Editor’s Note
The original review has been left below this update. After continuing to use the saw and specifically, after changing out the blade on the 10” model, a major design flaw was discovered that led to this updated revision. The original post did not take into account the varying heights of the riving knife that can lead to a dangerous scenario.
We believe this table saw has a dangerous design flaw and do not recommend its purchase to anyone. While the price point is attractive, there is an issue with the riving knife, a necessary safety mechanism, that can result in scenario that greatly increases the likelihood of kickback or the user’s hand being pulled in close to the blade.
The riving knife must be unlocked to remove the blade. Shown above is the lever that blocks the removal of the table saw blade.
Recommendation: Do NOT Buy.
Do not buy. Seek alternative methods for cutting material or waiting until your budget allows for a higher quality table saw. If you are needing to cut long sheet goods, we recommend using a straightedge and a circular saw rather than these table saws.
3 Major Issues
Issue 1: The riving knife can be partially or fully disabled
The riving knife can be partially or fully disabled by the user, which greatly increases the chance of the material being cut to make contact with the rear of the blade.
The height of the riving knife is adjustable and allows the user to lower the knife well below the height of the blade. If the blade is lowered to a certain point, the riving knife is hidden under the table top and no longer effective.
Issue 2: Fence quality is poor
Secondly, the alignment of the fence is mediocre at best. Out of the box it is loose and can easily be knocked out of place. While a nut on the fence can be tightened for a more secure fit, this is prone to loosening over time.
A misaligned fence can pinch a piece of wood as it moves through the saw blade and combined with the riving knife issue, greatly increases the chance of wood making contact with the rear of the spinning blade.
When a piece of wood makes contact with the rear of the blade, the blade will lift the piece of wood. This sends the material flying back at the user and typically will pull the user’s hands towards the blade. There are many people who have lost fingers because of this exact scenario.
Issue 3: Blade removal requires unlocking the riving kinfe
Third, to remove the blade you must unlock the riving knife. If left unlocked the riving knife does not perform as it should and may result in kickback or unintended lowering below the height of the blade.
In the below image there is a lever that has to be released for the blade to be removed. The new blade can be installed and it does not require that this lever be re-locked. This presents an opportunity for the riving knife to come lose or lower itself during use.
The video below shows exactly what can happen if a riving knife is not used. Skip ahead to 1:46 if the video has not already done so. The point of the video is that it is incredibly easy for fingers and or hands to be lost as a result of not using a riving knife.
There are only a few situations in DIY-ing or woodworking where a riving knife is not used. However, those situations are rare and are done by those experienced with a table saw. Anyone in any of those situations would NOT be using a table saw at this price point.
This table saw is priced for entry-level DIYers and hobbyists and that is the exact reason the riving knife is an issue. An entry-level table saw user does not know to check the riving knife before each use, nor should he or she have to!
Original Post
Coming at just under $150, Craftsman’s 8.25” 13 amp portable benchtop table saw is a budget setup that meets the bare minimum requirements for being a safe and semi-accurate saw. There isn’t anything fancy in this model and if you shop around, you’ll find that it looks very similar to other saws in this price range on the market.
We speculate that the components that go into making this saw come from the same OEM manufacturers.
If you are considering purchasing this saw, remember that the Craftsman's name is not what it used to be back in the day. In fact, if your budget is at $150 or less, then we’d recommend going with Harbor Freight’s Warrior 15 amp 10 inch table saw. You’ll get a greater cut depth, 2 miter slots, and can likely get it at a cheaper price.
Other options in this price range include (all under $200):
- Ryobi 8 ¼” Ryobi 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Compact Portable Corded Jobsite Table Saw (No Stand)
- Harbor Freight Admiral Table Saw https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/table/15-amp-10-in-cast-aluminum-table-saw-58630.html
Bottom Line Summary
- Meets the basic requirements for being a safe and economical table saw
- Alternative options exist that offer more features and flexibility at a same or lower price point.
- Having a single miter slot limits the added function you could add to this saw.
Craftsman CMXETAX69434510 Table Saw
13A motor delivers powerful performance
Steel frame mounts for added durability and strength
Coated steel table allows you to easily feed longer stock
Craftsman’s 8¼” benchtop table saw meets the very basic requirements for an economical table saw. However, alternative options are out there that offer a better value for the money at this price point.
The Craftsman’s biggest drawback at this price point is having only a single miter slot, which limits some of the options you have for improving the functionality of the saw.
If you have a preference for Craftsman products, remember that this is not a Craftsman saw from back when. This is a cheap imported product and is priced accordingly.
If your budget allows, we recommend spending a bit more and purchasing the Ridgid 10” Portable Jobsite Saw.
Features and Characteristics
Overall Dimensions (L x W x H - Inches) Longest sides measured, height measured to table top | 25.5 x 19 x 11.25 |
Stock Blade Size | 10 inches |
Max Rip Capacity | 13 inches |
Max Cut Depth at 90 Degrees | 2.375 inches |
Max Cut Depth at 45 Degrees | 1.625 inches |
Dado Stack Compatible? | No |
Housing Material | Plastic |
Table Top Material and Finish | Stamped sheet steel, powder coat finish |
MSRP | $149.00 |
Max discounted cost | $129.00 |
What we like about the Craftsman 8¼” Table Saw
- Priced appropriately
- Meets basic safety requirements
- Craftsman warranty
- Motor brushes are easily replaced
Pricing is appropriate
At $149.99 MSRP at Lowe’s, this table saw is priced about as low as you can get. If you are a veteran or active military, you can take advantage of Lowe’s 10% discount.
For everyone else, you can purchase a 10% off coupon or $20 off a $100+ purchase on Etsy. These coupons can be used in stores or online.
With few other table saws in this range, the build feels surprisingly good, despite the cheaper design and plastic components that go into making it.
Craftsman Warranty
For table saws, Craftsman offers a 3 year warranty and a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. The 3 year warranty covers any defects in workmanship or material and the 90 day satisfaction guarantee gives you 90 days to return the product for a full refund or replacement.
Meets basic safety requirements
For any table saw you are looking to purchase, we look for it to have, at a minimum, these 3 basic safety components:
- A secure rip fence
- A riving knife or splitter
- Push stick included
The Craftsman 8¼” saw meets these requirements. The only minor complaint is the rip fence uses a pressure clamp-style mechanism to secure the fence to the table top. This is not the most secure design, but it appears sufficient out of the box.
Motor brushes are easily replaced
If you use your table saw extensively, the brushes on the motor will eventually wear out. The good news is that these 'brushes' are very easily replaced, especially on this table saw. The brushes on a motor are actually small pieces of graphite that are spring loaded towards the motor.
All that is required on this saw is to unmount the motor by removing 4 screws and unscrewing the access tab. The pieces of graphite are held in by a spring, which can then be quickly replaced.
What we don’t like about the Craftsman 8¼” Table Saw
- Only one miter slot
- Does not include an anti-kickback pawl
- Plastic internal components
- Stamped sheet steel top
- Small on/off switch
Only a single miter slot
The biggest complaint we have is the absence of a second miter slot to the left of the blade. Both of Harbor Freight’s Warrior and Admiral model table saws that are under the $200 price point have two miter slots.
The benefit of having two miter slots is that it increases the flexibility of cuts you can make and improves the accuracy of some jigs. For example, a crosscut jig needs to be as perfectly square to the blade as possible. While this can be done with a single miter slot, it’s much more accurate and much more likely to maintain that accuracy by making use of two miter slots.
No anti-kickback pawl
An anti-kickback pawl is an inexpensive add-on accessory that Ryobi includes with their $149.00 8¼” saw. Given this is an entry-level, beginner saw, anti-kickback pawls would be a preferred safety accessory that we think should be included. Craftsman includes anti-kickback pawls on their larger Craftsman model, which appear to fit the riving knife that’s included on this saw.
Other cheap components
A stamped sheet metal top, plastic components, and a small on/off switch are standard for a table saw at this price point; however, this is noted as a point to give some attention to. A stamped sheet metal top will not be close to flat, so do not expect to do any high-quality woodworking with this saw.
The throat plate on the craftsman CMXETAX69434510 is made of plastic.
Plastic components become an issue the more the saw is used. They are more likely to wear out and need to be replaced.
A small on/off switch is a minor safety concern. A larger OFF switch is preferred because it gives the user the ability to use his or her knee, hip, or different part of the body to turn the saw off in case the user’s hands are caught in an awkward position while making a cut.
Better Alternatives to the Craftsman 8¼” Table Saw under $200
With Harbor Freight’s Warrior or Admiral table, saw you’re getting a 10” blade with a greater depth of cut at a similar price point. The Warrior and Admiral saws are priced at $149.99 and $189.99 respectively.
Harbor Freight does not offer a military discount; however, with their Inside Track Club, and occasional mailers, you can get a 20% or greater discount on these saws, making the cost difference between them and the Craftsman very competitive.
The tradeoff is that Harbor Freight only offers a 90-day warranty for the product to be free of defects from materials or workmanship. Essentially meaning that after the 90-day period, if your saw breaks, you’re SOL.
Harbor Freight offers extended warranty plans, but due to the cost of these plans being around $60 to $90, it does not make sense to purchase for a $150 saw.
Better Alternatives to the Craftsman 8¼” Table Saw under $300
Ridgid’s 10” portable jobsite table saw is the preferred option for an entry-level table saw. For spending about $100 more, you get several big benefits that are well worth their value over of the time you’ll spend using this saw.
Compared to the Craftsman 8¼” saw reviewed here, the Ridgid offers:
- A 10” blade and greater cut depth
- A more power motor
- Greater rip capacity
- Two miter slots
- Free parts and service for life with registration
- Built-in blade brake
- Overall better build quality
- And more!
Helpful Resources
Craftsman Warranty Info: https://www.craftsman.com/pages/warranty