Craftsman Original Saw Tune-Up (1 of 3)

Join Alex as he walks you through setting up and tuning a legendary Sears, Craftsman Bandsaw.
Alex takes you through the setup step by step and shares his insight and tips for tuning and adjusting the standard Craftsman guides as well as sharing his fail-proof steps for getting your saw ready for straight and accurate re-sawing. He'll also share a few tips and secrets that you may or may not know about this legendary saw.
Craftsman Original Saw with Bearing Guides (2 of 3) - Alex replaces the standard cool block guides with bearing guides from Carter Products
Craftsman Original Saw with Stabilizer (3 of 3) - Alex adds a Carter Products Stabilizer to enable some unique scroll cutting capabilities
#snodgrassmethod, #alexsnodgrass, #bandsawlife, #craftsman, #bandsawguides, #bandsaw

[@deanweeks7956]

Thanks so much for the advice. Bought my saw for my brother who bought it at a ranch auction. He has passed away now of course the saw isn’t going anywhere. Your video was so helpful. I don’t have a owner manual so I was kinda lost until you came along. Thanks again. Can you send me some links for tools to go with my saw. Its really basic no fence no inset.

[@bandsawlife2660]

@@deanweeks7956 Carter Products sells several accessories for this saw. Including a very useful fence.

[@siph2o]

I owned one of these saws for 25 years. It was my dad's before I got it. I watched one of your band saw tune-up videos and had it running better than new! I recently sold it to make room for a bigger 18" saw with a deeper re-saw capacity for making bowl blanks for wood turning. It brought a tear to my eye to see it leave my shop.

[@ErgoCogita]

Excellent! Now I can tune this thing. It all made sense til I saw the thrust bearings. I'll dial it in til this old Craftsman spits a part I can't service.❤

[@frijoli9579]

I've been tuning bandsaws for years, but I learned some tricks today!

[@billwilliams5963]

Just getting around to tuning up my fathers Craftsman bandsaw and finding this instructional video and the great information couldn’t be better. Thanks for the time you spent preparing this .

[@bandsawlife2660]

Your welcome

[@79Tanzer]

I recently acquired one of these saws and this video is far more informative than the owner's manual. My lower tire is best up and the blocks are worn, so I'm waiting on new urethane tires and cool blocks. I'm going to work on cleaning up the adjustments so they move smoothly and I hope to make my saw perform like this.

[@79Tanzer]

7 months on the saw is working great now.c

[@buckdubay7033]

Thank you for the video I just got my grandfather’s old craftsman bandsaw and it is a tool I am completely unfamiliar. Your video was extremely helpful

[@snort455]

Very informative. I'm getting a craftsman band saw. Just the info I needed.

[@dondale68]

I've got that same saw,, runs like brand new,, I take excellent care of it. Even have the original manual!!

[@Jerry333Scott]

Great and helpful video. I have owned this for 35 plus years and have been very satisfied. My current challenge is the blade coming off the wheel. When I run the saw with the cover off to test, it runs smoothly. When I put the cover back on as it is suppose to be, there is a rattling sound and the blade come off the wheel. It happens with different size blades. Have been trying to be as observant as I can be but don't have a clue what is going on, any suggestions. thanks

[@alardon1126]

Amazing! I have a 9 inch Craftsman that needs a little tune up love. I've fussed with it a bit but not very successful with the adjustments I've tried to make. I'll give it another go. Thanks!

[@IndyJay53]

Wow this series is exactly what I needed! Thanks

[@joni22262]

Ps i coached a first robotics team for years. Ive worked in milford,MI proving grounds shop and have been in all the shops at nasa in fl. They have the best water jet saw. Saw your stickers and industerial sized machines.

[@fredbrooks1386]

Excellent!

[@stewartmelzer939]

i have a craftsman 12 inch two speed band saw bought just before sears closed for good i put an extension riser on it looks like a central machinery saw put ball bearing blade guides never seen anymore like it

[@SirFrankoman]

I'll bring mine to the next woodworking show for you to set up LOL

[@codyneibarger270]

I have on just like it just bought it I love it so far

[@craigpate8250]

Thanks for the great tips on tuning the saw. I just purchased the same saw but it doesn't have the insert. What material did you use to make yours? Thanks.

[@robskaaden3792]

Your video is very helpful. That being said, when I adjust the top wheel, the blade wants to come off the bottom wheel and I'm not yet to the center of the top wheel. Any suggestions?

[@bandsawlife2660]

How old is the blade?

[@freijonobre]

Muito boa sua explicação tenho uma dessa maís está sem a lâmina de serra você pode mandar as medidas original da a lâmina obrigado amigo abraço do Cássio de Brasília do canal freijó nobre

[@squidink7073]

What size tires for this model Craftsman band saw? Mine just busted and I've looked everywhere for the size, no luck. Glad to find this video though, will be tuning her up as soon as I can find new tires -thanks!

[@bandsawlife2660]

12”

[@thewoundedcrow7846]

Was there supposed to be a black cover plate on the top guide? Mine has one? Is it ok to remove, looks like it runs very close to the saw blade

[@bandsawlife2660]

The stabilizer does not use that cover

[@dwightcarlson7136]

I am trying to make some wooden sinusoidal strips to be used to support corrugated PVC roof panels. The existing/old panels have centre to centre dimension of approx. 2 3/4" which yield 10 peaks rather than 9 peaks which seems to be the current standard for corrugated panels which have 3" centre to centre. My bandsaw has 1/4" wide blade. The chart which I found in parts manual indicates that a 3/16" wide blade would be better for cutting the strips. Will the 3/16" wide blade work with the model 113.243300 bandsaw? And is the blade 80" long.

[@bandsawlife2660]

@@dwightcarlson7136 the blade is 80” but you will need a blade stabilizer to run a 3/16” or 1/8” blade

[@dwightcarlson7136]

@@bandsawlife2660 can you describe a blade stabilizer? Do I need to make it or is it available for purchase somewhere ?

[@bandsawlife2660]

@@dwightcarlson7136 carterproducts.com/band-saw-products/band-saw-stabilizer/sears-12-pre-1990-sea2

[@mgronk49]

I'm inquiring about my Craftsman 103.24280. I have been able to locate parts to restore it and have an operational question. I'm trying to understand what the parts in location 4 and 5 of the parts manual do. Part numbers X-309 and 41628 respectively and go into a hole in the side bottom of the table where the blade slot ends. I've found reference to them on KZbin. They are referred to as taper pins in most cases and are common size screws that can be purchased locally. However no one I've talked to knows what they do. Just wondering if you would please offer an explanation? In your video the hole is empty as visible when you remove the table. Then you replace it at 14:53 of the video only referring to it as a nut. Thank You.

[@papagallo5379]

I have the same question. Also, any resources for parts? I’m restoring an old 113.24201 and needs some parts.

[@mgronk49]

I just searched on line by the part numbers. I was able to down load a manual from on line which helped. Still haven’t found a blade guard. That bolt I was asking about turned out to keep the table split where the blade goes in aligned. Just found a bolt that fit the hole and thread pattern.

[@papagallo5379]

Okay thanks for the info.

[@TheMrAshley2010]

I wonder if someone here, in the comment section, can tell me how to read the date code on my 12" #113.243311 saw? I would like to know what year it was made.

[@williamcastleberry7338]

Alex about how much is the cost of a 3/8" x 99 3/4. I'm retired and on a small budget. (40+ years in the carpenter trade) This saw is the first tool that I've owned that I could make run right.

[@bandsawlife2660]

You would have to visit your local woodcraft or call Carter Products, just a guess $35 to $40

[@williamcastleberry7338]

@@bandsawlife2660 I just now found y'all online. The blade is $30.??. by the time I pay shipping, I'll have $60.00 in the blade. No more than I use it. I can't justify that kind of money for one blade. Thank You for the reply Ray Castleberry PS I have shipped many (30lbs) pounds of lead bullets for $14 to $15.00 by USPS priority mail and they furnished the box

[@michaelseamus2112]

What blade are you using?

[@Happydays147]

On that tilt head bandsaw can you tell me what are the model # of the upper and lower guides..that you put on the saw....if I may ask

[@bandsawlife2660]

The only guide available for that saw is a stabilizer carterproducts.com/band-saw-products/band-saw-stabilizer/sears-12-1990-1998-sea1

[@freijonobre]

Olá amigo pode mandar por favor as medidas da lâmina de serra dessa serra fita que está no vídeo tenho uma estou restaurando ela veio sem a lâmina obrigado amigo abraço do Cássio de Brasília do canal freijó nobre

[@wh1tedevil]

He said 80 inches

[@ursulap23]

Hi, I just found your video and see that its about a year old so I sure hope you still see my message. My dad gave me this same bandsaw and I have been using it for months and love it. All of a sudden it just stopped and the motor makes a "Hmmm" sound. I told my dad about it and he said it did that in the past and he changed out the capacitor but he couldnt remember where it was located. Ive searched everywhere except to actually open up the motor. I thought I would see if you could tell me before I try to tear into the motor. I would really appreciate any help you can give me

[@bandsawlife2660]

It should be in the hump on the side of the motor

[@ursulap23]

@Bandsaw Life I don't have a hump. I would show you a picture but I don't have an option to attach a picture

[@bandsawlife2660]

Send a pho to bandsawlife@yahoo. Com

[@TheMrAshley2010]

@@bandsawlife2660 I wonder if someone here, in the comment section, can tell me how to read the date code on my 12" #113.243311 saw? I would like to know what year it was made.

[@jameslunsford4168]

I bought one from a neighbor and I cannot get the bearing wheel rest on top to back off of the blade

[@johnnorris1227]

There's an allen screw on the inside that locks the shaft for the bearing in place. Loosen that allen screw and you should be able to spin the little thumb screw to move the bearing forwards and backwards.

[@Patrick-on5cq]

Great video ❤ Thank you……. You can still find parts on eBay

[@williamcastleberry7338]

William Castleberry I have a question for you about my craftsman 14" bandsaw. The saw is set up like you said, and it has made this sound since new. The wider the blade the worse the thump and louder the noise. It's a thump and wining sound. I have checked all the blade guides, nothing wrong with them or the blade. It doesn't matter what blade I put on the saw. It does get louder when trying to resaw a wider board. Do you have any ideas?

[@bandsawlife2660]

What brand of blade is it?

[@williamcastleberry7338]

@@bandsawlife2660 It does it with all the blades I have tried, Craftsman, Olson, Irwan. It has done it ever since I bought the saw new. All I have ever had to do to the saw is put a new drive belt on. I bought the saw new in 2012. I have tried more and less tension. Nothing seems to change it. So I try not to resaw with it Thank you for the reply.

[@bandsawlife2660]

Again I’m going to say it’s the blade. The brands you mentioned are not known for their quality. I would suggest trying a Carter blade. If it still does that I would like to know.

[@francostacy7675]

I just bought a craftsman 10 inch 1/3 hp band saw, model 12400. The motor works but the drive belt is broken. It has no owners manual. I know nothing about setting up and maintaining a band saw. I had been wanting a band saw and this one was a one dollar, I couldn’t turn it down.

[@bandsawlife2660]

Most auto parts stores can sell you a belt for it

[@glenpaul3606]

How should a 1/8th inch wide blade be positioned?

[@bandsawlife2660]

Deepest part of the gullet in the center of the wheel. Perhaps just behind the center when using a stabilizer

[@glenpaul3606]

@@bandsawlife2660 OK Thank you

[@lmallard3788]

For about $20 more than the cost for model 103.24250 carter parts, I could buy a new jet 10 inch bandsaw. Decisions for me.

[@markdangelo6842]

You should zoom in so we can better understand what you are adjusting

[@davidmcgrath6507]

Deepest part of the gullet????????

[@bandsawlife2660]

Deepest part of the tooth.

[@joni22262]

I just purchased a craftsmans band aaw that you have to tweek the pulley to get it going and the rpm are just too low for cutting. I pd 20 so id like to get it going properly (the belt is on its last legs). 1. Dont want to accidentally get mu fingers caught in between the belt and wheels. 2. Would be so nice if i could cut more than butter. Its still in my husbands car so i have to get better info and picture. This is a jerry rigged saw. It appears to have an extra motor. Ugh.

[@bandsawlife2660]

Sounds like the start capacitor could be bad or the centrifugal switch is stuck.

[@joni22262]

@@bandsawlife2660 thank you so much.

[@terryjoestoll]

Mine did that and was slow to start and bogged down, blowing it out real good and adding oil to the motor seemed to solve the problem so far.... It's been a year since I did it. The saw is 33 years old.

[@diybuildandlife207]

This is a very poorly made video. None of the adjustments are clearly shown.