Craftsman professional table saw

[PLOWJEEP]

Craigslist find model# 152 221 240 it looks to be complete and in good condition. I payed the seller his asking price of $275. The motor sounds good, but I haven't cut anything on it yet.
I was kind of disappointed that a lot of the parts have been discontinued and are not available from Sears. Has anyone had any experience with these saws. Thanks, Brian

 

[Packard V8]

I was kind of disappointed that a lot of the parts have been discontinued and are not available from Sears.

What do you need that Sears doesn't have?

Has anyone had any experience with these saws.

I've seen one or two and a professional saw it's not. Just fine for the homeowner who doesn't push it too hard.

jack vines

 

[mg283680]

Its a contractor saw so it doesn't claim to be cabinet quality. If it does what you want, be happy. I figure saws like this are ~$150 on CL. I have an Enco, which will tell where I'm at.

It looks pretty new, so if its Asian, parts may be hard to come by, but generally, unless nuked, it shouldn't need many parts. As posted, what parts do you think you need?

A manual is in one of the results of this search.
https://www.google.com/search?q=152+221+240+saw&gws_rd=ssl

 

[PLOWJEEP]

I am a homeowner/hobbyist at best. I hope that I don't need anything. It seem like a nice heavy saw with a good rip fence. With no parts support. I hope that it is not a disposable saw in a nice package. Thanks,Brian

 

[mg283680]

I bought a rip fence from CL to bring the Enco cost to $200 so I'm close to your cost.
It may be fine for 20 years. I'd look at the tags to see where it was made.. Can you do that and post info?
Just because its called a contractor saw doesn't mean it doesn't work, or isn't good. A cabinet saw typically has a bigger motor and closer tolerances. You can tune your saw.
Crappy fences was a problem on older saws so I see your point there.
Sears still sells some nice stuff, even if it comes from Asia.

Your saw may (or probably does) have some cool features that my primitive saw doesn't. I like primitive.

 

[woody 73]

Funny story about parts (Packard is right on the money) anyhow back to my story; I needed a table leg for my sears contractor saw and the nice lady at sears found the part (saw bought in 81) and darn if she mailed out a washing machine leg part...it looked strange but it worked what more can I say. Sold the saw two years ago for $125.00 dollars to a nice man that was looking for just that saw.

 

[ScottsGT]

If it's one of the 35+ Year old belt drive models, my old boss was a wood worker and he was telling me there is a company out there that makes precision conversions for these. Dad had one I could of had, but just no room for it at my home.

 

[bubinga]

I am a homeowner/hobbyist at best. I hope that I don't need anything. It seem like a nice heavy saw with a good rip fence. With no parts support. I hope that it is not a disposable saw in a nice package. Thanks,Brian

post a picture of it.
they like it over here, if it's the Bies fence, you did well!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?122728-Craftsman-saw

 

[Richard Cranium]

so where is the pictures?

 

[bubinga]

does it look like this?

 

[bubinga]

He done real well if it's that one!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[PLOWJEEP]

Yep, that's the one. I don't have the portable base. It was Saturday morning, the seller was close by so I rushed over and and bought it, before it was gone. It wasn't till after I returned home that I did any research. I was kinda of surprised that there wasn't much support for these saws, since the older ones are so popular. Thanks for the replies, Brian

 

[rsanter]

The maker of that saw is steel city. They sell the same saw under their own name as well.
I have one that is branded Rigid and it is a very good saw.

Bob

 

[cgrutt]

I'd say you've done really, really well for yourself for that price. The Biesemeyer fence alone is worth what you've paid for the whole saw. Does that saw really have a granite top? Read that last night but can't tell by looking at it. Good luck with it!

 

[cgrutt]

I believe Steel City is no longer in business which may explain parts situation.

 

[PLOWJEEP]

I believe that the top is cast iron.

 

[cgrutt]

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense to me. Good luck with the saw. It seems very nice.

 

[LB-1911]

I believe Steel City is no longer in business which may explain parts situation.

You are correct - March 31st 2015 they closed the doors.

Yep, that's the one. I don't have the portable base. It was Saturday morning, the seller was close by so I rushed over and and bought it, before it was gone. It wasn't till after I returned home that I did any research. I was kinda of surprised that there wasn't much support for these saws, since the older ones are so popular.

STEEL CITY TOOLS CLOSES UP SHOP
According to industry insiders, power tool manufacturer Steel City Tool Works has closed its doors and sold its remaining inventory to a Canadian firm.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/steel-city-tools-closes-shop/

 

[Voi]

The maker of that saw is steel city.

I believe the one pictured was the model that came before the Steel City model. Made by Orion.

Orion model had a cast iron table. Steel City model had a granite table.

I had one of the Orion built saws. It was a decent saw.

It's considered a hybrid table saw and the trunnion assembly attaches to the cabinet, which is a good thing for adjustment. This is not the case with all hybrid table saws.

If it's the Steel City model I don't recall where the trunnions attach. But I'm guessing not to the granite so likely again cabinet mounted trunnions.

 

[AZ Pete]

I think you did well. As others have said, the fence is worth the price. Since it has been moved, check to make sure the blade is parallel to the miter slots, and is perpendicular to the table, and you should be good to go for many years. Just keep a good quality, sharp blade on it and don't drop,the fence or miter gage on the floor. I would recommend dedicated rip and cross cut blades as well.

 

[PLOWJEEP]

Thanks for all of the replies, I spent the last hour reading reviews. Mostly good. I was afraid that I had blindly rushed in and bought because of the price. It wouldn't have been the first time that I had fallen for a deal too good to be true.
I haven't had any time to try it as of yet. When I do I will post my impressions. Brian

 

[tarbellb]

I had a Steel City 10" 2hp model, similar to yours. They are considered a good hybrid style cabinet saw. Hybrid in the trunnion construction.

Steel City made both a cast iron and granite topped version. For the price you did great, and I would think there will be parts floating around for some time. They may be under several mfgs names, ie Craftsman, Steel City, and maybe Ridgid?

I liked mine, had a few issues but overall a solid TS.

 

[bubinga]

I

The Biesemeyer fence alone is worth what you've paid for the whole saw.

this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[bubinga]

cabinet mounted trunnions.

 

[Parabellum]

To the OP, if you ever see a Delta Unisaw or Powermatic 66 for a great price, buy it.
Those two saws are the best you can get.

 

[Parabellum]

I had a Steel City 10" 2hp model, similar to yours. They are considered a good hybrid style cabinet saw. Hybrid in the trunnion construction.

Steel City made both a cast iron and granite topped version. For the price you did great, and I would think there will be parts floating around for some time. They may be under several mfgs names, ie Craftsman, Steel City, and maybe Ridgid?

I liked mine, had a few issues but overall a solid TS.

So how well did the granite tops sell?

 

[PLOWJEEP]

After a little research I found a good source for parts. A new drive belt was what I was mainly looking for. The arbor bearings are not available , not that mine need replaced.
I'm am very pleased and can't wait to set it up. Thanks, Brian

 

[spongerich]

Even if the bearings aren't available from Sears, there's a 99% chance that any bearing house can match them. Most bearings are standard sizes. Worst case, you can usually use a bearing with a smaller OD/larger ID and make or buy some bushings. If/when you need them, pull them out and look at the markings.

 

[Parabellum]

Accurate Bearing is a good source

 

[Parabellum]

http://www.accuratebearing.com/

 

[beakie]

After a little research I found a good source for parts. A new drive belt was what I was mainly looking for. The arbor bearings are not available , not that mine need replaced.
I'm am very pleased and can't wait to set it up. Thanks, Brian

unless the belt has sat for extended time and "ovaled" to where it vibrates upon use, I would skip a new stock replacement... and go for link belt as a replacement.
should quiet the machine down a bit, and reduce what little vibrations there are to hardly anything if at all.

 

[tarbellb]

unless the belt has sat for extended time and "ovaled" to where it vibrates upon use, I would skip a new stock replacement... and go for link belt as a replacement.
should quiet the machine down a bit, and reduce what little vibrations there are to hardly anything if at all.

This ^^^^^ thats exactly what I did to mine and was both more quiet, smoother, and cheaper. HF sells a link belt kit that has worked for me.

As for the granite tops, I think they sold OK. Most not have been great if they are out of biz now?

The idea was that it would never warp, distort, rust, etc... funny thing is I got my on sale because it was a floor model with a chip in the miter slot. So yeah, they are still prone to failure.

Personally after owning both a granite and cast iron I like the cast iron simply due to the use of magnets for feather boards and such. Plus its a lot easier to refinish cast iron.

Well done op, enjoy. Be sure to check the parallel between table slots and blade (back to front), mine never was able to achieve a perfect alignment.

 

[PLOWJEEP]

The owners maual had the bearing # <6203 LLB> seam to be pretty standard. I am afraid that I already ordered the belt (28" 6Rib Jsection PolyV)+E142 anything would be better than the one that was on it. Thanks, Brian

 

[bubinga]

6 rib is a serpentine belt,
it will be fine.
shouldn't have any vibration to speak of.

 

[PLOWJEEP]

Yes, it is a serpentine belt. I am not sure if it can be replaced with a link belt?

 

[bubinga]

Yes, it is a serpentine belt. I am not sure if it can be replaced with a link belt?

i don't think you can?
My personal feeling is that the serp. you ordered belt will be just fine.
lets say I have an old Emerson made 113.XXXXX table saw.
I am pretty sure they even sell an upgrade kit, with 2 pulley's, and a serpentine belt.
serpentine = think of a "snake"
because they are usually (not in this case) all coiled, and twisted around several pulley's and idler pulley's, like a long Snake!
I have a cogged style V belt on my 150 drill press, it passes the Nickel test.

 

[bubinga]

can you do a video review of the saw when you are all done??
If l didn't already have a unisaw, (1947) I would get one of these.
My uni has the OEM dust door and The OEM "Goose Egg" motor cover.
The OEM dust door and the OEM "Goose egg" often Go "Missing in Action"

 

[cagullett1]

I'd love to have that fence on my saw!

 

[cgrutt]

I'd love to have that fence on my saw!

I've got one make me an offer...

(Have no idea how much it would cost to ship to TX though; I'm in NY).

 

[PLOWJEEP]

I'll be glad to review the saw when I receive the new belt. Expected delivery date is 3/28.