Craftsman Band Saws - Belt Drive with no tilt head vs Drect drive with tilt head

[Allen Seidman]

I am looking at buying one of 2 Craftsman 12 inch Band Saws.

The first saw is a direct drive, 2 speed, 1 and 1/8 HP with a tilt head.
The second is a belt driven saw with NO tilt head (but has a sander builtin). No horse power is listed but i did find one that "looks" just like it with a 1.2 HP motor. It does not indicate if its 1 or 2 speed.

Any insight you can provide or considerations would be appreciated. the belt drive unit is much closer to my home. But which is the better unit and why ? the prices are very close at about 100 dollars.

Allen

[Jim Becker]

I had access to one of the tilt-head Craftsman band saws years ago for awhile. That particular one was "hateful" and I avoided using it because it was just plain ill-behaved. For that reason, if it were me, I'd be choosing the "more traditional design" saw of the two you mention. Remember, complexity that's not executed well can be maddening.

[Curt Harms]

Yes the 'tilt head' Craftsman saws were not well regarded for the most part. There are special use tilt head saws - Ship saws come to mind but they're certainly not common.

[Stan Calow]

I don't object to Craftsman, but I very much regret getting a 12" (Hitachi) versus a 14".

[Bruce Wrenn]

Having owned a 12" Craftsman, unless it was FREE, I would pass on it. I couldn't give mine away. Watch CL for a used Delta or Grizzly 14". Here they run around $250.