This old craftsman /sears roebuck saw worth anything?
- Thread starter JohnnyMac
- Start date
FrankLee
Well-known member
IMO, based on the condition, it's not worth $50. But, prices vary by region.
The tilt gears on those 8" saw are often fubar.
Table saw motors are generally 3450 rpm. date code on the motor is June 1951.
The tilt gears on those 8" saw are often fubar.
Table saw motors are generally 3450 rpm. date code on the motor is June 1951.
Prospecter
Well-known member
The stand is also a Craftsman product, likely original to the saw. FrankLee is probably right as far as $$ for a potential restoration. However, those old Craftsman saws are a step up from a lot of the current plastic saws. A similar Dewalt with stand sells for $350 on sale today at HD. I'd happily pay $50-75 for it as a job site saw to insulate my cellar or redo a room. $100 in good condition with all the parts and stand, as yours appears to be.
Zeke
Well-known member
I got one like that for 20 bucks with accessories. Looks like a 9". They can be OK with a narrow kerf 8 to 8 1/4' blade and cut a 2 x 4. Good saw for little jobs. Too heavy to carry around.
NDJ
Well-known member
Look similar vintage to mine....
Cant get $20 for it.
Cant get $20 for it.
nateo
Well-known member
My old 8" Beaver (with the concentric adjustment knobs) came to me for free missing the front rail for the fence. I hacked up a cheap 36" F-clamp to make the rail, and threw on a half price 8 1/4" blade and I was in business. I also had to swap the motor sheave since it was the wrong size and the belt was slipping. After that the little saw doesn't blink an eye at full depth cuts through hardwood.
It has a small footprint, cast iron top, is dead simple to work on / fix, and cost me next to nothing. I don't even find the small blade size a drawback, the only time it's been an issue is when I was trying to turn firewood into something with parallel and perpendicular sides. I could have used the extra inch of depth there, but the table saw is the wrong tool for that job to begin with.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
King-Seeley Corp - Central Specialty Division Ann Arbor MI; Ypsilnti MI according to a post at Vintage Machinery. They came in different configurations and accessories / bases. http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=21482 That table may not be the original base. Manual https://www.ebay.com/itm/172676177007 There was one at an auction for $24 that has gone unsold. Google the model number - lots out there come up.
Nutria
Well-known member
Those are tough little saws, and you have fence, miter gauge, and stand. Motor too, but I agree with Frank Lee that it seems like a mismatch in terms of RPM. Good motor though. No table extensions, apparently. I would think that, sadly, $50 is about what you'd get around here, unless you get lucky and find the right person.
Can you use it in your shop? Maybe as a second saw for dados?
Can you use it in your shop? Maybe as a second saw for dados?
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I agree that the tilt mechanism can be an issue, but if you lock the blade at 90 degrees & use it, it will perform well. I bought one at an auction with a 4" jointer mounted on the stand. You just tilted the motor up to move the belt from one side to the other to power your choice of tool. It came with a 1953 Craftsman power tool catalog, the combo was $177.50. I think I paid $100 for it and used it to made lots of sawdust. The only complaint I ever had was that the arbor shaft was 1/2", you had to use bushings in 5/8" hole blades.
Its a much beatter saw than the plastic & aluminum stuff you can buy today. Sadly, they usually now sell at auctions & estate sales for $50 or less
Its a much beatter saw than the plastic & aluminum stuff you can buy today. Sadly, they usually now sell at auctions & estate sales for $50 or less
86turbodsl
Well-known member
Offer it up on owwm.org. Thats your market. Yard sale, $50 will be tough.
nadogail
Well-known member
My saw is the 12” direct drive, right now it is connected for 220 Volts. It has the cast table with side extensions. I bought it used in 1975, I think. It came with several blades.
My future Widow probably will be lucky to give it away.
My future Widow probably will be lucky to give it away.
Thanks for the opinions all. I have used it a little bit and it works fine. I have a large old school craftsman in the basement that I use for my carpentry projects. This guy is about half size, but too clunky to be a job site saw. Don't have a ton of use for it, just wanted to be sure it wasn't a lost gem 
IndyGarage
Well-known member
My stepfather built and finished two houses and a barn with a saw just like that. I remember him teaching me to use it as a kid and I did a ton of stuff on it. So they are capable - but it was pretty basic and didn't have a ton of power.
I would say there's probably a buyer for any old craftsman tool of that era, but as far as usefulness it's limited.
I would say there's probably a buyer for any old craftsman tool of that era, but as far as usefulness it's limited.