Craftsman bandsaw riser?

poindexter · Post by **poindexter** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:48 pm

Hi everyone.

I have an older 12" craftsman bandsaw with a two piece cast metal cover. I can't afford a new bandsaw for a while and was wondering if anyone has ever come up with a was to adapt a riser to increase the resaw capability of this machine.

Any ideas? I think the full height cover will prohibit this modification, but I just wanted to see if anyone has come up with a solution.

Thanks in advance!

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:41 am

Matthew,

I just bought a used Craftsman 12" band saw (model #113.243300/113.243310) just two weeks ago. It has a one piece aluminum back cover and a one piece plastic front cover, so I don't think I have the same model that you have.

If yours has a two piece cover it seems that that it would certainly be possible to install a riser, but I don't know if Sears or anyone else made one. You might want to ask the same question at one of the other woodworking forums.

The manual for my saw does not say what the resaw capacity is, but when I move the the upper guides to the highest position and measured it, it came to about 7 3/8".

Sincerely,

Ron309753

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:07 am

I would not think of attempting to install a riser in this sort of bandsaw. If it was a large, heavy duty structure - maybe. The structural integrity is just not there and I would be fearful of the end result.

Besides, if a greater capacity bandsaw is needed, they are not that expensive. Sorry, just my negative thoughts on the matter.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:05 am

I have Grizzly 14" bandsaw with a riser block. With these and similar saws modeled after the Delta bandsaw, it is an easy process to get a 12" resaw capability. You simply unbolt the upper and lower assemblies, insert the riser block, and bolt the whole thing back together using a bolt that's about 7" long.

If my recollection is correct, the Craftsman saw uses a one piece assembly/casting for the frame and you would need to cut the frame in half and install some sort of spacer to gain additional resawing capability. I doubt that this would be an easy process, but if you're handy with aluminum welding, it probably could be done.