I’ve had a Craftsman contractor type 10″ belt drive table saw for, maybe 27 years. Does that mean it is one of the “good ones”?…I don’t know, but I am able to get decent work out of it with good blade…even though the stock fence leaves alot to be desired.
I’m looking at the new Craftsman catalogue and on-line and see a ‘couple of rip fences ($119 and $159) that look like good upgrades.
Anyone upgraded an older Craftsman TS with one of these? How does it work? I don’t understand the difference between the two models…and my local store doesn’t have any in stock or on display so I would have to buy on-line sight unseen.
Maybe these same fences come on some of the new craftsman TS?
Mind you, this is not for every-day production use…mostly just hobby and DIY home repair stuff.
Replies
Contrary to popular opinion, those Craftsman table saws really aren't all that bad but you have to spend some time "dialing them in". I overhauled my mid-80's Craftsman saw a few years ago and got the Sears XR-2424 upgrade fence. It works like a dream. I don't know if they still offer that fence but any upgrade will be better than the stock fence. That "Align-A-Rip" looks very much like my XR2424.
A Craftsman will never be as good as a Unisaw or PM66 with a Bessey fence, but you can get very good performance from one with a little work. It's all about the setup. No saw will give you good performance if it isn't set up right.
Go to Ridgid.com or go on ebay. The fences Ridgid used when Emerson made the TS 2424 and 3612 should work on your saw with the new ridgid rails. I think it is a super fence on my TS3612. There used to be a guy in Tenn. that had a bunch of new old stock items but did not find him with a quick search.
http://www.ridgidparts.com/accessories/woodacc.phtml
Part AC1036
You might find one on the Ridgid Forum. Some have upgraded to Bies.
http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7587723098&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX
Edited 2/9/2006 10:13 am ET by rasconc
Edited 2/9/2006 10:43 am ET by rasconc
As far as the new saws go, the new sears hybrid has gotten a lot of good responses over in Knots, and it comes with a Bisemeyer type fence. When on sale and with craftsman club discount it can be had for under $700.
Oh yeah...I don't do enough in a year to justify more than a 'couple hundred for this upgrade...and I'm even still figuring how to get this by SWMBO.
and really, this TS has already ripped thousands of board feet and is still going strong. Key item is a really good blade...have a Freud industrial 16 carbide tooth rip blade in there now. Doesn't leave a baby bottom smooth cut, but hardly bogs the motor even with tough old white oak.
I do always set the blade dead staight up when ripping at 90°, but re-checking fence-to-blade dimension with tape against fence and miter slots is getting a little old.
Edited 2/9/2006 2:20 pm ET by johnnyd
I upgraded an older Craftsman saw with one of the Ridgid fences and it was worth the effort. made an ok saw a pleasure to use.
The fence I used (a few years back) is the aluminum profile - it's no BM fence but for $159 it's not too bad.
I'd second the idea of finding a Ridgid owner looking to upgrade - you ought to be able to find one for $100 or less.
I'd imagine there are quite a few that have them sitting in the corner of their shop - not really knowing how or where to sell, or just not thinking it's worth the effort.
In addition to the Knots forum - check out Woodnet - maybe post a WTB ad and I'd bet you'd get at least a few offers.
Good luck,
Julian Tracy
I got my Craftsman table saw in 1993 or around there. The fence is terrible. A 2x4 clamped down would be an improvement.
I eventually upgraded to a Biesemeyer fence. I got the 52" and built a table for it. If you don't need that much width, go for a shorter Biesemeyer. You will NOT regret it.
The Biesemeyer was pretty straightforward to install. Drill a couple holes (no problem, the cast iron drills through easy enough). Set it up and throw out your tape measure. I've had mine for years, and never had to readjust it. It is dead on everytime, and stays parallel to the blade, which is priority #1. I absolutely love it.
I also love my Forrest WWII blade. Glass smooth cuts. Quiet, too.
The only problem with the Craftsman saw is lack of power. Ripping thick stock goes really slow, unless you put on a rip blade.
But then again, the danger of kickback is reduced, since there's not a lot of power compared to saws like Delta and Powermatic.
Put on the Biesemeyer and a Forrest blade, and be happy.
Pete Duffy, Handyman