Replies

1. 
   peteryu65 | Jan 14, 2008 01:37am | #1

   Although I have never tried the Craftsman Miter Guage, one simple rule I go with when shopping for tools is NEVER BUY CRAFTSMAN. The reason for that rule is the poor quality control and the cheap features that come with Craftsman tools. For example, the ROS from Craftsman is of poor construction and worst of all, leaves a scratch pattern worse than my belt sander. Also, when I was ripping a board with a Craftsman Circular Saw, I used the "Laser" to line up my cut and once the saw was completely through the cut, I found my cut to be a good 2 inches away from my line! Also, the cut was so bad that I had to plane away a almost an inch of unusably fut wood before I could use the wood(stock blade) Overall, NEVER BUY CRAFTSMAN NO MATTER HOW CHEAP THE PRICE OR HOW MANY FEATURES IT BOASTS!!!
   Regards,
   Peter

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 14, 2008 02:00am | #2

   Peter, I too have been burned by Craftsman tools in the past, and long ago swore off their power tools.  However, things are not so simple now.  They have one or two power tools that have survived their first couple of years of marketing with many satisfied users, so complete condemnation may not be a valid stance.  Their hybrid so-called ZipCode saw, made by Orion (closely related to Steel City) has, according to many buyers, proven itself to be a fine saw. 

   IMHO, Craftsman tools can be a crap-shoot, mostly because they are made by different companies and change so often, but are not without a few gems.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   cftrucker1977 | Jan 14, 2008 05:26am | #4

   About the only Craftsman I'll buy is their wrenches and MAYBE a screwdriver once in a while........otherwise, leave it alone.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 14, 2008 02:02am | #3

   SRL, why don't you pick one up and try it for us?!  If it isn't accurate and repeatable, take it back.  It wouldn't be too difficult to test it.  Have you used other aftermarket gaugest you could compare it with (Jess-Em, Incra, Osborne, etc.)??

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   nazard | Jan 14, 2008 09:46am | #5

   I choose not to own any Craftsman tools.  Even with wrenches and such there is a better than even chance you are buying a cheap, poorly made product.  Ask me how I know this....

4. 
   BruceS | Jan 14, 2008 05:12pm | #6

   For an after market miter gauge, go for Incra or Jessem.   I love my Incra but will be eventually get the Jessem when the pocket permits.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

5. 
   Piccioni | Jan 14, 2008 07:44pm | #7

   I can't help but add my voice as one who doesn't even consider buying Craftsman.

   *Maybe* they have one or two tools which aren't junk - I don't know and will never know - but without a doubt everything they sell is overpriced.

   Early on, I thought I'd buy the best so I bought Craftsman everything. Within a few years, it got so I started giving the stuff away or just bringing it to the dump. I kept the machinists tools, but I wouldn't buy another one.

   Life is too short to discover if a vender who so zealously shafted me in the past is reformed.

   Now ask me about Maytag ....

1. 
   clarence_dad | Jan 14, 2008 11:50pm | #8

   Two garbage tools from Craftsman that I have had to replace;19.2 volt Drill Driver, with a chuck that opens up randomly, and sometimes shocks me.Drill press, great for those who didn't want their holes in the same spot twice.Craftsman Tools that I DO like;my lawn tractor!Impact screwdriver, great for loosening up frozen bolts.Impact wrench for changing tires.Pneumatic Finish Nailer.Floor Creeper.My friend has the zip code table saw, which is outstanding.Like, it was said before, a crap shoot. SWMBO has made me swear off Craftsman tools, as she got sick of me complaining about the Craftsman Drill. She got two wonderful Bosch drills to replace it. I love Blue!John