Got a vintage craftsman tablesaw!

[TireTracks]

it was my grandpa's, used it all of his life. I was talking to my dad today and he said i could have it.

It's a craftsman 103 8" bench saw. not sure of the age, but it has the same tags on it that our 40's Lathe and my grandpa's 40-50's drill press has.

View media item 8481
View media item 8482
View media item 8483
View media item 8485
View media item 8484
The good- In almost perfect shape, only some surface rust, the arbor spins and spins and spins when you turn the blade, bearings perfect. All the controlls are free and work. It cleaned up great. For a few bucks i will have a working USA made tablesaw that should last my lifetime.

the bad- It cant tilt more than 10* or so because of this gear-
View media item 8486
you can see a missing tooth, one of many ( whole 1/4 of them are just gone). I looked it up on sears, no dice, sears parts direct has a picture of a new one, but says none are avaliable.


going to need to make a miter gauge( or find the one this came with), a stand, and once i get it working i plan to make a extention for the table to go with the one it has.

2 questions, how fast should the blade rpm be? going to need to play will pullys to get the rpms right on the motors i have to use.

 

[YellowLakeWelding]

I've got the same saw in the basement, I upgraded to a larger motor and added to the table. Next I'd like to adapt a modern shop fox fence. I have no clue on the RPM but run the smallest pulley you can on the motor, mine is really small, the blade runs really fast though. Keep in mind which RPM motor your running too. Have fun!

 

[TireTracks]

I've got the same saw in the basement, I upgraded to a larger motor and added to the table. Next I'd like to adapt a modern shop fox fence. I have no clue on the RPM but run the smallest pulley you can on the motor, mine is really small, the blade runs really fast though. Keep in mind which RPM motor your running too. Have fun!

does yours have a 1/2" or 5/8" arbor???

Mine needs a bushing so that 5/8" blades will work( dont think i've ever seen a 1/2" arbor blade)

 

[YellowLakeWelding]

does yours have a 1/2" or 5/8" arbor???

Mine needs a bushing so that 5/8" blades will work( dont think i've ever seen a 1/2" arbor blade)

I can't recall at the moment, I'd have to look tomorrow... I haven't been down to the basement in months but I'll check tomorrow and take a picture of it. I don't recall changing a blade on it in quite some time either.

 

[Hank McMauser]

after you get it cleaned up put some automotive paste wax on that table top. It'll help prevent rust. & make it slicker'n snot on a doorknob.

 

[shoot summ]

The 8" saws need a bushing for the arbor. You can get them at Harbor Freight or online.

I've rebuilt a couple of those, the last one I bought a complete Trunion assembly on EBAY for $50 to resolve the stripped gear on the tilt. Alot of them stripped the gear on the tilt because of the push in to raise, pull out to tilt arrangement and not making good contact. And the assembly gets tight with all of the sawdust and pitch and someone tries to force it.

I see those saws on Craigslist frequently for $50 or less as well so watch there for spare parts.

They are great saws.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Looks like you've got a King-Seeley made Craftsmans table saw.
Mfgs of Sears Craftman machines:
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=497&tab=0
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222

Definitely worth refurbishing. I've got one myself, great saw.
You were asking about the motor RPM? Mine has the 1HP motor rated at 3450RPM (with the very small pulleys). Yellow Lake or Shoot Summ may have a better idea on motor upgrades.
I've had good luck finding affordable replacement motors from Surplus Center... similar to the motor I have on my saw, same RPM rating:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=10-2040&catname=electric

If you need a photo of the original miter gauge that came with the King-Seeley saw, one of us should be able to help you out.

 

[Kirbot]

What are the dimensions of that gear?

I just scrapped one of those saws a little while ago, (ashame I know, but there just isn't much demand for them) and one of the gears got separated and didn't make it to the scrap yard.



I also have a miter gauge that should work.




And, I also have a rather nice old Craftsman 1/2hp 3450 rpm motor if your interested.

 

[lbgradwell]

Those old saws look gorgeous when restored.

A fellow at Papaw's did his a while back:

 

[TireTracks]

What are the dimensions of that gear?

I just scrapped one of those saws a little while ago, (ashame I know, but there just isn't much demand for them) and one of the gears got separated and didn't make it to the scrap yard.



I also have a miter gauge that should work.




And, I also have a rather nice old Craftsman 1/2hp 3450 rpm motor if your interested.

I was haveing a heck of a time getting my calipers into the space, so these might not be the right sizes- Small gear- 7/8-1" or so, big gear about 1 7/8" of so.

I'm interested in the gear and the miter slide if you want to sell them. Not sure about the motor, i;ve found 3 old ones around here that work.
Now, if only someone had some of the fence slides so i can add annother wing onto it.

Probably not going to do a full blown repaint and polish resto, it's got charecter.
\
Me and my dad got the fence sort of working, pulled it apart and rebuilt it, still doesnt work 100%. Also got the top sanded polished and waxed.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Those are well made old saws. I had one, replaced it with a 113.XXXXX model, but I think the 103.XXXXX was a better made saw. Yeah, mine used the 1/2" blade, had to make a bushing.
With a 3450 RPM motor, usually use about a 1/1 ratio of the pulleys, 3450 at the blade arbor too.
The knob in the front, do you turn it to raise the blade, and pull it out and turn it to tilt the blade?
Thanks,
Tony

 

[Kirbot]

Those measurements match up pretty close.
My gear is 7/8" and 1 3/4".
My guess is that it's the same gear, but of course I can't guarantee it.

Here is another view of the miter gauge.



If you wan't both things, I'll do $20.00 plus shipping.

 

[TireTracks]

Those are well made old saws. I had one, replaced it with a 113.XXXXX model, but I think the 103.XXXXX was a better made saw. Yeah, mine used the 1/2" blade, had to make a bushing.
With a 3450 RPM motor, usually use about a 1/1 ratio of the pulleys, 3450 at the blade arbor too.
The knob in the front, do you turn it to raise the blade, and pull it out and turn it to tilt the blade?
Thanks,
Tony

You pull it out and turn to adust the tilt, and push it in and turn to adjust the hight. pretty smart idea. on the end of the shaft is a square drive that enguages the blade hight adjuster when you push it in.

_---------------------------------


It lives! ( not very well.)

decided to test it, no weird vibrations( aside from the old belt not running smooth) going to need a bigger motor, no doubt, the little 1750rpm 1/3rd horse cant keep up with cutting small things( cutting a 1" wide peice of plywood stoped it cold), cutting the 2x2.5" took over a minute.
Also the fence is still acting flacky, works fine one minute, wont clamp the next.
View media item 8520
View media item 8521
----------------------------

Kirbot- How wide is the rail on the miter guage? I might be interested in the motor too, just have to see if my other grandpa has a motor he might want to sell me.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, that's like the one I had then.
Yeah, 1750rpm, can't tell from the picture, but you would need a pulley on the motor about twice the size as the pulley on the saw arbor.
Yeah, but I think 1/3 is gonna be too small. Probably at least 1 hp, 1 1/2 better yet. I would try to get a 3450 RPM one.
I think the bar for a Craftsman miter gauge runs a little less than 3/4" if his came off a Craftsman you should be OK.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[TireTracks]

Yeah, that's like the one I had then.
Yeah, 1750rpm, can't tell from the picture, but you would need a pulley on the motor about twice the size as the pulley on the saw arbor.
Yeah, but I think 1/3 is gonna be too small. Probably at least 1 hp, 1 1/2 better yet. I would try to get a 3450 RPM one.
I think the bar for a Craftsman miter gauge runs a little less than 3/4" if his came off a Craftsman you should be OK.
Thanks,
Tony

Tried the larger motor pully the first time, dident work well at all, even less guts.

Shooting for any motor 1/2hp or larger. our little delta has a 3/4 and it cuts 4x4's with no slowdown.

 

[YellowLakeWelding]

I didn't bother going to the basement after I seen so many people commenting, luckily many of you guys also have this saw which is great. It's a great old saw, well built and easily refurbished. Take care of her and she'll last a long long time.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Tried the larger motor pully the first time, dident work well at all, even less guts.

Shooting for any motor 1/2hp or larger. our little delta has a 3/4 and it cuts 4x4's with no slowdown.

Yeah, I think when you double the speed with a bigger pulley, the torque goes down, like trying to start a car out in 3rd or 4th gear instead of 1st.
I forget what mine is, I want to say 1 1/2 but I may be wrong.
It is a 3450 for sure though.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[TireTracks]

Yeah, I think when you double the speed with a bigger pulley, the torque goes down, like trying to start a car out in 3rd or 4th gear instead of 1st.
I forget what mine is, I want to say 1 1/2 but I may be wrong.
It is a 3450 for sure though.
Thanks,
Tony

Ya, going to try and find a motor 1/2hp or larger. 1/3rd isnt enough to cut anything very fast. at frrst we tried it with a 2:1 pully setup, couldent keep up. so were running a 1:1.

hmmm, mabey gang my 1/6hp and the 2 1/3hp together for a 5/6hp motor.

 

[Kirbot]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner...

The rail is 3/4" wide.


You can see where the blade damaged it some here.


I'm not sure why there is a whole in the end of the rail here?



Here's the motor I have also.

 

[TireTracks]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner...

The rail is 3/4" wide.


You can see where the blade damaged it some here.


I'm not sure why there is a whole in the end of the rail here?



Here's the motor I have also.

I'll take the gear and the Miter slide. I'll send you a Pm. Paypal ok?
I'm good on the motor-
My dad discovered that with a sharp carbide thin curf blade, bigger pully on motor/small arbor pully combo, the little saw cuts real good, no buring, or sticking and doesnt bog down.I reduced a chunk of 2x4 to bits. Don't ask me why it works, it just does. Mabey the momentum of the bigger pully helps.

 

[KCarGuy]

I had a neighbor that did some DIY projects for years.
He was retired for years and got sick about a year ago, started giving me all his old tools. One of which, was an OLD Craftsman 8" Table Saw.
It was all Mounted to a Heavy Wooden Board...Saw, Motor and Old Cloth Cord-Plug.
I want to restore it...Its COOL.
Pat Appld For....So no Sears Model Numbers on it. Not sure how old it is...could very well be from the 20's!
Motor is an Old 1/4 HP Dayton on an adjustable base
Need to pick up a Guard and a Miter Gauge.
And a Side Extention or Two.
Heavy little ******, but spins very smooth and no slop in any parts

Love those Old Tools!!!!

 

[nsmith01tx]

Looks like a Walker-Turner (who made them for Sears):
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=11994
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=10898

 

[Dviolante]

Hello Everyone, just joined the forum after searching for a gear for my saw. I stumbled onto this thread but it seems to be a few years old. Nonetheless I have to rekindle the topic. I have my Dads Craftsman 103.21041 that somehow is missing the gear to engage the tilt. It’s a 40/20 gear and is shown in this thread much earlier. Anyone out there have one that’s being parted out?
Many thanks,
Dennis