Craftsman 100 TS on CL for $125 - Worth pursuing it?

[Kesh Ikuma]

Hi guys,

I've been monitoring my local CL for a good (cheap) entry-level TS, and this one popped up today.

neworleans.craigslist.org/tls/3366001556.html

The post claims it is from 50's (which is believable in my untrained eyes given the bezel style) but I'm not sure if it is worth making a 2-hour round trip for. Based on quick internet search, it sounds like a good unit and price is reasonable but probably require a new fence & miter gauge down the road. What do you guys think?

Also, if I pass on this one, which used/old benchtop/contractor TS do you recommend/avoid? BTW, a cabinet saw (or large contractor saw) is out of question at this point (space & budget constraints).

Thanks!

[Larry Whitlow]

I have one that is about 36 years old. I still use it regularly. The side extensions on my saw are stamped steel which I prefer over the one in your link because things won't fall through. If I were selling mine today I would ask somewhere around $150 to $200 ( and probably get $125). I think you will get your money's worth, however I would not buy it or an equivalent one at that price unless everything is there. Also it will be pretty clear if the saw has been taken care of or not. The fences on these saws are not highly accurate but are useable with a little patience. Over the years I thought about upgrading the fence on mine but always thought that money would be better saved for a new tablesaw. Been meaning to do that for about 10 years, but just haven't gotten around to pulling the trigger. Maybe one of these days (Rockler is having a sale this weekend-- hmmm).

These old craftsman TS's come up regularly on CL around here. Maybe you could watch for one closer to home.

[Larry Whitlow]

Kesh, one more thing came to mind after I posted. A friend of mine bought an older TS and discovered the shaft for the blade was not long enough to support use of a stacked dado set. Mine does, but it is from the '70's. If I were buying a older one of this genre I would sure check for this. Also, for whatever it is worth, my old craftsman is cast iron and steel.

[scott spencer]

My preference would be for a slightly newer old Craftsman saw that's full size. This one's (http://neworleans.craigslist.org/tls/3362013629.html) got grated cast iron wings and is $150. With a little TLC it could look really nice....with a better fence like the Delta T2, it'd be a really slick setup.

[Kesh Ikuma]

Thanks for your comments, Larry. Yeah, I wish it's closer to me so I can casually go inspect the saw before pulling the trigger. Perhaps as you suggested, I should wait around for one closer. As I've read somewhere else, my concern with Craftsman products are that there are so many varieties from different OEMs, it's tough for me to know for sure it is the good kind. I figured a 50's CM TS still running today cannot be bad. lol

Re: shaft length & Dado blade. Thanks for the heads up on this potential issue. Excuse my ignorance but how long of an arbor do you need to mount a typical dado set? I guess it would be as wide as you want your dado to be.

[Kesh Ikuma]

Scott, Any insight to why newer? Is the one I posted too old to look for parts or something?

[Rick Potter]

I suppose it is preference, but I would not want one with the grated wings, they are finger catchers. Then again, I am prone to being clumsy.

Rick Potter

[scott spencer]

Scott, Any insight to why newer? Is the one I posted too old to look for parts or something?

There were thousands of the more recent Emerson models made until around 1997 (still older, just not as old)...most of which were essentially the same saw with different bolt-ons, and many of the parts are interchangeable between them. From 1997 to ~ 2003, the same saw was made by TTI/Ryobi. Both manufacturers made the Craftsman and Ridgid brand contractor saws. They're a standard full size with cast iron tops (main table 27"deep x 20"wide, with 10" to 12" wings of varying materials). Most of these had 14 amp 1hp to 1.5hp belt drive motors, and the used the same motor mount, trunnions, and blade guard system. Fences. stands, and wheel systems varied a bit, but the overall similarities between all of them make them pretty easy to get parts for. They also have potential to be pretty darn good saws when setup properly, equipped with a good fence, and fitted with a good blade. The Emerson Cman saws used a 113.###### model, the TTI/Ryobi saws used 315.######. The Emerson Ridgid models were TS2412, TS2424, and TS3612, the TTI/Ryobi saws were TS3650, TS3660. The older King-Seeley saws can be very good too, but there's less standardization....often having smaller tables and smaller motors.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/cman2.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/r8.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/r9.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/TS3650.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/cman3.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/r2.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/Craftsman%20saw%20parts/r14.jpg

[Joseph Tarantino]

good synopsis by scott. i have two of those saws. one is a 70s vintage c-man with a t2 fence and the other is an enhanced 2412. i think so much of them, i sold a 3hp 70s vintage unisaw i refurbished initead of those saws for lack of room. the cabinet, table and wings can be used as the basis for some pretty good saws:

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/42664

[Bill Huber]

Don't let the webbed wing bother you, there is an easy fix for that. Some hard board and a little silicon will do wonders.

[Rich Riddle]

I had that exact same table saw and gave it to my friend along with all the other "gold" tools. They only made the tools in gold for one year, and according to OWWM it was 1957-1958.

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6430

It was the 50th anniversary. I purchased an entire lot of "gold" tools from a retiring woodworker who used them in a cabinet shop business. They were great tools, and I regret getting rid of them. They don't have as many bells and whistles but it you want a good starter to medium shop saw, buy it. Parts are available everywhere since the model was produced for a long period.

[Kesh Ikuma]

Scott,

Wow, this is an awesome summary and now I can connect all the dots Thanks a lot for taking time to put the info together!

Is there any pros and cons between Emerson vs. Ryobi/TTI models? It's nice to know the parts and accessories are common among'em though.

[Kesh Ikuma]

Bill, that's neat. The thickness of the hard board is exactly right on these slots?

[Bruce Wrenn]

Today, here on Raleigh CL is a model 100 TS, without motor-$20

[Joseph Tarantino]

Scott,

Wow, this is an awesome summary and now I can connect all the dots Thanks a lot for taking time to put the info together!

Is there any pros and cons between Emerson vs. Ryobi/TTI models? It's nice to know the parts and accessories are common among'em though.

be advised , the parts are interchangeable between the units made by emerson electric. the tools built by emerson electric and ryobi/tti do not share all parts. in scott's pics, the c-man and light gray ridgids all share parts (as they were built by emerson electric). the orange ridgid (3650) has similar but different part numbers and was built by ryobi/tti. personally,i like the emerson built 10" TSs. they are simple designs, can be had cheaply on CL and make for great learning tools which will perform very well if the time is taken to set them up properly. and should you find a saw with webbed wings, i'd humbly suggest against filling in the webbing. those holes have never caught my fingers and they allow for clamping of feather boards and other accessories.

BTW, the originally linked c-man 100 TS is not worth $125, at least not in my market. $50-$75. and it would need a t-2 fence and a safer power switch. i'd pass.

[Kesh Ikuma]

Joseph & Bruce, Thanks for your inputs. With your assessed value of that saw, I agree I'm going to pass this one and continue my daily CL visits.

[scott spencer]

.... Is there any pros and cons between Emerson vs. Ryobi/TTI models? It's nice to know the parts and accessories are common among'em though.

The Emerson made saws were made in the USA.

[Larry Whitlow]

Re: shaft length & Dado blade. Thanks for the heads up on this potential issue. Excuse my ignorance but how long of an arbor do you need to mount a typical dado set? I guess it would be as wide as you want your dado to be.

Yep -- at least for Freud stacked dados it would be a little under whatever width you were using (i.e., a little under 3/4" for a 3/4" dado). Of course, you need extra arbor length beyond that to thread the nut on.

Good luck. If you find one that has been decently treated you will get a lot of tool for a hundred bucks or so. Too bad we aren't nearer each other. I'm pulling the plug on an upgrade and will be selling my old CM. Kind of sad because I've used the saw for 36 years and it kind of feels like a part of me now.