Hi there! I'm a new forum member. Found this forum while looking up something (I forget what it was!) about Craftsman table saws. I am not a woodworker, not even a weekend warrior woodworker, but by design (old house; budget) and curiosity (I love to work on things myself), I have felt increasingly comfortable tackling small projects. This past summer especially, whenever I need a rip cut, I trot down to my neighbor's shop and help him as he does the cuts on his Craftsman table (which he updated with a very nice Rockler fence system.) I've helped him a few other times with tricky cuts. He was even thinking of getting me his father's old table saw, but that fell through.
A few days ago, he found that same model saw on Craigslist for $20! A few phone calls later, I got me a table saw, for FREEEE! It's got a great motor but was left outside for a while and is missing a few important items.
Yesterday I spent a good amount of time cleaning the iron table. Pretty happy with the results there. Will do a coat of wax soon.
The saw seems to have two issues, both of which I think can be solved with the right parts...
First issue is with the elevation screw. While the tilt wheel/screw turns easily, this is not the case with the elevation wheel/screw. (Guy told me it is difficult and needs cleaning/greasing, last time it was done was last year.) I can move the wheel easily one turn in each direction. After that, it's a workout. When I look underneath, I saw that the retaining ring closest to the arbor was bent and stuck on the rod/screw instead fitted in the groove. I was able to pry it loose and, yup, it is bent. It also seems as though a thread is... what's the term.... galled? seized? One thread doesn't look happy, let's put it that way. Could there be any other reason why that elevation screw seems so resistant? I've found that screw/part easily online, and just tempted to buy it ($15, can't really go wrong) But if that screw is seized, then its housing (cradle?) is messed up, no?
Other question: that tilt clamp screw looks a. weird (bent?) and b. seems to do nothing. I understand that it's spring-loaded, but I'm now wondering if that is also something that needs to be replaced and if it's connected to the issue of the elevation rod. (Seems like they're not related since it's a "tilt" clamp...) Does that screw/rod change angle when it's turned? The tilt mechanism works regardless. I feel that something was turned with the tilt clamp locked, which resulted in a bent screw, but not sure.
A carpenter friend will be by tomorrow to look it over. I could have asked all these questions to him first, but I wanted to have some answers from others first, so I don't seem completely clueless with him
Maybe there was a reason the guy gave it to me for free! But hey... If I can get it to a proper and safe working condition, it will suit my infrequent needs just fine. It came with 3 blades and a good motor. If anything, I can use it for parts.
Thanks for reading!
A few days ago, he found that same model saw on Craigslist for $20! A few phone calls later, I got me a table saw, for FREEEE! It's got a great motor but was left outside for a while and is missing a few important items.
- on/off switch. I'll probably get something like a Rockler start/STOP switch
- one of the angle irons
- and most importantly (esp for me) the blade guard. I've read here and elsewhere that there are a few other options. But I have found the part on ebay (part # "62579")
- one of the angle irons
- and most importantly (esp for me) the blade guard. I've read here and elsewhere that there are a few other options. But I have found the part on ebay (part # "62579")
Yesterday I spent a good amount of time cleaning the iron table. Pretty happy with the results there. Will do a coat of wax soon.
The saw seems to have two issues, both of which I think can be solved with the right parts...
First issue is with the elevation screw. While the tilt wheel/screw turns easily, this is not the case with the elevation wheel/screw. (Guy told me it is difficult and needs cleaning/greasing, last time it was done was last year.) I can move the wheel easily one turn in each direction. After that, it's a workout. When I look underneath, I saw that the retaining ring closest to the arbor was bent and stuck on the rod/screw instead fitted in the groove. I was able to pry it loose and, yup, it is bent. It also seems as though a thread is... what's the term.... galled? seized? One thread doesn't look happy, let's put it that way. Could there be any other reason why that elevation screw seems so resistant? I've found that screw/part easily online, and just tempted to buy it ($15, can't really go wrong) But if that screw is seized, then its housing (cradle?) is messed up, no?
Other question: that tilt clamp screw looks a. weird (bent?) and b. seems to do nothing. I understand that it's spring-loaded, but I'm now wondering if that is also something that needs to be replaced and if it's connected to the issue of the elevation rod. (Seems like they're not related since it's a "tilt" clamp...) Does that screw/rod change angle when it's turned? The tilt mechanism works regardless. I feel that something was turned with the tilt clamp locked, which resulted in a bent screw, but not sure.
A carpenter friend will be by tomorrow to look it over. I could have asked all these questions to him first, but I wanted to have some answers from others first, so I don't seem completely clueless with him
Maybe there was a reason the guy gave it to me for free! But hey... If I can get it to a proper and safe working condition, it will suit my infrequent needs just fine. It came with 3 blades and a good motor. If anything, I can use it for parts.
Thanks for reading!