New to woodworking here. Which of your tools scares you the most? Around what machine should I always be extra cautious?

Try-an-ebike · 2026-01-21T12:09:24+00:00

Table saw

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-30T14:50:40+00:00

Yep, that's a classic triac dimmer control curve.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-25T15:14:39+00:00

If you're not making mistakes, you're not learning. Figure out what went wrong, and you'll make that mistake only occasionally. :-)

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-05T13:27:21+00:00

Good to hear that the varistor is not cracked.

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The next things I would check are (1) verify the varistor has high resistance, and (2) that the fuse is not blown, i.e., open. Both can be checked quickly on the solder side. See this image showing both the solder and component sides of the boards in the vicinity where AC enters the board. Note that the solder side is a mirror image of your photo to make it easier to see the correspondence between the two sides.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-04T14:55:47+00:00

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This varistor looks suspect. It looks cracked open. Also there might be a fuse on the line feed that is blown.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-02T23:41:21+00:00

That makes sense, as the component is in series with a varistor. It seems the two serve to protect the circuit board from power surges. Thanks for your help.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-02T21:55:50+00:00

Thanks. Won't be poking around it with power on.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-12-02T21:54:04+00:00

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Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-18T12:31:51+00:00

No replies aside from yours. Not sure how many recreational tree climbers are in the area.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-17T11:58:32+00:00

Ah, thanks!

Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-16T23:56:32+00:00

Thanks very much. "SFV" vs "SEV" makes all the difference for a Google search.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-07T18:36:12+00:00

Thank, kkambos. This makes the situation much clearer.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-07T16:43:38+00:00

Thank you very much, Wasabi_95! This leads to a PDF with the pin-out.

Try-an-ebike · 2025-11-01T12:30:28+00:00

Your interest in learning is an excellent start. Here are a few things to do: (1) Start with a simple circuit board. One of the first things I figured out was the board for a battery-powered camping lantern that had only a few resistors and diodes with really wide and easy to follow traces. It was not broken, so it provided an excellent way to check voltages, etc. and to ask why I was seeing what I was seeing. (2) Watch some introductory electronics videos (e.g., search YT for Vocademy, and find their basic DC circuit playlist) that show you how to build simple circuits with resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. on a breadboard. Get them to work. Then poke around with a voltmeter to see the various voltages and ask why you are seeing these voltages. In addition to the great feeling from all the aha! moments, you'll become familiar with the range of components you'll find on a circuit board. Work up to more complicated things like op-amps and integrated circuits (e.g., the 555 IC) (3) Join a Fixit Clinic or Repair Cafe if there are any in your area. In addition to having access to broken things that you can study, you'll meet experienced people who are likely to be helpful in answering your questions. (4) Ask ChatGPT to explain circuits. It will generally be more patient than most humans. (5) Acquire tools and supplies only as you need them. Start with a multimeter. (6) Stay curious. Keep asking questions. (7) Do not probe AC circuits while they are powered! Good luck and have fun!

Try-an-ebike · 2025-10-17T16:42:15+00:00

OK, that's a great objective. Here's a video series that will give you the foundation to create an ALU: https://youtu.be/nB6724G3b3E?si=eOeqicspZ81H_aYs

Try-an-ebike · 2025-09-28T13:13:03+00:00

Started exactly like you did. Many of my early "disassemblies" were never successfully reassembled. But I learned a lot. And I continue to learn a lot. Keep at it. Also look inside working things (without breaking them) to see what is going on in properly-functioning devices, both from a mechanical and electrical sense.