Craftsman 16'' Vs Saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

JWH · 06-23-2007, 08:34 PM

I have a craftsman saw .When I use pinless blades I am having trouble installing blades without them pulling out of the holder.when cutting.Any ideas?

Steviegwood · 06-24-2007, 12:43 AM

Hi JWH, sorry I missed this earlier. I have had two of the craftsman 16" saws. A couple of things to try is to rough the ends of your blades with sandpaper because sometimes the oil on them will cause slippage another is to sand the insides of your blade holders themselves sometimes they have a little burr on them not allowing the clamps to come together on the blades. I kept breaking the blade holders on those saws when I tightened the blades in the holders. It did get frustrating. Try that and if that does not work we will find some other suggestions. Hope this helps. Steve

Popeye · 06-24-2007, 12:53 AM

JW,
I have a craftsman saw as well. I have only had difficulty with the smaller blades, 2/0. I use a lot of 3/0 and 5/0 pinless and have not have an issues with these. I will try what Steve offered up and let you know how I do. I am on my second craftsman in 1o months. I sheared the tension adjustment bolt on the first one. Probably, this will be my last craftsman. A lot of vibration and other small issues with it. Hope Steve's comments help you out.

Pops

Steviegwood · 06-24-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popeye

JW,
I have a craftsman saw as well. I have only had difficulty with the smaller blades, 2/0. I use a lot of 3/0 and 5/0 pinless and have not have an issues with these. I will try what Steve offered up and let you know how I do. I am on my second craftsman in 1o months. I sheared the tension adjustment bolt on the first one. Probably, this will be my last craftsman. A lot of vibration and other small issues with it. Hope Steve's comments help you out.

Pops

Hi Pops, I had the problem with the tension bolt also. Stripped the threads out of it. Not wanting to discourage anyone with the craftsman saws. The ones that I had were in the early 90's. Steve

MikeDingas · 06-24-2007, 01:40 AM

If this is a used saw, you may need to replace the blade screws. I've been using mine for about a year and have only recently had this problem. I ordered 6 replacements for about $12 plus shipping.

fallingacorn · 02-01-2008, 10:26 PM

I had a similar issue. its been a while since anyone has posted on this, but since i'm about to ask about yet another craftsman 16" problem i thought i'd offer advice to anyone who get this.
first just take your time and make sure the blades are set all the way back and plenty deep. if that isnt doing the trick, take the screws and buff the ends out a touch on a grinder. they probably aren't even. i had this problem and my buddy fixed it quick. i've been using scroll reverse 2/0 and superior puzzle blades (FD) and haven't had problems, considering i'm a total noob.
by the way i have a thread about my craftsman problems in the tools section

Max · 02-02-2008, 01:40 AM

I had the same problem with a Craftsman also. Someone told me that new blades have a protective oil on them and to wipe the ends to remove the oil. That seemed to work for the most part.

tomsteve · 02-02-2008, 03:02 AM

i , too owned a craftsman. lotsa maintence to keep er running. i don't think they were intended for the use we give them. iffen ya replace the blade screws, look fer some hardened ones. the ones that were in mine were soft metal and wore out pretty quick. hardened ones dont wear as quick and held the blades pretty good.

edward · 02-02-2008, 03:19 PM

Hi jwh: I also have a craftman 20" saw and I have problems like you have, I have replaced the upper blade holder and tension arm. Now I have problems with the blade coming out at the bottom mostly on thin blades, will have to try what Stevie suggested.I also have a problem with the light assembly it takes 10 wt bulb, and believe it or not I can't find one, sears says they only sell the whole lite assembly, I told them I don't need the whole assembly just the bulb. Can't go over 10 wts so I have to settle for a 6or7 wt bulb, and of course they don't last long. If anyone knows where I can get a 10 wt bulb Please let me know. Edward

chris39 · 02-03-2008, 03:32 AM

I have a crafstman 16' that I have been using since 96. Just waiting for it to give out so that I can have an excuse to upgrade, but she keeps plugging along. Do your blade holders look like this? pictures 013.jpg I usally just make sure that the blade is centered between the clamps, and also, I try to make sure that about 1/8th" of the blade protrudes through the top clamp, and bottom. Never really had that problem myself.

Chris