Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Anyone familiar with Craftsman Table Saws

Hey Mark.

What model # do you have. There was a recall on model #s....
model R4511. The recalled saws have manufacturing date codes between CD0829 and CD0837.

Home Depot exclusive models only so it is very unlikely you have it but your picture looks similar and I would hate to have not mentioned it then found out this happened to you....
Hazard: The table saw’s arbor shaft can fail when used with a stacked blade set (commonly known as a “stacked dado set”), which is used to cut grooves. The stacked blade set can be ejected from the saw, posing a potential laceration hazard to consumers.

Thanks for the tip, Andy. I'll check it out. I could've sworn that recall was for the granite-topped saws that came after mine, but maybe not!!??

I have an older cast iron Craftsman 1 1/2 hp table saw that works pretty well. A couple of things that I've found to be important:
1. A good blade makes a HUGE difference in performance. I'm talking Forrest or Freud at $100+ a pop.
2. Craftsman fences are crap. A good Biesemeyer or Incra fence is a very worthwhile investment. Another $300...
3. With limited power, a thin kerf blade can help a lot. You sacrifice a little accuracy and smoothness of cut.
4. I find that I need to check the blade squareness to the table fairly often. The trunnion is very solid and beefy but it doesn't seem to hold it's adjustment under heavy usage.

I can live with my saw under these conditions, but if I had $500 to spend I'd go with the Rigid or save up another $500 for an older Unisaw.

Nice post, Joe. Those are good tips regardless of what kind of saw you use.

Have to agree with Tom, Joe hit all the major points. I will add that I feel a cast iron(older models)/steel top is superior to aluminum etc. and I bought an Incra miter gauge for my saw and I noticed a vast improvement in the accuracy of the mitered cuts.

Hey Murph. Sounds like your contractor will give you the goods on that saw. IMO a fence that runs true is worth its weight in gold. A good after market fence is in the $300 range.

You can always pick up a piece of maple 4x4 to test the saw's capability before committing.

Is the seller including any blades in the deal?

Mark. All consumer companies rate their power tools at max power draw ie: that point just before the motor blows and goes up in flames. No joke!

I hope someone does the same for me in my obituary!

Does anyone have an opinion on Delta table saws. I have one that - at least for my usage has been pretty good over the years.

Thanks all.
My contractor acquaintance recommended the saw and mentioned it had the more rugged fence Craftsman used to build but agreed that even though it looked it near new shape it was not worth 500. 300 maybe.

Considering all the advice, I think I will wait for that Rigid to go onsale at Home Depot. It has a much wider table surface and will be new with warranty for close to the same as his asking price.

Fred, to answer your question, he gave away several blades to his son so it just has a rough ripping blade now. Wasn't a big concern as I have several good blades already.

You know, Mark , if I had a gallery, I would allow no one else to photograph my artists' pieces.

With the awesome quality of your work, that Crafstman looked like a promo shot.

Hell, with you, I couild sell crap in plastic baggie, as long as it was on a pedestal and nicely lighted.

Slick bastard.