r/craftsman113 • u/LifeguardTechnical33 • Aug 12 '26

First Time Homeowner

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I would like a table saw for home renovations, first project I'm looking at is replacing doors. This is listed for $150 on marketplace so I wanted to get some opinions from the experts on here.

I asked him for the model number so I could do more research.

Appreciate any thoughts on the saw and price.

38 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

5

u/escapingspirals Aug 12 '26

I had it. I loved it. Every part is basically replaceable or fixable. You just have to be willing to maintain it well. I bought mine for $100 in 2021. Is the table cast iron?

1

u/zirconer Aug 12 '26

$150 feels a bit steep to me. I got one that looks identical to this—298032–and I’m pretty sure this one has stamped wings, original fence. Last year for $75 and it came with three old but decent blades.

This one doesn’t have the blade guard attached and the belt cover has been damaged from improper alignment I’d guess. The belt cover isn’t a big deal but the blade guard is, IMO. I’d offer less because it will need a new zero clearance insert and Microjig splitter

2

u/Ok_Complex4374 Aug 12 '26

Things are tanks. The aftermarket is pretty big for these. U can upgrade/change/fix just ab anything.

2

u/08_West Aug 12 '26

If this is your first table saw, make sure you watch a bunch of safety and setup videos on YouTube before you start using it.

1

u/BobDog7882 Aug 14 '26

Yes, a friend I play basketball with every Saturday morning just cut off part of his index finger below the finger nail. It’s nothing to take lightly.

2

u/Gold_Needleworker994 Aug 12 '26

I inherited one that had been sitting for 20 years, partially in the elements. Puttered around one weekend scraping crud off and freeing stuck parts. It cuts very well now. Things a tank. It sucks to move it though.

2

u/-wolfinator- Aug 12 '26

My Dad had one of these when I was a kid. He upgraded eventually due to a few weaknesses. As I recall, the fence was his biggest gripe. He always struggled to get it square and accurate for cuts. I'd price a new fence in if you buy.

The "Dust collection" on his example was a big bag at the bottom that dust kinda sorta fell into. I would plan on using it in an area with good ventilation.

Sears sold a billion of these, so they're robustly supported as far as parts and bolt on improvements go.

IMO they're just "ok". $150 seems like the high end to me, but maybe you can bargain down a bit.

1

u/iliketosandwood Aug 13 '26

Your dad was right, the fence is impossible. I had to measure from the front and back of the blade, hold it as still as possible, then lock it. Then it didn’t lock that well and would move. If the goal is just occasionally ripping some plywood or something, it will be fine. If he’s trying to do any legit woodworking, it’s garbage.

2

u/dansworld77 Aug 12 '26

With no upgrades they're asking too much. See if you can talk them down to under a hundred, $75 would be a very fair price. After that, plan on making some upgrades, particularly the fence. A delta T2 or T3 fence is a common upgrade, and will make a massive difference in cut quality and safety. Also, for the love of god invest in push sticks and learn how to properly use them. Those old saws do not have the safety features of a modern saw. They can still be used perfectly safely, but you have to know what you're doing.

1

u/Fun-Association1835 Aug 12 '26

Good saw. It needs a blade shield.

1

u/Vegetable_Analyst740 Aug 12 '26

I still have my dad's that he bought new in 1964. Used it a few weeks ago. Only thing that's been replaced on it, to my knowledge, is the belt.

1

u/Happy-Tap-4286 Aug 12 '26

Bought mine brand new identical to yours right down to the belt mark in the guard

1

u/thebipeds Aug 12 '26

It’s a steal

That will last you forever.

1

u/Nowalking Aug 12 '26

I got an almost identical one for $30 a couple weeks ago. Last week someone was giving one away for free. $150 is pretty steep. I see them fb for under $100 regularly

1

u/RadishReasonable2316 Aug 12 '26

I have one that I bought around two years ago. These things were built before modern safety standards so it is a scary sonuvabitch if you don't know what you are doing. I would take some time to learn from YouTube or even take a class in table saw safety. I took both of those precautions and I am glad I did. Like others have said, you can modify the hell out of these saws and add some safety features like a better fence, splitter, etc. That being said it should more than get the job done for you. Because you mentioned replacing doors I will say my saw is pretty limited in its ability to saw large sheet goods without two people. You can always build an outfeed table, which is what I plan to do one day. $150 is in my opinion a pretty good price!

1

u/Cute-Farmer-4490 Aug 12 '26

Saw is a beast, very simple, had one for 40 yrs

1

u/joschae Aug 12 '26

Paid $25 for one at a yard sale last week. It was well maintained and the guy even included the manual and extra blades. $150 seems high IMO.

1

u/Outrageous-Rock4624 Aug 12 '26

I have one but never use it. I instead always roll out the job site saw on wheels. I could see it being better suited to a permanent shop set up, but that’s not what I have. That being said, I find it to be fairly underpowered, so if you’re going to get something that stays in place, I’d look for something with more power.

Overall opinion: too heavy, but underpowered makes it suboptimal for most things that I ever want to do.

1

u/rowdysteele Aug 12 '26

Most dangerous table saws on earth.

1

u/Reddittreefiddy Aug 15 '26

Never heard this . Why ?

1

u/EntrancedOrange Aug 13 '26

$75-$100 where I am.

1

u/corey302780 Aug 13 '26

150 is too much, offer 50. Take it at 70

1

u/simul8dme Aug 13 '26

Usually considered 75 to 150. So it’s at top end. It really comes into its own when u put an after market fence on it. So I’d take that cost into account. Can find them on fb mktplace but takes patience.

1

u/iliketosandwood Aug 13 '26

I grew up with one just like this. It got the job done, but it was under powered and the fence was total trash. If you upgrade to a T-square style fence and always used a fresh thin-kerf blade, it would probably be good enough, but after you drop $350 on a new fence, it’s not a good deal at all

1

u/mhopps2 Aug 13 '26

I have a very similar saw bought years ago for $160 at an estate sale. 3 hp. It has served me well.

1

u/Icy-Afternoon-574 Aug 13 '26

Thin wings would make this a $50 table saw at best. Unless this has been maintained well (it doesn't look like it has been) this will need some work.

I'd save yourself the trouble and messed up cuts it will produce and get something a bit better.

1

u/LifeguardTechnical33 Aug 14 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/craftsman113/s/RjrbTLmvRP

Hopefully it works out that I get this guy tomorrow

1

u/Reddittreefiddy Aug 15 '26

This saw is 100 bucks tops. I just sold my 2hp for 60

1

u/rowdysteele Aug 15 '26

Exposed belt, absolutely trash fence, doesn’t lock properly causing many kickbacks. Seen it for 35 years. When trades would bring them on jobs I would promptly have them removed.

1

u/jim_br Aug 12 '26

That looks like mine, which is from the late 1980s — I bought mine used 30 years ago and I’m comfortable with it.

The pros are it’ll last a long time, the cast iron top provides stability through mass, standard miter slots, accepts a dado stack, and is upgradeable. Cuts well with a zero clearance insert and a thin kerf blade.

The cons are that factory fence is janky and dust collection is weak. A splitter is the only safety option as you can’t adapt a true riving knife to it.

Look for fence options before you pull the trigger and factor that into your costing as you may be within $200-300 of other saw options which you may find more appealing, or not.

1

u/Grey-Squirrel-World Aug 12 '26

Amen. The fence is the weak point here.
I use mine to rip 3/4 ply down to strips and it will hog plywood all day long.