[wlchow]

I am new to woodworking and am trying to buy a used table saw to get started. I have found a Craftsman Professional table saw on Craigslist. The detail on the table saw is as follows:

1 Craftsman Table Saw Profesional Table saw with extra wide steel table. ASKING 500 OBO for a like new craftsman table saw with extra new motor.beautiful condition.

Does this sound like a good buy? When I go to view the unit what are the key areas I should be looking at or inquiring about?

 

[ryan50hrl]

You need the model number or a picture. If it's one of the newer steel city models with the bisermeyer fence....that's a good deal. If it's an older ryobi built with an align-a-rip fence.....not such a hot deal.

 

[wlchow]

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4244326331.html Attached is a link to a picture of the table saw

 

[knotscott]

It's high IMO. It wasn't much more than $500 when new, though it does have some upgrades. On the upside, it looks to be nice shape, has an upgraded fence, and it looks like it has at least one solid cast wing. It also mentions an extra motor, which is nice to have around or can be sold for ~ $100. I'd be inclined to offer $300 and let them keep the extra motor....or $400 and just sell it.

Other options:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4239527992.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4241180978.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4241358221.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4213070830.html (nice fence, great price)
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/app/4210360345.html (should clean up well...the crud justifies a lower offer)
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4206140942.html

 

[wlchow]

Thanks for your inputs!! I guess will continue looking for another table saw.

 

[knotscott]

I wouldn't necessarily give up on it without an offer. It's a good saw...I just think they're asking price is high. In your favor, there do appear to be several good choices if all are still available.

 

[wlchow]

I received more information about the Craftsman Professional Table Saw:

7 years old
2 1/2 horsepower
can be setup for 110v or 240v

Does that help in determining whether the sales price is close to reasonable? Or would an offer of $400 be a more reasonable offer?

 

[knotscott]

I received more information about the Craftsman Professional Table Saw:

7 years old
2 1/2 horsepower
can be setup for 110v or 240v

Does that help in determining whether the sales price is close to reasonable? Or would an offer of $400 be a more reasonable offer?

A few years one way or the other shouldn't change the value much....condition and features are more important. FWIW, that entire series of contractor saw ceased manufacturing ~ 2004 , so it was made no later than that year.....an actual purchase from store stock 7 years ago is feasible. It should have a model number starting with 315.######, indicating that it was made by TTI/Ryobi. If it's 113.####, then it was made in the USA by Emerson prior to 1997. 2-1/2hp is marketing fluff found only in the literature and ads....it's ~ 1.5 usable, sustainable horse power, and I suspect the motor plate will state exactly that. The 240v option is a plus if you have it available. Considering that there's $100 worth of extra motor, I think a $400 offer is fair. As stated before, it also looks to be a buyers market in your region, so I definitely wouldn't offer any more than without looking at some others.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Personally, I think any one of the alternative options knotscott found for you would be better than $400-$500 for that Craftsman TS. I found an older Craftsman belt-drive TS on Craigslist last year for $140.

These look like good deals (pending inspection of the tools themselves) ...

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4241180978.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4213070830.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4206140942.html

 

[wlchow]

Thanks. You guys have been a big help. I will check out the other table saws that you listed and then decide.

 

[ryan50hrl]

I agree....there's a ton of good saws around you...i'd point those out and offer 300

 

[rbk123]

From Scott's list:

This would be the deal I'd jump on. The full CI wings are worth $100+ easy making the rest of that saw only $200. The mobile base is much better than some of the other ones and is another $70 or so right there.
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4206140942.html

This would be my second choice:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4213070830.html (nice fence, great price)
It would be a small, but fun, restore project. I would remove the stamped steel wings (I hate those) and the router extension and build your own wings of much nicer quality. Clean up the base and get a mobile base for it. It's still a distant second (to me) than the Jet deal above.