Table Saw arbor

[Tom Peterson]

I have a craftsman contractor saw that I have been improving the performance on. I have updated the fence, replaced the pulleys and put on a new belt. Newest problem, bought a nice dado blade set, but can not produce that nice flat bottom. I am suspecting it is due to the variation in the arbor diameter. Any ideas on how to compensate. Can afford a new saw yet, as I just bought a SCMS. thanks much for input

[Jim DeLaney]

This is a common problem with Craftsman Saws. There's a 'step" in the arbor, just outboard of where the blade mounts, and the first or second dado chipper you install will drop into this 'step' and run off center, leaving a groove in the dado bottom.

You might try to carefully build up the step using a filled epoxy like JB Weld, and sand it smooth (being careful not to damage the arbor's threads), but that's about the only solution anybody has come up with so far....

<Center><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS" COLOR="Blue">Jim D.</FONT></Center>
<P><center><img src="http://www.jcdelaney.com/usaflag.gif"></center><P>

[Jim Young]

I would take a look at the blade first. Do you have a wobble blade? If so, then you would expect a concave bottom, it's not designed to cut a flat bottom. A stacked dado set shuold cut flat bottoms. If you don't have trouble cutting with a normal blade then it has to be the dado set.

[Tom Peterson]

I am using a Freud SD set with four chippers. I used a caliper and noted the drop that Jim mentioned in his post

[Phil Phelps]

Originally posted by Jim DeLaney
This is a common problem with Craftsman Saws. There's a 'step" in the arbor, just outboard of where the blade mounts, and the first or second dado chipper you install will drop into this 'step' and run off center, leaving a groove in the dado bottom.

You might try to carefully build up the step using a filled epoxy like JB Weld, and sand it smooth (being careful not to damage the arbor's threads), but that's about the only solution anybody has come up with so far....

......with a washer? I think I understand the problem as stated, and this might be a solution. Just place a washer on first and then the dado set.

[Dave Arbuckle]

I've heard tell that a couple people have outfitted their Craftsman saws with arbors from the Ridgid saws, where the problem has been fixed. I guess what you'd need is a late model "113." part numbered Craftsman, they were made by Emerson Tool like the Ridgid.

Dave

[Jim DeLaney]

>>......with a washer? I think I understand the problem as stated, and this might be a solution. Just place a washer on first and then the dado set.<<

No, that's not practical.

The step in the arbor is about an eighth of an inch outboard from the flange. The arbor next to the flange is full diameter, and it's also full diameter after about a quarter to five sixteenths out. There's just a 'dip' in it between the full diameter sections. So, the washer would have to be about five sixteenths of an inch thick to work properly, and would also limit the dado width by that much.

<Center><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS" COLOR="Blue">Jim D.</FONT></Center>
<P><center><img src="http://www.jcdelaney.com/usaflag.gif"></center><P>

[John Davidson]

I had the excact same problem with my Craftsman saw and as mentioned above there is a step cut in the arbor that allows one of the chippers to drop. I called ridgid since this is basicly the same saw, both are made by Emerson Electric. Emerson owns the Ridgid brand. I was told that the problem had been corrected and the step cut had been eliminated from the design. Also, that the arbor that is currently used in the Ridgid is what they sale as a replacement for the Craftsman. So, I bought one, Problem fixed. About $70 if I remember right. Hope this helps.

[Bob Powers]

If you really want the bottoms of your dado's to be smooth and flat, get yourself a Stanley #71 Router plane. I've used one for years. It takes only a few minutes to make a perfectly smooth surface.

They are still available in woodworker's catalogs, and probably appear on E-Bay. I bought mine at a yard sale for $5.00.

[Dave Brandt]

Tom, I had the exact same problem with my 15 year-old Grizzly 1022. After splurging on an expensive stacked set to replace my "wobble" dado, I was shocked to be greeted by uneven dado bottoms. I measured the arbor with a dial caliper and found it to vary (sometimes alot) almost its entire length. I called Grizzly and asked them to send a new arbor with specs not varying +-.001 and sure enough, I got what I paid for! Had the old one removed, the new one pressed on, and now have perfectly flat-bottomed dados! Good luck with yours. db

[Tom Peterson]

thanks for the prompt input, I believe I'll follow the trail John suggested to Rigid seems like a good fix. John was it an assembly, or just the arbor that you replaced

[John Davidson]

It has been about 3 years since I went through this. If I remember right it was just the arbor. I don't remember the change out being difficult. I used the diagram in the owners manual to remove the arbor assembly from the saw. I don't remember if I had to press in the new arbor but most likely if I did I was able to set something up on the drill press to do it. I suggest you call ridgid they had apperently worked with many Crafsman owners on the same problem. Also, if you need the diagram I remember that it was on their web page.