Craftsman 1/3 hp 3.5 amp 10&#34 Band Saw (21400) Reviews


www.sears.com


3.8 of 5
(by 123 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 76% of reviewers recommend (93 out of 123)

Pros
  • easy to use (22)
  • easy to setup (21)
  • excellent all around saw (20)
  • great saftey feature in the lock out (8)
  • ready to go out of the box (7)
  • good value (6)
Cons
  • difficult to align blade (6)
  • hard to find blades due to length (4)
  • blade tends to wander easily (4)
  • waste of money (3)
  • poorly constructed (3)
  • it don't work (3)
  • weak saw (3)
  • fence basically worthless (2)
  • miter guide is junk (2)
  • warrenty only 1 year (2)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

Nice Saw for the $$$$

The saw was easy to setup, and nearly ready to go out of the box. It would have been nice if the Sear Stores carried the 1/2 inch saw blade in stock, but that's just a minor inconvenience. Very pleased with my purchased, I did a lot of researching and comparing prior to this purchase, this saw is definitely... read full review »
Posted on Feb 19, 2011
Most Helpful Critical Review

This saw had decent reviews and I've been happy with my other Craftsman purchases that I gave this a shot.

I know few want to spend top dollar on an entry level bandsaw...therefore made in China was what I had to settle for.

I bought the first of these saws on March 13, 2011 for $180. After taking it...

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Posted on Mar 30, 2011

Craftsman 1/3 hp 3.5 amp 10&#34 Band Saw ... Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 123 in total
This saw is branded under several names with the Craftsman being the most competitively priced. I've seen the other two labels, one is painted green, and they are the same tool. The Craftsman was easy to remove from the box, assembled with some thought (directions we OK but could be improved) using a 10mm wrench, and showed true using a machinists square (required no tweaking). The tool runs quiet and is larger than expected. It is a large bench top saw. The included blade rips OK but crosscuts poorly. I will get Lenox or TimberWolf blades probably in bi-metal. I'd buy this saw again. It... read full review »
Posted on Jan 06, 2011

I have made several cuts on soft wood and some hard wood.  The saw is doing everything I asked of it.  It was easy to set up.  Of course I am just an amateur wood worker.

Posted on Nov 11, 2010

I bought this band saw at my local Sears for a great price. At $99 I couldn't pass it up. Overall construction is solid. Initial set up was easy. Except for blade alignment. While the top wheel is adjusted by knobs, the bottom wheel must be adjusted by 4 screws. These screws align the shaft which protrudes from the back. You need to make minor adjustments, and check for travel. I spent about an hour making these fine tunes. While it is working properly, it is not as aligned as good as it could be. The key is to not get frustrated, and take your time. The roller bearings are better quality than...

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Posted on Mar 10, 2011

I bought this band saw for myself, really not knowing a whole lot about band saws other than what I was taught in school many years ago.  I got the saw and also purchased a craftsman work station stand, I set it up, made a slight adjustment with the tension knob and went set out using my new saw.  It couldn't have been easier.  I have read about how changing of the blade can be a pain, and in all honesty I have not changed the blade since I just purchsed the saw.

But on my first project for my band saw It worked wonderfully and my friends that have seen it are impressed and didn't know a band...

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Posted on Jun 10, 2010

I purchased another brand band saw at another chain store. 9" , I had an earlier model and it worked ok. I set up the new machine and  it had  serious vibration and the cut was all over the place. Table was not sturdy at all.Bearing adjustment instructions were actually incorrect. Just a flimsy piece of equipment. I brought it back and got as refund. More research on the web caused me to take a second look at the Craftsman 10" saw. Ordered on line, delivered to my local store a few days later, no shipping. Very impressed. All steel, solid cast table, easy to adjust. Right out of the box it was...

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Posted on Apr 27, 2010

I've owned my bandsaw now for about 2 yrs.  Haven't had to use a whole lot so never had to change the blade.  Well for my next project I needed to do some tight cuts and decided to purchase the 1/8 in blade.  What a nightmare to put on.  I couldn't for the life of me get that blade to stay on the wheels.  I followed the instructions to the T and still no luck.  After pulling my hair out I decided to call Sears for support only to find out they have no techs I could talk to.  While waiting for 20 minutes to find this out I read the reviews for this saw.  It does get good ratings as long...

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Posted on Jul 19, 2010

Take this tool and shove it.

 

I have had this saw for a month now and I cannot get it to cut straight lines or the desired curved lines to save my life.  I have tried to tune the saw but it did not help at all.  I tried to cut a circle in 1/2in poplar using a center pin in the wood to prevent unwanted movement of the wood but the saw blade deflects from one side to the other so much that the blade will come right off the wheels.  What a piece of junk.  This was my second Craftsman power tool and it will be my last.  The other is a reciprocating saw that won't hold blades, cuts is every direction but the one you...

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Posted on Feb 28, 2010

I gave this craftmans 10" band saw 4 stars. Works good, quite, cuts clean, easy to setup and level. Why I gave the saw 4 stars. I was cleaning up the saw dust the frist time I use it. and found a bad weld that was cracked. When It gets a little more use I will have to reweld it. I like this saw so well I didn't want to return it and maybe not be happy with the next one.

Posted on Apr 20, 2011

****!

There is something inherently wrong with my saw. In 2 years and getting help form numerous tool gurus, I have still not been able to get my saw to cut a straight line, follow the desired curve or keep the blade from staying on the wheels for more than a 5 minutes of continuous operation. We're adjusted tension, blade tracking, changed blades and still the blade wanders around and then pops off hte wheels.

 

 

Posted on Dec 18, 2009

Good value

Good small capacity saw for the money.  Great for light-duty work when a heavy duty industrial saw is not needed.  I use this saw at home for family projects.  I have used this saw for two years without problem.

As much as I like the saw, I would not consider using it for professional work.  Nor would I consider using any competing saw of similar spcecifications for professional work. 

Posted on Jan 19, 2010

Good value

Posted on Dec 02, 2009

Can't get the blade to track

After countless hours and a few blades I gave up. If you plan on using only the 1/2" size blades this saw is great...if you plan on going to the 1/8" size, good luck EVER finding a place where it will sit. I never got it to stay in place, either to far forward to to far back. Found putting on the 1/8" blade also difficult. After many many attempts (I really wanted to keep the saw) I gave up and returned it. Back to searching.
Posted on Mar 02, 2009

I bought this bandsaw to use in my guitar shop. It makes tight radius cuts as well as long straight cuts, just change the blade to the 1/8" for making tight turns and purchase the 1/2" blade to make long straight cuts. Don't crowd it when cutting thick stock or blade will flex and cut crooked. With aa little practice it will will do the job.

Posted on Jul 04, 2010

Reviews of Craftsman 1/3 hp 3.5 amp 10&#34 Band Saw (21400)