Electric brake seems to be seized. Upon starting saw, motor sounds as if binding. How can I disengage the brake.

Possibly something has jammed inside the motor housing although unlikely.
Electric brake seized perhaps?
Carbon brushes need replaced?

These saws (and the newer 4100) have a history of motor problems, with the field winding and electronic motor speed control being the most common points of failure. If you go to an online tool parts supplier like toolpartsdirect- Bosch 4000 saw you will see a list of the parts available, as well as the most commonly ordered parts.

Thanks go to Jason for his blog post at:

http://mypeculiarnature.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/bosch-4000-table-saw-fix-momentum-lost.html

Change belt .... follow required maintainance ...

With the cove off you should be able to turn the sprocket easily, if not the brake is on, grab the hand guard and pull it fully back toward the rear of the saw until the brake clicks and the drum can be turned.

If it actually binds and stops the motor...... it sounds like the motor is bad, the bearings are bad, or the blade is on backwards. If the motor keeps spinning, but the blade stops then the gears are bad or the blade bolt is not tight.

It may be that the motor is under powered for the load, but more likely it sounds like the motor is defective. Perhaps some of the windings have shorted. That might allow the blade to spin, but stop under any load. What brand and model is this saw?

There is no electric brake on the Bosch 4100 table saw. If the motor sounds like it is being held back its possible the rear armature bearing has seized or the field coil is faulty. Both these problems cause the motr to not turn at full speed. The motor must be serviced.

Hi, make sure the chain is not on too tight, It should lift from the bar about a quarter inch. Also if there is a chain brake make sure that it is disengaged. If the chain stops but the saw is revving high then there may be a worn out clutch that needs to be replaced. Finally make sure the limb that you are cutting is not binding the chain under its' own weight.

worn or damaged bearing --brushes worn --

Sounds like your brakes are locking up. I would check the emergency brake first to see if it is seized on. If not that check rear then front brakes

sounds like your brake calipers are binding. They have a slide mechanism and these could be seized. inspect caliper to confirm.