Rebuild of PREAC micro table saw

2 years ago, my trusty 35-year-old PREAC table saw threw a bearing and gouged the drive shaft.

I found the bearing at an aerospace supply company and got a quote for $210!! No thanks.

I ended up buying a Proxxon but it just isn't capable of doing what the PREAC did.

Long story short, I did some more searching and found the bearings at Bearings Direct: SR4-ZZ Stainless Steel Miniature Ball Bearing 1/4x5/8x0.196 . Cost: $20.58 for two, including shipping (good to have a spare).

I went to Home Depot, bought a 1/4" stainless bolt and started milling a new shaft, using the original as a template. The bottom shaft shows where the bearing ate into the original shaft. The top is the milled replacement. Pretty straightforward but drilling a 3/32 hole through the center of a stainless bolt wasn't easy!


Here is the shaft with the blade, drive belt pulley, and bearing box dry-fit.


I'm eagerly waiting for the replacement bearings so I can finish the rebuild and give it a test run.

I will be a happy camper to have the PREAC up and running again!! It cuts so smooth/accurately and is easier to set up, compared to the Proxxon!!!

Innovation is the mother of google research for what you need.