Bandsaw: Craftsman 10", 12", or 14"?

[Andy Fox]

This is a reality check post, so feel free to be blunt..... :)

I'm leaning heavily toward purchasing a new Craftsman bandsaw which will be used mostly for curve cutting and similar general purpose cuts. I'm almost "jigged-up" (Tolpin's Table Saw Magic) to the point where I could resaw 6" wide boards on my 10" contractor's saw, but haven't tried it. I'm not sure I'd really need to resaw that much anyway--maybe due to my approach or maybe because of lack of knowledge. I figure with a 6" jointer, I wouldn't need to resaw anything wider anyway.

I'm leaning toward Craftsman bandsaws because it seems like they have the best features for the money. The saw wouldn't get very heavy use--10 hours per month max.

Here are the options and the features which stand out:

10" Bandsaw
$130, 1/3 HP, 4 5/8" resaw, 1/2" max blade, 1 speed, no stand, fence
It'll get the curve cutting done without a major expense.

12" Bandsaw
$300, 3/4 hp, 6" resaw, 1/2" max blade, 2 speed, stand, drift fence
Curve cutting and maybe some resawing for less money than the 14"

14" Bandsaw
$400, 1 HP, 8" resaw, 3/4" max blade, 2 speed, stand, drift fence

(Prices are after Craftsman club discount.)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Bench+Power+Tools&pid=00922401000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Band+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

All of the above saws have ball bearing blade guides. I like the Craftsman 14" over the Grizzly 14" because it has decent resaw height without adding a riser block.

[glenn bradley]

You can often find used Craftsman 12" BS used or at estate sales since they seem to have proliferated like Toyota Camrys did a few years ago. they're everywhere. If a 10" will do you, check out the Ryobi (yes Ryobi) with the 'award winning' integral dust collection. In the review I read the saw won for it's inovative dust collection feature so I'm expecting the quality is about normal for the Ryobi line.

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1914096390.1149693414@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciaddhmjkeelfcgelceffdfgidgjl.0&MID=9876

The Craftsmans your link point to are actually made by Rikon which is a well received saw. IMHO superior to the Ryobi. the only reason I mention the Ryobi is the quiet noise levels and superior dust collection. Sometimes one quality overrides another but eveyone seems to LOVE their Rikons.

[Julio Navarro]

I vote 14"

[Todd Davidson]

Andy ~ 14"

Glenn ~ I believe the Craftsman bandsaws are made by Yukon.

[Frank Fusco]

I vote 14" in anything but a Craftsman (Crapsman?). I sold a 12" Craftsman and couldn't get anything for it. Believe I settled for $25.00.

[Andy Fox]

OK, OK, I'll spend more money and get a 14"! :)

It will be useful to have the extra room for the curves.

Interestingly, the Craftsman 14" has a resaw height of 8", but the Rikon only has 6" and is $50 more: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5217 I'll have to measure the C-man in person now.

Frank, I'm pretty skeptical of Craftsman too, but it looks like these saws are breaking out of the bad rep. with a different manufacturer. I'll remain skeptical though. I returned a C-man drill press a few years ago and bought a Delta instead.

[Jim Becker]

14". Even if you only "cut small", the extra height, weight an motor horsepower will be better for overall woodworking. It's also better for resale later...

[Frank Fusco]

OK, OK, I'll spend more money and get a 14"! :)

It will be useful to have the extra room for the curves.

Interestingly, the Craftsman 14" has a resaw height of 8", but the Rikon only has 6" and is $50 more: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5217 I'll have to measure the C-man in person now.

Frank, I'm pretty skeptical of Craftsman too, but it looks like these saws are breaking out of the bad rep. with a different manufacturer. I'll remain skeptical though. I returned a C-man drill press a few years ago and bought a Delta instead.

The Grizzly G0555 is 1 hp, about $480.00 but only a 6" thickness limit without optional riser. Mine is my most used 'go to' tool in my shop and as dependable as anything can be.

[Bruce Benjamin]

OK, OK, I'll spend more money and get a 14"! :)

It will be useful to have the extra room for the curves.

Interestingly, the Craftsman 14" has a resaw height of 8", but the Rikon only has 6" and is $50 more: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5217 I'll have to measure the C-man in person now.

Frank, I'm pretty skeptical of Craftsman too, but it looks like these saws are breaking out of the bad rep. with a different manufacturer. I'll remain skeptical though. I returned a C-man drill press a few years ago and bought a Delta instead.

I know the Rikon and Craftsman look very similar and they may even be made on the same assembly line. But I question whether or not Rikon even makes their own saw. If they do, why would they make one for Sears, make it with better features, (cast iron wheels for Sears versus aluminum for Rikon, more resaw, and one or two others I don't remember right now) and then allow them to sell it for less money? That doesn't make much sense to me so that's why I doubt that Rikon made either saw. I could be wrong but that sure is stupid of Rikon to do that then.

I've recently seen another thread somewhere about this same issue and a couple of people also claimed that Rikon made them both. How do you know this? In that thread I asked this same question and nobody who made the claim came up with an answer. I might believe a Rikon manager or technician but I doubt I'd believe the sales person taking orders. Either way, I've seen the Craftsman but not the Rikon. The Craftsman seemed like a pretty solid saw despite the lousy assembly done by the local Sears tool guys. If you can live with only 8" of resaw, (versus 12" with a 6" riser block on other 14" saws) then I think you'd do well with the Craftsman. I can't see any reason why someone would buy the Rikon version at all except for some silly, anti-Craftsman garbage.

Bruce

[Fred Woodward]

I bought the Rikon 14 about 6 months ago. It has been a fine little saw. Who knows about Rikon building the Craftsman....I didn't consider Craftsman in my selection. The only down side I have found with the Rikon is it is not expandable for more resaw. I've been resawing 6" oak and walnut with little problem but of course it isn't going as fast as say a MM20.
I would definitely go with a 14 over a 10 or 12 inch saw.

[Lee Schierer]

I think you'll find that the 10" saw is little better than a toy. It will cut thin stock adequately well, but has severe limitations due to size. The 12" saw though bigger still has very limited resaw potential and the small throat size will be come apparent on the first or second thing you try to cut. I would go with the 14", but would strongly recommend Delta instead of Craftsman for the parts availablity stand point and potential resale value. Woodworkers Supply has it for $419. http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=28-276&go=5228

[Don Baer]

I have the 12" Craftsman and have used it for over 6 month It will actually resaw to 7". I got mine when they first came out. Both the 12" and the 14" are great saws. They are made by Palmgren same as the Pro series Lathe that Craftsman sells.

[John Timberlake]

Bigger is always better. Go with the 14" since the cost isn't that much more. What length blades does it take? I try to stay away from equipment where you have to go back to the same store or special order accesories.

[Andy Fox]

Update:

Now I'm comparing the Grizzly 14" G0555 to the Craftsman 14". The Grizz has more resaw (12" with a riser block). But, the Craftsman has cast iron wheels, larger table (20-3/8 x 15-3/4), and a fence adjustable for drift (I think the Grizz has this too?), 2 dust ports, and it's about $90 cheaper (including tax) than the Grizz with a riser. I'm going to Sears tonight to check out the saw, and maybe buy it.

The Craftsman takes a 99-3/4 in. blade. Is that going to be a problem at all? I'll probably order a few Timberwolf blades.

Edit:
Also, is the steel frame of the Craftsman an advantage over the Grizz's cast iron?

[Andy Fox]

Don Baer solves the mystery maker quandery! :) Thanks, it sounds like maybe Palmgren is at least as good Grizzly, but less well-known?

And, good to hear from a satisfied user of this line of saws. I read your old posts about the 12" saw. Very helpful.


I have the 12" Craftsman and have used it for over 6 month It will actually resaw to 7". I got mine when they first came out. Both the 12" and the 14" are great saws. They are made by Palmgren same as the Pro series Lathe that Craftsman sells.

[Andy Fox]

Lee, points well taken. Delta just doesn't seem to match up to the features at this price range. I'm not worried about resale, and parts availability might be the hidden cost/risk I'll pay if I buy one of this line of saws.


I think you'll find that the 10" saw is little better than a toy. It will cut thin stock adequately well, but has severe limitations due to size. The 12" saw though bigger still has very limited resaw potential and the small throat size will be come apparent on the first or second thing you try to cut. I would go with the 14", but would strongly recommend Delta instead of Craftsman for the parts availablity stand point and potential resale value. Woodworkers Supply has it for $419. http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=28-276&go=5228

[Brad Townsend]

Update:

Now I'm comparing the Grizzly 14" G0555 to the Craftsman 14". The Grizz has more resaw (12" with a riser block). But, the Craftsman has cast iron wheels, larger table (20-3/8 x 15-3/4), and a fence adjustable for drift (I think the Grizz has this too?), 2 dust ports, and it's about $90 cheaper (including tax) than the Grizz with a riser. I'm going to Sears tonight to check out the saw, and maybe buy it.

The Craftsman takes a 99-3/4 in. blade. Is that going to be a problem at all? I'll probably order a few Timberwolf blades.

Edit:
Also, is the steel frame of the Craftsman an advantage over the Grizz's cast iron? Andy, I wouldn't worry too much about the fence in making my decision between these two saws. I've got the Craftsman 14" and really like it, but the fence is nothing to write home about. I bought it with the idea that I would get another fence. Postings from those who have the Griz have said similar things about its fence, as I recall. They are both good saws.

The 99 3/4" blade is not a problem. Suffolk Machinery can fix you right up with the TimberWolf blades at a very reasonable price.

[Andy Fox]

Brad, Thanks, good to know about the fence and blade length.

[Charlie Plesums]

I got the 10 inch Delta that I suspect is comparable to the cheap Craftsman. Bottom line, a $25 jigsaw did a smoother cut closer to the line than the Delta. The person who bought it from me said he got a good deal, but I saw it advertised for sale again a couple months later.

Replaced it with a nice Jet 14 inch with riser block. Terrible dust collection, no fence, no other features, but it cut pretty good.

Then I saw the Grizzly G0555. Same holes, same castings, apparently same factory, but with all the options for less money. When someone came into my shop and said "if you ever consider selling that Jet, let me know" and a week later I had the G0555 with riser block.

The Grizzly is a great saw, including some resawing. But in too high a percentage of the time resawing, it decides that is the time the blade is going to wander and ruin the beautiful piece of wood that I was trying to bookmatch. And some jointing or heavy sanding was normally required after the resaw.

Therefore I just bought a big bandsaw for straight cuts and resawing, but I am keeping the Grizzly for curve work. Minimal sanding is required with the carbide blade, and I have cut numerous "veneers" 1/16" and thinner.

Bottom line, I consider 14 inches minimum, and impressed with the G0555 for curve work. For serious resawing, I recommend a heavier machine.

[Andy Fox]

Last night I went and looked over this whole line of Craftsman saws. I'm a total bandsaw novice. The 12" was nice and seemed to have plenty of capacity for what I do, but the 14" (model #22401) was around $130 more with more HP and more sturdily built. The 12" wheels appeard to be cast aluminum, while the 14" wheels were cast iron. The trunions on all of them were aluminum and seemed a little weak and mismatched for the large iron tables. The display model table moved with only slight pressure, but I optimistically chalked this up to poor assembly and customer abuse.

If anyone should decide to buy one, be sure to sign up for the "Craftsman Club", as being a member is worth $50 off the $450 price. "1 in stock" probably means the display model. They only had 1 boxed at the store I went to.

I had to unbox the saw to load it into my compact 1992 Accord, but once that was done, it was an easy fit. I hauled the saw down the basement stairs myself by strapping it to an appliance dolly. I probably could've carried it with the motor removed. I assembled the metal stand, but will finish the assembly and setup this weekend. I'll post a new thread by Monday letting everyone know how it went, and even take some photos.

Thanks to everyone for their input!