Craftsman 12" band saw

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J

jocat54

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Hi, I'm looking at buying and old (don't really know how old) craftsman 12" bandsaw. I think I can get it for about $75. Looking for opinions and thoughts. I have never really liked craftsman tools but was thinking for the price I might be able to mod it up pretty well.

Thanks,

John
 
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I have a newer 12" Craftsman Bandsaw and its a love/hate relationship!
I really like how easy it is to use and it has great power. What I hate is the fact the guide bearings are poorly made the bottom one is hard to get to, to adjust. I have to remove the table to do it. My second gripe is there are not many after market parts available to help tweak it and make it that much better. But once I get the setup right its good to go.
 
I bought an old Craftsman 10" bansaw that I found in the local "Shopper", a paper that people list everything in for free, that I bought for 60.00 it came with I think 10 extra blades and other then not being able to buy a rip fence or miter gauge for it I really like the saw. It has made cutting blanks to length very nice compared to using my scroll saw. The one I bought was made in 1991 according to the plate on the side. If you can get a serial number from it you can download the manual for it from Sears.com. Just letting you know what I learned since I bought mine in November. I would try talking them down on the price if possible. Hope it helps. Len
 
I have an older Craftsman 12" and am content with it. I agree that the lower guides are a little of a pain to get at. A good quality blade will make the purchase worthwhile.
 
I have one I bought last summer for 100.00 it was like new, like every one has said the bottom bearing and guides are a pain, but put a good blade on it and it's a good saw for almost any thing I do, I'd like to have something with a taller throat, but this will do for now. Buy a GOOD blade Morse or Lenox, you won't regret spending the extra money.
 
depends on the model, they've had at least three different models of 12"ers over the years, some are good, the three wheel version puts too much stress on the blades.

I have a Hitachi 12" that very similar to one of the craftsman 12"ers. I love it.
 
I have the 12" Craftsman BS two speed. I hate to change the blades, real knuckle busters and you can`t see what you are doing. The foot print is very large. Sometimes i wish i had something more then a 6" depth of cut, but not often. With a TW blade in it it and you take the time to line it up, it will work well. I do lots of work on rough sawed lumber and ripping with the BS is safer with not so flat boards, till i get them down to size to fit my jointer and planer. I made jigs for cross cutting and a rip fence. Carl
 
For the price I don't think it would be too bad of a buy. I have one I have used for quite a while. I thought it was a good saw until I upgraded to a Grizzly GO555,then I found out comparing the two of them was like comparing a bicycle to a car. It would make a good starter saw until you could upgrade.
 
bitshird said:
I have one I bought last summer for 100.00 it was like new, like every one has said the bottom bearing and guides are a pain, but put a good blade on it and it's a good saw for almost any thing I do, I'd like to have something with a taller throat, but this will do for now. Buy a GOOD blade Morse or Lenox, you won't regret spending the extra money.
Click to expand...

I have a 14" Delta and have the same problem with the lower bearings... it's either take the table off or get down on my knees to get under the table... and I want to get a riser kit to open the throat a little more so I can cut thicker pieces....
 
Used one of those old craftsman BS for many years -- 80 inch blade as I remember. Put a bi-metalic blade on it in the early 80s after discussion on those blades and Fine WoodWorking - and never went back until I got a 14 inch Delta several years ago. (Chuck - I put the riser block on the delta and added carter guides and life has been much nicer!!! Use bi-metalic blade on it unless cutting stump and root wood).

Good work horse for basic work. Not a high precision system but will cut blanks and do cut off work all day long.
 
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