Craftsman 5&#34 Scroll Saw (21609)
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Craftsman 5&#34 Scroll Saw (21609) Reviews


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3.46 of 5 (by 24 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 65% of reviewers recommend (15 out of 24)

Pros
  • good throat depth (4)
  • smooth cuts (3)
  • i like the foot switch (3)
  • great saw (2)
  • fantastic (1)
Cons
  • vibration (3)
  • poor lower blade holder (2)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

“Craftsman 18 inch scroll saw”

May 2010, well i just got this saw about a week ago and im very happy with it,i have cut pretty much every thing and blade changes are a snap.I had a little problem with vibration so i looked at how the base was made, simple i made a stand and mounted it to it and this was the ticket i can now run any...

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Posted on Jun 04, 2010
Most Helpful Critical Review

“Save up for better”

I am kind of surprised at all the good reviews this scroll saw has received. This saw in a nut shell is garbage. If you have never owned a scroll saw before then it might be fine to start on if you don't have the money to buy something better but if you can wait, I would save up the money and buy...

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Posted on Oct 11, 2010

Craftsman 5&#34 Scroll Saw (21609) Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 24 in total

“works fantastic”

Posted on Dec 06, 2010

“I guess you get what you pay for.”

I grew up knowing and trusting that Craftsman made a quality product, and that Sears would always stand by their merchandise.  That was 20+ years ago, and times have changed.  This saw works okay for the most part.  The big problem is the lower blade holder doesn't hold small blades very well at all.  The **** is very finger-unfriendly, and I found my thumb and forefinger very sore, and even forming a blister from trying to tighten the holder.  The holder is also not very well made, and just last night I broke it for the second time.  Naturally, it was past the 90 day window from my last...

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Posted on Apr 23, 2010

“Good Saw, Lots of Vibration”

The Craftsman 18 inch scroll saw is a great saw, good throat depth, makes nice smooth cuts.  I use mine to cut forms for the miniature doors i like to make.  My only issue with it was the vibration.  That is to be expected with a saw that moves as fast as it does.  So if you get this saw make sure you bolt it down tight!
Posted on Aug 07, 2009

“Difficult-Disappointed”

I bought this for cutting out scroll saw patterns. I don't like how it takes a bit to change blades or insert the top of the blade in a new hole. It is annoying to unscrew and rescrew the blade in every time when most scroll saws have a little lever to just clamp the blade in. Also... using spiral blades is bad (or any skinny plain end blade) because when you twist in the screw, the blade twists too making it brittle and causing it to break quickly. I also don't like how you cannot turn the blade to go the other direction for cutting long stock or big patterns. Yes I am disappointed with it but... read full review »
Posted on Jun 29, 2009

“Poorly built saw”

I have had this saw barely three months and the upper arm bearings are already worn out. The tensioning lever is also worn out. the hold down foot blocks your view of the line you are trying to follow. The round insert in the table is not level with the table and when small pieces fall through and catch on the lower blade holder, the insert and your workpiece jump up. This craftsman saw is poorly built and engineered. I would not recommend it to anyone.
Posted on Mar 10, 2009

“1 star”

Posted on Dec 07, 2008

“NOT 0-1700spm, really 500-1600 spm”

I purchased this saw specifically because it states 0-1700spm (I wanted the slow speed option).   When I unboxed it, it's really 500-1600spm.  This is false advertising.  Otherwise a fine tool.
Posted on May 24, 2010

“Okay for a starter”

On off switch integrated into speed controll is odd and difficult to use. Foot pedal is a hold down to power the saw, would be easier if it was a push to kill. The lower clamp assembly doesn't hold small blades and the tension slips a lot during cutting resulting in a lot of slewed cuts and broken blades. My wife tore up the plastic throat plate the first day because of the blade slip. The plates are available for $2 on the parts website and $7 for shipping... Cuts fine with larger precision ground blades (really tighened in the clamps and tension set tight). Will probably trade up to the brand... read full review »
Posted on Aug 01, 2008

“3 stars”

I bought this scroll saw just a few days ago. After 3 years of scrolling, I thought I had finally found the last saw I would need to buy, however, I am having the same problem as a few other reviews on here. The blade holder at the bottom is releasing the tension bar and bending my blades. I know it is not user error because this is not my first go round with a scroll saw of this caliber. It is a great saw except for this minor problem. Please try and fix this problem Craftsman, I love your products and would love to continue using them.
Posted on Jul 07, 2007

“18"”

I picked up this saw over the weekend and immediately jumped into some projects that were stacking up. I first ran the saw though 5 ply 1/2" and it ran perfect. I have also scrolled 2 pieces stacked of 4 ply 3/8" with no problems. The saw stays pretty steady around the 1500ish range, adjust above that and vibration becomes a problem. I have made three blade changes so far and no problems noted there. All in all this beats my old 16" dremel scroll saw. The foot pedal is a nice little extra. I only marked it down in performance since it does have the vibration in the upper speed ranges, but if you... read full review »
Posted on Nov 08, 2007

“5 stars”

I got this saw more than a month ago and I'm very happy with it. I have used it for a few projects. Foot pedal is great. The controls are where you need them and easy to use. There is very little vibration if you clamp or bolt it to a stable surface. The only PROBLEM is the bottom arm's clamp would loosen the tension. HOWEVER, I found that there really was nothing wrong with it , and I Just had to make the bottom clamp tighter. Either use a wrench or you can wiggle off the nob that tightens the clamp. When it is off , there is a place to use a hex rench to make it very tight. To see if this is... read full review »
Posted on Sep 24, 2007

“5 stars”

Posted on Jun 13, 2007

“It was not what I expected, It does a good job.”

I have always bought sears tools, I purchaced the same scrool saw a few years back and it was built better, I thought it would have a steel cutting table, Changing the blade was much eaiser. Now about the saw I bought a week or so ago, As always sears put's good quality in thier products, The scrool saw performs very good.

I purchaced this saw to cut out christmas ornaments and other projects,as of this writting I am useing 1/8" lamented wood which is about as hard as bass wood and I have had no problems, It works very well and I would recommend it for any scrool work, I cut a piece of 1" treeted...

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Posted on May 18, 2011

Reviews of Craftsman 5&#34 Scroll Saw (21609)

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