Old Craftsman table saw- worth keeping?

[Hybridss]

Over the last two weeks I have purchase probably 500 lbs of tools and hardware from 2 estate sales very cheap. One of the items I got was this old table saw. It was on a small work table packed with old craftsman motors tools, nice old machinist lamp etc. Its the other stuff that I mainly bought it for. Paid $37. But I am looking at this table saw and trying to decide if it is worth using. It seems to be well built but it does have some play in the main shaft/arbor. Also on this table the entire table is raised or lowered around the blade instead of the blade being raised to the table.

I do need a table saw for light work but being that table saws are so prevalent and cheap I think this may be a case where ditching this one in favor of a modern direct drive table saw may be prudent. The motor on this saw may not be original. Its a very old Holtzer-Cabot 1/2hp motor. The motor may actually have more value than the saw.

Any advice regarding this saw from the woodworkers. I am more of a mechanic than a woodworker. Thanks.

 

[Hybridss]

Old machinist lamp that was attached to the table

 

[exmaxima1]

I've been offered several antique tilting-table saws like yours for free in the last few years, and turned them down. They are so dangerous that they are banned in some countries. When you can buy a "modern" Craftsman saw for around $50, why bother with a junk saw that might take your fingers off....

 

[Hybridss]

Thats what I am thinking. I did actually fire it up and cut some material and it did "ok". But it was less than a smooth operation.

 

[woody 73]

Just my two cents and even then not sure that counts much on the GJ, but for me and only me it is worth saving the big monsters the ones that if you lift them instead of Miller beer time its going to the hospital time for that hernia check.

So I skip looking at anything that small, on the other hand many and I mean many other GJ member go ape for those smaller models and I say more power to them.

Not sure that is what you are looking for but only how I think.

 

[Hybridss]

All opinions welcome...thank you. I want to hear all pros and cons. My main reason for posting is out of fear. Fear of parting out a saw that still has value to someone. I love old stuff...and I dont want to trash something that still has value. However if its a lame duck and dangerous......ill rip it to pieces and make stuff out of it.

 

[woody 73]

We do have some fantastic pictures somewhere on the GJ (mind is blank at this time) of several members restoring those small machines and when they got done they looked like they just came from the showroom floor.

 

[lilredex]

I found a similar saw, curbside a few years back, added a motor and it now resides in my basement workshop....ready for all those small winter projects. If you have the room, it is nice to set up a second saw to saw box joints, etc.

Keep it or give to to somebody that will use it!

Yours looks like it was set up to mount on an open barrel.

 

[Carla]

That early motor has a lot more value to a collector than the saw has.......

The saw is a late '40's/early '50's 'miniature'......but they are considered quite desirable by woodworkers who cut small wooden parts, as they are more accurate than the cheaper 'modern' table saws.

That doesn't make them valuable, tho. I've one I was given, some years ago, which I set up as a 'portable' saw, when doing some shingling. ('portable', in this instance, was the saw and 1/4hp motor on a board, placed conveniently on saw-horses as needed.)

Actually, that Cutler-Hammer press button switch is more valuable than is the saw, so between that early style motor and that switch, you've some quite desirable items there.

That tiny saw is no more 'dangerous' than is any table saw, and requires the same 'common sense' when using it as with any larger saw machine.....its small size is deceptive in that respect, possibly, as it may seem a 'toy' to the unwary.

I'd suggest, if I may, that you offer the saw itself as a freebie to someone who cuts small parts, and offer the motor as the seriously desirable antique that it is.....and that switch should be worth $20-25 or so to someone restoring a '40's or '50's power tool.

And......just as one person's opinion......the cheap 'modern' direct drive saws are an especially bad investment, as they are cheaply built, with plastic stressed parts, and perish quickly when used....I've two of them here, which a friend was given, for 'the hauling'. He wanted to save the motors, but even the motors were so poorly made that they weren't really worth saving.....the other parts, 'pot-metal' die-castings, and plastic, had deteriorated with relatively little use.

If you really want a table saw to use, there's 'no free lunch'......look for a Delta Unisaw of the '40's or '50's, or its Walker-Turner/Boice-Crane, etc. equivalent. Some of the older 'Craftsman' 10" saws can be 'sort-of' usable with some tweaking, if you like to tweak old widgets, and may be found for $20-ish or so at garage sales.....but getting any practical accuracy from those can be a bit of a challenge.

cheers

Carla

 

[Stuart in MN]

I used a table saw very similar to the one in the original post for much of the remodeling in my house back when I first bought it. The biggest problem with those old saws in my opinion is they have a tilting table instead of a tilting arbor. If you're making straight cuts they can work fine, but cutting at an angle will always be difficult to do accurately.

 

[bczygan]

Hell YES! Especially since it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.

But tune it up, so it doesn't cost you an arm or a leg.

Bill

 

[Weekend_warrior]

I'd keep the lamp and the motor.

The lamp would me a super cool LED desk lamp. Steam punk/industrial. I have some old school desks that we use for night stands that would that lamp would look cool as a reading lamp.

You might be able to convert that table saw to a sander. Much safer and the adjustable table you can get different angles. Pretty cool.

That motor just looks cool. IF not at least re purpose the motor. It would make a motor for a belt driven fan system. I saw one that looked pretty cool on a porch at a restaurant no long ago. You can sometimes find the fans and pulleys cheap. .

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I think it's cool... anyway to add a safety guard to it? MIght just take some modifications.

 

[exmaxima1]

If you really want a table saw to use, there's 'no free lunch'......look for a Delta Unisaw of the '40's or '50's, or its Walker-Turner/Boice-Crane, etc. equivalent...

cheers

Carla

I have a 60's Unisaw (like Norm Abrams) so I tend to track their sale prices. Now that many shops have gone to the expensive Sawstop saws, the market is filled with used Uni's. They can easily be found for under $500 w/blades and upgraded fence, which IMHO is a bargain. Great saws.

 

[bczygan]

I have a 60's Unisaw (like Norm Abrams) so I tend to track their sale prices. Now that many shops have gone to the expensive Sawstop saws, the market is filled with used Uni's. They can easily be found for under $500 w/blades and upgraded fence, which IMHO is a bargain. Great saws.

If you run into one in the SE MI area, please let me know.

I just checked CL and you're right.

Bill

 

[Hawk]

If I had one that size I would load dado blades and use it for that purpose. Using my reg saw for all other purposes.

 

[Tedley]

I agree about the parts and goodies that came with being more worthy.
Tilt top saws are sketchy IMO mainly when beveling because as the work piece is cut and passes the blade gravity pulls the workpiece or cutoff into the blade causing binding and kickback, flying waste and all kinds of havoc not to mention the small table often places your hands closer to the blade. I have a Dunlop 8" and the table tilt mechanism/elevation and/or attachment setup allows for flexing so I have to put a block beneath if I were to cut sheet goods or heavier stuff. I love the old stuff though and the saw may serve well dedicated for Tenons dados or some other specialized cuts OTHER THAN BEVELS!
Sorry but it's a scary operation.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Hybridss]

I appreciate all the great feedback. So it sounds as though there is nothing particularly great about this little saw. And several drawbacks. I think I will separate the motor and see about using it for a fan or other item. The lamp will definitely get used.
Actually I have barely scratched the surface of the additional items that came stacked on the cart for $37. there was probably 50 blades/discs etc. It also had a unicorn inside. Ya know those "optional" pieces you can buy for Craftsman saws...such as sanding arbor or a flex shaft that you never see. In the bottom of the table saw box was a nice heavy duty flex shaft that hooks up to the arbor of the table saw. And it works!

Here are a few pics of it and some of the other stuff



Old Roxler magnetic machinist lamp and also the drill index


















Purchased at same state sale





Awesome magnifier lamp too..








And this is still probably half of it...

 

[Rileysan]

Amazing finds!

I would add one more thing:

I'm not sure what you've heard or been taught about "modern direct drive table saws" but I think you would be prudent to do a little more research. If you genuinely need a table saw, you might be surprised to learn that direct drive is not as great as you might believe.

Old table saws like this are great collectibles and finding one complete gets harder and harder. I think you should keep it original and sell it on CL for the price you paid for the entire table.

These saws are easily retrofitted with proper guards and fences and can be made as safe as any modern saw, so don't let safety be a determining factor in your decision to part it out.

Just my 2 cents ...

Brian

 

[kentenn]

http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=165772&p=1123630&hilit=103.0203#p1123630

A little info on the saw...

Also might look here: http://www.vintagemachinery.org

 

[Rileysan]

I just noticed a Wilton vise in one of those pictures. Was that a part of your purchase for $37 as well? Holy cow ... you got an amazing deal!

Brian

 

[lilredex]

So many goodies there!!

I see an early version of a "Critter" spray gun there for $1.50 and a gear reduction box (forget the mfgr) that would work well on a beader etc. Those are also reversible if you dig into the wiring just as that Craftsman motor already is, with the F-R switch on it.

What a gold mine you have there!!

Also a "Hot Patch" clamp.

 

[Hybridss]

What is the hot patch clamp?

The critter spray gun appears to be missing parts to the valve. I will see if I can make it operational.

The Wilton was not part of the haul. I got that off CL for I think $40...it needed new jaws and then I just rebuilt it. I think I have around $80 in it.

I have so much stuff it will take me weeks to go through.

The saw must have come with 30-40 blades of various sizes. It also has a nice fence and several sliding guides.

BTW...anything that had a price tag on it was not part of the $37 haul. But it was half off what the tag said. So for instance the $2.50 craftsman set was $1.25

I do appreciate all the opinions and will take them into consideration.
I think before I make a decision I will probably go through the saw a bit...put it back on its homemade table ( I havent even posted a picture of that yet) and play with it some more. Once I get it back on its table I will take more pictures with all of its accesories so you guys can educate me a bit more.

As I have said...I am no wood worker. And when I say I need a table saw and would like a "modern" saw instead it is mainly because I was planning on dropping it into the center of a large roll around work table I have. That way I can lower the blade into the table 99% of the time when not in use and save space.
I would not be able to do that with this one.

Anyways...with some of the great responses here and links to other info I will go plop this thing back into its table and take some better pictures of its attachments and accessories. One of the things going for this saw is that it has so many things with it that appear to be complete such as fences and rails and guides and flex shaft tool etc.

 

[Hybridss]

Found it...I was wondering what the heck that is...lol.

 

[Hybridss]

http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=165772&p=1123630&hilit=103.0203#p1123630

A little info on the saw...

Also might look here: http://www.vintagemachinery.org

Thanks. From your second link it looks like this one. A 1940 model apparently

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=13336

 

[lilredex]

Yup, that is the method, except you take that metal cup away after the burn out so it comes away cleanly, not leaving a gooey mess like he shows.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330771


Keep the saw, a great addition, for smaller projects.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The old saws are cool and nostalgic, but unfortunately even the junk new ones these days run about the same. Too much supply and not enough demand of the old ones keep the prices low.

 

[timbitca]

Amazing finds!

I would add one more thing:

I'm not sure what you've heard or been taught about "modern direct drive table saws" but I think you would be prudent to do a little more research. If you genuinely need a table saw, you might be surprised to learn that direct drive is not as great as you might believe.

This. Though my experience with modern saws is limited to my Ridgid (the one they sell with the integrated stand) which I got from a friend for a great 100$ well spent, and a cheap Craftsman a friend had... I would never ever in a million years trade my Grandfather's old Rockwell-Beaver cast iron saw for anything "modern". Only problem is that the Beaver takes up way too much space and I have to leave it at my Mom's until I'm in my next house in a couple of years. But you just can't beat the size of the table and the precision of the older saws if you ask me. Even though the fence on my Ridgid is good as portable saws go it's always a tiny bit off.

I LOVE those old lamps you found though especially the magnifier one, I've been looking for one without luck.

 

[Hybridss]

Ok...here are the last pictures. This obviously was built by the original owner.

 

[timbitca]

That's a pretty cool stand, looks like the guy was a pretty smart fellow.