Questions regarding compound miter saws?

Question

i have a dewalt 12in cpd sliding miter saw.

I am cutting lap joints at the end of a 2 x 4. With the height stop in place, i am doing like 10 cuts continuous without stopping the motor, will i burn the motor out if i run it too long for a period of time?

Answer 1

That particular model of saw is often used commercially...

Let the blade do the work... don't try to rush the cut.

Keep a sharp blade in the saw, and I believe you can expect many years of use out of it.

Have Fun

Answer 2

A cheap saw will burn out whether cutting or not, but since you paid extra for quality you will be rewarded with long life. You could run that saw all day without worry.
Except for one thing-- with the kiln-dried lumber out there today, those 2X4's are probably Douglas Fir or one of the many Pines that are out there. They are likely to blow off a lot of sawdust. If you use the dust catcher then you'll be fine and will only have to empty it regularly. If you don't use it then the fan in the saw motor will draw that dust through the holes in the end of the motor. It's not that the dust is so injurious to the motor directly but it will interfere with the cooling air which will burn it up faster than if you keep it clean. A quick shot of compressed air will break it loose. And resist the urge to spray any type of lubricant in the end of the motor as it's bearings are sealed and permanently lubricated, and it will just catch dirt 100 times faster.
And save that sawdust in a 5 gallon bucket for cleaning up oil spills.

Answer 3

Free wheeling the motor actually has a cooling effect on the saw, an impeller forces air past the armature, blowing hot air out.
Just keep a sharp blade in it and don't lug it down by forcing a cut.

Answer 4

Good answer from your first poster. It will actually have a somewhat cooling effect on the motor.

Answer 5

I have done this for years in everything from Poplar to Jatoba without any ill effects to the saw.