All Replies on 10" Craftsman Band Saw: Capabilities?

See if the one in this review is similar. If so its an excellent saw just limited in resaw and throat depth. Great to keep around for work that fits.

^^ If it’s from the 1980s I don’t think it’s that one, which is a rebadged Rikon.

If it looks like this:

it’s a 3 wheel bandsaw, and it’s not a very good saw. You for sure can’t resaw, and tracking is really finicky. Real basic shaping of woods up to maybe 2” thick is pretty much what you’re looking at. It’s just not a tool designed for real wood working. I picked one up for $20 when I started woodworking, and I sold it almost immediately for the same amount. The 2 wheel 12” Jet I replaced it with was miles better.

Craigslist is usually filled with better 14” bandsaws for less than $200.

-- ian | "You can't stop what's coming. It ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity."

Shampeon: Yep. It’s an apparently an older version, but virtually the same machine.( Having a hard time trying to insert a photo, new here!) But I, even as a novice wanting to get more into woodworking thought it looks a bit flimsy. Luckily, I didn’t buy it! It was left behind in the garage when we bought the house. Still, is it good for anything? You mentioned roughing out up to 2” stock possibly. Can it be useful for anything else? Suggestions? ( Ooo! That’s opening a can of worms! Sold the boat, so don’t even say it!)
OSU55; Great review BTW! The photo you posted of the Band Saw is more along the lines of what I see in accomplished woodworkers’ shops.

-- Marty, Long Island, NY

IF you do a LOT of curved work…this is a very decent saw….Used one for a LONG time. And still have it as a back up, for when the main bandsaw is down….there is 6” of room there…blade width is the main limit to these saws.

The tires on mine can be replaced by simply using the drive belts from a Dirt Devil sweeper….I paid $90 for mine..a LONG time ago. But….mine is the 12” version of that saw…and will take up to a 3/8” width blade. but, it is still a 3-wheeler. And a Royal PITA to install a new blade on….

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

Well, compared to a decent bandsaw the cuts on this one will be:

• not as square
• not as straight
• take longer

If you’re cutting mostly thin stock and aren’t super concerned about accuracy, it’ll work.

I mean, you’re just getting into woodworking, and it’s a tool you already have, so use it. If you stick with woodworking, you can replace it when it’s worth it to you to do so. But I wouldn’t put any money into it except a new blade.

-- ian | "You can't stop what's coming. It ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity."

Ah! Thanks all! So,what I gather is, it has it’s place in the shop for now. Get used to working a band saw. Make some stuff. Surely work up to a much finer one. Stash it in the (tiny) shop loft when the shop space is needed…. That works!

-- Marty, Long Island, NY