Taming the Craftsman 113 Table Saw Fence in the Secret Underground Laboratory Recovery and Salvage

How to make the Craftsman 113 Table Saw fence behave itself.

[@mdude7778]

Just bought my first table saw. Craftsman 113 built in '51. I have not used a table saw since my brother's around 19... uh... 79 maybe. Always used a tape measure at each end of the rip fence to get it square. Your nifty measuring gauge is great and I love those screw jacks. Thank you!!!

[@BronZeage]

Thank you as well.

[@UccelloLibero86]

"Without so much as a whimper." 😂 Love this invention. New subscriber here. Thank you!

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much.

[@BryanPAllen]

@@BronZeageme too

[@BryanPAllen]

Subscriber that is. Love your humor and am looking to fix my Dads saw.

[@BronZeage]

@@BryanPAllen Thank you very much.

[@csimet]

I've got a 1969 113 inherited from my dad with extra cast wings. The very first thing I did was yank that fence and rail and replaced it with a Delta 36-T30 T4 fence system. Love it. Gives me 36.5" right and 10" left cut abilities. Upgrading the motor next... 1.5 or 2HP 220V.

[@BronZeage]

The motor I used can be run as 220v. If I upgrade the Lab's electric service, I'll rewire the motor as well.

[@BryanPAllen]

@csimet I looked for that and all I can find is the T30 T3. What is different about the T4? I need a fence also for a similar Craftsman. Thanks

[@csimet]

@BryanPAllen Can't really say, but I think it is just the newer model. The only possible change over the T3 is the extra flip down sub-fence for thin stock... but I could be wrong and it also comes on the T3.

[@BryanPAllen]

@@csimet thanks for your reply 👍

[@BryanPAllen]

@@csimet where are you buying?

[@RightHandShot]

Just add a splitter after the blade to prevent kick back. That should be easy to do. The 1 1/2 HP motor upgrade is perfect for that saw.

[@BronZeage]

That's been a prospective project for some time. I want a riving knife attached to the arbor carriage that can be removed for use with the dado. I'm not happy with throat plate knives.

[@BryanPAllen]

@@BronZeagelooking forward to seeing that project

[@BronZeage]

​@@BryanPAllenI've considered a few different designs, but nothing I'm happy with.

[@JohnnieBravo1]

I just realized. My table saw is the same one you have, and is set up almost identically. Only I have upgraded to the Align A Rip fence, which I like pretty well, and on the left side a fancy Craftsman router table, with a 2hp Craftsman router mounted underneath (which in the past 30 years it has been there, I have only used it a handful of times). Full disclosure, I worked for Sears in a previous career, in my teens and 20's. I'm adding a comment, because if I understand it right, KZbin's algorithm gives you bonus points for Likes, Subs, and Comments. (love your channel)

[@BronZeage]

I certainly appreciate that. I looked at aftermarket fences, but I always kept a machinist rule by the saw to set the fence. My shop made gauge is just the next logical step.

[@johnasp9630]

The Delta t3 fence system turned my old Craftsman 113 into a very accurate cutting saw. Have a new 1 1/2 Hp motor coming soon, the old 1Hp one finally bit the dust. This saw has been in the family since 1976, got to keep it alive as long as possible.

[@BronZeage]

This is a 1959 Model I inherited from a distant relative. I considered a replacement fence, but decided a CAB fence gauge fit my budget.

[@moondog5553]

This video was a big help! Thanks good sir

[@BronZeage]

You are very welcome and thank you as well.

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

"CAB", LOL! just picked up an old craftsman saw for downsizing. Use to have one bought new 30 plus years ago, Did you go with 3450 or same rpm's as stock motor?

[@BronZeage]

@@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549 The same rpm as original, but more horsepower. I would have gone with 2 HP, but the difference in weight was considerable.

[@willjung8958]

That is an excellent idea.

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much.

[@SMKeyboards]

Awesome stuff!!!! I just got one of these from my father in-law, I had a hard time getting it to 45deg (only can get to about 43 deg), seems like the miter/angle screw rod doesn't have enough room (even with the collars off it) to push to 45deg. I am able to hit a 90deg with no issues, and about 2inches overhang (on the other side of the collar)... First time working on an older saw, and so I'm not sure if i can just unscrew the rod (the rod is shown at 2:33) all the way out?... Then re-insert when it's close to 90 so I would end up with more room when it's at the 45 deg... Or if that'd cause more issues. Any insights?

[@BronZeage]

There are stop screws for 90 and 45 degrees. The screws must clean of debris before the screw is set. I have mine set a little past the mark because I use a digital angle gauge to set the blade.

[@DennisMathias]

I have a 113 from about 1988. I don't have that much of a problem with the fence. It has a gear drive which I like for small adjustments. Before locking it down, if you give it a push to snap it to the table then lock it, I don't have a problem with it being square. Am I doing something wrong?

[@BronZeage]

If you're not having a problem, you're not doing anything wrong. Later model fences are better, but the 113 was in production for a very long time. When mine was new, it never had a "slide and lock" fence.

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Subscribed👍

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much.

[@samtame5509]

I have the same table saw but my rails only let me adjust the fence on one side of the blade. Did you change the fence rails?

[@BronZeage]

Yes, I did. I took the front and rear rail and welded them to make one front rail. I made a new rear rail with a piece of angle iron. This gives me a 24 inch cut on either side of the blade.

[@JayRCartor]

You dust collection would work much better with a larger diameter hose.

[@BronZeage]

Yes, it would, but that would require a larger vacuum.

[@JayRCartor]

@@BronZeage I only use a 10 gallon Shop vac . My table saw has a 4" outlet which is reduced to a 3" Lateral. it also serves my chop saw. So ho tiny is it ? LOL

[@BronZeage]

@@JayRCartor it's a Eureka upright pulling through a Thane separator.

[@JayRCartor]

@@BronZeage Your kidding right ? Go buy a decent shop vac.

[@BronZeage]

@@JayRCartor Next time you are in Baton Rouge, stop by the Lab. I'm sure your advice will be very useful. Lunch is my treat.

[@JayRCartor]

Just buy a new rip fence. The Vega U26 or u50" Rip fence. Problem solved in under two hours. No more measuring.

[@BronZeage]

Where's the fun in that?

[@JayRCartor]

@@BronZeage I never said it was fun but if you want accurate cuts and no errors you'll follow my advice. Saves time and wasted cuts.

[@BronZeage]

@@JayRCartor The Lab is a working shop and the rent is due on the first. My CAB fence gauge gets accurate cuts in the same time and I didn't spend $350.

[@JayRCartor]

@@BronZeage Ok if you say so. But if you tried the Vega fence you would never go back.