Your opinion please .. Good deal?
kenewald | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Is $175 for a older model Craftsman Radial Arm saw a good deal? Ballpark opinion is good enough for me.
I’ve got a 10″ Craftsman Table saw and would probably use this for cut-off or a specific setup or something
Thanks in advance…
Replies
Ken,
Depends on what you mean by "older" and what model it is. If it was built before their move to offshore built products, it's a "contractor grade", all the stops are crisp, the arbor, and motor are in good shape then it might be a reasonable buy. Personally, I would recommend that you look for a 7749 or earlier DeWalt.....FWIW.
Dano
Look at the part number/model number label and it may say the year of manufacture. It it's from the mid 70' to mid 80's it should be pretty good. All the Craftsman RAS from the beginning up to 1997 were manufactured by Emerson Electric in St. Louis. You can still contact them for parts and manuals. Since 1997, the Craftsman stationary power tools have been manufactured by Ryobi in South Carolina.
BTW, there was a recall two years ago of all Craftsman RAS. Some of the newer models had a free blade guard retrofit kit made available. On the older ones, Emerson would pay $100 if you sent back the motor unit. Most elected to keep the saw. Go to: http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com/ for details.
I just bought a new Craftsman RAS. They've come out with a new one with laser trac, and I got a really great deal on the last of the old model still boxed in the warehouse. I think it's a fine saw at either price. I had an older Craftsman RAS in the shop that belonged to a friend that had no where else to put it (divorce). That saw was at least 25 years old, and the new saw is every bit as good and better then that saw. Of course I didn't pay much more then what you're asking about for the new saw.
I looked at a lot of saws before buying this, and it's just my opinion, but for it's price range, it's the best saw out there. If you're willing to pay 4 or 5 times more, then of course there are better saws available.
Actually, IMHO, there's a band wagon of people who trash Craftsman tools. I agree, some of the hand tools I would never own, but for the most part for the money they offer some decent machines. I agree they do some dumb things like offer a bench top BS with a blade that is a half inch shorter then every one elses. That doesn't make marketing sense at all. But then again, some of their pnuematic finish nailers are made by Florida Pnuematic which makes a better gun in my opinion the Senco or Bostich has made for years.
Past experience tells me this will get some dandruff up. DeWalt's old machines are great, and I don't know much about their stationary tools today, but as a contractor, I won't own a dewalt hand tool. I got tired of dealing the company that's king of the refurbished tool sale.
Don
$175 is pretty much the going rate for the "older" Craftsman RASs. We just "got rid of" one that wasn't in very good shape, so couldn't ask that much for it, but I've watched the prices on these for awhile. Asking prices seem to range from $150-$225 in the Seattle metro area.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Any one in the Wisconsin area. My father has a old RAS from the 60's it is in need of some work but was running when it was moved. If you can come and pick it up you can have it. There is also a table saw same vintage that he will give to a good home.Both tools are Sears and again in need of some serious cleaning up. The table saw needs motor work, I think the capacitor is bad but hell the price is right. Take care Rick...............
what kind of work does the RAS need? i'm in wisconsin, and i guess free stuff is kinda hard to pass up ;)
i just picked up a unisaw i'm refurbishing, so i don't know that i'd need the table saw...
where are you from?
T.
As far as I know it needs a new motor break. It does not slow down as fast as it did years ago. Allso a really good cleaning and a new wood top. I am in South western Wis. If you are interested still I will Email you directly as to how to find us.
Have a great day Enjoy the rain. Rick................
I picked up the RAS lastnight .. Get this...
It's about 10 yr old and was purchased by a retired doctor to make duck callers. It was well preserved (read as: not used) and has a "virgin" 80 tooth finishing blade.
The stops have good rubber and everything appears to work well.
Thanks for your input folks.
-Ken
Ken,
Everything happens for a reason and apparantly the good doctor picked this up for you 10 years ago and also kept it in good condition for you. The recent FWW article on RAS suggests these are dinosauors. Not in my shop.
Don
congrats ken... sounds like a sweet deal.
rick, email me at [email protected]
depending on how far west you are, i may or may not take it. (i'm from waterford -about 1/2hr out of milwaukee)
thanks!
t.
Ken, I am a big RAS fan, and I think that $175 is a good deal if it is in good shape. I once bought an older RAS and had trouble getting bearings for it, so condition is the prime mover here. I have the chuck for the aux shaft and have found that with a 3/4"straight router bit mounted, that there is no faster easier way to make repetative dadoes for bookshelves. Buy it and have fun. Dean
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