Question about a bandsaw

Looks like a Craftsman. There was an old article in Popular Woodworking I think on fixing up that very same model 12” saw.

Looks like a Craftsman.
- Loren

+1 to it being a Craftsman, although it’s wearing powermatic colors ;)
I’d guess it’s from around the early 40’s.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Looks half decent. Good buy. You can probably get some cool-blocks for it. Tires for sure. I might try to add DC ports to it and a belt guard. Big iron wheels, that’s great.

Looks like a Craftsman. There was an old article in Popular Woodworking I think on fixing up that very same model 12” saw.

- Loren

Thank you

Looks like a Craftsman.
- Loren

+1 to it being a Craftsman, although it s wearing powermatic colors ;)
I d guess it s from around the early 40 s.

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

Thank you. I looked up Crafstman bandsaw 1940’s and it is definitely that year. I’m thinking about changing the color of it anyway if I do I may be just going black with it.

Looks half decent. Good buy. You can probably get some cool-blocks for it. Tires for sure. I might try to add DC ports to it and a belt guard. Big iron wheels, that s great.

- tvrgeek

In your opinion do you think it’s worth me fixing up? It looks like the tires would be about $26, a blade is about $10, cool blocks are about $14. I just got excited to add a band saw to my workshop and for $20 I thought it was a good deal, then I get it home and the next day I’m looking at it and start realizing that certain things didn’t look right to me so I came on here in search for some answers.
As far as the belt guard goes I’m sure I could build something for the time being to cut down on repair costs.
Any ideas for how to add DC ports to it?
Also, it looks like I will be needing a new belt as well, this one is still running fine on there but I can tell it’s time for a new one.

I don’t think you’ll find another band saw for less than $100, so I’d at least try and fix it up. Maybe one thing to check is the bearings – do they still sound good? Does it wind down smoothly and take a while to finally stop?

-Brian

-- Part of engineering is to know when to put your calculator down and pick up your tools.

I would definitely fix it up if you don’t have another bandsaw. Belt won’t cost much, tires should be a one-time expense and cool blocks will probably last the life of the saw in a hobby shop. In addition to checking the bearings, I’d also make sure the tension spring still has enough force to tension your blade (just have to put a blade on it and see). For $20 you did quite well :-) I wouldn’t worry about a blade guard unless you’re worried about kids or something being back there while you’re using it. There’s no danger of you sticking a finger in there while you’re sawing.

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

I don t think you ll find another band saw for less than $100, so I d at least try and fix it up. Maybe one thing to check is the bearings – do they still sound good? Does it wind down smoothly and take a while to finally stop?

-Brian

- bbasiaga

The bearings definitely still sound good. It takes about 6 to 7 seconds for it to wind down and stop.

I would definitely fix it up if you don t have another bandsaw. Belt won t cost much, tires should be a one-time expense and cool blocks will probably last the life of the saw in a hobby shop. In addition to checking the bearings, I d also make sure the tension spring still has enough force to tension your blade (just have to put a blade on it and see). For $20 you did quite well :-) I wouldn t worry about a blade guard unless you re worried about kids or something being back there while you re using it. There s no danger of you sticking a finger in there while you re sawing.

- HokieKen

Good to hear, I’m definitely going to fix it up then. I’ll see how the tension spring is when I get the blade on it. Any recommendation on the best versatile blade?

Thank you to everyone who helped to provide me with information on this.

Looks like a Craftsman. There was an old article in Popular Woodworking I think on fixing up that very same model 12” saw.

- Loren

Would you be able to help me find that article? I tried a search but couldn’t find anything, not sure if you’re referring to an article in the magazine or something posted online.
Thanks

...Any recommendation on the best versatile blade?

- SwampFox76

I’d put a 1/4” 6 tpi skip tooth blade on it if it were me. But it’ll really depend on what you use it for most often.

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

...Any recommendation on the best versatile blade?

- SwampFox76

I d put a 1/4” 6 tpi skip tooth blade on it if it were me. But it ll really depend on what you use it for most often.

- HokieKen

Thank you

Looks like a Craftsman. There was an old article in Popular Woodworking I think on fixing up that very same model 12” saw.

- Loren

Would you be able to help me find that article? I tried a search but couldn t find anything, not sure if you re referring to an article in the magazine or something posted online.
Thanks

- SwampFox76

It was like 25 years ago. I don’t know how or if articles that old can be looked up online. In any case, the editors found the bones of the saw sufficient to warrant putting money and labor into it. The principles of setting up band saws are the same with all saws. The machine takes some time to learn about though. I read a book on them when I was starting out and even learned to cut dovetails on mine.

It looks very much like the Craftsman 12” that I have been using for fifty years. Actually mine may be an improved version of yours.

-- Phil Allin - There are woodworkers and people who collect woodworking tools. The woodworkers have a chair to sit in.

It looks very much like the Craftsman 12” that I have been using for fifty years. Actually mine may be an improved version of yours.

- Phil32

I’m just happy to add a bandsaw to my workshop even if it requires some work to get it running again.
Since you have a similar model maybe you could help me, could you recommend a belt and it’s the blade an 80”? The guy I bought it off of told me when he took the blade off and it was 80”, he also never used it so I don’t know how true that is and I’m completely new to having a bandsaw.

I have that exact same bandsaw. Craftsman— you can find a copy of the manual online. If not, PM me and I will send you the copy I have—if I can find the pdf. I had to buy a new blade guide for the top. Located a fellow on eBay who makes them. It was listed for another machine, but I bought it anyway. It “almost” worked—but a small piece needed to be altered. He did that for me—in exchange for my taking photos of it working on my bandsaw. It takes 80 inch blades.

An old fellow gave me the machine about 5 years ago and I have used it since then. Only thing I wish it had was a slot/groove for a mitre saw guide to run on the top. But, I made a fence using a 2×4 and a bar clamp. That works well too. Max width blade for it is 3/4 in. I also run 1/4 inch and I think I have a 1/8 inch blade when I want to cut more detailed curves in things. All in all, it is a fine bandsaw and at this point, I don’t really want/need to replace it.

I have that exact same bandsaw. Craftsman— you can find a copy of the manual online. If not, PM me and I will send you the copy I have—if I can find the pdf. I had to buy a new blade guide for the top. Located a fellow on eBay who makes them. It was listed for another machine, but I bought it anyway. It “almost” worked—but a small piece needed to be altered. He did that for me—in exchange for my taking photos of it working on my bandsaw. It takes 80 inch blades.

An old fellow gave me the machine about 5 years ago and I have used it since then. Only thing I wish it had was a slot/groove for a mitre saw guide to run on the top. But, I made a fence using a 2×4 and a bar clamp. That works well too. Max width blade for it is 3/4 in. I also run 1/4 inch and I think I have a 1/8 inch blade when I want to cut more detailed curves in things. All in all, it is a fine bandsaw and at this point, I don’t really want/need to replace it.

- gailmo

Do you know the model number so I can look it up? There are no markings on this bandsaw or else I wouldn’t be asking.
I don’t think my house guide is bad, I order the cooling blocks for it so when they get here I’ll look up how to install the properly and see how that goes.
Could you share pictures of the fence you built for it? I was thinking about building a fence for it as well.
Thanks