DIYbanter - View Single Post - Questions & Opinions on older Craftsman Table Saw

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On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 16:40:03 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, December 14, 2007 8:41:28 AM UTC-8, John wrote:
I've had a 10 inch Craftsman Table Saw for about 25 years which I bought
used and without an owner's manual. The saw has been used mostly for rough
cuttings, nothing really exact. What I know, I've learned from my many
mistakes. The rip fence is not great, so I have to sort of coax it
parallel with the blade. I raise the blade to max height, take measurements,
the distances, at the front and back of the blade to the fence. I try to get
these measurement exact by moving the front or back of the fence. I have
never made any adjustments to see if the blade is truly parallel with the
guides in the cast iron table top. I don't know if there is an adjustment.
The label on the motor is 1 hp/ 14 amps. The saw model # is 113299040
Manufacture # 1 77 .

Instead of measuring to the blade, measure to the slot. The blade has
be parallel with the slot, in any case. If you can't get it parallel,
or if it won't stay parallel, it's a loss, IMO.

Questions:

1. Can this saw be used in hobby work working, or will I just get
frustrated with the results? Assume I try to build some book cases and
cabinets and then move on to other projects.

Probably, once set up correctly.

2. Would it make sense to spend $300+ on a good fence for this saw ?
Example a Biesemeyer Type if it would fit.

I wouldn't spend that much on it but others are free to disagree. If
you can't get it working without a lot less work and expense than
that, I think a new saw is in order. That's half of the price of a
reasonable saw, so it crosses my fix/new threshold.

3. Is it possible to get an Owner Manual for this saw?

Probably. Have you tried a web search on the model number?

4. I was looking recently at a new 10" General 2 hp , 115 volt Table Saw as
a possible replacement. Thoughts?

Not familiar with that saw. I'd want 240V for anything over 1.5HP, or
so. It can probably be wired either way. Grizzly is also well worth
consideration.