Sears Craftsman 16" profesional scroll saw

[Rnaylor2]

Steve,
Is this saw a good place to start? I can get for about $150. Thanks.

Bob

[newfie]

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.   

[TripleB]

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

[Chachi]

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.....

[Gabby]

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

[Rnaylor2]

How about a recommendation in the $150 - $200 price range.

[msdameng]

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.

[Russ C]

I would pick the Porter Cable over the Craftsman any day. 

[julief]

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.

[shutterbugdm]

Dremel 1800 is also a good alternate choice.

[julief]

I don't think they make the dremel 1800 anymore - that is the saw I started on years ago.

[GrayBeard]

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~~~