Wow guys…this is my 2nd post in a week on a Craftsman tool. Someone is going to commit me. Kidding.
I walked into Sears today and came across Craftsman’s new 14″ steel frame bandsaw. Appeared to be a very, very nice machine. Large, oversized cast table-believe it was 21″x15″. Very solid looking bandsaw. Appears very similar to the steel frame 14″ saws that Grizzly and Rikon have put out recently.
The most surprising point was the price. My memory is fading, but I believe it was around $470 and it wasn’t on sale. I think this is far less than the other 14″ steel frame bandsaws.
No, I don’t work for Sears or even own any of their stock. Just wondering if anyone has seen this saw? Also, for those in the market, this saw probably deserves some attention.
In fairness to Sears, I would say this…they sure seem to have listened and do appear to be trying to improve their tool line. The Table Saws were a great start.
Replies
Sears has an uphill battle on their hands with me, as I haven't been in a Sears store for years.
They may finally be improving the quality of their tools, but have they improved the quality of their business practices? Are they still using peak horse power numbers to overstate the capabilities of their machines?
Do they still employ commissioned sales people with far too little product and woodworking knowledge and far too great an interest in making an immediate sale - to the extent that misinformation and hyperbole are routinely used to persuade buyers?
I am encouraged to see that their ads now include reputable tool brands - not just Sears/Craftsman - but I prefer to buy tools from people who really know tools, and I don't recall having run into too many of them at Sears in the past.
In the past, shopping for quality tools at Sears was painful and inconvenient for me (for goodness sake, most Sears stores are in dreaded malls!), mostly because their business pratices and personnel lack credibility. Until that changes, I'm not likely to go back.
My two cents,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
As a former tool department employee at my local Sears, their practices are getting even worst. When I was there, there were a few knowledgable sales personnal because it was a commisioned position. Well....they've done away with commision so now there is absolutely no motivation for anyone with a woodworking backround to work there. On top of that, they are pushing their employees even harder to sell those ridiculous "maintenance agreements". So while their tools are getting better, their business practices are getting worst. The only good part about their business practices is you can talk them into taking back almost anything. I've seen 10 year old circular saws coming back because someone badgered the manager until they agreed to at least a heavy discount on a new one.My advice, unless you get a great coupon (which is easy to do) stay clear and shop at places that have much better deals, like Amazon.
sell those ridiculous "maintenance agreements"..Industry standard these days.. Big bucks in that...I use to have to do that for Million Plus Machines.. Dang.. I did NOT get any commission! Damn! EDIT: I was just Service/Marketing..
Edited 10/13/2005 7:31 pm by WillGeorge
I actually took the plunge and purchased this bandsaw. I was able to snag it for $ 360 plus tax.
I looked it over very closely and it is nearly identical to the 14" Rikon with the exception that the resaw height is 8" not 6". I'll never resaw more than 8" anyhow.
I will post my impressions after I pick it up in the next day or two.
Wish me luck!
Jay
Just a little added info about Craftsman power tools. I have a Craftsman table saw which is 30 years old and looks like new. Two weeks ago the starter went on the emerson motor so I took it to the Sears repair center which is on the other side of the City of Buffalo. To my surprise (I should have called first)they no longer stock parts or repair electrical motors in many repair centers. They told me they would have to send it to Syracuse for repairs. They no longer employ repair techs in many larger cities. I told the person working there this is another reason why I haven't purchased any motorized tools from Sears in many years.That comment made for a very surprised look on the clerks face.I walked out and took it to a local motor repair shop and I had it back in 1-1/2 days. I have had a few problems with Sears equipment over the years especially with parts no longer avaliable after just a few years. So be very careful because in 5 years you won't be able to get service or parts for your machine. Bob
"So be very careful because in 5 years you won't be able to get service or parts for your machine."OTOH, mechanical parts like bearings and motors are easily repaired or replaced and if the warranty is over, it'll be OK since they aren't Sears-specific parts, anyway. The only reason I would ever take something to Sears for repair is if it's under warranty and it has to go there for coverage. Otherwise, I'll go to the multitude of local places that sell the needed parts or can rebuild whatever is worn, or I'll do it myself. Their upper management must not have ANY clue about what it takes to satisfy customers, other than what they read in their monthly CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index, not Crime Scene Investigator) ratings. Talking to their salepeople is just painful at the Sears closest to me, other than a few who were there in the late '70s/early '80s, when I worked in the same "dreaded mall".
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Hello Highfigh. I was always a firm believer to take something back for repairs to the seller or manufacturer for the best possible service.I look for those qualities before I make a purchase. In the case of Sears that is not the case. For many years now I have purchased almost all my power tools from Phillips Bros Supply in Buffalo because of the great service,intellegent staff, good prices and repair dept. They sell all the major brands at a fair price.Over the years I have had a few problems with Sears and I refuse to purchase anything electrical from them.If they would only wake up and start selling good quality products and pay a fair wage to their employees their sales would skyrocket. A few weeks ago I went to Sears at the Walden Galleria in buffalo to replace a few missing sockets and it was a real pleasure to talk to a salesman because he had a passion for wood working.That was a very pleasant shopping experience and rare for Sears. Bob
Well....try this one out for size.
I previously owned a 1952 Craftsman saw. I wanted to extend the fence but needed the geared fence piece that screwed to the front of the table. I went to searspartsdirect.com site and wouldn't you know, the part was available and I purchased it. This was four years ago. Apparently, they do stock 40 year old parts for some products.
I sold that saw and bought the 21224 for $799 four months ago.
I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones. ;)
Was the toothed rail square, about 4' long? I have one in my garage and can't bring myself to toss it. IIRC, the old Sears saws were made by Rockwell/Delts and this part came off of one of those when my uncle changed the fence on his.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I have'nt had very good luck with Sears over the years. I'm glad to hear you were able to find the needed parts for your machine. I'll stay with Phillips Bros. Supply in Buffalo which has been very good to me over the years both for my personel purchases and also purchases for work. Bob
I've looked at that Sears 14" bandsaw and it looks very similar to the Bridgewood. I think it's a lot of saw for the money.
Last year an old Craftsman metal bodied drill that I had for 40 years finally died. I had replaced the armature about 20 years ago and it went bad again. Sears doesn't carry that part anymore (brushes yes).
Let us know if you will how the motor performs when resawing that 8" piece. The motor specs were what caused me the most willies when looking at the machine.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Everyone seems to agree Craftsman tools, since they are made by different sub-vendors, can be hit or miss. Like the newer cabinet and hybrid saws, this one sure looks like a hit. I'm looking forward to some reviews as well. What combination of discounts landed you a $360 price tag. That is too good to pass up indeed! This does look like a worthy saw for a hobbiest or weekend woodworker like myself.
Hi Elliott,
I realize that it can be hit or miss. Based on the deal I got, and the ease of returning it if not-satisfied, I thought the risk was some what low. I did much more reasearch before purchasing the 22124 because returning 400 lbs of tablesaw would be very problematic.
I guess I don't expect much from the department store staff, so it doesn't trouble me if they are not knowledgable. If I need face to face knowledgable conversation, I head to my local Woodcraft store. I provide them ample business for a number of items so I don't feel guilty picking their collective brains.
I have some other Craftsman tools and haven't had a problem getting parts using searspartsdirect.com. In fact, I think the site is quite useful.
Like you, I am a weekend warrior. Certainly if I were doing this for career, my standards would be different.
The discount combination that got me the great price was as follows:
Bandsaw on sale for 449. Less 10% Craftsman club discount, less another 10% for using the Sears card for a sub total of 363 and change. Delivery would have been an additional 50, but I think I can handle it with some help (200 lbs).
The blade length is an oddball size, but I purchased some Lenox blades from http://www.toolcenter.com. They have the 99 3/4 blade size for this saw.
I'll be posting an initial review after setup and some resaw work using cherry wood.
If it makes the Craftsman bashers any happier, I'm in the market for a planer and Craftsman is not on my finalist list.
Wish me luck!
The new Craftsman hybrid "zip code" saw seems like a definite improvement in their usual approach to power tools. It's made by Orion, right? Wonder if they made the bandsaw. A little tidbit from WWer's Journal eZine:
And their take on what makes Orion different from the other Asian co's:
As I mentioned earlier, the actual power of the motor in that band saw is the first thing I'd want to test on it. Their "maximum developed HP" spec is worrisome.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Solely based on the motor amperage that is labeled (11 amps at 110v), I don't think I should be any more worried than someone who buys a delta clone such as the G0555 (10 amp motor) and purchases a riser block, hoping to resaw 12" stock.
I think the saw blade and setup will be larger factors in this case.
That said, not all 11amp motors are created equal. We'll see.
"We'll see." Glad to hear you say that, 'cause it'll be important info for interested parties! Actually, I just noticed that on that particular bandsaw, they don't use the term "max. developed". Had it mixed up with a different tool.
Have fun!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Whenever I see "maximum developed horsepower" on any tool, I get angry. What do I care what the mdh was on a tool after it is burned out. I get a tool to use, not smoke and I usually walk away.
I just purchased one of these saws as well. It appears it's the same unit as the Rikon 14" with the addition of an included fence, an attached lamp, a top wheel inspection window, 2" taller resaw capacity, a larger switch, a guide crank knob (the Rikon guide is held only by the lock knob and the guide assemble drops when you loosen it) and apparently the Craftsman unit has cast iron wheels and the Rikon has cast aluminum. Otherwise I have seem both in person and they are identical down to the knobs.The motor is rated at a continuous 1hp and is fan cooled.I picked it up on sale for a total (with CA tax) of $460. It easily fit into the back of my Subaru wagon with only half the back seat folded down. I spent an additional $110 on 4 additional blades via mail order. This saw uses 99.75 inch blades which for most places means a custom length. The Rikon uses a more available 93.5.I took my time assembling it and it took about 3 hours.Out of the box the blade was running on the very outside of the lower wheel. I had to adjust the angle to almost 4/5 of it's range in order to get the supplied 1/4" 6tpi inch blade to run in the middle of the wheel. Once I got everything dialed in and the guide wheels set the saw ran quiet and with only a very gentle, low frequency vibration.I've run a few test cuts so far on hard maple and walnut. The supplied blade cut straight on some 2" walnut that I resawed in half but drifted some on 5/4 hard maple. I've ordered some Timberwolf blades and a 1/2" wood slicer and don't expect much from the supplied blade. As soon as they arrive I'll report back. Otherwise I am quite pleased with this saw. It's not a Laguna but for the money it's a very good saw for the non-professional woodworker. A more patient shopper than myself could get this saw for as little as $365.When I noticed that this unit was almost identical to the Rikon I went to the Rikon web site and noticed that they have a better manual with clearer assembly instructions with larger photos and more of them, as well as a parts list, both of which can be downloaded as PDF files. I imagine if I need parts down the line I could get most of them from Rikon as well as Sears.
Only of Craftsman could you say "Looks like it's the same as a Rikon" and have it be a compliment. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Elliott,
I received my timberwolf blades and installed the 1/2" 3 TPI blade. I adjusted the fence for minor drift and was cutting away. The saw had no problems with a 6" piece of maple or an 8" piece of poplar. Haven't tried 8" of cherry or maple yet. I should give a full review complete with pictures but I'm too busy at the moment. Perhaps in a week or two.
I did what another person did and ordered a 2 foot kreg trak that I attached to the stock fence mounting unit. For $30, it is a reasonable upgrade. Now I can buy the resaw Kreg attachment which should make it easier for me.
For the price I paid ($360 and change), the value can't be beat IMO. I love the large table and being left handed, I like the miter slot on the left side as I want the fence to the right of the blade and can use a feather board to assist my resaw efforts.
Good luck
I was fiddling this morning and ripped off a few pieces of maple from 9" 5/4 scrap. I got an excellent, reasonably clean (for the blade) cut that was very straight. Picture attached. The variation in width on the ripped piece is less than 1/32 the entire length from end to end. The face I ran along the fence was reasonably flat but not hand jointed smooth. I'm a very happy customer. Can't wait for the better blades to arrive! I'm not saying all Craftsman tools are winners but this one seems to be. I'd say it's much BETTER than the Rikon =Dcheers.
Edited 4/5/2006 5:57 pm by Elliott Aldrich
Another photo
I actually returned the new 12" Craftsman and upgraded to the 14". For price/value it is hard to beat especially with the 90 day no hassle return if necessary. Fit and finish were spot on out of the box, although the box had been through a rough bit of handling. I plan on rewiring to 220 and will be ordering aftermarket blades. I've also installed the Kreg aftermarket fence by bolting on the the aluminum rail that comes with the bandsaw. So far so good and after sale price and discount, around $360+/-.
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