Craftsman 10" Band saw - Oh My Goodness!

[LL Woodworks]

I've been using a Ryobi 9" table top band saw which cut ok but had terrible vibration and the blade guides were really cheaply made. This weekend I upgraded to the Craftsman 10" table top and mercy me what a difference. This saw is so smooth with no vibration and runs tons quieter than the Ryobi. I think my segmented just got better simply by changing saws, and at $179 it was well worth it.

 

[jttheclockman]

Imagine what you could do if you had a 14" stand-alone saw??? Talk about stepping up. Look forward to seeing some new work.

 

[Sataro]

Congrats on your new purchase. I've been using the Craftsman 10" myself for the last year or so. I had the smallest blade on it. Hated it when trying to cut some straight blanks. Could not make a straight cut with it. Just replaced the blades & put a 1/2" blade on it. Now I'm happy with the cuts that I'm getting out of it.

 

[LL Woodworks]

Imagine what you could do if you had a 14" stand-alone saw??? Talk about stepping up. Look forward to seeing some new work.

Funny you mention that John - I do have a Jet 14" sand alone with a 6" riser block, but it is in my garage shop with my cabinet table saw. Of course my garage has no climate control (AC) so it is to hot in there to work. I have a
12x 20 climate controlled shop in the back yard ( I call my pen studio). This is where my lathe, table top band saw, contractors table saw, router table, drill press and disc sander are. That is where most of the work gets done - Oh yea there is also a 32" flat screen TV.

 

[jttheclockman]

Imagine what you could do if you had a 14" stand-alone saw??? Talk about stepping up. Look forward to seeing some new work.

Funny you mention that John - I do have a Jet 14" sand alone with a 6" riser block, but it is in my garage shop with my cabinet table saw. Of course my garage has no climate control (AC) so it is to hot in there to work. I have a
12x 20 climate controlled shop in the back yard ( I call my pen studio). This is where my lathe, table top band saw, contractors table saw, router table, drill press and disc sander are. That is where most of the work gets done - Oh yea there is also a 32" flat screen TV.

Well ladeeda. Excuse me:biggrin:. Some people have all the luck. When I hit the lottery I will have 3 shops:tongue::tongue::tongueone for each shop)

 

[LL Woodworks]

Imagine what you could do if you had a 14" stand-alone saw??? Talk about stepping up. Look forward to seeing some new work.

Funny you mention that John - I do have a Jet 14" sand alone with a 6" riser block, but it is in my garage shop with my cabinet table saw. Of course my garage has no climate control (AC) so it is to hot in there to work. I have a
12x 20 climate controlled shop in the back yard ( I call my pen studio). This is where my lathe, table top band saw, contractors table saw, router table, drill press and disc sander are. That is where most of the work gets done - Oh yea there is also a 32" flat screen TV.

Well ladeeda. Excuse me:biggrin:. Some people have all the luck. When I hit the lottery I will have 3 shops:tongue::tongue::tongueone for each shop)

:redface:

 

[hobbyist2013]

The usual reason why band saw vibrates are the bearings, blade or the blade guides.
Excellent buy for $179 .

 

[jyreene]

I just got one the other week too. For a better blade and it cuts great. Still some fine tuning to do and I have to find the time (and extra materials to practice with) to make a sled for it. Bought what I though would work but the sled guide is too wide. Consarn it!

 

[Dale Allen]

One of the first things you should do is get some new bearings. The junk ones on the guides will quickly begin to seize. I'm not sure what the price is now but I got a 10-pack at USA bearings, #626-2RS. They have a rubber seal instead of the 'shield' which is on the originals.
There is also an easy mod that will let you use a 1/8" blade, even though the manual says you can't.
Mine has served me well for over a year. I also installed a quick release for the blade to relax the tension when not in use. That's a much more detailed mod that will require drilling holes in the upper section. Best to wait until it gets broke in before doing that one.:biggrin:

 

[Bobostro61]

I have the 9" Ryobi. JUNK... Every time I use it I'd like to take it right down to the curb. But I wouldn't even want a junk collector to end up with it.