Porta-Band

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I just scored a Porter Cable portaband 736 on Craigslist like the one in the picture (not my pic, but same model).  It's got this electronic speed controller on the left side that's totally dead.  I can run it at full speed by switching the switch to "bypass", but I can't get the speed control to work (if I switch it to "auto", it does nothing).Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get variable speed out of it?I doubt anyone's going to have the repair manual to diagnose the problem with the board, but maybe some ideas on what to put in there.I was thinking of something along the lines of a ceiling fan speed control, but something that can handle the 6A motor.  If I take the cover off, there's enough room to safely stuff a GFI outlet in the opening, so I've got room to work with. . .I've already changed the power cord (why is it that all my PC tools from that vintage have badly cracking cords) with 14-3SJ that's nice and long, and replaced the gearbox oil (it sounds so much nicer now).  Man this tool is sweeeet!  Now that I've got it, I'm picturing all the hours I've spent with a hack saw that were completely wasted.    Attached ImagesLast edited by rlitman; 08-08-2011 at 11:40 PM.
Reply:Take a look this post  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=51283
Reply:check out https://www.ereplacementparts.com/they may have it.I've brought a few tools back to life thanks to these guys.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Yeah, I looked there.  Everyone I found online either said "call for quote", "unavailable", or listed a price over $400.  That's why I was thinking of using something like this:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:ITI'm not sure if the motor would toast that right away though.On a similar note, there is a crack in the upper blade guide arm.  That tiny part goes for almost $100.I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to weld or repair it, but it looks to me like it is cast from zinc.
Reply:Would a soldering iron amp controller work?I have a milwaukee saw that I just loved and used for everything until I got a 7x12 horizontal saw. Now the milwaukee just sits in the cabinet.
Reply:If you don't need the speed control to be right on the saw, Harbor Freight makes a speed control that they sell for use on routers. I have one, and although I have not used it alot, it does work well. I have even used it to control the speed of my stationary disk sander which I think draws something like 13 amps, so it should have no problem working with your saw..
Reply:Forgot to post link to Harbor Freight router speed controlhttp://www.harborfreight.com/router-...rol-43060.html