Is This Table Saw Worth Saving?

[Richard D]

Cast iron table, stamped side extension, only one. No fence, but I want a Biesemeyer
style fence anyway. Bearings seem O.K., spindle seems to run true. My electrician friend is going to wire it up for 110(dual voltage motor)and we'll fire it up.

 

[ssdave]

I've got an excellent condition version of that saw, running and under power, used it for a dozen cuts this weekend. It's for sale for $75 as I'm finishing the house job it was purchased for. You can find them for more, or less than that quite easily on CL all the time.

That's your comparable for value, compared to sourcing the parts for it and putting effort into getting it running.

If I was going to put effort into restoring a saw, I'd start with a much better one. You'll have a lot more residual value in it when you're finished, as well as having a much more usable saw. These were the cheap homeowner version of a saw, made for mass consumption and limited capability. For $250, you can buy on CL a saw that's many times better than these.

 

[Shiftless]

Dave is right.
Look for a cabinet saw. You said you wanted a Biesemeyer fence so you obviously have higher standards than that old saw will provide. I bought one just like it a few years ago for a remote job site. The motor failed before the job was done and the saw went into the scrap bin after I salvaged a really nice 10 inch blade and an adjustable dado cutter.

 

[Richard D]

O.K. Thanks. The motor does work. Is there ba way to oil the arbor? I guess I could just make a cross cut sled and use it as-is, and keep my eyes peeled for a beter saw. Wish the fence wasn't missing, I need to cut some stuff today!

 

[rsanter]

Define saving? A little work and put it to use. Yes
Spend a bunch of money on, no

Remember you can buy a new fence and pit it on that saw and use it. Then when you buy another saw you can swap fences and sell this saw

 

[ez-duzit]

I wouldn't put any money into it.

 

[Richard D]

Define saving? A little work and put it to use. Yes
Spend a bunch of money on, no

Remember you can buy a new fence and pit it on that saw and use it. Then when you buy another saw you can swap fences and sell this saw

I think that is what I'll do. Any saw I buy later, I will want a better fence anyway.

 

[fowldarr]

So, against popular opinion, I have two of these saws. The first one was my grandfather's. It came to me without the fence, only one wing, much like the one in the OP. It was grandpa's though, so I kept it. Tried to by a fence off of one just like it at a yard sale, ended up buying the whole saw (two wings and fence) for $35. Basically, he sold me the fence if I took everything. So, I have two. I keep the top clean, blade square, and check the square on the fence regularly when using and it does fine. I'm not a fine cabinet builder, or a professional by any means, so it works fine for my usage.

Again, the only thing I've done to it is clean it up and buy a new blade. One day, I would like to get a nice cabinet style saw, but I'll likely keep my grandpa's saw, (with transfer of a few parts, and sell the other one (that I actually use)

 

[ssdave]

The best way to get a fence is to get a saw that has one on it. Then, just use that saw, and forget this one. I would not put any money into buying stuff for this saw expecting to use it on a better saw you buy later; inevitably it will not be what you need for the next one, or will not fit.

Sometimes it's just the best idea to cut your losses and walk away from a task that's not worth starting on. Fixing and restoring this saw is just such a task. By the time you clean it up, get a miter gage or make a sliding table, buy and install a fence, get it wired to work, oil the arbor, etc, etc, etc, it will be a time and money pit, and still worth $50 to $100 when you're done.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My saw comes with a story.. A Longtime Friend in Moorhead, Mn called, and asked If I was interested in a Craftsman table saw that was on a yard sale. Her Father was a carpenter, so She had no problem explaining the cast iron top and side extensions, and the rip fence and crosscut guide were intact.. The price was $100. I told Her I would definitely buy that saw.. She paid for the saw, went home and hooked up a trailer, and drove 90+ miles to deliver it to My place.. The saw was definitely worth the $100, My Longtime Friend is Priceless...

 

[jimreed2160]

Tough decision. Looks like you have an immediate need for a saw and want to "go ugly but early." I guess the final decision is based on things we don't know but here are some pros and cons.

Pro
It is here now.
It works.
Other than rust, does not show signs of abuse.

Con
Started life as a low end product.
Table needs clean up.
Missing fence.
May be missing miter guide.
May be missing the splitter and blade guard.
Motor works--for now.
If all you get is what is in the picture, the saw is not safe to use.

So...
Pay yourself $20/hr for cleanup.
Add up costs of missing pieces and risk of motor loss in near future.
This deal might not be as good as it seems.

 

[exmaxima1]

I think I have the same model saw at work. I recall paying about $60 for it, but then spent $25 to upgrade the pulleys and belt to the Multi-V type (runs MUCH smoother). I tossed the fence and bought a no-name T-square type fence at a garage sale for $10.

Needed a bit of filing/tweaking to the trunnion assy to get the blade parallel to the miter slots, but now it is at least functioning as a saw. Would I buy another CM table saw? Probably not.

 

[Bob P1]

Yes, it is. If a better one comes along then trade up.

 

[Richard D]

I clamped a piece of angle on there, used a push stick, and it actually cuts great. I'll use it until a better comes along. I didn't see anything on Craigslist, but sooner or later I will.

By the way, I modified the design of my project for today, and won't need to cut any wood for it afterall!!

 

[kctyphoon]

One mans trash .........

Does it makes sense financially? No.. but you wouldnt be the first person to put time and money into something for no other reason other than cause they wanted to..