I needed a portable band saw for occasional use and thought🥴 the Chicago Electric 10 amp model Variable Speed Band Saw Kit might work for that. About the third time using (past 90 day warranty) it wouldn't start. Checked brushes and they were fine. The little circuit board on the variable speed roller had sprung a leak. I cut it our of of the circuit, rewired direct to motor and it worked fine, but at high speed. Naturally, no replacement parts at all are available for this 3-year old tool.
Has anybody here found a fix for this? I could use it wired direct and see how long it lasts, or maybe try to retrofit a similar part for a 10A Makita of similar design. I saw on you tube someone had used large variable speed control box off of something else, but he had his on a stand for in-shop use. I would like to stay portable.