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General Category => Ask Steve a question. => Topic started by: Rnaylor2 on June 06, 2011, 09:40:43 pm

Title: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: Rnaylor2 on June 06, 2011, 09:40:43 pm
Steve,
Is this saw a good place to start? I can get for about $150. Thanks.

Bob
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: newfie on June 06, 2011, 10:52:40 pm
i'm sure you well get some comments on this. but i been using a craftsman 16" scrollsaw for years. its probably not the best in its price range.but i have done quite a bit of work with it.living in very small community with not a lot of options especially for scrollsaws in general i can't justifiably spend $600 to $1200 for a scrollsaw at this time.   
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: TripleB on June 06, 2011, 11:17:03 pm
Bob, Steve did a thorough review of the Craftsman 16" saw to answer your exact question, here is the link:

http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2009_08_08_archive.html

Scroll down to find it.

If you are familiar with craigslist.com, there usually are several craftsman scrollsaws on there usually for around 60- 80 bucks, depending on where you live. Personally, I'd check Craigslist before I bought one new from Sears.

Goodluck
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: Chachi on June 07, 2011, 01:10:57 am
NO!!!! Don't do it these newer one's bite and bite hard So many people have had alot of problems with them I had 2 brand new saws and both went out with in a couple months of normal use and when I took themm back I got the same speach wow this has never happened before then I looked at the reviews all bad maybe one or two were good comments but for the most they were not at all nice.... But if it is what you can afford then good luck you may get one that does not bite chances are you will though.....
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: Gabby on June 07, 2011, 02:02:50 am
I second the craigs list option, but be sure to test drive anything you're considering buying. Run it at all speeds and listen for scary noises and watch for high vibration. You don't want a saw that uses pinned blades, they won't fit through small holes if you are doing any inside cuts.
If you see a saw that is interesting try and get a model number, then do a reviews search to see if it gets good reports. Or run it by the crew here for their opinions and experiences.
Old saws may be hard to find parts or even a manual for.
My brother lucked into a DeWalt at a yard sale for $75 in near new condition. Kucky dog!
Just shows you never know where you will find a bargain.
Don't get in a hurry and buy the first thing you see.
Gabby
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: Rnaylor2 on June 07, 2011, 03:39:34 am
How about a recommendation in the $150 - $200 price range.
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: msdameng on June 07, 2011, 07:35:26 am
The Porter Cable at Lowe's sells for about that price ($179?) with the stand.  It was the top rated in this price range a few months back in Scrollsaw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine.
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: Russ C on June 07, 2011, 07:40:40 am
I would pick the Porter Cable over the Craftsman any day.  ;)
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: julief on June 07, 2011, 07:49:23 am
Issue #41 rated the Porter Cable #1 in it's class.  I know a couple of people that have bought it and are very pleased.
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: shutterbugdm on June 07, 2011, 10:52:37 am
Dremel 1800 is also a good alternate choice.
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: julief on June 07, 2011, 12:58:44 pm
I don't think they make the dremel 1800 anymore - that is the saw I started on years ago.
Title: Re: Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw
Post by: GrayBeard on June 07, 2011, 07:13:13 pm
DO NOT...repeat....DO NOT buy any Sears tool manufactured since the year 2006!

They are unmitigated JUNK!

Go for the Porter Cable and buy from a reputable dealer, i.e., Lowes and save your receipt!

Well rated and reviewed!

I went down that road three years ago(CraPsman) and the guy who bought my "CraPsman" had it exactly 3 days before it died a horrible death and he now owns  DW788! I did not know it was going to die and he had no complaints but I still felt bad that he got summarily 'screwed'!

No Crapsman, No More!

~~~GB~~~