Need a new table saw

[OldMasterTech]

My tried and true craftsman is at the end of its life. I need a new saw but my table is all steel with attached wood/formica top and I don't need a new leg stand. This is a quiet belt drive and I want some equal or better. Here's a pic :
View attachment 468109

Any suggestions? I'd rather pick one up than order. Like to have it this week.

joefromga, I believe my saw is the same as yours and I just took it out of service due to a small accident that broke the fence and the on/off switch. The motor and innards are both in excellent condition. Don't know how to get it from here to there cheaply but let me know if it's of any interest to you.

 

[jenkinsph]

Will a contractor saw accept a dado blade?

My Delta contractor saw works with both dado blades and molder heads. Have table inserts for all three.

The larger scoring saw does not though, it shines for panel cutting.

 

[mapper]

I used to have a Sears 10" identical to Joe's, it cut well but the fence was almost worthless. After ripping an expensive sheet of plywood on an unintentional diagonal one to many times (the fence would not lock down securely ) I replaced it with a Delta Unisaw with a 48" Unifence. Sort of like going from a Yugo to a Rolls Royce. The Sears struggled to rip 8/4 red oak with numerous thermal breaker resets needed, the Unisaw has never bogged down in anything I have put through it.
At the very least replace the motor and get an after market fence for it, you will not regret that in the least.

 

[joefromga]

I ordered a Grizzly motor that got good reviews from Amazon. It will be here tomorrow so I am hoping it will do what I need. I have a delta fence on it already. Other than the motor issue it's been a great table saw.

Will post results.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I have an early 1970's Craftsman 10" table saw, that I bought at a garage sale for $50 back in about 1976. It motor is 1.75 HP dual voltage and can be connected for either 110 volts or 220 volts. When I got it, I took it apart, cleaned and lubed the mechanism, repainted the cabinet, and renewed the table surface to like new. I built a rolling base for it so I could move it around the shop. I added a link belt and it runs with almost no vibration.

I got a great deal on a 3 HP cabinet saw about 5 years ago so, the Craftsman is sitting quietly in the corner of the shop. After I do some re-arranging of my shop I thinking of putting my dado set on it and just use it for cutting dados on projects.

 

[dickfoster]

Will a contractor saw accept a dado blade?

Of course. A contractor saw is just one step away from a cabinet saw and is much more of a saw than a bench top. However they are a bit too heavy to be considered portable unless you want to lug about 400 lbs around. Most contractor saws have cast iron tables and belt drives with induction motors but usually stamped steel table wings.

 

[joefromga]

Of course. A contractor saw is just one step away from a cabinet saw and is much more of a saw than a bench top. However they are a bit too heavy to be considered portable unless you want to lug about 400 lbs around. Most contractor saws have cast iron tables and belt drives with induction motors but usually stamped steel table wings.

That's what I have.

 

[dickfoster]

That's what I have. View attachment 468213

Looks like an oldie but goodie.

 

[mapper]

Joe, it looks like you are going to be in good shape with the new motor. Is it a sealed type or open like the original motor? The location on the contractor saw put the motor in a pretty dusty location, I used to blow a lot of dust a debris out of my Sears saw. The delta has a sealed motor which is really nice.

 

[joefromga]

The Grizzly is sealed with bearings. The original was open with sleeves type shim that requires oiling.

 

[dragoneggs]

After I do some re-arranging of my shop I thinking of putting my dado set on it and just use it for cutting dados on projects.

Great idea if you have the space! :thumbsup: I sold my 10in Craftsman w/cast table and extensions when I upgraded. Probably would have held on it if I had floor space. As it is, most of my heavy tools are all on casters. Not ideal. Someday I will have a dedicated shop, properly wired, and a thought out floor plan!

 

[jenkinsph]

Great idea if you have the space! :thumbsup: I sold my 10in Craftsman w/cast table and extensions when I upgraded. Probably would have held on it if I had floor space. As it is, most of my heavy tools are all on casters. Not ideal. Someday I will have a dedicated shop, properly wired, and a thought out floor plan!

I have an old 12" radial saw (Delta) sitting in the shadows taking up space. Just needs the motor that was rebuilt to be mounted. Moved it there in 1996 and it is still unused, so after 20 years it is just an example of how things work out. I had plans to open a cabinet shop back then but other work kept me too busy. While I still enjoy wood working I no longer consider it as a business venture. When you are younger you expect to get around to so many future projects but when close to retirement and look back you get a dose of reality. I have many more future projects than I have "future", but at least I won't be bored.

 

[arkydog]

most people don't know this but the old table saws were made in paris, tn. emerson electric ownes the division that is or was at least called their SPECIAL PRODUCTS DIVISION headquartered in st. louis,mo. my now deceased good friend VIC KLUESNER was very high up in that division. i went to paris tennessee and toured the factory. the specs on these saws were extremely tight. back in about 1998 they lost the bid from sears to ryobi and no longer made for sears. they got the contract with HOME DEPOT and are now sold there. they rebadged them as RIGID since emerson electric also owned rigid.
if it were me i would keep your own saw and look for another old sears for parts. you could always upgrade the electric motor. its an interesting story that my friend lived because he had all kinds of in sites about sears because he traveled with all the reps that sold their products as sears own.

 

[joefromga]

I replaced the motor today with an equivalent Grizzly. It came shipped with a dent on the back cover but a little hammering got it straight.

It went in easily and all I had to do was swap over the wires.

I still have an issue with it losing power halfway through the cut.

I have checked the fence and table and blade angle. I'm going to replace the blade and see how it goes. It does have some hours on it.

Motor is smooth and quiet though.

 

[dragoneggs]

I replaced the motor today with an equivalent Grizzly. It came shipped with a dent on the back cover but a little hammering got it straight. It went in easily and all I had to do was swap over the wires. I still have an issue with it losing power halfway through the cut. I have checked the fence and table and blade angle. I'm going to replace the blade and see how it goes. It does have some hours on it. Motor is smooth and quiet though.

Hi joe, I don't know the details of your situation but one of the best things is a quality blade. I finally stepped up to Forrest blades and what a difference. No, I don't have an axe to grind here.

 

[prichard]

Have someone watch voltage on the outlet while you're cutting.

 

[Amvcane]

Make sure the belt is not slipping. If you look at my picture, I had to add some weight to the motor to keep the belt tight so it would not slip.

 

[joefromga]

What a difference a new blade makes!

I got one of these :



And it slides through 8/4 mahogany like butter! Wow.

Craftsman 1" table saw on Vimeo

Amana Tool combination
50 tooth 4&1

 

[czechsonofagun]

I bought Walker Turner from the good old days when there were actually tools made in USA. Had to replace the motor, but it runs ever since like a pro and is very stable and precise.

The best part - even with the motor it was only 400 dollars.

 

[handirifle]

I would replace the motor, and go through the arbor bearings as well. Clean and adjust the tilt table as well, and it will be like a new saw. Better actually than most box store models. Mine is probably 40+ years old and that was what I did when I got it. It humms right along now.