Craftsman 10" bandsaw - is this a very old model?

[radhak]

Local CL has this bandsaw for $25, a good price from any angle. He says he has it for 3 years, used very little, but works fine.

Only thing is, the only craftsman bs I have seen is this, looks totally different.

So the one on CL good enough for general use? I only hope to get into modest bandsaw-boxes, nothing industrial.

[cgallery]

Perhaps he got it second-hand or as NOS (New Old Stock)? I can't imagine that thing is actually only three years old.

It also looks like a three-wheel, which is more difficult to perform initial and subsequent setups on.

[Knottscott]

Perhaps he got it second-hand or as NOS (New Old Stock)? I can't imagine that thing is actually only three years old.

It also looks like a three-wheel, which is more difficult to perform initial and subsequent setups on.

I was thinking the same thing...those 3-wheelers are bad news IME.

[radhak]

How can I confirm it is a 3-wheeler (or not)?

[DonHo]

I think you can tell it's a 3 wheel by the shape of the frame. On a two wheel bandsaw the blade travels up one side of the wheel and down the other side (the blade being contained within the frame on one side and with an opening on the other), from the picture the top and bottom wheel couldn't possibly have a diameter to allow this.

DonHo

[gsmittle]

How can I confirm it is a 3-wheeler (or not)?

The shape of the body leads me to believe it's a three-wheeler. You might have to ask or if you end up going out there, take a look.

Sears hasn't sold a three-wheeler in years. He says he's had it only three years, but maybe he bought it used...

Just my 2¢ worth...

g.

[nothing]

Both my father and father-in-law have that same bandsaw. It is a three wheel model and is at least 20 years old. The tires are rotted on both saws and cost $25 a piece. If the tires are ok, it might be worth $25, if they look like they are bad or going skip it and move on.

[radhak]

Thanks everybody for the info - I'll pass on it.

More than the money, it's the angst of trying to work with be-devilled machinery that gets my goat...

[mpc]

For bandsaw boxes, the "resaw" capacity is fairly important - basically the max distance between the tabletop and the upper blade guide assembly. This is what will determine the depth of the drawers you can cut - on BS boxes, you slice off the front and backs of the drawers, then stand them on the back (or front) and cut a fat "U" to generate the insides. At least that's the typical operation. So a saw like the one pictured has what looks like only 2 inches or so of resaw capacity... so little 2 inch deep drawers at best. Also, you'll often need to slice off the front or especially the back of the BS box carcas - unless you want 2 inch tall boxes. That bandsaw is more like a glorified scroll saw in my opinion: better at cutting flat things, not blocks of wood like BS box drawers. And without the scroll saw's ability to cut inside the workpiece - unless you want to cut & re-weld the blade all the time.

The Craftsman 10" bandsaw, that looks like a Rikon clone, works well for smaller bandsaw boxes and is often on sale for $99. You can increase the resaw height by removing the table and making your own flat replacement table - giving up the tilt/angle feature but gaining nearly an inch in resaw this way. That's what I did; I used the original 4 bolt holes so I can swap back and forth easily. I can make bandsaw boxes just over six inches deep with this setup and some careful thinking/planning.

mpc

[LCHIEN]

Avoid it.
its a three wheeler for sure, based on the shape, there's no room for 2 - 10" wheels in the top and bottom for a 2-wheel saw.

We discussed the bad stuff about 3-wheelers at one point:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...andsaw+3-wheel

Anyway, I think he's fibbing if he's trying to tell you its three years old... they haven't sold that one for a number of years. I guess he got it used, 3 years ago, maybe.

The new craftsman 10" saws that you linked are not that expensive on sale, they have a nice steel frame, probably a decent performer in a smaller saw. I think a number of people have gotten them for around a C-note.

[cabinetman]

Besides all the downsides already discussed, it's a very underpowered saw. You might keep on searching and find a deal on a 14" that will have support of parts if and when you need them.
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