Does anyone have any opinions on craftsman power tools, specifically bandsaws? I'm looking to get a new one (old one is about 15 years old and is not worthy of being called a saw anymore) and they are running some great deals on some decent machines, but I've heard mixd things about their power tools. Just wondering if anyone would recommend them. Thanks in advance...

I have several craftsman tools. They're alright ...you can't compare them with high end industrial tools like laguna and similar, but for the money they're just fine. You just have to learn to live with their limitations and tune them up, which can be annoying if you're not experienced, but they do a good job.

Craftsman is alright, keep your teeth sharp and double check set up for squarness and flushness. Less expensive tools work fine if you take care of setup and keep things sparp, but I have learned now not too waist time on cheap tools ( I dont mean Craftsman). I recently bought a SteelCity 16" bandsaw, 1200-1300 retail. I got a deal at the show, Love it, does not compair to my old Grizzly 14" that I dislike with a passion.
That was a gloryfied scroll saw really.

New models Grizzly are fine, X5 Delta is a bit overprised, Steel City is nice, obviously Laguna and General, I would look at those names first.
There are some cool changes in bansaw blades nowadays, low tension rip blades are super.

I've burned out 2 of the ca. ~$100 routers in 3 years.

I've burned out 2 of the ca. ~$100 routers in 3 years.

Yes thats the thing you buy a Bosch for 300 bucks and it will last 15 years. Speaking of routers, Bosch is taken over by Black and Decker which sucks, but Freud makes a fabulous router in and ex-Bosch italian factory with 5 year warranty to boot.

Bosch has been owned by Black and Decker for years now. So far they seem to have left them alone and Bosch quality is still excellent.

I've owned some Craftsman tools and the old ones were okay. I had one of their old 10" tablesaws that was great. Built like a tank. The only thing that needed upgrading was the fence.

Rigid used to make some of the Craftsman tools. They're on their own now and their stuff is excellent. I don't know if they have a bandsaw yet but a contractor friend of mine has one of the tablesaws and loves it. I have one of their jig saws and a monster shop vac and it's good stuff.

It's amazing how many companies Black and Decker owns now.

haha...funny story...i just went downstairs to take a look at my old bandsaw (like I said, piece of junk and I haven't used it in about 2 years), and whadoyaknow...it's a craftsman. :eek::D