My grandpa's old table saw finally gave out after 40 years

It was last Tuesday when I went to cut some oak for a bookshelf project I've been putting off for months. The motor just started smoking and quit on me. I've had that saw since 2006 when my grandpa passed it down. I guess 40 years of use is a good run for any tool. Now I'm stuck with a half-cut board and no way to finish it. Anyone else have an old tool die on them mid project?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane_martinez442mo ago

Wait, didn't your grandpa buy that in the 80s though?

riley8602mo ago

Got a buddy who picked up a vintage truck from his uncle, swore it was garage kept and barely driven. Turned out the odometer was busted for like a decade and the frame was basically rust dust. Cost him more to fix than the truck was worth.

black.jordan29d ago

Yeah, that's rough. First thing I'd tell anyone buying an old truck is check the frame with a magnet and a flashlight. Rust can hide under a decent paint job. Also, busted odometers are way more common than people admit on old stuff. If the mileage doesn't match the wear on the pedals or the steering wheel, something's off. Best advice is to budget for double what you think it'll cost to fix, because it almost always does. Your buddy learned that the hard way, same as a lot of us.