Craftsman Professional 10 in. Contractor Saw (Sears#21833) Question

Depends on the price….$350-$400 is a good price on a new one….$500 is typical. The Ridgid R4512 and the 21833 are essentially the same saw made by the same company (Dayton). “New” means little if it doesn’t include the manufacturer’s warranty and return privileges, but it sure trumps “run hard and put away wet”! The R4512 includes the Lifetime Service Agreement, so I’d go that route at even money. The Porter Cable has a plastic elevation gear and a fairly lame fence IMO.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Well Sears is willing to sell it to me for $250 + tax and free S & H. I can’t think of a reason not to get it other than some reviews of bad trunnions.

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.termitecrafts.com

I would assume you are going to check the trunnions before purchase, or get a guarantee that if it has alignment issues they will take it back. I have a 21833 that I have used very little to this point but it seems like a competent saw that will at least get me through a few years until I HAVE to have a cabinet saw. I still have yet to check for the alignment issues since i yet dont have the equipment

Run away from any Crapsman saws. I hate to say, but the newer Craftsman stuff is not up to the fine standards that the old products held. I have not even considered Craftsman power tools in 20 years.
That’s a shame, but it is just my take on the crap Sears has foisted on the public. Oh well…......
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

Bill – What say ye about the identical Ridgid saw?

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Bill,

Is your reply from experience with this product or just a blanket statement?

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.termitecrafts.com

I have been using the 21833 for two years, and any problems have been my fault, not the saws. $250 delivered is a steal for this type saw, as long as it includes the 30 day return and 1 year warranty just in case a problem crops up. As mentioned above, the Ridgid version is a better deal if it is at the same or nearly same price, since it has the lifetime service agreement. $250 isn’t much more than some aluminum top jobsite type saws with universal motors, so that is a lot of saw for the money.

Although their have been complaints of alignment problems, there are solutions if you are willing to spend the time checking on line. I have made comments on several topics here on LJ’s about this saw over the past couple years, so just click on my homepage link and check some of the 21833 and R4512 topics I have commented on.

I’ve been eyeing the 21833 myself. A bit scared of the damage issue but really like the Sears delivery vs. getting something off a truck and lift gate fees and grumpy truck drivers that I’ve had to deal with when receiving heavy gym or computer equipment.

For $250 I wouldn’t even think, I’d just do it.

I wonder if it’s part of Sears way of getting out of the market since they are planning on closing 120 Sears and K-Mart’s.

I would make sure they will honor the warranty.

-- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome!

It’s worth noting that most of the alignment issues you’re reading about with the R4512 and 21833 were early models….not uncommon for new releases of any mechanical device to experience some manufacturing issues early on.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

I figure that it was mostly older models. I think I need to pull the trigger and retire the old saw I currently use. I am glad it has the casters otherwise it may be too heavy for me to move by myself. How easy is it to actually assemble anyway? I have heard the horror stories.

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.termitecrafts.com

I have (6 mo.s) the top end Sears contractor saw (hybrid). I think its the one your talking about. I had the alignment issues. I had to remove the rear trunnion and have the holes elongated to facilitate getting enough movement to align the blade. Getting to the trunnion cap screws is a real trip. Use hex key sockets with an extension bar. The tab at the rear end of the fence snapped the first time I used the saw. Same machinist made me a new one. He said the metal they used was too brittle. The directions are totally useless. Just look at the pictures and do the best you can. I didn’t have any parts left over. The saw is very heavy, you will need help turning it right side up after assembly.
All that said- I have built $30K in cabinets with the saw. Once you get it tuned up, for the money you can’t beat it.

-- Frank, Hagerstown, Maryland

I have the same saw and really like it. I was hesitant because of issues with alignment but after the initial assembly, it has been right on.

I bought mine about 20 months ago.
I had a bitch of a time gettig thr arbor in alignment with the miter slot.
Partially because the manual is worthless and I had to figure most of it out on my own.
Partially because the design is on the raw edge of being too weak to hold an adjustment.

It’s not a tool that will be passed down through generations.
It probably won’t last me till I get too old to use it; and I’m 62.

But, I did manage to get it aligned, added an Incra miter guide and a good blade.
It only cost me $409 plus tax. Less than $2.00/pound. Cheaper than bottled water!
It runs and cuts good. Much better than those noisy, flimsy job-site type saws.
It has a cast iron top with standard miter slots.
The saw has a fairly good fence, IMO.
The motor is plenty strong for my use; DIY’er, novice furniture maker, hobbiest.
It has good retractable casters; I don’t need to move it much, but that’s an issue for some folks.

Bottom line, if I could get another one for $250 I’d be on that like stink on $h!t.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

If ya have to ask, see Crank’s post. I rest my case. I sure wish that Sears folks would frequent the WWing sites to see the comments about their stuff.
Seems a shame to have to go thru all the crap to get a working saw. Now, I’ll polish my 1952 Craftsman/KingSeeley
drill press and my 7” bench grinder.
Does this make me a cranky old fart?
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us