@serf27 first off, welcome to the forum! http://lumberjocks.com/topics/22234 I added a link to lumber jocks so you could see some varying opinions about your saw. I'm not familiar with Tradesman branded saws but know they are pretty inexpensive machines. I'm not sure I'd run right out and buy a new saw UNLESS you plan on cutting some more wood. But I would NOT use that saw any more till you fix it. It sounds like the drive may be shot whereas your hearing that clunking sound. That could be a pretty serious safety issue. If the fix is like you said, $15 maybe it's worth doing but if you think you're going to be using it for more projects, hit CL and find a decent contractor saw or bigger!