Replies

1. 
   PJohn | Jul 02, 2005 01:00pm | #1

   Hi...

   My Craftsman is 1976 - about 29 years. I recently experienced the motor problem, and was tickled to discover that it was just dirt in the moving contacts! Let me suggest that you first take the motor to a reputable motor shop, and ask if they can test whether it's truly "gone", or if the contacts are just in need of a good cleaning or even just a good blowing out with compressed air. Inspection may be $15 or so, and will result in free repair if it's the contact blowout thing. Otherwise, it's about $100-120 for a replacement TEFC motor.

   You're right - you won't find much in new saws for $250 - - $800 to $1000 is more likely. However, that old saw is probably not worn out, though it may have some tired parts. Motor, $100. Replacement arbor bearings, $15. PowerTwist VBelt and machined cast pulleys, $50. You could make him king of the hill for less than $200, maybe even less than $100 if the motor's OK.

   ---John

2. 
   pqken | Jul 04, 2005 12:21am | #2

   I'll second the above post, it may need cleaning and or new contacts or the like. Or maybe bearings if there is vibration. An electric motor is a simple thing with relativly few parts and can be rebuilt with new parts.

3. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 04, 2005 12:32am | #3

   I agree with John - you will not find anything worth having in that price range unless it is used.  Checked out http://www.craiglist.org for your area - they are an online classified ad service.

   The new craftsman hybrid saws have been getting some good reviews - MSRP is about $850, but with all the various discounts and sales can sometimes be had for as low as $600

   Also in the $600 range is the top of the line Rigid contractor saw - good but not great

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/items-list.cfm?key=530000&sort=price

   has some decent table saws - I would not get anything less than the G0444Z
   and with shipping that comes to $633

   how much you spend will partly be determined by how much woodworking he does.

   Also, make sure to get a decent mobile base so it can move in and out of the TS garage.  The Ridgid comes with one - not great but usable.

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/4/2005 8:51 am ET by Rick503

1. 
   StorminNormann | Jul 04, 2005 11:49am | #4

   you may want to revise your post. The link you gave for Craig's list is something entirely different.__________________________________________________________________________________
   It is noble to teach oneself, it is still nobler to teach others -- Samuel Clemens
   __________________________________________________________________________________Steve

1. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 04, 2005 03:51pm | #5

   Thanks Norm,  I put .com instead of .org - fixed now1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

4. 
   Dustmight | Jul 04, 2005 05:56pm | #6

   The cast iron on his current saw is likely to hold up for several more lifetimes. Polish it up for him, then find a motor on Ebay, and add a good fence. Grizzly sells the Aluma Classic for $189. Amazon has the Vega for $229 delivered and it might qualify for a $25 discount. Ebay also frequently has fences. New link belt would be a nice touch if budget allows. You could even add a laminated extension if you feel ambitious.

1. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 04, 2005 10:00pm | #8

   A new link belt is a good idea , but to go with it get a new machined pully.  That, a new motor, flattening/cleaning the top, a good fence and a nice miter gauge ( I like woodhaven - cost is $66-$130) - total probably about $600 (roughly $250 for the fence, $125 for the motor, $125 for the miter guage, $50 for the belt and pully), not sure what it would cost to have the table checked and flatened if necessary (I am estimating $50).  and he will have a saw the equal to one costing about $150+ more.  Pully and belt can be found at: 

   http://www.in-lineindustries.com/performance_pack.html

   Throw in a few more bucks for some paint, Maybe a mobile base if it does not have one and a lot of elbow grease. While not much of a savings when all is said and done, he may enjoy having his old friend brought back to new and better life.

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

   Edited 7/4/2005 3:05 pm ET by Rick503

   Edited 7/4/2005 3:08 pm ET by Rick503

   Edited 7/4/2005 3:20 pm ET by Rick503

   Edited 7/4/2005 3:21 pm ET by Rick503

1. 
   datachanel | Jul 05, 2005 12:12am | #9

   Thank you to all who have posted. I really do like the idea of getting his old one back in condition, and getting him some better stuff to go with it. (ie the link belt, the machined pulleys, and a guard.)
   Have a greate 4th everybody.Datachanel

   Doing things the hard way

1. 
   KeithNewton | Jul 05, 2005 04:47pm | #10

   This may be your lucky day. Look what I found for you in your state.
   http://www.irsauctions.com/index_lots.asp?pg=details&id=7995

1. 
   datachanel | Jul 05, 2005 05:48pm | #11

   Thanks, unfortunatley I'm currently in VA, and my dad's in NH. But I will pass it along none the less.Datachanel

   Doing things the hard way

5. 
   brianmexico | Jul 04, 2005 08:35pm | #7

   I agree with the above posts about fixing your Dad's saw, you'll get the best results for the least amount of money and you can do the work yourself. To refinish the top sand the whole thing down with sandpaper. start with 180 and work your way through the grits to 500. Then spray down the top with a good surface finisher like Topcote, or you could just use some paste wax.

   If this is going to be a group gift for your Dad think about getting him a nice aftermarket mitergauge (after you buy the fence), like one of the Incra models (I have the 1000 and it cost about $100 at Rockler)

   If the saw lives in some area where it's somewhat exposed to the elements maybe someone in the family could sew him up a nice cover to protect the saw.

   I recently went nuts fixing and cleaning all my tools in the shop and discovered that with a little elbow grease you can also repaint the base and many other parts of tools very inexpensively. Treat them like you were doing bodywork on a car, sand everything down with fine sandpaper, a little body filler here and there if you have some dings, paint her up, and presto chango, new tool.

   Good luck,

   Brian