1957 Craftsman "100" questions

[Efdurst]

Garage sale find: Craftsman "100" - 10" tilting arbor bench saw. Manufactured by Emerson Electric for Sears Roebuck & Co. under the Craftsman tool line. It is a model 113.29991 manufactured 1957-1960 (based on the "power bronze" color scheme) it's in great working condition and has table extensions on both sides, 1hp motor, rip fence, miter fence, numerous original blades, shaper head, planer head, sanding head, original tools, and manual. My questions are: How do I valuate something like this, what's the market like for this saw, and is there a recommended place to post it for sale?

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm a vintage tool noobie.

 

[Musicinabottle]

First question....... Photes?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I think there needs to be a 'flipper' section of the board...there sure have been a lot of posts recently from people who sign up just to ask about the value of things.

 

[Efdurst]

I understand where your coming from. For me personally, I wanted to ask the opinions of guys that have a genuine love for the industry and trade and could possibly add or subtract value in areas that an antiquiter or appraiser wouldn't think of. I also joined this community to learn about the restoration, calibration and proper use of vintage set of Norris London 50 hand planes, Stanley Sweetheart, and an old iron and wood hand plane that is stamped S.S. AYR, as well as a few other vintage hand tools. I'm here to stay, I promise.

 

[Shiftless]

Efdurst:
Welcome to GJ.
Have you found the woodworking thread? Lots of great guys hang out there.
Give me a minute and I’ll dig out the link for you...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344153&page=271&highlight=Woodworking+101

 

[Efdurst]

Shiftless - I have not, and thank you for that info my friend. Much appreciated.

 

[Shiftless]

I added a link to my previous post.
The thread has over 5000 entries. Might as well start on page 1

 

[Efdurst]

Update: 1957 Craftsman "100" questions

I am away from my shop for another week to upload pictures. I searched Google and found a photo that is damn near identical to my machine. Same condition, model, color scheme and table. I hope I attached the photo ... We'll see.
Q: What is your opinion about doing a full and accurate restoration on a machine like this?

Also, am I in the right area for this post? Vintage tools discussion?

 

[Roberts210]

I don't think you will make much money by restoring this saw and trying to sell it. if you want to restore it and keep it, it might provide some fun and satisfaction, but if you are a real noobie with power tools, it also might take off a few of your fingers, especially if you try the shaper and planer heads. If you just want to sell it as-is my guess is it would bring $100 to $200, maybe a little more if someone really had to have it. The old C-man saws, with that motor, are not very powerful, and with that fence are not particularly accurate. They were marketed to Joe Homeowner, and while there are plenty of decent craftsmen of that type, most of them, IMO moved up to a better saw once they got some experience.

 

[Efdurst]

Good info, thanks. I think I might restore it and donate it to a community or trades school. I'm good with the safety also. I'm new to vintage, but I'm a journeyman millwright with all my digits (knocking on a 8/4 slab of figured hardrock maple). And I totally agree with you about upgrading from a bench model for increased accuracy and power. I run an Altedorf 12" slider w/ 54x105 capacity and digital fence for my accuracy... And for power - my hog Tannewitz 20" with dual power feeds that will rip through 20/4 hard maple and not even rev down.. u u u o o o O...

 

[Red Leader]

The '100' model was Craftsman's nicest bench/contractor type saw. Don't let the design fool you - saws a lot more crude were used to build whole houses. And from an engineering standpoint, the concept of trunions mounting to the underside of the table vs the tabs of a sheet metal cabinet (as is the case in many a floor saw) may even be technically superior, as they are typically ground surfaces.

Design details aside, those are nice saws. Check electrical for any cracked, crumbling, or fraying wires. Assuming you put new bearings in the arbor/motor, and true the arbor, you'll have a very fine running and accurately cutting tool. They have a good reputation. There is a reason why it is still around 60 years later, and that is actually pretty young in the grand 'vintage tool' scheme.

As far as value goes...very difficult question. I've seen these saws offered for free all the way up to $300. I lament the deflationary prices on vintage machinery, but it is the nature of our disposable society combined with the lack of woodworking interest that keep the demand for these tools quite low and inversely, due to their durability, their supply relatively high.

Unfortunately, the only thing you would ever get out of a restoration is enjoyment of time and satisfaction at the end product, but hardly ever recoup the monetary investments, unless the initial purchase priced was pennies. If you have the space and the time, I'd encourage you to spend some time with the saw and use it. You might just find you really enjoy a solid, well-crafted vintage American made tool and find yourself craving more I got my start in vintage machinery with a very similar early 1960s Craftsman bench saw and haven't looked back.

Regarding power, I agree, some of your bigger tools might be better for stuffing 8/4 hardwood through, but set it up with a nice 1.5-2hp (vintage) motor, thin kerf blade...it's performance may be surprising. Part of the charm of these old tools is their size, their image, and what they represent in that of an wonderful era long gone.

 

[CKS1955]

...They have a good reputation. There is a reason why it is still around 60 years later, and that is actually pretty young in the grand 'vintage tool' scheme...I got my start in vintage machinery with a very similar early 1960s Craftsman bench saw and haven't looked back... Part of the charm of these old tools is their size, their image, and what they represent in that of an wonderful era long gone.

Could not agree more. Well said.

Jay

 

[rsanter]

Good news
Those are a really good saw for general use. They can be dialed in to give good service for many years

Bad news
The fence is so-so at best, and they are not worth very much

I agree with the $100-$200 evaluation with me leaning to the $200 side with the accessories.

I have one that was my dad’s, I have added a larger motor and replaced the bearings and changed to a VEGA fence

Most community places will not take it for them to use as it lacks the modern safety guards and such. Sell it to someone that will use it or if you want to donate it go to habitat for humanity

 

[Cruzan80]

I have one that I am trying to sell, with both blade guards, the pedestal, wings, fence etc. Just about every accessory besides the planer/shaper heads. Just lowered it down to $175, and haven't gotten any bites in Denver. About to start putting the hard to find accessories on here to get some out of the way.