Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: nlester on April 23, 2012, 01:42:00 pm

Title: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: nlester on April 23, 2012, 01:42:00 pm
I found a deal on an older 12" Craftsman bandsaw.  Question:  Is it capable of helping me rough out osage staves?  Any info would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Bevan R. on April 23, 2012, 01:53:33 pm
Should be OK with a good blade. Check the HP on the motor. some bandsaws are a little underpowered.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: dmikeyj on April 23, 2012, 02:13:26 pm
I have a 12" craftsman, with 1/2hp motor, and it is fine up to about 3" thick.  I tried to use it to resaw some 8/4 walnut at 4" thick, and that was a no go.   Thickest osage I've run through it has been 2" board, and it does just fine there.
 
Mike
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: nlester on April 23, 2012, 02:58:44 pm
Sounds like it might work then.  It sure would save a lot of time if I had a bandsaw at my house.  Thanks for the info.  Anyone else have anything to add, I'd a appreciate it.  Thanks again
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Carson (CMB) on April 23, 2012, 03:02:54 pm
I have an older 12" craftsman.  It is way underpowered.  The HP is listed as 1 1/8 "max developed HP" in big letters on the front.  The motor tag also attempts to hide the underpower rating by listing the HP in Watts!  466W in the H.P. section of the tag.  By my math that comes out to .625 H.P.  I regret purchasing this craftsman bandsaw, however, it gets me by and one benefit of using an under-powered band saw is that it will follow the grain! :laugh:
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Eric Krewson on April 23, 2012, 03:50:07 pm
I had an older American made 12" craftsman, 1/2 hp, it would handle any osage trimming I needed to do as long as I had a sharp blade on it. I moved on to a big Griz but still have fond memories of my old Craftsman.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: bubby on April 23, 2012, 04:47:40 pm
heck i've got an old chinese made 12" i got for $50 at a yard sale, long as the blade is sharp it'll cut most anything, Bub
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: osage outlaw on April 23, 2012, 04:59:10 pm
I had an older 12" Craftsman bandaw that I used for several years.  It had a wobble to it, but cut fine with a sharp blade.  I finally figured out the wobble and fixed it.  I sold it when I found a super deal on an almost brand new Craftsman 12" bandsaw.  Can you post a picture of it?  There are several different older models.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Carson (CMB) on April 23, 2012, 06:53:05 pm
I reread the original post and see that the question was specific to roughing out osage.  Yup, mine can handle roughing out seasoned osage.  But it can't handle yew or vine maple that is 4 + "  and has any moisture in it.  So if roughing out osage staves is the most you 're going ask from it it should be sufficient.  Maybe the model you are looking at is better than the one I have, which appears to be 1983 model. 
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: rps3 on April 23, 2012, 07:57:24 pm
I have 2 of the 1 1/8 hp model where the head tilts instead of the table. With a sharp blade it has done anything asked of it related to making bows. I have seen quite a few for sale lately and the asking price seems to be around 150 bucks.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: osage outlaw on April 23, 2012, 09:33:13 pm
That's the one I sold, with the tilting head.  I guess I let it go a little cheap for $75.  Oh well, I only paid $100 for the practically brand new one that replaced it.  Thank you Craigslist  ;D
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: UserNameTaken on April 23, 2012, 09:34:41 pm
If its the old American made belt sander/band saw, then you're fine. I bought one for $100 and it will do a 4" log. The performance isn't amazing, but it gets the job done.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Stiks-N-Strings on April 23, 2012, 11:57:03 pm
Nathan my bandsaw is a 10" and I use a timberwolf blade with no problems. Give me a call this week if you get a chance
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: druid on April 24, 2012, 08:21:11 am
I am very interesting in this topic: I am trying to revive old 12" bandsaw with 1,5 kW motor.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: nlester on April 24, 2012, 09:44:20 am
I went ahead and bought it.  Its the 2-speed 1 1/8 HP with the tilt head.  I got it for $75 and it seems like its in good working order.  I'm excited to see what it can do.  Thanks for all the information.  It appears I might've made out OK with this purchase. 
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Pappy on April 24, 2012, 09:53:01 am
I used one for years,still have it and use it for lighter work,good blade and instead of making one cut like I do on my bigger one you just need to take 2 or 3 when trimming a big log,I used a 1/2 blade on it 6 hook I think for heavier work. :)
Good find. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: dmikeyj on April 24, 2012, 10:38:40 am
$75 sure seems like a good deal to me.  I will second the 1/2", 6 tpi blade.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: nlester on April 24, 2012, 10:53:45 am
$75 sure seems like a good deal to me.  I will second the 1/2", 6 tpi blade.

I haven't had a chance to look.  How long of a blade would that be, anyone know?
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: Pappy on April 24, 2012, 11:37:06 am
Mine are 80 inches. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: osage outlaw on April 24, 2012, 12:11:48 pm
What Pappy said.  80"
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: nlester on April 24, 2012, 01:18:53 pm
Nathan my bandsaw is a 10" and I use a timberwolf blade with no problems. Give me a call this week if you get a chance

Kris,
I'll try.  I know you were fond of those blades.  I'm looking into getting a couple.  Thanks for the info. 
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: rps3 on April 24, 2012, 06:56:30 pm
MIne is a two speed also, and did not work as well on the slower speed, I suggest you put the belt on the pully that will give you the fastest speed.
Title: Re: 12" Craftsman Bandsaw
Post by: soy on April 24, 2012, 07:07:31 pm
I find that my binford 2000 75hp is just rite  >:D tim the tool man >:D 12" craftsman is great for shaping and detail work just not ripping big stock