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 .

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.

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

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

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

Thanks for opinions and advise.

John

"John" wrote in message
. ..
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 .

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.

I have a 40-ish year old Craftsman Model 100 myself. I've put a 2HP motor
on it, installed an Align-A-Rip fence on it (great cost effective
alternative to high end pricey fence systems), and I did a complete
alignment on the saw. It is more than satisfying for hobby woodworking.
I've built kitchen cabinets, vanities, bathroom cabinets, etc. with this
saw, and never had to perform unnatural acts to do so. It cuts accurate and
true every time. I never measure with a tape from the fence to the blade
anymore. I just rely on the calibration on the fence. Sure - it's not a
really nice cabinet saw, but it has not failed me yet. I've shoved 8/4
hardwoods through it, and never thought twice about doing so.

I built table extensions to match the size of my fence system and installed
my router in one of the extension wings. I like that configuration a lot.
Lets me use the fence for the router as well as the saw.


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


If you've got the money for that, then you'd be satisfied. I paid closer to
$150 for my Align-A-Rip from Sears.


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

Do a google for old machines. There is an old machines web site that has
manuals for a lot of this old stuff.



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

Probably not going to be a lot more saw than what you have. Yours is
probably a cast iron table - is the new one? Have you priced or tried to
find a bigger motor for your saw? That's one of the easy upgrades to throw
at it and make it a much better performer than it is now. And... align it.


--

-Mike-

"John" wrote in message
. ..
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 .

I've got the same saw, courtesy of my FIL (who hadn't even unpacked it)
about 15 years ago.


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.

With a careful tuneup I find it to be acceptable. Woodworking is purely a
hobby for me also.

It's left-tilt, which is nice; the trunions are solid. If you get into
tuning it up, check the runout on the arbor. Mine's a bit high. The
stamped steel extensions (mine has two) are pretty shabby out of the box,
but you can shim them level with the table top and add supports from the
base to the left wing to firm it up and they're OK.

Now, if I had the budget and the space (12x16 utility shed shop) I'd be
looking at a new saw.


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

The original fence does suck. I'm just living with it. If you get the
blade aligned properly to the slots in the table, it does OK. Don't trust
the ruler though, especially if you use a thin-kerf blade.


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

Yes. I misplaced my original and ordered a copy from craftsman.com; look
under Parts & Accessories. As I recall it was under $10.


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

Thanks for opinions and advise.

John

On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:41:28 -0500, "John"
wrote:

I've had a 10 inch Craftsman Table Saw ...

[snippage]

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.

You shouldn't have to work that hard at it. See next:

I have never made any adjustments to see if the blade is truly parallel
with the guides in the cast iron table top.

You really need to at least measure to see how parallel it is. For one
thing, that affects how square your miter gauge (or cutoff sled) is to
the saw blade. All sorts of bad things can happen if you don't have
the miter slots parallel to the blade.

Once you have that done, then squaring the rip fence is a simple
matter of measuring from the miter slot to the fence, both front and
back (and more precise due to the longer measurement arm). When the
measurements are equal, your fence is parallel to the blade.

I don't know if there is an adjustment.

Not an adjustment per se, but it can and should be adjusted. The
procedure is to loosen the four bolts underneath the table from which
the trunnion assembly hangs. Unless your model has changed, there are
star washers between the bolt heads and the table. Loosen only enough
to be able to move the table with a rap with a mallet. There still
should be some friction which keeps the process from resembling ice
skating.

Measure from one tooth of the saw blade (mark it with a Sharpie or
something) to the miter slot. Rotate the blade (you're doing this with
the saw unplugged, right?) so the tooth is at the other extreme of
rotation (but above the table) and measure to the miter slot. If
necessary, give the table a light rap with the mallet, remasure, both
front and rear, and repeat as necessary until the measurements are
identical.

Snug up a couple of the bolts and repeat the measuring. When all is
perfect, snug up all of the bolts. The ones at the front can be tough
to reach. I found I needed a couple of extensions on my ratchet, and a
flex socket (or universal extension) doesn't hurt, either.

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.

What Mike Marlow said, generally.

I have an article on my website (sig below) that discusses making a
silk purse out of a sow's ear. There's a whole list of things to
consider doing to improve the saw's utility.

I had my model 100 (same as his) for several years until I got my
Unisaw, and I was able to accomplish some decent work with it. The
sewing cabinet project on my website was done with the Sears.

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

I bought a Sears XR2424 (I think) fence when it was offered as an
aftermarket fence shortly after they introduced it. It was around
$150. That price was worth it for the improvement it netted. I don't
know that $300 would be. Incidentally, the "2424" refers to how they
had it configured for left and right of the blade. After a few months
I realized it would be much more useful set up as a 1236 (or
thereabouts) which I then did.

Also look at the Ridgid saw sold at Home Depot. If their fence is
available separately, it's the same one and would bolt on just fine
(perhaps after drilling some holes--cast iron is easy).

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

I sent a PDF of a similar manual on the back channel.

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

General or General International? The first is Canadian built, the
second is Chiwanese built, although distributed by the Canadian
company. It'll be hard to find any American built saw anymore,
particularly in the contractors style. Take a look at the Steel City
line, too, which although still Chiwanese built, the company was put
together by former Delta people.


--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net
http://www.normstools.com

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

LRod wrote:
snip

Also look at the Ridgid saw sold at Home Depot. If their fence is
available separately, it's the same one and would bolt on just fine
(perhaps after drilling some holes--cast iron is easy).

How well does that fence work? None of the Home Despots in the area
have one set up to look at.


snip

Take a look at the Steel City
line, too, which although still Chiwanese built, the company was put
together by former Delta people.

A couple of models of which are also sold by Sears as Craftsman.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:38:32 -0500, "J. Clarke"
wrote:

LRod wrote:
snip

Also look at the Ridgid saw sold at Home Depot. If their fence is
available separately, it's the same one and would bolt on just fine
(perhaps after drilling some holes--cast iron is easy).

How well does that fence work? None of the Home Despots in the area
have one set up to look at.

I was happy with it. It was certainly a quantum improvement over the
1960's fence the -100 had. Of course, now that I have a Unisaw with a
Biesemeyer, I can safely say it's no Biesemeyer. However, it did
credible work. I think the only thing I would watch for is detritus
getting in the "track" on the front rail.


--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net
http://www.normstools.com

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

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 .

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.

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

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

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

Thanks for opinions and advise.

John

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.

wrote:
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.

Well, yes and no. You are correct that to get the most out of your table
saw, this is the way to set it up. He's doing rough cutting and for that as
well as any cut using the fence, alignment to the miter slot is really
irrelevant. That of course limits his use of the saw for precise cutting,
but I gather he's not interested in setting up a saw the way we do. Again -
as long as the fence and the blade are parallel, he's set up for any cut
using the fence.


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.

Agreed in that it only takes one set up to have a good saw that is not
limited in its use.


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

Perhaps. But as evidenced by krw's response below - beauty is in the eye of
the beholder. I spent half that much on a good solid fence system for my
craftsman 10". I've never regretted that purchase. Not everyone needs a
Biesemeyer and probably half the people that buy them don't need them.


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.

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.

And - so opens Pandora's box. Ask a question like that and every answer in
the world is applicable to your question. I didn't go the route of a new
saw. I set my saw up. That took a couple of hours. I cleaned my saw up -
that took a couple of hours. I put a decent fence system on it - that cost
about $150. I spent almost that much on a good blade - you're going to do
that no matter what saw you buy. My saw is not the equivilent of some of
the very expense saws that some of the guys here have. But - my saw will
cut properly, repeatedly. It is rock steady. I did not pay $1,000 or
$2,000 or $3,000 for all that I have tied up in my saw. But then again - I
don't use my saw for a living.

--

-Mike-

On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:24:03 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
wrote:

wrote:
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.

Well, yes and no. You are correct that to get the most out of your table
saw, this is the way to set it up. He's doing rough cutting and for that as
well as any cut using the fence, alignment to the miter slot is really
irrelevant. That of course limits his use of the saw for precise cutting,
but I gather he's not interested in setting up a saw the way we do. Again -
as long as the fence and the blade are parallel, he's set up for any cut
using the fence.

But if he can't get the slot parallel to the fence, he has a pretty
short "line" to measure the "front and back" distance to the fence. If
he can get the slot parallel to the blade, then he can measure the
distance to the fence at the front and back of the table. That'll
make the measurements significantly more accurate.

OTOH, if he can't get this right, the arbor may have so much run-out
that it's a total loss. That was really my point.

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.

Agreed in that it only takes one set up to have a good saw that is not
limited in its use.


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

Perhaps. But as evidenced by krw's response below - beauty is in the eye of
the beholder. I spent half that much on a good solid fence system for my
craftsman 10". I've never regretted that purchase. Not everyone needs a
Biesemeyer and probably half the people that buy them don't need them.

Agreed. If he can get by spending $100 or so, it's probably worth it.
$300 crosses my threshold but that's just MHO.

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.

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.

And - so opens Pandora's box. Ask a question like that and every answer in
the world is applicable to your question. I didn't go the route of a new
saw. I set my saw up. That took a couple of hours. I cleaned my saw up -
that took a couple of hours. I put a decent fence system on it - that cost
about $150. I spent almost that much on a good blade - you're going to do
that no matter what saw you buy. My saw is not the equivilent of some of
the very expense saws that some of the guys here have. But - my saw will
cut properly, repeatedly. It is rock steady. I did not pay $1,000 or
$2,000 or $3,000 for all that I have tied up in my saw. But then again - I
don't use my saw for a living.

I don't either but that's why I have nice stuff. It's a hobby, so by
definition there is no ROI calculation needed. "Because I want it" is
a good enough answer. ;-)

On 4/10/2014 7:40 PM, 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 .

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.

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

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

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

Thanks for opinions and advise.

John


Guys this is from 2007

--
Jeff

On Fri, 11 Apr 2014 07:13:28 -0400, woodchucker
wrote:

On 4/10/2014 7:40 PM, 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 .

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.

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

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

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

Thanks for opinions and advise.

John


Guys this is from 2007

Oops. My previous server blocked all this Google barf.

On Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:22:34 -0400, wrote:
Oops. My previous server blocked all this Google barf.

Of course it did. You're too senile to ever think that you could do
something wrong.

On Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:30:02 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:22:34 -0400, wrote:
Oops. My previous server blocked all this Google barf.

Of course it did. You're too senile to ever think that you could do
something wrong.

Ah, my stalker is back. ...and still has the IQ of a stupid rock.