thinking 2008 35th week.

Still scratching my head as what to do. Want to take it back today, but have stuff that needs to be done, with the saw. Can still use regular blade. On that same note, I don't want to use it either.

Oh yea, I have to figure out how to load the dang thing too.

[indianrider]

CD0835- Not sure what the CD would be, but thinking 2008 35th week.

Still scratching my head as what to do. Want to take it back today, but have stuff that needs to be done, with the saw. Can still use regular blade. On that same note, I don't want to use it either.

Oh yea, I have to figure out how to load the dang thing too.

Since it broke and u are still within 90 days, get the manager to do a free shipment and free pickup from the store. U can get them to do that. Let them know it is too heavy and u got a defective product. Good luck. Don't pack it up or anything. Just as is.

[chrisexv6]

I would do whatever you need to to get HD to come out and deliver a new saw. I know at least one person in the massive R4511 thread got HD to replace the saw by delivering a new one on a liftgate truck and helping them load up the old one. With a safety issue such as this, just start asking HD if you should contact consumer protection, etc.

I also agree that Ridgid SHOULD want to check this out to make sure its not another arbor issue (a la the 3650).

You are correct.....35th week of 2008. Not sure of the CD either. My saw was 50th week of 2008, as a reference. If we are correct about the year and week thing, 35th week seems awful early. Considering the saw was "mistakenly" released to the public and we still only started seeing them late in the year even after that, 35th week might be really close to the beginning of the build. The serial number would confirm that, but I wouldnt expect you to post that (although at this point it might not be your saw anymore!)

[The Grey Knight]

Not to sure about the number thing. Mine is CD0917, that would make the build date in april. Of course I did pick it up yesterday,but that does seem pretty fast with the boat ride from the factory.

[chrisexv6]

Not to sure about the number thing. Mine is CD0917, that would make the build date in april. Of course I did pick it up yesterday,but that does seem pretty fast with the boat ride from the factory.

The two in box that Ive seen were 0849 and 0850 (mine). I believe other Ridgid tools work the same way.

So 17th week of 09 is mar 28 to april 1 (assuming sat/sunday off). Seems pretty feasible that the saw could have made it to the states a week or two later then to an HD a week or two after that. Especially if the saw was built early on in the week (but you dont want a "Monday saw"!!! :) )

[Bob D.]

The letter prefix may be a reference to the factory it was made in or the assembly line that the saw came down within the factory.

[Southwood]

She's home, I went to the Evansville HD and switched. Easy, very easy. 2hr 21 mins round trip. I guess I figured out the load thing. I main concern was lay it flat or standing up. It wasn't how, guess I should have explained that better. Forgot to mention we have a 100 hp fork truck. This is the new one. 0845 date code, lots of changes between the last one. Will make a list and post.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0zy78Uadz_8/ShgXAVImRRI/AAAAAAAAAKE/8GWJhuEfSEc/s512/IMG_3868.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0zy78Uadz_8/ShgW_D8yz5I/AAAAAAAAAKA/Ls1sOXx-N9Y/s512/IMG_3867.JPG

[Southwood]

One other thing, what was the issue with the 3600 series?

[Bob D.]

One other thing, what was the issue with the 3600 series?

The arbor issue with the 3650 is discussed here:

http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=45651&postcount=1

[hewood]

Sounds like it was defective. It's good you exchanged it. You sure have the right tool for lifting that thing! :)

[FINER9998]

yea, a tractor with a front end loader attachment is a great tool for moving a saw that weighs 477lbs.

[Roadster280]

I wasn't sure if you were being facetious, so I checked it out...

Looks like a NH tractor comes in around 6000lb, depending on model. And the loaders manage around 2000lb.

Looks OK to me! Not sure how I would get that in my basement though!

[Southwood]

Well I had shoulder surgury here lately and the father in law had knee replacement. Didn't want to take any chances. Safety first on the farm:D

[Bob D.]

Why risk injury when you have a machine available that can do the job safer?

[chrisexv6]

She's home, I went to the Evansville HD and switched. Easy, very easy. 2hr 21 mins round trip. I guess I figured out the load thing. I main concern was lay it flat or standing up. It wasn't how, guess I should have explained that better. Forgot to mention we have a 100 hp fork truck. This is the new one. 0845 date code, lots of changes between the last one. Will make a list and post.



LOTS of changes? Interesting..........very interested in the list once you post it!

-Chris

[indianrider]

So this thread starter had been one of the first people to experience the issue of the arbor shaft breaking when using dado set. Now, we have the recall notice on it discussed here http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27600&highlight=R4511

[Brownie]

I just read this morning that there is a recall on the 4511 because of this problem. According to the recall notice, if I remember correctly, a Ridgid rep will come to you to fix the problem.