Craftsman Tablesaw Upgrades

We make some modifications to an old 10" Contractors saw by adding a new motor, extending the rip fence, adding a new mobile base, and installing a new combination blade.

[@stephenwgreen78]

Thanks for the model #. I have the same saw with a different fence & no serial number plate anywhere.🤣 Top is level & it works fine, but came with homemade wings & the cheaper angle iron fence. Paid 140...but loved the look & planned to build a table around it anyway...so it was worth it to me. The 60s had style👍

[@evil1656]

The 28 thou of fence taper is there for outfeed relief so that your cut piece doesn't bind between the fence and blade. Keeps it from being lifted by the blade and kicking back, which is a good thing. As long as the blade itself is square to the front edge of the table, you are golden. Ideally if you move the fence to the other side of the blade, you should adjust it accordingly for relief (should be a pair of adjustment screws on the underside front edge of the fence base). Sweet old saw and should do just fine for rough dimensioning of aluminum, delrin, ABS, wood, etc. Nice!

[@Halligan142]

Thanks for the info !

[@joelpless4214]

Thank you. I inherited my father's Craftsman 10' bench saw, tilting arbor, 113.27610. Thanks for your expertise. My saw is at least as old as I am, and I am 62. It still cuts great and I use it regularly.

[@daki222000]

i would have put the table rotated 90 degrees on the base, so the push action while sawing would be perpendicular to the travel direction of the back wheels. making it less prone to move when sawing. thanks for the video. cheers.

[@paulgallant1670]

I have the exact same s/n saw. I’ve added a SharkGuard splitter assembly and dust extraction. I love it. Good luck with yours.

[@railroad9000]

I have the same saw dated 1961. It belonged to my Dad and when he passed away I inherited it. it has been a very good saw for me and I have run many 1000's of feet of material through it. Several mods to improve it including a larger motor, A Very Supercool Tool Co fence, additional table extensions and plumbed to my sawdust collection system. The weakest part was the original rip fence.

[@Halligan142]

So far the fence is good enough for me. Not planning on making fine furniture, just cutting what I need cut. I'm going to encase the bottom with some hardboard I have lying around so I can hook it to my shop-vac to keep the mess down.

[@pjhalchemy]

Shotgun Cat, busted me up, Too Fun! Nice video and upgrades to a working vintage tool. Its funny about Craftsman and the longevity. I still have my Dads corded, cast aluminum 1/4" drill from the early 50's that still works great, although bearings have a bit of run out and the 2 prong cord is a bit sketchy. He used the crap out of it and I did too growing up...and its about my age now still working. Too bad about the rack end-cap though, ouch! Nice saw for another 40 years!! Really enjoyed the build and the humor...Thanks!

[@Halligan142]

Thanks! You can't seem to kill older craftsman stuff. On;y thing (besides the newer tools) I never liked was their cordless line. Two prong cord is ok. Don't worry about that tingle when you use it in the rain :-)

[@mrbreezeet1]

@@Halligan142 That's a nice cat too.

[@kosimov1]

I bought a Craftsman saw several years ago, as Craftsman was what I always saw as one of the best. The saw I got was full of problems. The most significant problem is that the fence is impossible to set square the way any other saw can be. And when you start having this problem, it's only time until you get kickback int your gut (I've started standing to the side when sawing. Not easy to do when trying to push a piece of wood through the blade. The fence is crooked, you are standing to the side, so you tend to make the problem worse!) My saw is now stored in my son's garage while I save my pennies for another saw. Maybe a Delta or something.

[@mrbreezeet1]

Did you ever get another saw? You could always put a better fence on the Craftsman saw they are really decent size if you set them up right especially the older ones.

[@blmeflmm66]

Nice video, thanks for making these. Love the dry humor too. Keep it up. I love restoring old tools and extending their life. I guess that motor was just new enough to not have ball bearings. I got one recently off of CList with ball bearings and you can go to lunch after shutting it off and it'll still be spinning when you come back. Not real safe, but it sure is cool! Ha! It's a direct drive(yeah, I know) but there's no measurable runout in the shaft. I made a mobile base for mine in with the same configuration, ie fixed casters at the back. When ripping down a long 2by or heavy plywood, I ended up chasing the saw down the driveway when it took the weight off the locking swivel casters I had on the front. Changed the orientation so that the fixed casters face perpendicular to the blade and the swivel locks are on the right. Lock the wheels, give it a little push to take the backlash out of the casters and it's nice and solid now.

[@bruceyoung1343]

That base from HF, I went to either big blue or big orange store and they sell wooden banister parts. Well they have a plain square one some 30” or so. They have the spun shaped ones, that’s not what you want. You want the plain square. They are already sized for the HF BASE and PAINTED WHITE. JUST CUT TO LENGHT

[@mrbreezeet1]

I used the same thing.

[@w056007568]

Most useful video, interesting and amusing as well. Great intro. Should give you years of satisfactory service.

[@bobcougar77]

Nice work. I liked the ending. "Put it in the corner and not use it for a long ass time" lol.

[@Garmartner3]

Appreciate the video. I had a similar model 113 299040 and this helped me out.

[@mrbreezeet1]

I just picked up a 113.29901. Basically the same saw.

[@michaelfink1017]

You can definately get that 28 thou out - that fence and rails is completely adjustable!

[@railroad9000]

I have the exact same saw, vintage 1961.

[@krazziee2000]

never have saw a cat cocked, that was cool ,,, thanks for the video.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

I think you have a good saw there. I don't think they make them like that any more. I had a Craftsman table saw that I purchased in the 1970 era and it was cast iron and did a good job, sold it after I built kitchen cabinets for the house I was living in, no room in the garage. The saw I have now is flimsy all over and nothing on it is solid at all. Thanks for sharing.

[@MyShopNotes]

Hey Greg, you really should have been setting the fence to 1-1/4" instead of the 1/4. The finished dimensions would be more true. That is a nice version of the saw.

[@not2fast4u2c]

I'm not a woodworker but I enjoyed seeing the saw worked on and that is a nice looking blade and it cuts well. Also thanks for showing the Diablo blade I just found homedepot has a 7 1/4 IN blade for circular saws called a DEMO DEMON wicked looking blade

[@Halligan142]

I saw that there too. Almost got a blade for the circular saw too. Not that one, but the similar looking one that was less money.

[@codewarrior65]

LOL, "not use it for a long ass time". Good video. Going to check out the Harbor Freight caster setup.

[@mrbreezeet1]

The harbor freight mobile base is a good one I have it on my powermatic sander if harbor freight is still selling that one they seem to change stuff a lot.

[@mrmtn37]

You will love the El Diablo Blade.... If you use a sandpaper eraser you can clean the blade up and it will cut aprox three times longer before sharpening.

[@DJE0008]

Stationary Engineer vs Hvac Tech...which is better..considering both as a potential career, please help!

[@SteveSam66]

Greg, Nice job

[@jonjacobson5900]

hello sir, recently purchased an old craftsman table saw, little older than yours, wondering if you already had the fence rails on the front or if you had to find them, mine is missing 1 section and 1 is broken. where could i find these?

[@Halligan142]

The main one was on the saw I bought the extention. go to sears parts direct and Search by your model number and you may find what you need.

[@howdydoody30204b]

Looks like that fence extension would fit my old saw. Would you mind providing a link for the one that you bought? Thanks for the video.

[@howdydoody30204b]

Or maybe just a part number?

[@28yogy4todd]

Very nice. Question for you, would you by chance know what year this saw is? I’ve never seen this good of quality looking Craftsman. I’m not a carpenter but I do like to design and build projects from time to time. I just recently acquired a 113.298032 that has not been used much, only to develop rust which I’m now removing. Awesome video thank you.

[@Halligan142]

My guess is late 60s

[@coldcannuck]

Hi there, I just pulled apart a similar craftsman motor because the shaft side bearing is shot, dried out and seized and I now ripped it out because I didn't know how to remove it. Any idea what that whole felt bearing housing is called exactly. I would love to replace it but it's a vintage machine so it's unlikely. My second hope is that there is a modern part that I can replace it with; maybe some kind of shaft sleeve? I know very little about motors but I am trying my best. I just don't know the name of the part I am trying to replace. Felted bearings? Something like that? Thanks for your video and insights.

[@Halligan142]

You're not going to find a direct replacement. Your best bet is to see if you can find a bearing that will fit in its place. If the housing and sleeve are salvagable you can repack with new felt.

[@Anonymoose361]

Hal, what pencil is that? I use mechanical pencils for drafting/rough sketching and would like one of those.

[@Halligan142]

Pentel Sharp .9mm lead pencils.

[@tracyalexander3662]

Check out the vevor tablesaw t-fence and rails... It's less than $150 and is a great starter upgrade kit, sure they may come with a little less than desirable Knicks and bangs due to poor packaging practicing but for the cost compared to others proud pricing practices, it's actually a good choice for the money. With a few tweaks and a fresh paint job, yeah it's worth it.

[@freddye3273]

Where did you get your fence rail extension?

[@mrbreezeet1]

Do you have a video about replacing the arbor bearings on this very saw. I just got the very saw, it doesn't sound too bad running, but with the belt off, and spinning the arbor, the bearings are growling. How is the factory fence working out on this?

[@Halligan142]

I don't but there are many resources online for these saws so I would imagine you'll be ab.e to find something on a forum somewhere. The fence is fine for my purposes. Don't get me wrong, it's no cabinet makers fence system but it does the job and I can get accurate repeatable cuts. If I need to be really precise I just double check with a tape measure from the front and rear of blade to be sure it's where I want it.

[@mrbreezeet1]

@@Halligan142 Ok thanks for the reply. Yes that is what I will do is use a tape measure at the front and rear of the blade unless I get tired of all that I had a little Craftsman 103. XXXX I don't know the suffix, but boy was that a precise little saw. That's a nice cat you have there do you still have him or her? I know I lost mine she ran away and I didn't have a car to keep looking for her it was just a bad situation she was a very very difficult cat wouldn't let me put her in the carrier when I moved basically had to give up on her but it broke my heart. She was a beautiful long-haired calico and very smart!

[@Halligan142]

@@mrbreezeet1 Still have my 2 cats. We got them from a rescue shelter when my wife and I moved in. One is 10 and the other 9. My daughter loves them and they tolerate her.

[@garykarczewski6678]

Would you consider replacing the OEM motor to a new more powerful one? I have an old Craftsman Saw and am debating to invest $600 in upgrades which would include a new 3HP 240V motor, new Incra Fence and miter system, and new roller caddie. Thoughts?

[@Halligan142]

Throwing a lot of money at a saw to make it what it wasn't meant to be. You'd probably be better off putting it towards a nice used commercial/industrial type saw.

[@jonathanbrown4006]

I’m trying to find the part number for the fence extension. I know it’s a long shot. Do you know the part number? What is the model number of your saw?

[@Halligan142]

www.searspartsdirect.com/model-number/11329901/0247/0744000.html Says discontinued

[@mrbreezeet1]

Pretty sure that is a 113. 29901 the saw itself that is.

[@wildbill23c]

I use those Diablo blades on my Table Saw, and my miter saw. They make blades for reciprocating saws as well including a carbide reciprocating saw blade for metal as well.

[@jimmytate7587]

I have found with the Diablo blades less horsepower is required because the kerf is very narrow . It also saves a small amount of material when you cut it. I love that thin kerf.

[@11LowDown11]

hook the motor feed, switch into a quad box (room for wiring) with a single duplex that powers up when the saw is running... and plug a shop vac up for dust collection.

[@Halligan142]

I was thinking of enclosing the open base a bit with hardboard and making a port. I got yelled at by the wife for sawdust so this may have to be a manditory modification.

[@11LowDown11]

I feel your pain brother! Happy wife... Happy life or so the saying goes! Keep up the great video's, I like the variety you post on your channel.

[@RonSheely]

I like your 12-gauge pump cat.

[@MrBrianDuga]

Dude! Go Pats! You saved my friggin life with this video. Hey question about the oil for those bearings. What type is it? Thanks! So glad I ran into your video. I almost didn't take my motor apart - it was filled with garbage

[@MrBrianDuga]

I guess I should have read the side of the case which said SAE-20, I guess which is 3-in-1 oil. Where I got tripped up putting it back together was the shaft seal washers. I had them in the correct order but somehow didn't seat them right which resulted in the "plastic washer", which really looked like rubber, smoked when spinning it up. Turns out SearsPartsDirect doesn't carry the parts for it anymore. And who knew finding a 5/8" ID plastic washer is so hard to find. So I may just try covering it in a thin layer of oil and putting it back. If I get the saw running and tuned I will probably upgrade the motor anyway

[@guitarsandsuchetc]

how did you make a blade miter alignment?

[@Halligan142]

using a machinists square against the blade

[@OldIronShops]

they make great blades I youse them myself have a glue line rip and a cross cut I just swap win I need to

[@robertboyce7919]

help!!!! just above the Craftsman plate and just above the wheel they is a chrome bar. You can see it at 5:10 on the video time line, what is this for? I have look at the manual and can find nothing about it. My saw goes back to the late 50's. I am looking at putting a new fence on the saw this year.

[@Halligan142]

Lock for the blade tilt

[@iwantcheesypuffs]

"And it's also good for ya know, when you cut off your hand to be able to tap it with your hip ..." Awesome!!

[@kurtgainz]

Yeah he just glossed right over that one lol

[@donaldfennell971]

Use 1 1/4 steel square tubing on the HF Mobile Base

[@leftofpunk]

Can a riving knife be added to these old craftsman saws?

[@Halligan142]

As far as I know there is no off the shelf riving knife. Your only option would be to somehow design your own or use a zero clearance blade insert and splitters.

[@danagoglia1406]

Hi. When did you contact craftsman in reference to buying the geared rail?? Thanks

[@Halligan142]

Sometime around when this video was made so you're talking sometime end of 2014 beginning 2015

[@danagoglia1406]

@@Halligan142 Thanks. What model saw do you have again?

[@claytonlemieux4090]

I bought my Sears contact tabe saw new in 1983 for $283.91 it was a manager special, and I got $100 off I still have all the safety spliter and blade gard that every one throw away, I too had it off my saw until I had kicked back now I don't ripped without. it. I COULD OF BOUGHT A REAL TABLE CABINET OF ANY BRAND, BUT THIS SAW HAS SERVED ME WELL MADE A LOT OF NICE FRUNITURE WITH IT NOW A PART OF ME

[@silveravnt]

Clicked the thumbs up at 4:11

[@OnionOniCreations]

Where did you order the track from

[@Halligan142]

Sears when it existed

[@woodensurfer]

The fence on this does not suck. It lock in very tight.

[@jrmym2]

The crown logo was used from '60 to '73.

[@Halligan142]

Thanks for the date range

[@marksparky3]

I know this is 8 months old but; I have model #113-298031 (also inherited from dad) Original fence guide sucks! Where and how much is the fence guide you have

[@Halligan142]

The fence is the original one that came with the saw.

[@1pcfred]

+mark fitzgerald I made a replacement rip fence for my Craftsman saw because I was not too thrilled with the stock fence myself. It is a Tee square style, so no back lock like the saws come with. Which works out good for an out feed table flush on the saw. www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Table-Saw-Rip-Fence-Build/ I did that before I put my magnetic motor starter on that saw. www.instructables.com/id/Homebrew-Magnetic-Motor-Starter/

[@1pcfred]

Why don't you mount the power switch on the other side of the saw? That way the cord is not going by the belt, and the tilt wheel. Plus I'd think right handed people would want the switch on the right hand side. I have two engine turned Craftsman table saws, so the really old ones. One is a '48, and the other is a '69 I think.

[@Halligan142]

+Paul Frederick I stand off to the left fence on right hand side of blade. If something goes bad I want to be able to hit it with my leg or hand without crossing the blade.

[@1pcfred]

+Halligan142 As long as the switch is where you're comfortable with it, that is the important thing. Not having to go across the blade is good too. Because if something does go bad I give you about zero chance of hitting a switch to improve matters any. I mean let's be real. You got about as much chance of doing that as you do of running 60 miles per hour. Because that is about how fast table saw blades spin. Actually they go a bit faster, but you get the idea.

[@jimsanker989]

Nice work, U tube is a nice winter hobby. Why not just put 4 caster wheels on the bottom? I'll still be watching more of your videos

[@phooesnax]

113. is King Seeley which was later owned by Emerson.

[@Halligan142]

Thanks for the info

[@EddieTheGrouch]

Was not expecting such an intro and I woke up the house laughing. You were on a roll today, Greg. TIP: Cut up old ScotchBrite pads for motor air filters and hold them on with the spikey side of Velcro. The HF base was a bit disappointing. For that money I expected a foot lever for either lifting or locking. 28 thou of taper on the fence?!? Isn't that gonna mess with you when using a magnetic 'dashboard' DI while ripping or will that be mathematically compensated for? :P

[@Halligan142]

Ha! Good tip on the scotchbrite. Yeah unfortunately there will be no press fits in wood with this machine. Glue will have to do :-)

[@woodensurfer]

New motor needs 15-20 drops of oil for each end. Thereafter only 2-3 drops for maintenance; once a year for weekend warriors. There is no need to inject oil like this.

[@supersoldier64]

I tell them F... off often!

[@frankoch1]

get these belts for any machine that uses v belts : Fenner Belts www.fennerdrives.com/powertwist-plus/

[@falstaff0808]

I couldn't understand a word he was saying through that thick accent!

[@successfulcatastrophe3480]

12 gauge cat.

[@1ljs]

I should add the reason I say this is that I watch these videos with my 6 and 10 yr. old grandsons and I don't think they need anymore exposure to that language. I'm not a prude , just a grand-father :-)

[@salv434]

makes me cringe when you drop ur carbide blade on the cast iron top

[@ShuffleSk8Ter]

such language!....but appropriate LOL id be pissed too

[@halkester9368]

Lets see inherited a free saw that ran for years, you upgraded the base and a new blade, it has rack and pinion fence action. And it will run for years more... I wasn't sure watching if you are happy or moaning how bad it was...Most men would be happy to have so much for a bit of work...try buying a used one and get not as much as you got.... hmmmm. Hals Wood Shop. check out some better safe wood push sticks

[@Halligan142]

Hal Kester Wasn't moaning. The saw fits my needs. Just didn't like the Craftsman castors.

[@colt4667]

CRAPsman. Sad state of affairs when Harbor Freight is an upgrade. The motor should be a TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) motor. The sawdust in the motor is a fire hazard. You should return that end cap guard. Big ripoff.

[@Halligan142]

Those castors are over 40 years old. They were probably fine when new.

[@bwyseymail]

***** I doubt that. The problem with the casters is that they pivot on the stem itself. Grease would help but be a mess. The solution is finding replacement stem casters with double ball bearing swivel. Might cost as much as the HF/CM base but would look better and be a lot less work.

[@1ljs]

Was the F-Bomb really appropriate? I don't think so.

[@michaelyopp4236]

all craftsman equipment suck