I’d appreciate eveyone’s input… I’m a serious hobby-level woodworker, returning to the craft after many years of distraction (work, mainly.)
I’m upgrading my shop and filling out the basic machines I didn’t have in the past (planer, jointer, etc.) I have my original Craftsman (please don’t laugh) table saw, purchased over 30 years ago and used very moderately over the years. Always kept it well maintained.
I assumed it would have to go, but a new Freud blade and some tuning showed me literally perfect results. Biggest problem is that the fence and guides are minimal and not suited for accurate cutting of larger stock (cabinet/furniture panels, etc.)
The question: Is it worth investing $300 – 400 in add-on fences, side tables, etc. or should I just give it a respectful retirement and pop for a new 10″ Unisaw, etc.?
If you aren’t familiar with these old Craftsman saws, they were made before Sears started stamping metal. Has cast table, trunions, and holds a tune extremely well.
I’d hate to discard a good tool (…only driven on Sunday by a little old lady with balsa wood…), but I need some perspective.
Thanks, all.
Replies
IMO the new craftsman and rigid fences are pretty good fences they lock stright and firm. My good friend had one and built beautiful custom work with it. I dont think a beismeyer is going to run you 400 bucks more closer to 300. But to install it you might have to some drilling. That is why I would look at the newer craftsman fences they should do what you want and just bolt on.. Especially as a new Unisaw is going to cost you roughly 1600 bucks and a contractors about 600-800 depending on manufacturer and accessoriess..
Darkworks: Its all 'bout da squilla
I recently "retired" my 1967 Craftsman TS due to serious warping in the table top. Part of the warpage could be accounted for by my hanging a 2hp motor on a frame designed for a lighter weight motor. 18 yrs. ago I replace the Craftsman fence. I recently bought a Griz and switched the Shop Fox ("SF") fence that came with it for my old Biessemeyer. I mounted the SF fence system mounts on the Craftsman TS with minimal problems and a little drilling/tapping. I doubt the modifications and installation took more than an hour.
If you keep the TS, I would difinitely recommend machined pulleys and a link belt. That will substantially reduce motor vibration. I also reinforced the side and mounts for the tilt mechanism since it had a habit of bowing the side panel out and distorting the set when placed at an extreme angle. All that being said, I know there are many better saws on the market but that TS followed me through a 6 or seven moves and thousands of board feet of lumber. It required several rebuilds, mods, and lots of tweaking and I still can't muster up the heart to sell the silly thing. So it sits there taking up shop space and I justify it as my "backup" TS. Actually, its hard to get rid of an old friend.
Doug
Thanks, Ron
I'll check the latest Craftsman fences. The Bies, with side table extension for the 50" runs just under $500 at Woodworkers Supply - about 10 minutes from me in Albuquerque. (and that's with the local ww club discount.) I've read later messages about the Accusquare fence and it looks promising, so I'll follow those threads.
All the replies to my initial message, thanks to all who replied so fast (I'm blown away, folks!) is that the old friend is worth a spin or two. I know it won't be latest and greatest, but still of service to a non-pro who will, in time, probably pop for a new saw. Meanwhile, I get the message that a reasonable amount of $ spent on the '70's Craftsman is not a terrible decision. Now I can sleep well.
Anyone else have input on Accusquare?
Take a look at this thread, and you'll find lots of happy Old Craftsman owners, and some info on what they've done to upgrade their saws:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=11507.1
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
That was a great thread, FG. Much appreciated.
Makes me realize lots of us old Craftsman owners are still out there. Too bad they came out with the cheap versions later and virtually ruined their reputation.
"returning to the craft after many years of distraction"
Welcome back to the land of the living!
I'd say it's worth it. I've used the new Craftsman fence and was quite impressed with it. Just add that or another after-market fence, a decent miter gauge and you'll have a very nice saw. (Grizzly sells the Shop Fox miter gauge which is a dandy, but I'm not sure if it will fit Sears' slots. If you give them a call, their techs will know for sure. (800) 523-4777 item #H3316.)
Jeff
I'll go the other way (and probably tick off a few people). You can probably put on a new fence, add PALs, replace the starter, buy a dial indicator and adjust every thing as best as possible. But as I read from someone else on this exact subject... remember, can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Play around and if you get serious, upgrade.
I'm also in the process of restoring an old saw, 1967 Rockwell/Delta 9". Old rusty tools seem to attract woodworkers. I have a Unisaw in my workshop 5 miles away from my house so this saw will be for my garage at home. I like most woodworkers have owned a Craftsman TS at sometimes in our life, in fact I've had 2 and have no problem with them except their fences. I put steel pulleys and link belt on the last Craftsman saw I had and it really improved it, quieter and smoother running.
There was a recent post here on Accusquare's fence, most spoke favorably about them. I'm considering buying one for my 9" saw, their prices are better than some of the others.
I love my Unisaw and Unifence, the thing I like about the saw the most is the 3 hp motor and the power it has. I can rip 2" stock and never bog down but if you don't need the power stay with what you have.
Gods Peace
les
Edited 5/9/2003 12:43:57 AM ET by les
Edited 5/9/2003 12:45:07 AM ET by les
Les: I enjoyed reading your post. Of course, I also recommended getting a new saw and stand by that one. Every kid deserves a new toy.
Simultaneously, like you, I am restoring an old Delta saw -- a 1954 8" contractor type saw. The restoration has given me endless pleasure as well as too many hours when I should have probably been building something.
As of today, the old 34-500 is at the Delta repair center getting new arbor bearings and then it will be ready to go. Have considered putting a small Bies home shop fence on it. In many respects, this is my own personal "silk purse". I would not do it this way, however, if it was my primary saw. If that were the case, I would again buy new.
Les
I have an old Craftsman that I've upgraded over the years.
New pulleys and link belt, Vega fence, Forest Blades.
It works great after all these years.
I got a great buy on a Grizzly.
The Grizzly has a Beisemeyer fence, so I've changed the fence on the
Craftsman to Beismeyer also.
I put the Table saws back to back with a filler in between.
Now each saw acts as the outfeed table for the other.
I can now have 2 seperate blades set up to do a number of tasks.
Works great.
I still have the Vega Fence if your interested (also the Shop Fox
fence is also available), just been to lazy too list them in the
classified section here.
Will give you a great price if you want, they both work great.
Jeff
Jeff
I might be interested one of the fences, my table on my saw is only 22" deep, will either fit? I prefer a fence like my Unifence it is only connected on the front rail. Thanks for the reply.
Gods Peace
les
Les
The Vega would fit.
The rear rail isn't a necessity, as it doesn't lock to it and can be
used without, but you need a right extension table for it to sit on.
The rail is round and without either a table or rear rail it falls
down.
Though, I'm not sure any rail can just sit floating in the air without some support.
Jeff
sounds like its well worth upgrading, consider:
a great quality blade(which you've done already) blade stabilizers see http://www.leevalley.com , the best fence system you can afford, some sort of crosscut table
i have a 23 year old craftsman 9 inch table saw that i retired due to blade availability years ago, it was a great table saw, much better than my newer delta
only problems with the old craftsman? terrible fence and small table top both easily remedied now
I have one from 1981 or so as well. I agree the weakness is the fence. I never could pop for the biesm.. etc fences as 400 seems a bit steep.
I have done this twice now. Once with the Craftsman belt drive and with a similar old contractor Rockwell TS. Take the fence from an old Unisaw and install that on those table saws. It is an afternoon with a drill and a tap but it is a good value and takes all of the weakness from those old TS models.
Take the Unisaw fence (identical to the current Rockwell Contractor fence) and put that on the old saws. The Rockwell part store has the fences new and sometimes used as will some people who have upgraded to the Biesm... fences. (put a posting here and see if anyone is willing to part with that pile of metal in the corner)The rockwell front chrome pipe is important as a front rail, as is the little standoff pieces and related screws. For 100 bucks in Mscl parts the fence and front tube can be had. The back tube I used 1-1/4 inch dia Galv. pipe and drilled it to put in place.
Part of the beauty of the Unisaw is the rigidity. I tell you this little pipe installation is something that will really tighten up the table saw to the wings. It is an impressive setup now.
I have both saws in use now. One at home the other at the cottage. They work fine. On the positive side I can move them from the basements to the outdoors as well as move them to a working location with just a bit of grunting for two men. Try that with a Unisaw. I guess your decision resides in how and where you will use your tools.
Ask if you need more help figuring the assembly out.
I have just installed the Accusquare on my saw, the installation went well just some drilling and tapping, couple of hours for complete installation and set up. The fence was easy to get square with the table and square to the blade. I have not used it enough as yet to say how good it will hold its setting, but so far am very pleased.
Scott T.
Scott, thanks for the progress report. I'll be anxious to hear how it performs. I think the Accusquare is probably the way I'll go, for this old saw (sic).
I'll keep you posted.
Knothead
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