Modding a Cordless Saw to Run on 12 Volts
by mark101 in Workshop > Tools
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Modding a Cordless Saw to Run on 12 Volts
I wanted a cordless saw.
Canada Tire (3079 Boulevard des Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9B 1Z6) had a sale on cordless saws. A regular priced saw is more than $100.00. This saw was about $20.00.
There were about five of them in opened boxes in the store.
I think they want to get rid of them.
The saw came without a power-pack.
I did not want to buy their power pack for two reasons.
1) The cost
2) The weight on the saw
I decided to mod/hack the saw to run on twelve volts, or a car battery with a short wire/line.
I needed a tool that could turn the screws holding the saw together. A "T-15" bit is required, so had to buy a tool.
Buy Wire, three meters of two stranded wire
Two alligator type clips for the end of the wire.
A 12 volt battery with high current output.
Canada Tire (3079 Boulevard des Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9B 1Z6) had a sale on cordless saws. A regular priced saw is more than $100.00. This saw was about $20.00.
There were about five of them in opened boxes in the store.
I think they want to get rid of them.
The saw came without a power-pack.
I did not want to buy their power pack for two reasons.
1) The cost
2) The weight on the saw
I decided to mod/hack the saw to run on twelve volts, or a car battery with a short wire/line.
I needed a tool that could turn the screws holding the saw together. A "T-15" bit is required, so had to buy a tool.
Buy Wire, three meters of two stranded wire
Two alligator type clips for the end of the wire.
A 12 volt battery with high current output.
Step 1
Open the saw with the T-15 tool.
The inside of the saw.
First thing to go was the safety lock on the trigger. It falls right off.
The inside of the saw.
First thing to go was the safety lock on the trigger. It falls right off.
Step 2
Second
Cut off the speed control. I don't want to waste any power. I am going with the full 12 volts .
Cut as close to the ends as possible. There is not a lot of wire to spare.
Cut off the speed control. I don't want to waste any power. I am going with the full 12 volts .
Cut as close to the ends as possible. There is not a lot of wire to spare.
Step 3
Confirm the motor works on 12 volts with some wire and a 12 volt battery.
Step 4
Solder the motor wires to the high power switch.
I found the heat required to solder was tremendous and I was using a 150 watt iron.
This is the reason I left the two lower wires on the switch attached, they would not easily come off.
My red and black on the top of the switch are vice-verso because the red wire going to the motor was a bit too short.
When attaching the power cord I connected black to red.
I found the heat required to solder was tremendous and I was using a 150 watt iron.
This is the reason I left the two lower wires on the switch attached, they would not easily come off.
My red and black on the top of the switch are vice-verso because the red wire going to the motor was a bit too short.
When attaching the power cord I connected black to red.
Step 5
Attach the three meter length wire/cord to the bottom of the power switch. I soldered to the two existing wires and then capped the joint with marettes.
Step 6
Close up the case. Tighten the screws
Closing this is up was somewhat difficult due to this saw model being able to twist.
Closing this is up was somewhat difficult due to this saw model being able to twist.
Step 7
Attach alligator type clips to the end of the wire.
Demonstration
http://youtu.be/UkObVj8yFfU
first video of using saw
http://youtu.be/4ohVUMqGOIE
Second video of using saw
first video of using saw
http://youtu.be/4ohVUMqGOIE
Second video of using saw