Vintage Craftsman Table Saws
- Thread starter Reviving The Vintage
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BrianHayes
Well-known member
Fantastic job!
OP
Reviving The Vintage
Member
Thanks. I think that model is very rare. I called it my Little Red.
Did you do this yourself?? I got an old Craftsman table saw this summer from my wife's uncle (iirc it's a 103.22181) and as much as I want to fix it up, I'm not sure I'm personally up to the task!
OP
Reviving The Vintage
Member
Yes I rebuilt every bit of the one in the second picture. TheDid you do this yourself?? I got an old Craftsman table saw this summer from my wife's uncle (iirc it's a 103.22181) and as much as I want to fix it up, I'm not sure I'm personally up to the task!
table saw in the before picture is just like mine but not. I just used that picture as an example I forgot to take before pictures.
BrianHayes
Well-known member
Great stuff. I might have to turn my attention to CM table saws...
ALLFAST
Well-known member
Nice work guys. If anyone needs a reproduction saw decal, check out Jim’s engine decals in Bend, Oregon.
I was on his eBay store just yesterday and saw some new CM table saw decals in black or white.
No affiliation here, he’s just got great products and does custom designs for a nominal fee.
I was on his eBay store just yesterday and saw some new CM table saw decals in black or white.
No affiliation here, he’s just got great products and does custom designs for a nominal fee.
Thanks for the lead as I previously found someone who does reproduction labels but the cost of the work was a bit out of my affordability range considering what I paid for the saw. These are some amazing labels at very good pricing.
My original one saw find/restoration has turned into a garage full of CM 100's...needless to say my family is a bit challenged with my "hobby". Time to find a new, less space consuming (and lighter weight) hobby. Carful, the CM 100 restoration process became a quick addiction, LOL.
ALLFAST
Well-known member
Hello DarkP!
He’s a great man to boot-outstanding customer support and communications
Good to know thanks. I've bookmarked his FB/ebay sites as I have no doubt I'll be purchasing in the future.Hello DarkP!
He’s a great man to boot-outstanding customer support and communications
OP
Reviving The Vintage
Member
Those saws look Awesome!!! You do great work. I restored one of those 100's for my son in law #113.29991. I love restoring these vintage Craftsman saws. The 113.27520 saws are the best of the old Craftsman saws most people say here are two of mine I restored. Loving every minute of it.
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Thanks. One of the reasons I went down the restoration path was due to the quality/materials used in current contractors saws from the big box shops. As I was restoring and making videos of the process, I noted how the new saws cut so many corners in materials and weight (the new saws weigh next to nothing).
So as I was restoring some older Craftsman 100s, I noted some differences between two 113 models.
On the older 113.29990 the cast iron top weighs almost 58lbs (over 8lbs heavier than a top from a 113.29991), the base/shell is 2lbs heavier (albeit looks identical) to the base/shell on a 113.29991 and the 113.29990 also has 2 tabs (one on each side) near the top inside that the panel attaches to (reason there are 4 holes, 2 each side, on the top of the aluminum polished panel) for additional strength.
Point being, even in ~1960 it was all about cost savings and what could be eliminated or reduced to cut costs. Things haven't changed in 60 years, just accelerated!
OP
Reviving The Vintage
Member
Yes so true. I think you and I went down that same path. I started off with the Dewalt table saw on the rolling stand. Yes it was nice but not made in the USA and with the quality that the vintage saws were. It was so light compared to these beautiful old saws and like you say you have to question the materials that it was made of and the quality. Those saws of today will never last as long as the vintage saws that were made 60 to 80 years ago. USA made with pride from Craftsman, Delta, Walker Turner, Wards, Powermatic and all the other ones that were made pre WW2 and shortly after that time. Keep turning those wrenches and cleaning up these beautiful vintage machines.
The restoration "hobby" is quite addicting. Each restoration turning out better than the previous. I now have a total of 5 old Craftsman saws...4 of which I don't need, LOL! However, it's beyond satisfying to take a rusty old saw and breathe new life back into it and have it looking close to what it resembled when originally manufactured. I had the same obsession with NCR brass cash registers made in the late 1800's. I have too many of those too! Took years to break that restoration addiction...the saws are a LOT less expensive all the way around...but are heavier and take up considerable space.
Is there a way to get the correct model number of my Craftsman table saw? I have dated it about 1951, the serial number and model plate has been removed, it was my fathers for 40 years before he gave it to me. I am in the process or replacing the motor and adding dust collect along with reassembling it (giving it a good cleaning). It’s in great shape but I may want to add some original parts, possibly a splitter (or an after market one). Also i may want to replace the bearings, although they do not seem too bad. One other question - can I lubricate the bearings?Did you do this yourself?? I got an old Craftsman table saw this summer from my wife's uncle (iirc it's a 103.22181) and as much as I want to fix it up, I'm not sure I'm personally up to the task!
Packard V8
Well-known member
For true, the old Craftsman table saws are the best deal in woodworking. I've been given a couple because younger guys are afraid of them; somehow they had the idea an older saw could roar to life at any moment and rip your arm off just walking by.
Pro tips:
The motor, especially in higher horsepower models, hanging off the back can twist the arbor. Look at how the front clamp works and add the same clamp to the rear. If wanting a precisely square cut, remove the belt, loosen both front and rear clamps, align and/or square the blade precisely, clamp front and rear, replace the belt.
Fix up two of the same model and bolt them together side-by-side with an extension on each side; this gives a huge working area to support sheet goods. One blade can be aligned as above and left clamped vertically for ripping and cross-cutting. The other blade can be used for angles.
jack vines, who has done too many of these to count.
Pro tips:
The motor, especially in higher horsepower models, hanging off the back can twist the arbor. Look at how the front clamp works and add the same clamp to the rear. If wanting a precisely square cut, remove the belt, loosen both front and rear clamps, align and/or square the blade precisely, clamp front and rear, replace the belt.
Fix up two of the same model and bolt them together side-by-side with an extension on each side; this gives a huge working area to support sheet goods. One blade can be aligned as above and left clamped vertically for ripping and cross-cutting. The other blade can be used for angles.
jack vines, who has done too many of these to count.
Post an image. Many here can just look at it and provide a model or range of models it is or will likely be. Along with that, vintage machinery web site will provide resources as well.
driftpin
Well-known member
You have some patience to get those looking so-good.
I have an old table saw. It appears to be a 1949, based upon this post from http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=1967
Not a Craftsman, a made in Milwaukee Delta 8" belt-drive table saw. I've owned it for probably 40 years. I bought it in Miami from a closing factory having a sale. I used it until I bought a Powermatic 66. It went into storage, where it's been for decades. See post # 56, 528.
After an afternoon of grinding/sanding on the cabinet outside.
All the moving pieces move much-better with some lubrication! I use PB Blaster.
The original ad for the Delta AD-455, Catalog No. 34-265, made in 1949 with a 5/8" arbor:
The owner's pamphlet (4 pp.)
I have an old table saw. It appears to be a 1949, based upon this post from http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=1967
Not a Craftsman, a made in Milwaukee Delta 8" belt-drive table saw. I've owned it for probably 40 years. I bought it in Miami from a closing factory having a sale. I used it until I bought a Powermatic 66. It went into storage, where it's been for decades. See post # 56, 528.
After an afternoon of grinding/sanding on the cabinet outside.
All the moving pieces move much-better with some lubrication! I use PB Blaster.
The original ad for the Delta AD-455, Catalog No. 34-265, made in 1949 with a 5/8" arbor:
The owner's pamphlet (4 pp.)
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driftpin
Well-known member
I broke out my Harbor Freight Tools small sandblaster and shot the interior of the cabinet of my Rockwell Delta table saw. I used a fine grade of kiln-dried sand.
I primed the cabinet today, much better appearance! I used an old Binks Model 69. I don't claim to be a pro! I wanted to have it looking decent. Maybe 1 more primer coat, then color coats.
I primed the cabinet today, much better appearance! I used an old Binks Model 69. I don't claim to be a pro! I wanted to have it looking decent. Maybe 1 more primer coat, then color coats.
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Can someone help identify what model Craftsman this is? I hope to replace a few parts if i can, I recently put a new motor on this (still have the old 3/4 hp CM if. That was working but it needed rewriting etc and I thought I’d just replace it now). I would imagine many of the parts were shared by various CM models of that era but without the serial /model number plate I was not sure. It has been in my family for at least 55 years. My guess is 113.27610?? Thanks for any help you can give me.
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It looks like a 113.27520 to me. If you visit vintagemachinery.org and compare the 113.27520 and the 113.27610 cast iron saw top, take note of the miter slot position. Note the left hand miter slot and how close it is to the blade. Some miter gauges will interfere with that. Some consider it a curiosity others consider it a dangerous design flaw. Anyway, if that is a 10" saw my guess is 113.27520. An extremely common saw. There are 30+ displayed on vintagemachinery.org and another handful of 21s. Used replacement parts should be readily available
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Thanks for the idea, I’ll check it later and see how it matches up, I have about 6 different manuals for various and I’ll see if it makes sense. Thanks again
I have the same saw. 8" Blade. Any idea where I can get a replacement fence or fence parts for a 113.22401 ?
The table on this model is 20" deep so most fences are too long to fit without modification. I have the original fence but it is missing the lockdown handle. Looking for parts. Also, the miter slots on these saws are not "T" slots so most aftermarket miter gauges will not fit.
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Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Holy ****, those are works of art! Fantastic job. Did you do a build thread or YouTube videos on these?
Nice work!
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Why is this saw rare? Is it an 8” or some other oddity?
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
shoot summ
Well-known member
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I picked this one up for the motor to use on another project. Neat old saw, 8", tilting table, was hoping the miter gauge was usable for another project but it was surprisingly flimsy. The rip fence is single sided unfortunately, thought it would be a cool bandsaw fence. Not sure what I will do with it, for now it is on a shelf, I did drag out an old cman motor that would be a good fit for the saw.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Ok here’s some poor photos of my recent $50 pick up. It’s interesting because it is mounted to this stamped base. I haven’t seen this type of base before. You guys seen this before? I’m guessing late 40’s based on the early king seeley logo. Saw is an 8” saw and I am looking for a 10” so this one will get moved along to a new home. I’m not above parting the saw so if someone sees something you need let me know!
Craftsman model 103.23832
Craftsman model 103.23832
Cruzan80
Well-known member
While I have seen similar legs before, the back panel with the "notch" is new to me. Wonder if it was from a jointer or similar for a "dust chute", and repurposed.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
The notch is just a sheet metal piece that bolts to the motor mount shaft. It can be easily removed. The base looks like an earlier builder saw base but it fits this saw so perfectly. I didn’t notice any modifications last night when I unbolted the motor but who knows. I’ll check it out tonight
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Sorry, I meant the "notched"/"dented" piece between the back legs, not on the saw itself.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Oh, that indent is factory. No signs of modification in the slightest. The base looks a lot like older builder saws but it fits this saw so well I have to imagine that it is made specifically for this saw?