Older Craftsman Bandsaw

[Cain]

I went to look at a Craftsman band saw that I saw in the paper. The model number on the saw is 113.243401. I found a site that told me the prefix (113) means it was manufactured by Emerson Electric.

Anyone out there know of a link where I can get additional info or a manual for this saw? It's a 12" saw and has a maximum resaw height of about 5.5 inches. I have no idea what year it was made, but I'm guessing the 70s or 80s. He told me it uses an 80" blade.

It looks really solid and he's asking $175 for it. I'm also wondering if a riser block is available or if one could be retrofitted.

Thanks,

Cain

[BearPipes-1]

I have a similar Emerson-built Craftsman 12" bandsaw.

If you go to Sears.com, click on the Tools link in the top navigation menu, and then the Parts link on the left hand navigation menu, you can enter the Craftsman part number and get a list of parts as well as a fuzzy exploded diagram of your saw. Sears has owners manuals available for around $8 (it'll be listed as an available part).

The Old Woodworking Machines site (www.owwm.org) doesn't have your saw manual online, but has yet another similar Emerson-built saw manual. That should be close enough to give you an idea of what you're dealing with.

Sears doesn't carry the sander belts that run on this saw, and they're hard to find elsewhere, but you can have them custom fabricated or get them from Lee Valley.

Bandsaw blades in this length (80") are not as common these days, so have spares on hand. This unit does not accommodate a riser block.

I like mine for what it is, but I wouldn't part with $175 for this saw. They tend to vibrate too much. Accessing the blade, wheels, and thrust bearings can be a hassle (why couldn't they have hinged, instead of latched, the cover?).

That's enough money to start saving up for a Delta 14", and when I was in your shoes, I tried to talk the guy down to $100 or less. If he won't budge, let somebody else get the "bargain" and keep looking.

[JSUPreston]

Cain, for a little more than another C note, you can get your choice of the old style or new Euro 12" saws from Sears. And, the new Euro 12" has a larger resaw. Might be worth saving for. I haven't completely tuned up my Euro yet (haven't been in the shop much lately), but from what I have seen so far, and from what I've read, it's a very good saw for the money

[Cain]

Thanks for the info guys. I wanted to get some input because I didn't get any warm fuzzies when I looked at this saw. Also, I plan to use a band saw for resawing and wanted to get at least 6" of capacity. That coupled with the fact that I can get a new one for not much more makes me want to wait.

[vaking]

I have something similar

I have a sheet-metal body 12" saw by Craftsman. I don't recall the model number but it sounds similar to yours. It has a large (24"x27") table surface, 6"+ resaw capacity and 80" blade. I like how it works. Blades are readily available. It does not take a riser but it has a native resaw capacity higher than anything else this size. You cannot buy a fence for it but I made one for myself and it was very easy. I bought mine from Ebay for $150, I do not regret. I have a manual, can make a copy should you decide to buy. My saw was made in 1993 BTW.
Does your saw look like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Band-Saw-Craftsm...QQcmdZViewItem

[BearPipes-1]

That saw on the 'bay is a tilt-head model, which has its own set of problems and capabilities.

The one Cain was talking about looks much like this one:

Craftsman 12" Saw/Sander