Craftsman 137212360 miter saw Parts

On the Craftsman miter saw model 137212360, 31.6° is a built-in positive stop on the miter scale to speed up common compound cuts, especially crown molding cuts. Our 137212360 owner's manual shows positive stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°, so you can lock that angle quickly and repeatably.

What 31.6° is used for (most often)

When you cut crown molding laid flat on the saw table (not nested against the fence), 31.6° is commonly paired with a 33.9° bevel to create tight inside and outside corner joints when the wall corner is a true 90°.

Common use cases:

• Cutting crown molding with a compound miter (miter + bevel)
• Making repeatable trim cuts without measuring each time
• Speeding up production work (less trial-and-error)
• Reducing angle mistakes when switching between left and right corners

How the saw “locks in” at 31.6°

Your saw uses a positive stop locking lever and the miter handle to hold the table at preset angles.

Basic steps:

• Turn the miter handle counterclockwise to unlock the table
• Press the positive stop locking lever to disengage/engage the stops
• Rotate to 31.6° on the miter scale
• Release the lever and tighten the miter handle before cutting

Typical crown molding settings (laid flat)

These are the standard compound settings referenced for crown molding when the wall angle is exactly 90°.

Cut type	Bevel setting	Miter setting
Crown molding compound cut (typical)	33.9°	31.6°
Common preset miter stops on this saw	N/A	0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45°

Why it matters

31.6° exists because it is a high-value “shortcut” angle: it helps you get accurate, repeatable trim joints faster, and it pairs with common bevel settings for crown molding so you spend less time fine-tuning.

Parts and diagrams

If you are looking up the miter table, positive stop mechanism, or bevel lock components for Craftsman 137212360, start with the model parts diagrams, then expand your search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For the Craftsman miter saw model 137212360, never cut masonry products (brick, tile, concrete) or metals that the saw is not designed for; also never cut workpieces so small that your hands would be within 6-3/4 inches of the blade. Follow the safety rules in the 137212360 owner's manual.

Materials you should not cut

These materials create high kickback risk, blade damage, or unsafe debris.

• Masonry products (tile, brick, cement board, stone)
• Ferrous metals (steel, iron, rebar)
• Any metal that must be hand-held (never hold metal by hand while cutting)
• Workpieces that are too small to keep hands at least 6-3/4 inches from the blade
• Unsecured odd-shaped pieces that can roll, twist, or bind (dowels, tubing, some moldings)

What is OK to cut (when set up correctly)

This saw is designed for wood and wood-like products. Some miter saws can cut certain non-ferrous metals (like aluminum) only when the correct blade is used and the work is clamped securely.

Material	Recommended with this saw?	Key requirement
Wood, trim, molding	Yes	Hold firmly against fence; support long stock
Wood-like products	Yes	Clamp when practical; prevent binding
Non-ferrous metal (aluminum)	Sometimes	Use a non-ferrous metal blade; clamp securely; remove dust bag
Ferrous metal (steel/iron)	No	Do not cut
Masonry	No	Do not cut

Setup rules that prevent dangerous cuts

Use these practices any time you cut on a miter saw.

• Clamp the workpiece when practical; only the workpiece should be on the saw table.
• Support long boards on both sides so they cannot tip.
• Keep hands out of the marked “no-hands zone”; plan the cut so your fingers stay 6-3/4 inches away.
• Lower the blade to the workpiece with the switch OFF to preview the cut path.
• After the cut, release the trigger and wait for the blade to stop before raising the saw or moving the work.

Why it matters

A miter saw can grab, bind, or throw material if the blade is wrong for the material or the workpiece is too small or unstable. Avoiding prohibited materials and keeping proper hand distance reduces kickback and severe injury risk.

If you need replacement parts for your Craftsman 137212360 miter saw, start with the model parts list, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

On the Craftsman miter saw model 137212360, the main parts include the miter scale and miter lock for setting angles, the bevel lock for tilting the head, the ON/OFF trigger switch in the handle, and safety and guarding components like the safety lock-off button and lower blade guard. For diagrams and names, use the 137212360 owner's manual.

Key parts you will see on this miter saw

These are commonly referenced in the manual and are the parts most customers use for setup and cutting:

• Miter scale (0° to 45° left and right): shows the miter angle setting
• Miter lock handle: locks the table at your selected miter angle
• Positive stop locking lever: locks into preset miter stops for repeatable angles
• Bevel lock handle: locks the bevel (tilt) angle for bevel and compound cuts
• ON/OFF trigger switch (in the switch handle): starts and stops the saw
• Safety lock-off button: helps prevent accidental starts
• Lower blade guard: covers the blade as the saw returns to the up position
• Stop latch: locks the saw in the lowered position for storage/transport
• Mounting holes (in the base): used to bolt the saw to a stable work surface

What each control does (quick reference)

Part	What it controls	When you use it
Miter lock handle	Left/right table rotation	Any miter cut
Positive stop locking lever	Preset miter detents	Fast, repeatable angles
Bevel lock handle	Head tilt	Bevel and compound cuts
Trigger switch	Motor power	Starting and stopping cuts
Stop latch	Head down lock	Carrying and storage

Why it matters

Knowing the correct names helps you set angles accurately, lock the saw securely, and troubleshoot issues like a saw that will not stay at a miter stop, a bevel that slips, or a guard that does not fully close.

Helpful tips when identifying parts

• Unplug the saw before inspecting controls, guards, or wiring.
• Confirm the miter angle pointer lines up with the miter scale before cutting.
• Keep the lower guard moving freely; it should fully close when the handle is released.
• Use the mounting holes to bolt or clamp the saw down for stability.
• When you need replacement parts by model number, search using 137212360 on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

Yes, a double bevel miter saw is worth it when you regularly cut crown molding, complex trim, or lots of opposing bevels because it lets you bevel left and right without flipping the workpiece. For the Craftsman 137212360 specifically, the bevel range is 0° to 45° left (single bevel), so a double bevel upgrade mainly buys speed and fewer setup errors.

When a double bevel saw pays off

A dual bevel design reduces handling and re-measuring, especially on finish work.

• You cut crown molding nested or “upside down and backwards” often
• You do repetitive left and right bevel cuts (baseboard returns, picture frames, casing)
• You want fewer chances to shift the fence contact or change reference faces
• You work with longer stock where flipping is awkward or unsafe
• You value faster workflow more than the added tool cost

When your current single bevel is enough

The 137212360 has positive bevel stops at 0° and 45° left, plus common miter detents (0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° right and left). That covers a lot of DIY and jobsite needs.

• You mostly make square crosscuts and standard miters
• You only bevel occasionally (and flipping the board is not a big deal)
• Your projects are smaller, and setup time is not the bottleneck
• You prefer simpler mechanisms and fewer adjustments

Quick comparison

Feature	Single bevel (like 137212360)	Double bevel
Bevel direction	Left only (0° to 45°)	Left and right
Opposing bevel cuts	Flip workpiece	Tilt saw both ways
Speed on trim/crown	Moderate	Faster
Setup error risk	Higher (more handling)	Lower

Why it matters

Every time you flip a workpiece, you introduce a new reference face and a new chance for a small alignment mistake. On trim and crown, those small errors show up as open joints. A double bevel saw mainly improves consistency and efficiency.

Tips to get the best results from the Craftsman 137212360

• Use the bevel lock handle and miter lock handle firmly before every cut
• Confirm the blade is aligned at 45° to the table when beveling (adjust per the owner's manual)
• Use the correct 10-inch blade for the material; keep it sharp and undamaged
• Unplug the saw before blade changes or adjustments; use the arbor lock for blade service

If you decide to upgrade, use your model number (137212360) to compare parts and accessories, and search by tool type on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

A 10-inch miter saw is the better all-around choice for most DIY and trim work because it’s lighter, easier to move, and blades typically cost less. A 12-inch miter saw is better when you regularly need maximum cut capacity for wider or taller stock. For Craftsman model 137212360, the 137212360 owner's manual specifies using 10-inch blades, so it’s built around the 10-inch class.

Quick comparison: 10-inch vs 12-inch

Feature	10-inch miter saw (like 137212360)	12-inch miter saw
Portability	Easier to carry and store	Heavier and bulkier
Blade cost	Typically lower	Typically higher
Cut capacity	Great for most trim and common lumber	Best for wide boards and tall crown
Best fit	DIY, remodeling, general carpentry	Frequent large-stock cutting

How we recommend choosing

Pick a 10-inch saw when you want:

• A lighter saw for jobsite moves or a small shop
• More blade options at lower cost (crosscut and finish blades)
• Strong performance for baseboard, casing, and typical dimensional lumber

Pick a 12-inch saw when you need:

• More capacity for wide shelving, thick stock, or tall crown molding
• Fewer flip cuts on wider boards
• A saw that stays set up in one place most of the time

Why it matters (capacity and safety)

The right blade size reduces awkward setups that can lead to binding, vibration, or unstable work support. Our Craftsman 137212360 manual also emphasizes core safe-use habits: keep hands out of the marked no-hands zone, support long workpieces, and wait for the blade to stop before raising the saw head.

Blade and accessory notes for Craftsman 137212360

• Use 10-inch blades that meet the saw’s requirements
• Use only recommended accessories; avoid prohibited accessories such as dado sets and abrasive wheels
• If the saw makes an unfamiliar noise or vibrates, turn it off, unplug it, then correct the cause before restarting
• For replacement parts and model-matched diagrams, start with the model parts list, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect

Last updated: February 2026