Blade goes down easy-binds on table bracket going up? any hints ti solve.Threaded rod turns easy when gear dog os not in.

Yes, the arm in binding in the gears that move it. You will need to remove some screws and open up the cover. Take pictures to remember how to reassemble. Also make sure to keep each screw in the right place on reassembly

look for binding gears. Oil plastic gears with silicone based oil. It is also possible that the gears are too worn and are no longer aligned and no amount of oil will help you.

God luk.

Most common repair for this saw
1) remove blade & blade housing guard plate
2) You will find 2 allen head screws holding the elevating screw bracket
This will allow you to move the gears apart to replace
Remove the small retaining ring and slide the gear off (be careful not to lose the woodruff key when you slide the gear off)
Typically we find that the 2 rods (elevating shafts) are bent and this causes the resistance that strips the gears out - I always replace the 2 rods and the elevating screw when replacing the gears - you already have it apart and the parts are inexpensive.

The only solution is to remove the trunnions and threaded rod, thoroughly clean them and lubricate with a silicone based product. Clean these areas at the end of each use to extend the period between tear-downs (yes, you'll probably need to do it periodically). Also, once disassembled, clean and lubricate the guides on the motor mount.
I removed the motor altogether to make this task easier. I recommend cutting the power lead to it and installing a quick connect to avoid having to go through the trouble of disassembling the power switch. Good luck.

Just a point, counter-clockwise should lower the blade.
Look under the saw while turning the handwheel, if the threaded rod is turning you have an issue with where it threads into the motor block. If the threaded rod is not turning you have either a broken handwheel or the pin on the threaded rod is broke or fell out.

it lowers easy because of the weight of the motor. What I would try and do is unplug tool first and lay on its backside and try and blow all the dirt from the gears/slide assembly. Look for a broken part where the shaft goes thru and if none use a DRY LUBE spray and also check for proper meshing of the gears. After lubrucating while saw is laying on its back look at the gear for any possible binding. Set upright and try again.

Check the threaded rods that turn to move the motor assembly up and down. These rods are sometimes oiled or greased and this just attracts saw dust and eventually binds up the system. Clean as best you can and the threads they turn in to raise the blade. Also check the tilt rods.
Another thing to check is the joints everything pivots on. Occasionally a small peice of wood can get in just the right (or wrong) place and the motor assembly won't move because it's blocking the pivot points.

Hi cgkj35a,

Welcome to fixya!

When you turn the handle, can you see the rod move? If the rod doesn't move, then the handle is probably stripped out. This happens pretty often. Disassemble the handle and replace it.

If the rod moves when you turn the handle, then check the gears at the end of the rod. It could be as simple as too much sawdust in the gears so they won't mesh right or something is stripped.

Here is the webpage for a diagram and parts for your model: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/Saw-Parts/Model-137218300/0247/0744600/50024793/00002

Copy and paste this entire address into your browser and the page will open up for you. Click on enlarge for a much better picture.

Good luck to you.
Hope this helps. If it does, I'd appreciate your vote. Thanks,

Handie Andie, woodworker

The wheel that you turn has a long bolt which threads through a type of nut on the motor assembly. You will need to turn the table saw upside down to check it. It maybe broken or jammed, There also could be a piece of wood the fell in there and is jamming the mechanisim.

Pleas leave a comment if this helped you out

Good Luck

i would say the table is twisted then, strip it down first and if you need to "bend!" it back so it works

First of all, love the saw. As good as portables can be, the 4000 is really great.

Now, just remedied the blade height adjustment problem, here is how:

Unplug saw.

Removed blade....not easy when you cannot raise the blade, flip the saw upside down and remove the plastic shield, turn saw upright and remove blade.

Used my compressor with blower attachment and blasted all of the dust out of the gears and screw rods with saw upright and upside down, bevel saw to 45 degrees to gain more access..

Sprayed quite liberally with silicone spray lube and gently worked blade height adjustment, adding more lube, cranking wheel, more lube....blade adjustment now works like the day I bought the saw.

DO NOT USE WD40 or the like. This will just attract more dirt in a very short amount of time.

We'll see how the silicone spray holds up.

Good luck,
RjW