I own the Craftsman- and it was a good decision. Craftsman has gotten a
well deserved bad reputation over the years, but I think after they
re-designed their higher end tools, they are beginning to turn that around-
they got this one right. I wish the motor was bigger, but hey, for the
money I had to spend, I made a good decision buying this saw.

Craftsman 10" , 1 1/2 HP continuous, 15A, 3/4 cabinet, 4" dust collection,
Sears Model 152.221140

After 2 years of use, I still think its an excellent piece of machinery. The
runout on the arbor was less than .001" with .003 at the blade. The
alignment (blade) to the miter slot is .009 off perpendicular in the back,
away from the fence, I didn't change it- no complaints for the cuts I've
made, and NO kickback.Comes with all the allans and the blade change
wrenches.

Table is almost dead nuts flat +/- .002" from my measure. The 5/8" arbor
accepts dados to 13/16" wide for sure- but can't remember what the actual
arbor length is. Blade Guard/ splitter works very well.

Belt system is the newer poly-flat belt and pulley. It sings like a sewing
machine- very quiet. Nickel test no problem.

The miter/ miter fence is awesome- especially the !clamp!- I use it a lot.
Miter also locks in at 0, 45 and 90 degrees (I like to use a sled for
cross cuts but for angled miter cuts, both the extension and the clamp work
very very well). Dust collection was pretty well thought out (except the
port is dead nuts center of the back, right where you would put a roller
extension, and the collection hose sometimes gets in the way). I forgot it
had an aux. fence- now I remember what that aluminum extrusion hanging from
the peg board is for!

The on/off switch is solid, and locatable. The fence is rock solid- very
nice measurement system too. You will want to make a zero-clearance
plate, unless it now comes with one- mine didn't.

The only problem I have had is that the hardware is not as tight as it
should be. My motor pulley came off after about 6 months cause the set
screws weren't tight. While I was in there, I re-tightened everything. I
would re-tighten everything that's pre-assembled especially the pulleys, and
trunnion bolts at assembly. I bought a dial indicator and stand from harbor
freight- it was priceless for aligning the extension tables.

I love the saw. A narrow kerf blade would probably help the power
situation, but its really adequate for what i do. Saw weighs in at over 400
lbs. and was shipped in a metal framed bolted to a pallet. I took it apart
in the parking lot so I could load it in the truck.

An excellent mobile base with no assembly: Jet 708118 Heavy-Duty Universal
Mobile Base:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nanceandinve0d


Write back if you have any questions (remove the NOSPAM from address

Happy Sawdust,
--
KB
Saint Charles County, MO


" " wrote in
message . com...
I'm honing in on my search for a new table saw. Looks like I'm down to
the Ridgid contractor's saw ($549 at the borg) vs. the Craftsman
contractor's saw (on sale this week at $629). The Ridgid includes a
mobile base (important to me); the Sears has a 3/4 cabinet and a 4" dust
collection port. Both are 1 1/2 hp with identical table top sizes.
Each has what appears to be a sturdy fence. The Sears saw has a miter
gauge extension.

Any thoughts from owners of either of these saws?

TIA

Cap'n 321