Craftsman 315 Table Saw: What the Model Number Means and What to Check
“Craftsman 315” is not one specific table saw. It is a model-number prefix that Sears used on its Craftsman-branded tools for decades, and dozens of genuinely different belt-drive contractor table saws all carry a “315.xxxxxx” catalog number – 315.228310, 315.228390, 315.228590, and many more, each a distinct saw with its own parts list. That is exactly why searches for “Craftsman 315 table saw parts” turn up conflicting answers: the real identifier you need is the full number on the data plate, not just “315.”
What the 315 Prefix Actually Tells You
Sears assigned model prefixes by product category and manufacturer, not by a single design. Most 315-prefixed table saws share a family resemblance – belt-driven, benchtop or contractor-style, stamped-steel or cast-aluminum tabletop – but the exact motor size, table dimensions, rip capacity, and fence design vary by the full suffix. Before ordering any replacement part, find the complete model number on the metal data plate, usually on the saw’s rear or under the table, and match parts to that exact number rather than just “315.”
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DEWALT DWE7485 15-Amp 8-1/4-Inch Compact Table Saw – $429 Craftsman never sold a direct successor to the belt-drive 315 series, and parts for a 20-plus-year-old saw keep getting harder to find. This is a current, direct-drive alternative with full factory parts support.
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Typical Specs Across the 315 Series
Most of these saws share a similar profile: a 10-inch blade, a belt-driven induction motor in the 1.5 to 2 horsepower range, a cast or stamped table roughly 20 by 27 inches, and 20 to 25 inches of rip capacity to the right of the blade. Power comes through a V-belt and pulley system rather than a direct-drive motor, which is quieter and easier on the motor under load, but adds a wear part – the belt itself – that a modern direct-drive saw does not have.
Common Problems on These Saws
Belt Wear and Slipping
The V-belt stretches and glazes over with age and heat, which shows up as a bogging blade under load or a burning-rubber smell. This is normal wear, not a defect, and a replacement belt sized to your exact model number usually fixes it in under 30 minutes.
Trunnion and Blade Alignment Drift
The trunnion is the bracket that holds the blade assembly and lets it tilt and raise. On a saw that has moved between shops or seen years of vibration, the trunnion bolts can loosen, letting the blade drift out of parallel with the miter slot. This shows up as burn marks or binding on rip cuts and is worth checking with a combination square before blaming the blade itself.
Discontinued Parts
Sears exited the tool-retail side of the Craftsman brand years ago, and stock of original parts for older 315-series saws has thinned out considerably. Generic replacement belts, pulleys, and handwheel cranks sized to the standard bore diameters (commonly 5/8-inch and 12mm) still fit most of these saws even when the exact Craftsman-branded part is gone.
Is a 315-Series Saw Worth Buying Used?
If the price is low and the trunnion and fence are solid, yes – these are simple, repairable machines and a $30 belt or pulley can bring a rough-running example back to full performance. Check three things before buying: that the blade raises and tilts smoothly through its full range, that the rip fence locks parallel to the blade without a big gap on either end, and that the motor spins up without hesitation or a burning smell. Walk away from a saw with a cracked table, a bent arbor, or a seller who cannot show it running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craftsman 315 one specific table saw model?
No. “315” is a Sears model-number prefix used across many different belt-drive Craftsman table saws. The full number on the data plate, not just “315,” identifies the exact saw and its correct parts.
Why is my Craftsman 315 table saw belt slipping?
Belts stretch and glaze with age and heat, reducing grip on the pulleys. A replacement V-belt matched to your bore size, usually 5/8-inch or 12mm, typically resolves it.
Can I still buy parts for a Craftsman 315 table saw?
Original Craftsman-branded parts have become harder to find since Sears exited tool retail, but generic replacement belts, pulleys, and handwheel cranks sized to the same standard bore diameters fit most of these saws.
What should I check before buying a used 315-series saw?
Check that the blade raises and tilts smoothly, the rip fence locks parallel to the blade, and the motor starts without hesitation or a burning smell. A cracked table or bent arbor is a reason to walk away.
