How to change a table saw blade without an arbor wrench

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How to change a table saw blade without an arbor wrench

removing arbor nut without table saw blade

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How to Change a Table Saw Blade without an Arbor Wrench

1 - Turn off the saw and disconnect the power supply.

Ensure the saw is turned off and the power cord has been removed from the outlet.

2 - Raise the blade, remove the cover plate, blow out any saw dust.

Lift up the cover plate that goes over the saw blade and set it aside. Now would be a good time to use an air compressor to blow out any saw dust that’s in or around the arbor.

throat plate removed from dewalt table saw

3 - Use a paint marker to mark the nut’s location on the arbor

Using a paint marker, draw a small line on the nut and arbor so you can see where they’re supposed to line up. This gives you a reference point for how tight the nut needs to be when you put it back on the arbor threads.

4 - Place a thin piece of metal in between the table and blade

In a pinch, this will work, but don’t use this as the primary way to remove the arbor nut from your table saw.

Place a piece metal or the throat plate between the front of the saw blade and the table. This piece of metal should extend across the gap that the cover plate covers. The saw blade should not be able to spin freely.

throat plate used as a blade stopper on dewalt table saw

5 - Use a wrench to remove the nut.

With the piece of metal holding the blade in place, use a wrench to loosen the nut towards the front of the table saw. As long as you use a strong enough piece of wood, that should keep the blade and arbor in place long enough to loosen the nut.

What if the nut won’t come off?

Depending on the age of your saw and the environment it’s in, the nut could be stuck for any number of reasons.

Nut is rusted on
Nut has been rounded off from previous attempts to remove

Start by visually inspecting the nut. Are the threads rounded off? If so, you’ll need to use an alternative method to removing the nut. Luckily, there’s a dozen different ways to remove a rounded nut. Here are several solutions to remove a nut that’s stuck.

Start with coating the nut and arbor in penetrating oil - PB Blaster for example. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes before turning
Break the nut off with a nut splitter - make sure you have a replacement nut available.
Heat the nut up with a blow torch and melt some wax on the nut and arbor
- Do not do this if it is coated in any lubricant like penetrating oil - penetrating oil is flammable!
- The heat helps to move the melt and break any corrosion and the wax can move into the threads.

If you need to purchase a replacement nut, most arbors are 5/8" and some nuts may fit on other table saws. For example, the measurements for the Dewalt nut are below. Be sure to check the thread count.

Replacement Table Saw Blade Nut | Dewalt

Genuine, OEM Replacement Part. Replacement blade nut, part number 5140131-58. Compatible with: DCS7485B, DCS7485T1, DWE7490X, DWE7490X, DWE7491RS, DWE7491RS, DWE7499GD, DWE7499GD. Measures approximately 0.85 X 0.95 X 0.30 inches

Buy from Amazon.com

How to reinstall a table saw blade without an arbor wrench

If the blade has been replaced and you’re ready to put the nut back on, follow these steps below.

Check to make sure the saw is turned off and disconnected from the power supply.
Remove the cover plate if it isn’t already removed.
Place a piece of scrap wood or other sturdy material between the rear of the blade and table.
Screw the nut back on and tighten until snug.

1 - Turn the saw off and disconnect it from the outlet

Always double check to ensure there is no possible way power can go to the saw if you are working on it.

2 - Remove the cover plate

Remove the cover plate if it hasn’t been removed already.

3 - Insert a ratchet strap into the saw blade's expansion slot

Insert the strap into the heat expansion slot on the saw. Then, by pushing the strap forward and pulling the wrench back, tighten the nut back to its original position where the ink marks align.

Be extremely careful when doing this as the strap could slip at any time. Be aware that the ratchet strap may not be usable after using it to hold the blade.

using ratchet strap on dewalt table saw blade

4 - Place the nut on and tighten until snug and aligns with the original paint mark

Place the nut on the arbor and tighten it until it aligns with the original paint mark you made during the removal process. Ensure it fits snugly on the arbor and there is no play in the nut.

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