Sears 12in bandsaw

[Robertfishes]

Getting closer to making some bows..I found a Craftsman 12 inch bandsaw today in almost new shape, the lady also gave me four 1/4inch 80 inch long inch blades 4 and 6 tpi. I paid her what she was asking($50)and I will offer her deer steaks and burger several times per year.

[ranger 3]

I bought a new one and it would not cut straight for nothing so I took it back

[Robertfishes]

if this one don't cut straight I'm out $50, I'll try it out on an old broke tip bow in my barn before I use it on a new bow..

[Trad Newbie]

How straight a bandsaw runs has a lot to do with the quality of the guides and width of the blade.  The wider the blade the straighter it will tend to run.  I don't know how wide the craftsman will support but the wider the better.

[Mike Mecredy]

That's what I use.  I like 3/8" blades and 1/2" blades.  For me it's the best band saw for the money. (If you can't afford a Jet)

[Robertfishes]

I saw adjustments for blade widths up to 1/2 inch inside the cover. This is my first bandsaw and I am going to send Sears an e-mail and ask for an owners manual. If this one doesn't work out then I'll be spending the money on the right one (and missing a few lunches).

[Robertfishes]

OK,sounding better. so I need to get some 3/8" and 1/2" blades first then I'll try out the saw.

[Trad Newbie]

Fear not it should work fine.  You can order the manual from the Sears parts website if you have the model #, but they charge $8 for it. Criminal.
Good luck!

[scrub-buster]

I just had a 9" ryobi band saw given to me.  I bought a new blade at lowes for $8. I just used it to rough out a bow.  It worked great.

[kennym]

I have a really old Craftsman 80" still in use. I have a 1/2" wide carbide blade on it. The guides are the limiting factor on accuracy IMO.
If you can find cool blocks to fit it,would most likely be worth the trouble(or bearing guides)
It is fine for radius cuts,but suffers in the strait line ripping.

Bet it is well worth $50 however it works!!  

[AKmud]

I have a $200 Craftsman 10" benchtop (with bearing guides) and it is working out great.  Make sure your saw is adjusted right and it will really perform.  If the guides are not properly adjusted, the blade will wander all over the place.

[Robertfishes]

I have the model # so I can get an owners manual and hopefully the better guides.  this saw has hardly a use mark on it, the lady said her late huspand only used it once or twice. I am going back to see her Friday,she has 2 Kayaks 4 sale for cheap and I am taking a close look at them for Helen and myself. Looks like I will be selling another bow or gun..

[dave_570]

I also have an old sears 10" with a 1/4 blade. If u follow the manual for SETUP!! and u dont FORCE the cut u will be fine. Let the saw do the work. take ur
time it'll take longer but u will be satisfied all the more in the end.....

[ozarkcherrybow1]

1/2" blades work well for rough out work, you just need to take your cuts slow. Set up is crucial with the guides. I always wish that I had a 14", but then I would want a bigger one yet! Your 12" will get you by. Great buy!.......Terry

[Robertfishes]

will go slow and easy, and I just ordered the owners manual. I will look for a couple of wider blades later this week. I will also take saw to my friends shop, he may have some good ideas on rigging some better guides.

[Allen Ziebarth]

I have a 12" bandsaw. I use if for cutting limb veneers. But my saw will fit a 3/4" blade.
I found this company that sells any length bandsaw blade, and have had great luck with them.
I am not associated with them in any way.

 www.suffolkmachinery.com

[Eric Krewson]

I used a 12"(older, American made) craftsman for a lot of years, really nice saw, a little under powered but did just fine with a sharp blade.

For making selfbows I never cut with less than a 1/2" blade, preferring a 3TPI Skip tooth.

Cool block blade guides are a necessary upgrade with this saw. Roller guides are nice but the cool blocks work about as well.

If your saw won't cut straight you generally are using too small of a blade for the wood you are cutting. An exception to this would be a later craftsman Chinese made saw. I had about the same saw as a later craftsman made by Rigid and it was an untunable piece of junk.

[Robertfishes]

where can I get the cool blocks? this saw has a 1/2 hp motor.

[LoneWolf]

I bought a 11" Ryobi not too long ago.  Little bigger than the bench top model, same motor as the 12 and 14".  Works great.  Using a 3/8's blade and it goes through Hickory like it was hot butter.  Has roller guides.  The wider blades make a BIG difference cutting.
The model you have should work great, used to sell those when I was at Sears.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Buy yourself some custom blades (the chrome ones you can buy in the hardware store are really crap) and that Sears saw will cut great for you.  Like Eric, I prefer a 1/2" 3 or 4 TPI skip tooth blade for selfbow work.