Does anyone have any experience with this Craftsman Band Saw http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922400000P?prdNo=2? It will mostly be used for woodworking. I know there are probably better products out there, but I have some gift cards to Sears to use. Thanks for the help.
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Craftsman Band Saw
- Thread starter 98riv
- Start date
ibedayank
Well-known member
Metal bandsaws run alot slower than that saw will go its for wood only
DavidB
Well-known member
I have the 10" version of that saw. The design on both looks the same though. That line of saws appears to be made by Rikon which I've read good reviews about. Overall, it's a good saw and cuts well. Mine runs smoothly and tracks well. I like that is uses roller bearings for all the guides and that they're easily adjusted. The biggest complaint I have about mine is that I wish I could get the blade tensioned tighter. They may have a stronger mechanism on the 12" version. On mine the fence seems kinda cheap but it works. You'd want a better one for re-sawing. The table tilt adjustment is pretty basic but it's what you find on machines this size.
The blade that came with mine was **** and cut poorly. I imagine the replacement blades for it from Craftsman are junk as well. They blades are also a different length than you'll find in Lowe's or Home Depot. Companies like Wood Craft and Rockler have them but I remember them being kind of expensive and they didn't list who made them. You best bet is to order some after market blades. I ordered some from SuperCut Bandsaw Co. http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/ Their customer service was good and they slipped the blades quickly. They were about the same price as the in store ones and cut very well.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Or if you have any questions ask away and I'll try to answer them.
David
The blade that came with mine was **** and cut poorly. I imagine the replacement blades for it from Craftsman are junk as well. They blades are also a different length than you'll find in Lowe's or Home Depot. Companies like Wood Craft and Rockler have them but I remember them being kind of expensive and they didn't list who made them. You best bet is to order some after market blades. I ordered some from SuperCut Bandsaw Co. http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/ Their customer service was good and they slipped the blades quickly. They were about the same price as the in store ones and cut very well.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Or if you have any questions ask away and I'll try to answer them.
David
I have the 10" version of that saw. The design on both looks the same though. That line of saws appears to be made by Rikon which I've read good reviews about. Overall, it's a good saw and cuts well. Mine runs smoothly and tracks well. I like that is uses roller bearings for all the guides and that they're easily adjusted. The biggest complaint I have about mine is that I wish I could get the blade tensioned tighter. They may have a stronger mechanism on the 12" version. On mine the fence seems kinda cheap but it works. You'd want a better one for re-sawing. The table tilt adjustment is pretty basic but it's what you find on machines this size.
The blade that came with mine was **** and cut poorly. I imagine the replacement blades for it from Craftsman are junk as well. They blades are also a different length than you'll find in Lowe's or Home Depot. Companies like Wood Craft and Rockler have them but I remember them being kind of expensive and they didn't list who made them. You best bet is to order some after market blades. I ordered some from SuperCut Bandsaw Co. http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/ Their customer service was good and they slipped the blades quickly. They were about the same price as the in store ones and cut very well.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Or if you have any questions ask away and I'll try to answer them.
David
Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. So would you suggest getting a new fence and table like this one from Rockler? http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10164
I might try to use it for re-sawing sometime in the future, so it would be good if I could use it for that to.
woody 73
Well-known member
I find that the wider the blade the better for resaw work. It looks like that model saw will not take any blade wider then 1/2".
DavidB
Well-known member
The main issue with the fence when it comes to resawing is it's height. You could probably make a piece out of wood that slips over the fence to give you a taller surface. See here for an example (not my page): http://lumberjocks.com/GregD/blog/21933
Any opinions on this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922401000P It is on sale at my store for a little bit more.
DavidB
Well-known member
Bigger is better. I've never wished for a smaller saw.