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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: 1oldbowguy on March 16, 2016, 10:27:00 AM

Title: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: 1oldbowguy on March 16, 2016, 10:27:00 AM

Anyone have any experience with a Craftsman 12” band saw?  Looking at one for non- heavy duty work. Trimming down boards and such, not for fiberglass use.  Thanks

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: bigcountry on March 16, 2016, 10:59:00 AM

I got a craftsman 14" and use it for cutting staves and such.  The key is picking the right band saw blade.

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: 1oldbowguy on March 16, 2016, 11:12:00 AM

Got U, thanks Mark   ;)

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 16, 2016, 11:51:00 AM

I have an older 14" sears. Never had a problem with. If you are looking for a new band saw, grizzly makes nice saws. Check out their website.

 http://www.grizzly.com/

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: David Flanrey on March 16, 2016, 12:16:00 PM

I have an old Craftsman 12" that I use for everything.  Like bigcountry said, pick right blade.
What they asking?

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: John Scifres on March 16, 2016, 12:30:00 PM

How old is it?  The new ones are crap.  The older ones are OK.  I made about 100 bows using a 1976 version.  I tried a friends new one a couple years ago and couldn't get through a medium sized stave even with a new Timberwolf 3 tpi skip tooth blade.

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: Robertfishes on March 16, 2016, 01:05:00 PM

I have a 1980's 12" with a carbide blade. It works well for cutting wood and glass pieces but it only has a 1/2hp motor. Sounds like John has alot of good experience using his. Eric also has used his on 100s of bows. The 15 year old,16" 2hp grizzly band saw is the real work horse in my shop, but I'm not cutting Staves like the other guys..

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: 1oldbowguy on March 16, 2016, 01:37:00 PM

John, it is an older saw.

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: bamboo on March 16, 2016, 07:47:00 PM

don't bother with a three wheeler

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: John Scifres on March 16, 2016, 08:16:00 PM

Then it should work.  Don't pay more than $100 for it.

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: Jomohr84 on March 16, 2016, 09:05:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by bamboo:
don't bother with a three wheeler

X2 on that, never could get a decent cut on a 50s craftsman 3 wheeler I had. Inherited a 90s 12 " jet and have been happy with it.

Title: Re: Craftsman 12" band saw?
Post by: scrub-buster on March 21, 2016, 10:06:00 AM

I have had 2 Craftsman 12" band saws.  They worked OK.  I roughed out a lot of osage bows on them.  I've upgraded to a 14" Grizzly.  It does everything I need it to do.