DW745 Powers on but won’t STAY on

Hi folks. I’ve come into possession of a DW745 tablesaw. It’s a bit beat up, but I’m hoping I can get it working.

My main issue is that, whilst I can get the saw to run, it won’t STAY on. i.e. when I press the start button on the switch, the motor cranks up and the blade spins, no problem, but as soon as I let go of the switch, power cuts to the motor/blade and it stops.

I’ve replaced the switch, the reset button and the PCB, all to no avail so far.

Looking for any hints (and hoping that somewone isn’t going to say “oh, you just need to press (some unknown/unseen) button and it’ll work fine” 😀 )

TIA

Was the machine working when u got it ? If it was doing the same thing had the switch just been replaced ? The motors have a winding for a brake to slow them down quickly when you turn them off,could your wiring be wrong ? Causing it to overload and trip the reset ? 

The machine has been doing this since I got it. Definite possibility that the wiring is wrong although the reset doesn’t appear to have been tripped. Switch was full of sawdust as was the switch box so I don’t think that the switch has been replaced recently (prior to me replacing it, that is), however, I wouldn’t rule out that the wiring has been buggered about with.

Thanks for the thoughts.

If you’re confident enough,pull the back of the motor off and make sure that the brake winding isn’t burnt,if the wiring was incorrect you may have cooked it 

Nice one, cheers. I’ll give it a try.

OK, so here’s a Prime example of why, when you hear hoof-beats, you should think “Horse” rather than “Zebra”.

I was using an extension cable, purportedly suitable for power tools. Turns out, if I had just plugged the transformer directly into the wall socket and then to the saw, it would’ve worked and I might not have had to spend £30 on a switch assembly! Doh. Just need to figure out how to get power out to where I’ll actually be using the saw. Might need to get a spark in for this one.

Allan, thanks for your input chief.

Not sure why u didn’t mention the extension cable or transformer in the start,anyway,no problem,glad it’s sorted,have fun with it 😉 

Hi!
I’ve got a similar problem. The saw starts when i push the button, but stops when I release it. As long as I hold the button in, the saw runs, doesn’t even stall. Can’t seem to figgure out the problem. Tried what was said in this thread and plugged the saw directly to an outlet, still got the same issue. Tried to hotwire the reset button to check if that was causing it, still acted exactly the same. 
Was planning to buy a full switch assembly but have read throughout internet posts that this did not help for them. Even read on a sales site : “Note! If the saw starts and stops (like I’ve mentioned), the switch is not the problem.”
The brushes look good. Barely even worn. 
Been using the saw periodically for the last 4 years, never had an issue. Now suddently this, of course after a friend loaned it for a project. He didn’t have the issue when he loaned it, he says, the issue started the first time I was using it after that tho. 
I’m a little at a loss as to what to check next. Any tips? Disassemble the whole motor assembly and check all parts for burnmarks? 
Saw info:
DW745 -GB Type3
230V 50Hz 7.9A 1700W
2013 32-CT

Hi, having the exact same issue with my DW745 😖

Have you identified the issue with the power? 

Not sure Jan and Cliff could be a overheating issue or water damage but mine was as simple as a short in the cord end where the prongs are. After years of heavily using my DW745,  usually on ground (stand is always buried), blade shroud off and ripping everything including treated 3x,  i always kick the power switch off with my foot after a cut, im pretty rough on her.  The factory prongs that are folded over became brittle,black, split and broke off over time. I replaced the end…twice since then. At one point it was kicking on/off rapid while I tried to bend the cord back and forth. I believe wires were arcing in plug end so I electric taped individual wires then reassembled.  Saw works great and still have a second saw sib because I originally purchased at HD for $250. Went in the next day and clearanced out to $200. I always use a gfci, and  plug in table and miter saw direct when possible. If not use a 10 Guage surge protect extension cord.  Test the saw with a small ac / dc current pen tester to check if there is still power running past the switch assy after it kicks off

Thanks Kirk, will have a look.

I’ve been relatively kind to my saw 😬although it was working hard of late as the blade was pretty dull.

Shall have a proper look along the cable in day light and see whether I’m missing anything damaged about the cord.