Craftsman 152.221240 Table Saw

[Jakemedic]

Hello and Seasons Greetings., Sometime around 2006, my bride purchased me a Craftsman 152.221240 table saw. It is a beautiful table saw or was until I had a problem with power, or actually lack of power. I opened it up and found the nut and key holding the pulley to the arbor was missing. Called Sears (or what’s left of Sears) and of course they said no to any parts for the saw. Looking at the owners manual, I located off the shelf parts that should have fit. Actually ordered off Amazon and this morning began the task of taking off the cast iron top to access the shaft. What I found was a shaft that is badly damaged, the pulley is also damaged and the nut I purchased won’t go onto what’s left of the shaft.

Being a good investigator, I located a forum Lumberjocks that someone in 2016 actually had the same problem and found the saw was actually made by Steel City. They too are bankrupt, but there is a company in Canada that purchased them. They speak French, so calling them was no luck. I did email the company to ask about replacement parts and have yet to hear back. The repair job would be something I would need to have done, if in fact I can even get parts. The arbor is pressed into the cast iron and the bearings. I don’t have the tools to do that, but think I could get a machine shop to do the work.

So my question for this group, what do I do with this saw if parts are not available? Scrap it out? Sell the parts on eBay? Take the cast iron piece with the arbor to a shop and see if they can secure a pulley on the arbor and replace the bottom pulley? It does have a Biesemeyer commercial fence and rail system wish is very nice. Seems like a waste to discard the saw and purchase a new one, but that might be in my future. Any ideas?

 

[tre873]

Looks like there are some threads left on the end of the shaft. Could you use a spacer between the pulley and the nut? That would move the nut to the end of the shaft where the threads are.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Depending on what the damaged parts are .... I would take it apart and head to a machine shop. I have an old Sears edger (probably 40+ y.o.) and the drive shaft was badly worn. Took it to machine shop and had them make a new one.
Also, Sears Parts website used to be great. They had all the exploded diagrams and I would save some to my computer when I was sourcing for repairs of appliances (dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.). Another glorious resource that is fading away.
But machine shop is the answer, and you may find someone on this forum to actually make part/s for you. Maybe post in the Classifieds on here too?

 

[Jakemedic]

Looks like there are some threads left on the end of the shaft. Could you use a spacer between the pulley and the nut? That would move the nut to the end of the shaft where the threads are.

Hi, yes there are threads left. But the nut I purchased won’t start and before I boogered up the threads more, I stopped. The nut I purchased is a left handed thread, 5/8” with 18 threads (from the craftsman owner’s manual). It appears the design may have been flawed from the start. I would need to lengthen the spacer on the inside to get the pulley to be in line with the motor pulley. Looks like it never quite lined up, even when new. May try and get another nut from another vendor in case it’s the nut issue, not the arbor issue. Appreciate your time very much!

 

[Jakemedic]

Depending on what the damaged parts are .... I would take it apart and head to a machine shop. I have an old Sears edger (probably 40+ y.o.) and the drive shaft was badly worn. Took it to machine shop and had them make a new one.
Also, Sears Parts website used to be great. They had all the exploded diagrams and I would save some to my computer when I was sourcing for repairs of appliances (dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.). Another glorious resource that is fading away.
But machine shop is the answer, and you may find someone on this forum to actually make part/s for you. Maybe post in the Classifieds on here too?

I like that idea! I will post in the classifieds here and see if someone would be willing to remake the arbor and press it into place. Would need new pulleys too, I would imagine. I’m a woodworker, not a machinist.

 

[Motown]

My brother has the same saw. He needs the insert that goes around the blade. There is a comparable Steelcity saw, but I can't remember the model right now. Maybe do a little googling and you may find an image of it.

 

[Jakemedic]

My brother has the same saw. He needs the insert that goes around the blade. There is a comparable Steelcity saw, but I can't remember the model right now. Maybe do a little googling and you may find an image of it.

Steel City went belly up a few years ago. They were purchased by a Canadian company called Nordis. I called them and got an answering machine that said to email them. I sent an email this morning but haven’t heard back. I believe they speak French there. I made the email pretty generic so google translate should work. Guess I will wait and seee what happens there first before going through the motions of having one made.

 

[Jakemedic]

Wow I actually heard back from the Canadian company! The arbor and bearings are available from them. Woo hoo! Going to send them a detailed list of the parts I need and get them ordered. They said that Steel City didn’t make them but rather a company in Asia did and slapped the Craftsman label on it, along with Steel City, Duracraft, Delta and Blains.

 

[billp603]

That saw looks much too nice to consider scrapping or parting out, should be easy to machine some new parts.

Not sure where you are in Iowa relative to these guys, but I had ordered a shaft adapter for a snowblower engine swap from them a couple of years ago through EBay. I remember it because there was a nice hand written thank you note in the package. They seem to do quite a bit of shaft and pulley work and would be a great machine shop to contact if you're local or don't mind shipping parts.

http://www.flywheel-supply.com/home.html

 

[Jakemedic]

That saw looks much too nice to consider scrapping or parting out, should be easy to machine some new parts.

Not sure where you are in Iowa relative to these guys, but I had ordered a shaft adapter for a snowblower engine swap from them a couple of years ago through EBay. I remember it because there was a nice hand written thank you note in the package. They seem to do quite a bit of shaft and pulley work and would be a great machine shop to contact if you're local or don't mind shipping parts.

http://www.flywheel-supply.com/home.html

Thank you for the site, I will have a look. Yes, it is a beautiful table saw, cuts good and had decent power too. Going to put together a list of parts and get them ordered. I will need someone to press the new bearings in place, that is beyond what I could do. Would much rather spend a couple of hundred vs 2-3 grand on a new saw.

 

[yeldogt]

Remember "Steel City" .... Forget the backstory -- But, they had a line of tools directed towards the woodworking ... advanced hobbyist.

They were much discussed at the time on a woodworking forum ...sawmillcreek. Maybe try there for some help getting the new parts back together.

Grizzly tools had been the big player in the Asian produced market for quite some time -- originally they came from Taiwan and were crude when placed against the US made products ...but, by the early 00's the US market was in tatters. Most of the old line USA makers were going or in bad shape. People just were not into woodworking and the machine tool market was shrinking in the USA as production moved offshore. US industry just did not need the tools .. and these tool companies made the woodworking lines.

The stuff from Grizzly had become much improved and the old line USA companies like Powermatic had started making an Asian line. It was a strange time with a lot of rebranding and case cosmetic changes to make things look like they came from separate manufacturers. My memory was Steel City had a purpose designed drill press for the woodworking community vs just taking a metal unit and selling it to woodworkers ..Powermatic did as well.

Steel City did not have factories .... I have a large (20") Sears Craftsman planer that I picked up for a song about 10 years ago when Sears dropped the "industrial" line. This unit was never sold in the store and looks like others ... because they all came from the same factories. Powermatic sold the same planer with a different color case.

Steel City took the asian products and designed cases to make them look more like "old line" USA stuff packaging them with options to fit what US woodworkers wanted at the time. Grizzly still made Asian looking products. Grizzly may have had a bit more controll as they had long standing relationships .... But, only so much. Many of the parts were interchangeable .

I would be shocked if there are not many other common parts around for those machines. Steel City was in an impossible position .. it was a decent idea -- but the market was just not there. Few people in the craft -- the recession. Grizzly got smart and did some redesign .. then ... Sawstop came in. It took over the market ... if you could not afford the Sawstop .. no worries. There were plenty of used Saws around .... shops going out of business or switching to Sawstop.

 

[Jakemedic]

Excellent post, I genuinely appreciate it. Going to put together my parts list and see how much. The saw new was 1100.00. We got it for 650.00 when the version she originally bought wouldn’t cut straight. It is a very nice saw when working. The fence is a commercial quality Biesemeryer that is very accurate and heavy.

 

[yeldogt]

Excellent post, I genuinely appreciate it. Going to put together my parts list and see how much. The saw new was 1100.00. We got it for 650.00 when the version she originally bought wouldn’t cut straight. It is a very nice saw when working. The fence is a commercial quality Biesemeryer that is very accurate and heavy.

Jake that's what they did ..... packaged what people wanted.

Grizzly was offering an asian designed saw that was very good ... but, people wanted bigger tables and the better Biesemeryer style fences. There was also some who disliked the cast tables from Asia (not flat)

My memory was some of the guys from Delta took over or started another company. Orion -- or something like that. Morphed or they moved and started Steel City. Delta stopped production.

Steel City came out with stone tables for some products to differentiate from the others.

It was clear that they must not have had exclusive design rights as the Sears stuff was clearly the same.

Sawmillcreek would be the place to ask .... there may be someone who knows the crossover parts. Some parts are used in every tool ..

 

[Jakemedic]

Howdy! https://www.lumberjocks.com/topics/161514 The guy there had the same problem as me. The post is from a few years ago. That’s where I found the Canadian company who I called and ultimately got an email from. My cast iron is pretty flat, but had to remove the top from the base to gain access to the arbor. Squaring up the table to the arbor again will be interesting. The wood whisperer has a good video explaining that process. The bearings feel good yet, but if I am switching arbors anyhow, may as well replace them too. The arbor is 85.00. Each bearing is 15.00. The pulley I would bet is 20.00. Shipping is 25.00. Then I will need to take the cast iron piece into a machine shop to have the bearings replaced and the arbor installed. That is beyond me. Someone earlier mentioned a guy in NW Iowa that could do the work, but the part is heavy and shipping would be high. I have a neighbor that has a machine shop. I think he would have the capability to press bearing and arbor into place. A new saw would be 3,000 easily. Thinking repair is worth my time. I am trying to price out a dedicated retirement shop currently. It has been a dream to not share with daily drivers. I got the space and the funds. Once again, thanks for engaging the post! Happy holidays to you and yours!

 

[Voi]

We got it for 650.00 when the version she originally bought wouldn’t cut straight. It is a very nice saw when working.

I used to have the Orion made version of that saw. I think there is very little if any difference from the early Steel City saws.

It sounds like maybe you've already adjusted this saw before but I'll share my experience in case you have trouble when you put it back together.

Typically when I adjust a table saw with cabinet mounted trunnions I barely loosen the four table to cabinet bolts and use a rubber mallet to tap things into square. Then I slowly tighten up the four bolts a bit at a time.

With my Craftsman saw the alignment was getting pulled out of square when I did the tightening so I kept everything much looser and started my tightening process with the blade slightly out of alignment with the miter slot. It took a few tries but I eventually got it where I wanted it.

I did this twice and it was definitely a pain but still much easier to deal with compared to a contractor type saw or the typical hybrid with table mounted trunnions.

Glad you got your part sorted out. I do think this is a hybrid saw worth putting some money into.

 

[WunTon]

I've got the same saw with a few modifications made to it and it has been a workhorse for me so far. Seeing your issue makes me think I need to invest some time and pull it apart to give everything a once over sooner than later.

 

[Jakemedic]

I've got the same saw with a few modifications made to it and it has been a workhorse for me so far. Seeing your issue makes me think I need to invest some time and pull it apart to give everything a once over sooner than later.

It would be my advice to do just that. Would have saved me a couple of hundreds and a ton of heartache if I would have checked out the saw before the nut or key came off. It is a nice table saw, will see just how difficult it will be getting it back together after getting the parts. I went ahead and ordered bearings for it too. As long as it is apart, I might as well. Merry Christmas!

 

[Daedalus]

You sure you don't want to rework the threads?

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...7kfb6I8gMJqwCSeWz5CcARSKCG_5N0URoCPksQAvD_BwE

 

[Kevin54]

You sure you don't want to rework the threads?

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...7kfb6I8gMJqwCSeWz5CcARSKCG_5N0URoCPksQAvD_BwE

Reworking the threads won't work because his are stripped out.

 

[Jakemedic]

Merry Christmas! The parts are ordered and coming from Canada (via China I’m sure). Will see when they actually arrive. Should be a good challenge.

 

[John in OH]

That appears to be a very nice saw! I'd definitely make every effort to get replacement parts ... purchased or fabricated.

One suggestion. It sounds as if this specific shaft/pulley configuration may be a weak point with this saw. So, when you receive your new parts, before you put them in the saw, get a good micrometer and take very precise measurements of the parts and make detail drawings. Precise enough that a machinist could make new parts from your diagrams. Unfortunately, you won't be able to determine the material grade and any treatment, but you will have the details needed should the parts fail again (next time replacement parts may not be available).

Maybe by studying your drawings, you might be able to devise some ways to make the parts more robust.

 

[Jakemedic]

I am thinking the nut comes loose, causing mayhem. Was planning on using red lock tight when I put it back together. It does seem to be the weak spot on the saw. Going to put a new belt on it too. Not sure how long it will take to get the parts from Canada. Will accurately measure the shaft and will be installing new bearings even though the old ones seem good.

 

[Jakemedic]

The parts arrived today! Going to tear into it I believe tomorrow. I found a machine shop that says they can press in the new bearings and situate the arbor shaft. Sure will be nice to get the saw back together. Nordis Distribution out of Quebec is who I got the parts from. Came to $202.00 usd delivered.

 

[brownbagg]

i buy alot of sear parts at searrepair.com

 

[Jakemedic]

i buy alot of sear parts at searrepair.com

Sears almost laughed when I called asking for parts for the saw. Did that after hitting their parts direct website and found that nothing was available for the saw. So much for “solid as Sears”.

 

[Jakemedic]

So I got the parts installed. I am in the process of installing the cast iron table. I understand getting the table true to the blade, but what about the table level to the body of the saw? I have had people tell me that it really doesn't matter, I am unclear if it does or not. Thanks for anybody's suggestions.

 

[johnnyonspot]

I know this is a dated thread so please forgive me. I see one of these saws for sale near me and its got the Beisemeier fence. Its wired for 220v, which I do not have. It also has a riving knife, blade guard, and 2” dust port, as well as a flip-up outfeed table, custom side table with flip-forward extension, and all original accessories and manual included. Seems to have been very well cared for. I have just gotten into woodworking during the pandemic as a way to spend my time doing something constructive, as a better way to spend my time other than sitting in the bars swilling liquor, eating lots of deep-fired foods, generally wasting my time and money, and as just a sort of mental health therapy activity. I enjoy making things and seeing tangible results of my efforts.

My questions are could it be changed to 110v? If in very good condition, what would be a fair price for it?

 

[TractorJeff]

Yes, it probably can be? Need to look on the nameplate to see if it is dual voltage. If not, then see if you really like it and what it would take to install a different motor.

 

[johnnyonspot]

What do you think would be a reasonable price?

 

[Showkey]

Suspect no on the dual voltage.......even it could be switched, full load 120v amp draw would likely be above 20 amps, making it very “impractical“ in regular use. Install of 110-120v 30 amp circuit ? Easier and more practical to install a 220-240V 20 amp circuit.......the reason the saw was 220-240v to start with.

 

[Jakemedic]

What do you think would be a reasonable price?

400-500 would be a good deal. Just keep in mind that there are limited parts available for the saw. I found my parts needed from Canada and was fortunate to get them. The saw is amazingly good especially with that rip fence.

It is capable of dual voltage. Mine is currently set up for 110. I never got around to switching it to 240, although I do have the plug to switch it. Maybe once I get the walls and ceiling in my new shop, I just might. I did run a dedicated circuit for the table saw.

 

[johnnyonspot]

I picked it up. Seller changed it to 110v. Paid $700, which I'm ok with as its in excellent condition with custom outfeed and side extension table. Got $120 for my Ryobi so I look at it like I paid $580.

 

[WunTon]

I forgot about this thread but I did end up pulling my saw apart to clean and inspect a couple months ago before I started a big project and I am so happy I did! The set screw on the motor pulley had come loose and the pulley had started to walk off the motor shaft. I caught it just in time so no damage was done and it was an easy fix. After that repair and checking everything else over real close then greasing everything I put it back together being very careful to make sure all the shims were back where they were and checked everything for square and tightened the top down. I made some test cuts and everything was as close to perfect as I think one can make it so I was happy to have a square cutting and non squeaking saw when adjusting the blade lol! As for price I paid $350 for mine as shown including the Rockler router lift in the right side of the table. I am missing the side guard on the table which I have been looking for just for dust collection purposes but for now I don't have space in the garage to set it in a permanent location in the garage so it gets rolled outside for use anyway so my dust collection system is a snow shovel and leaf blower!

I just ordered the stuff to convert mine to 240v since my 120v circuits in the garage like to pop breakers rather often when using the saw in hardwoods.

 

[Jakemedic]

Wow that looks amazing! Must have been a problem with these table saws. There are a few people reporting the same problem on various forums. Using mine to cut plywood for my woodworking shop currently. Cuts like butter through the 3/4” plywood. I am so happy I got the parts and installed them.

 

[bubinga]

I forgot about this thread but I did end up pulling my saw apart to clean and inspect a couple months ago before I started a big project and I am so happy I did! The set screw on the motor pulley had come loose and the pulley had started to walk off the motor shaft. I caught it just in time so no damage was done and it was an easy fix. After that repair and checking everything else over real close then greasing everything I put it back together being very careful to make sure all the shims were back where they were and checked everything for square and tightened the top down. I made some test cuts and everything was as close to perfect as I think one can make it so I was happy to have a square cutting and non squeaking saw when adjusting the blade lol! As for price I paid $350 for mine as shown including the Rockler router lift in the right side of the table. I am missing the side guard on the table which I have been looking for just for dust collection purposes but for now I don't have space in the garage to set it in a permanent location in the garage so it gets rolled outside for use anyway so my dust collection system is a snow shovel and leaf blower!

I just ordered the stuff to convert mine to 240v since my 120v circuits in the garage like to pop breakers rather often when using the saw in hardwoods.

Damn, you stole it for that price!!!!!!!
Good call checking and fixing the pulley.
I'd like to have one of those saws.
Good thread.
Good job [emoji106] OP also!

Sent from my G80 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[WunTon]

Damn, you stole it for that price!!!!!!!
Good call checking and fixing the pulley.
I'd like to have one of those saws.
Good thread.
Good job [emoji106] OP also!

Sent from my G80 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Interesting timing! I ordered a 12" 5hp grizzly that is due to ship on the 6th and once received this one will be for sale!