Introduction: Rebuilding a Craftsman Table Saw! **The Alternative to a New Cheap Saw**
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About: I am a teacher who enjoys environmentally responsible woodworking. Most evenings will find me in the shop working with my now 8 year old son Shay who is both my greatest helper and biggest fan.
I get asked a lot about what is the best new saw to buy on a budget. My answer always is, don't. Go find an older, belt driven Craftsman 10 inch saw and rebuild it. They are as common as a rusty nail and not much more money. I think people avoid the prospect because they are seduced by the 'features' of a modern entry level direct drive saw. To show that it is neither difficult or expensive I tracked down a frozen basket case of a Sears saw and brought it back up to fighting form. To buy it's equal new would be $400 and up. Slap an aftermarket fence on it and now you are talking about a $600 saw. When you look at it that way the elbow grease seems very cheap.