Craftsman 14in. bandsaw

jstive · #1 05-18-2007, 11:12 PM

I just ordered a craftsman 14in. bandsaw from sears. I have not received it yet and hope that I made the right choice. My question is does anybody out there have one and how do you like it? I guess the reason I bought it was cause it will cut wood 8inches thick. Most bandsaws in the 14inch range will only cut 6inches thick. Plus the price was reasonable. I did read some reviews on it and it got mostly good marks from everyone. The reviews compared it to grizzley and jet and stood with or above these brands. I needed a good bandsaw and didn't have alot of money to spend so I just hope it was the right descision. I think one of the drawbacks was bad instructions and it has a 993/4inch saw blade. I don't think that it is a popular size. You could probably custom order them though. Tell me what everyone thinks. As always your opinions are valuable to me. Thanks, Jim

DarrellA · #2 05-19-2007, 02:14 AM

Hi Jim,

Congrats on your new toy. I have a Grizzly 14 inch bandsaw and use it alot. As for the blades go to http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/ they make Timberwolf blades and will cut them to any length. Call them and explain what type of cutting you are going to do, your bandsaw make and model, and they will recommend blades for you. My experience with them has been very positive.

Darrell

AlArchie · #3 05-19-2007, 08:23 AM

I have a Craftsman 12" and if I was to do it again, I'd have gotten some other brand. That said, this one was my choice and I didn't do my homework. It's the "elecronic" model with the tilting headframe. Not the best combo, but at the time I was thinking "WOW- ELECTRONIC". It does a good job, but is hard to set up and keep in tune.

The model you have ordered looks like a much more substantial and readilly adjusted saw! Sears does not manufacture any of it's tools but contracts them out either built to their specs or licensed to put the Craftsman name on some other mfg's tools.

The problem is that unless you have an opportunity to really shop around, there is no way to know which manufacture you are dealing with. Delta, Ridgid, Milwaukee, are just a few of the manufactures Sears has used for their tools. And looking over thier lineup of tools I'd bet that they contract sometimes with the same folks that make the Jet and Shop Fox.

On the absolute PLUS side, Sears maintains a fantastic repair and service department for all their merchandise. Once you register your purchase, it's parts list is available at any one of their service centers or on line by name or model number, and they will provide local repair service or ship parts out same day! The people behind the desk at these repair and parts center really seem to know thir business, too. By the way, even my saw came with a realy good set of instructions for setting it up and a pretty darn good operation manual. I've been really pleased with this end of their operation.

Al

Lynn O. Doughty · #4 05-19-2007, 08:33 AM

I have a Sears 12" bandsaw I bought in 1974 and it's as good as the day I unpacked it. I recently put on new tires but that's the only thing I've done to it in all those years.

I also have a Sears jig saw manufactured in 1940 which I use a lot. Can you believe that you can still order parts for a tool that old? That's what I call customer support!

wade clark · #5 05-19-2007, 08:54 AM

I wish you the best with it. I have a newer craftsman bandsaw that I've never been able to keep a blade on, since I bought it. I got so fed up with it that I haven't used it in 2 years. Between that, the 3-year old craftsman tablesaw that the motor froze up, the cordless drill that they changed the battery connections so I had to buy a new drill rather than a battery, the sander with belts you can only buy from them, and their taking on a line of cheap tools, I haven't been in the door of Sears for over a year and plan to never go in again. Their older tools were great. Some of their new ones will be too, I'm sure, but I'm done buying there. Maybe my saw(s) were just "lemons"...but I guess I picked them off a lemon tree.
Again, I wish you the best with it! I hope it's a great tool!

Ron Davidson · #6 05-19-2007, 08:55 AM

I have a Rigid 14 inch bandsaw and I have found that parts for it and sears are interchangeable.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 05-19-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade clark

I wish you the best with it. I have a newer craftsman bandsaw that I've never been able to keep a blade on, since I bought it. I got so fed up with it that I haven't used it in 2 years. Between that, the 3-year old craftsman tablesaw that the motor froze up, the cordless drill that they changed the battery connections so I had to buy a new drill rather than a battery, the sander with belts you can only buy from them, and their taking on a line of cheap tools, I haven't been in the door of Sears for over a year and plan to never go in again. Their older tools were great. Some of their new ones will be too, I'm sure, but I'm done buying there. Maybe my saw(s) were just "lemons"...but I guess I picked them off a lemon tree.
Again, I wish you the best with it! I hope it's a great tool!

You sound like me Wade.....never have had any luck with Sears stuff, except the hand tools. They tell you they have a lifetime guarantee, but thats only on the hand (no electrical) tools. I got burned with a compressor, router and a 1/2 drill.......no more for me! Oh and Ron...I have a Ridgid and have never needed any parts? Yours must be an older one from when Ridgid was making Sears tools ?

mdallensr · #8 05-19-2007, 09:32 AM

I saw the new 14" Craftsman band saw at Sears and was impressed with it (although not impressed with earlier Craftsman band saws). I like the 8" thick cut it will make without a riser block, and the construction of the saw looked good. The blades from Timberwolf will take away any worries about proper blades. Good luck and let us know how you like it. Mike

Ron Davidson · #9 05-19-2007, 10:22 AM

Dave mine is fairly new about 4 years old. The only thing I have changed that is the same is the tires. As far as the other parts that's is what someone once told me. I have never had any trouble with mine either except when my brother used it and ruined the tires.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #10 05-19-2007, 10:37 AM

How did he ruin the tires Ron? I know I should relieve the tension when I am not using it, but its a pain to do it and readjust....now if I had one of those $150.00 automatic adjusting levers

LOL.. Age hummmm my saw is about 8 years old? Geez time flies when you are having fun ha ha