| Review by Bob #2 | posted 190 days ago | 577 views | 0 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
- Craftex CMT 100 craftex 18" bandsaw Revieve
- Brand: Craftex | Category: Bandsaws
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My new 18” 2 hp bandsaw on a mobile base.
The upper wheel assembly is mounted to a channel steel support doing away with the older style castings.
The safety switch as well as the power switch are mounted at waist height for easy accessibility.
The table is about 3 inches lower than that of my old 14” bandsaw making it more comfrtable to use for “certain ” people around my shop.
The aluminum fence is mounted on ball bearings and clamps down with one hand like a tablesaw fence
A single cammed lever on top of the case acts as a tensioner device as well as a quick release for the blade .
The wheels are cast alumnum and fitted with synthetic rubber tires. The wheels are mounted on ball bearings .
The blade guide comes wth carter style ball bearing blade gudes and the height is adjustable by a hand wheel on a ratcheted gear drive for accuracy.
Both the upper an lower guides are adjusted by an allen key to move the individual bearings in or out on an eccentric shaft.
Access to the blade cover cases is made easy with a 1/4 turn eccentric knob.
It has dual 4” ports for dust collection which only work to limit some of the dust like most others.
The table is cast iron and takes a miter guage ( provided) adjusting the table angle could be improved but works like most others in this class.
This saw is in the sub $1000.00 class and is quite well thought out and sturdily built.
I could use a built in light but all in all it performs well and is now the go to saw in my shop.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
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9 comments so far
Robb
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309 posts in 385 days
posted 190 days ago
Nice, thanks for the review, Bob! I haven’t seen Craftex talked about much here or elsewhere.
-- Robb
toyguy
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431 posts in 288 days
posted 190 days ago
I like a lot of the Craftex stuff. This looks like a great saw. I will be sure to have a look next time I’m at a busy bee.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/
Tony
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551 posts in 481 days
posted 187 days ago
This looks very similar to the Delta 18” I have – with minor cosmetic differences. I agree a light to illuminat the work area would be a definite advantage. Once set up correctly, with a good blade (Lenox Carbide tipped blade) resawing 12” oak 8’ long is no problems.
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
teenagewoodworker
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1950 posts in 219 days
posted 181 days ago
thanks bob i also haven’t ever heard about that saw before. when it comes time for my first bandsaw i think I’ll upgrade to that so i can resaw without swinging for a Rikon. thanks for the post.
Bob #2
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1822 posts in 472 days
posted 181 days ago
If I can show you one thing it should be this:
Do your homework carefully and make sure that each tool you buy will do all you ask and that you can afford to have it.
Eventually you will have a fully equipped shop and the knowledge to run those tools to the max.
Good luck with your venture.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Hawgnutz
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483 posts in 527 days
posted 112 days ago
Bob, where are Craftex sold?
God Bless,
Hawg
-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards
Bob #2
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1822 posts in 472 days
posted 112 days ago
This is the Canadian equivalent of your Grizzly stores across the border.
Bob
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/product10?&NMCLASS=00109&NSBCLASS=00119&NETID=1302390517081893673
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Wade Putnam
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28 posts in 180 days
posted 95 days ago
Good looking saw.
What is the resaw and rip capacity?
-- Wade, Nashville, www.casetn.com
Bob #2
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1822 posts in 472 days
posted 95 days ago
Hi Wade:
The rip capaicity is 18” or just under while the resaw is right around 12”.
There is just enough power (2hp) for the full height and I need a good blade at that thickness too.
I’ve been using woodmizers ( highland hardware) recently with good success.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner