I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.
Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...model-113-2752
0.html
The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

I inherited an old Craftsman tablesaw from my Dad when he died. It was a
low end model, and the fence was the worst part of the saw. We were
building our own house so I really needed accurate cuts, but couldn't
afford to upgrade to a better saw at the time. So, I installed a Mule
"Accufence" on my cheap little saw and it made a world of difference:

http://www.mulecab.com/tablesaw.html

I used it to rip down framing lumber, and to build all the cabinets for our
house. With my limited budget at the time, it was a wise investment.
However, I later picked up a used cabinet style Craftsman tablesaw ($750)
and have found it to be a much better saw. Of course, there's a big
difference between a $200 fence and a $750 saw.

Basically, if you can afford it, try to buy a better saw (new or used). If
your budget is limited and your saw is in good condition, go for the fence.
A decent fence can make even a little junk saw into a precision cutting
tool.

Anthony

On Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:28:15 -0800, lzoto wrote:

I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550 price
range vs replacing the fence system.

I remember once hearing that a good fence on a cheap table saw was better
than a cheap fence on a good table saw.

If everything else is working fine I'd go for a new fence. But check the
blade runout, make sure the blade is parallel to the miter slots, etc..

I just remembered - wasn't Sears infamous for using non-standard miter
slot sizes? If yours is one of those, be sure you can live without a lot
of aftermarket jigs that depend on a 3/4 x 3/8 slot.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

Seems the new fence option is the most recommended.... and I agree,
since a new saw option is not practical, now. If that is your
consideration, buy the best fence for your present table saw AND will
also be the best fence for your future upgraded saw.

Sonny

In article 4e0cc09e-2c41-4502-ae36-
, says...

I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

Personally I'd tear down the fence and see if I could find out what was
wrong with it before I spent money. But if it's really not fixable
you're not going to get all that much saw for 550 bucks--Ridgid used to
have a _real_ nice one in that price range but it's been discontinued
and the replacement is not nearly so well regarded.

On Nov 23, 11:28*am, lzoto wrote:
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. *I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...w-model-113-27...

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. *Newer saws have
more safety features.

Craigslist. I see the same exact saw locally all the time. (within
50 miles) There's a million of 'em. Go get another and have parts for
the next time. Wrench a little, learn a lot.

RP

Have you checked your local paper or Craigs List?
There is a lot of good newer/used equipment out there for sale. My neighbor
just purchased about a 3yr old Delta cabinet saw for $200 off of Craigs
List,(wish it were mine)

Joe M.
"lzoto" wrote in message
...
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

On 11/23/10 4:03 PM, J. Clarke wrote:
In article4e0cc09e-2c41-4502-ae36-
, says...

I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

Personally I'd tear down the fence and see if I could find out what was
wrong with it before I spent money. But if it's really not fixable
you're not going to get all that much saw for 550 bucks--Ridgid used to
have a _real_ nice one in that price range but it's been discontinued
and the replacement is not nearly so well regarded.


550 and some patience can get one a very nice used table saw.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

On 11/23/10 4:28 PM, wrote:
Have you checked your local paper or Craigs List?
There is a lot of good newer/used equipment out there for sale. My neighbor
just purchased about a 3yr old Delta cabinet saw for $200 off of Craigs
List,(wish it were mine)


Got my barely used Delta 36-982 on CL for $225.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

On 11/23/2010 4:58 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
On 11/23/10 4:28 PM, wrote:
Have you checked your local paper or Craigs List?
There is a lot of good newer/used equipment out there for sale. My neighbor
just purchased about a 3yr old Delta cabinet saw for $200 off of Craigs
List,(wish it were mine)


Got my barely used Delta 36-982 on CL for $225.

Damn, that was a steal!

--
See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad!
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

On 11/23/10 7:15 PM, Steve Turner wrote:
On 11/23/2010 4:58 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
On 11/23/10 4:28 PM, wrote:
Have you checked your local paper or Craigs List?
There is a lot of good newer/used equipment out there for sale. My
neighbor
just purchased about a 3yr old Delta cabinet saw for $200 off of Craigs
List,(wish it were mine)


Got my barely used Delta 36-982 on CL for $225.

Damn, that was a steal!


I know. I remember when I posted my original drive-by, Robo said
something about KY jelly for the guy I screwed. :-)

I had the nerve to talk him down from two fiddy.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

get a new fence, my .03 cents (inflation 8) ).

On 11/23/2010 11:28 AM, lzoto wrote:
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

On Nov 23, 11:28 am, lzoto wrote:
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this
one:http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...w-model-113-27...

I had a saw very similar to that and built a lot of projects with it.
My Craftsman saw had the typical unreliable fence and the arbor runout was
dismal.
I knew it wasn't the best but I didn't realize what a difference a Delta
cabinet saw could make.
The pleasure of setting a Unifence with confidence can't be overstated.
And ripping boards to exact width with glue line sufaces is a pleasure.

Max

On Nov 23, 10:28*am, lzoto wrote:
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. *I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...w-model-113-27...

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. *Newer saws have
more safety features.

In spite of what Craftsman has done during the past 20-30 years, some
of those older machines are pretty good ones. That page you linked
has three saws shown. Is yours the top one? If so, I have never seen
one like it.

If it is, it might be well worth rejuvenating (actually all 3). Have
you tried disassembling the fence, cleaning it and reassembling/
lubricating as required. If not you might be looking at an
aftermarket fence. I have a Grizzly 1023s that uses the ShopFox
Classic fence (a Biesemeyer look alike). The Biesemeyer is pricy.
The ShopFox is around $260. Might find either one on Craigslist at a
much better price. You should see if you can find size and specs on
their web sites to make sure it will fit your saw. I know Grizzly has
some info on their site.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/The-...rd-Rails/G8826

BTW - Grizzly sells the Classic design in iron and aluminum. I have
the Classic and like it very much. Our son has the Aluminum version
on his Grizzly contractor's saw. I have used it quite a bit and it is
also a good fence. I would shy away from their "Z" version of their
fence. Too many moving parts.

"RonB" wrote in message
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

The Rockwell Beaver contractor's tablesaw that I use which currently resides
at a friend's place, I bought new in 1972 for $180. For several years I used
it as is with the stock fence and steel saw blade ~ all the while being
unaware of the possible upgrades I could do to it.

In 1987 I upgraded the fence to an Excalibur and bought my first carbide
tipped blade. What a TREMENDOUS difference they made to the quality of my
cutting. It's still the same contractor tablesaw that vibrates and shakes
all over the place, but with the upgrades added to it, I'm prepared to match
the quality of my rips and cross cuts to most any table saw out there. So,
please keep in mind that there's a good chance you don't have to buy a
better table saw, just more exact cutting tools to add to it.

Should I find a suitable (and affordable) location to set up a small
workshop, I'll most likely buy a cabinet saw, but I'll always keep in mind
that buying a better saw is not as necesary as I once thought it was.

"lzoto" wrote in message
...
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this one:
http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...113-27520.html

The biggest issues for me are not having to keep readjusting the fence
to have it perpendicular to the blade and safety. Newer saws have
more safety features.

If the max is $550, I'd go with the fence. If I was in your position, to
step up to a better saw and fence combination, it would be a minimum of
$1000 to $1500. For $550, you get a mediocre saw with marginal fence.
Good fence is a dream to work with.

Max wrote:
On Nov 23, 11:28 am, lzoto wrote:
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

Mine looks a lot like this
one:http://www.old-woodworking-tools.net...w-model-113-27...

I had a saw very similar to that and built a lot of projects with it.
My Craftsman saw had the typical unreliable fence and the arbor
runout was dismal.
I knew it wasn't the best but I didn't realize what a difference a
Delta cabinet saw could make.
The pleasure of setting a Unifence with confidence can't be
overstated. And ripping boards to exact width with glue line sufaces
is a pleasure.

My saw is an old 10" Craftsman from the 50's. I got tired of fighting with
the fence and spent $150 on a replacement fence at Sears years ago. Never
looked back. I spent a couple of hours taking my saw down completely,
cleaning things up and then adjusting the blade to the miter guides. Once
done, it was like having a new saw. The scale on my fence is so dead nut
accurrate that I don't even bother double checking it with a tape anymore.
It took me a while to develop confidence in it, and for a while I did double
check every setting. Not any more...

--

-Mike-

http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/2078440660.html


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Ed Pawlowski wrote:


"RonB" wrote in message
I have a very old craftsman table saw the the fence system requires
hammering to move it. I am looking at new table saws in the $550
price range vs replacing the fence system.

The Rockwell Beaver contractor's tablesaw that I use which currently
resides at a friend's place, I bought new in 1972 for $180. For
several years I used it as is with the stock fence and steel saw
blade ~ all the while being unaware of the possible upgrades I could
do to it.

In 1987 I upgraded the fence to an Excalibur and bought my first
carbide tipped blade. What a TREMENDOUS difference they made to the
quality of my cutting. It's still the same contractor tablesaw that
vibrates and shakes all over the place, but with the upgrades added
to it, I'm prepared to match the quality of my rips and cross cuts to
most any table saw out there. So, please keep in mind that there's a
good chance you don't have to buy a better table saw, just more exact
cutting tools to add to it.

Should I find a suitable (and affordable) location to set up a small
workshop, I'll most likely buy a cabinet saw, but I'll always keep in
mind that buying a better saw is not as necesary as I once thought it
was.

Here's a couple of more in the area. They may still be available. Jim







--