Craftsman 17155 table saw Parts

Yes. You can cut (rip or crosscut) a 2x4 with a Craftsman 17155 table saw as long as the board is straight enough to ride the fence and table safely, and you use proper anti-kickback technique with push tools and solid outfeed support.

Safe setup for cutting a 2x4

• Use a sharp, appropriate blade (rip blade for ripping; combination blade for general cuts).
• Set blade height so the gullets clear the top of the 2x4 (typically about 1/4 to 3/8 inch above the wood).
• Keep the fence parallel to the blade; a misaligned fence increases burn and kickback risk.
• Support the board before and after the cut (infeed and outfeed) so it cannot tip or twist.
• Use a push stick or push block when your hands would get close to the blade.
• Stand slightly to the side of the blade path, not directly behind the board.

Ripping vs. crosscutting: what changes

Cut type	What you’re doing	Best control tool	Common risk
Rip cut	Cutting along the length (with the grain)	Rip fence + push stick	Kickback from pinching/twisting
Crosscut	Cutting to length (across the grain)	Miter gauge or sled	Binding if the board shifts

Why 2x4s can be tricky

Construction lumber is often wet, bowed, or twisted. As you cut, internal stress can close the kerf and pinch the blade, which is a common cause of kickback and rough cuts.

If your cuts look rough or the angle is off

Use these targeted checks:

• Verify the blade is square to the table for 90-degree cuts.
• Check the fence for toe-in or toe-out.
• Confirm the miter gauge is set accurately.

For step-by-step troubleshooting, use table saw bad angle cuts.

Last updated: January 2026

For the Craftsman 17155 table saw, the most common mistakes are unsafe hand placement, freehand cutting, poor blade and fence setup, and skipping basic safety devices. These errors cause kickback, binding, rough cuts, and loss of control, even when the saw itself is working correctly.

Common mistakes we see most often

• Cutting freehand instead of using the rip fence or a miter gauge.
• Using the rip fence as a stop for crosscuts (this can trap the workpiece and cause kickback).
• Setting the blade too high above the material (more exposed blade increases risk and tear-out).
• Standing directly behind the board during a rip cut (puts you in the kickback line).
• Reaching near the blade to clear offcuts or scraps while the blade is moving.
• Skipping push sticks or push blocks on narrow rips.
• Removing or not using the riving knife, splitter, or anti-kickback pawls when the cut allows it.

Quick setup checks that prevent bad cuts and kickback

Before you cut, we recommend these basics:

What to check	What “good” looks like	What happens if it’s off
Blade height	Gullets just above the top surface of the wood	More tear-out and more exposed blade
Fence alignment	Parallel to the blade	Burning, binding, kickback
Miter gauge use	Used for crosscuts, not the fence	Workpiece can pinch and launch
Feed technique	Steady feed, no forcing	Motor bogs, blade deflects, rough cut

Why it matters

Most “table saw problems” are actually technique or alignment issues. Fixing the setup and using the right guide (fence vs. miter gauge) improves cut quality and reduces the chance of kickback on the Craftsman 17155.

Helpful DIY guides

• Use how to use a table saw safely to review stance, hand position, and kickback prevention.
• If your cuts are off-angle, follow table saw bad angle cuts to check alignment and adjustment points.
• For blade changes and correct installation, use how to replace a table saw blade.

Last updated: January 2026

No. You can only use a dado blade on a table saw that is designed and rated for dado use. On a Craftsman 17155 table saw, compatibility comes down to arbor size and usable arbor length, maximum stack width, and having the right insert and safe guarding setup.

What determines dado compatibility

A dado stack is wider than a standard blade, so the saw must clamp the stack securely and provide clearance.

• Arbor diameter must match the dado set bore (many are 5/8 inch)
• Arbor length must allow the full stack plus washers and the arbor nut to fully engage threads
• Maximum dado width rating must meet your target groove width
• Throat plate opening must clear the wider cutter (a dado insert is typically needed)
• Guard and riving knife system must be configured safely for the cut type

Quick fit check (before you install)

• Unplug the saw; remove the standard blade
• Measure exposed threaded arbor length from the inner flange to the end of the threads
• Add up your planned stack width (blades plus chippers) plus any required washers
• Confirm the arbor nut threads on several full turns and tightens with the stack fully seated
• Verify you have an insert that provides clearance for the dado width

Common outcomes

What you notice	What it means	Practical fix
Arbor nut barely catches threads	Stack is too wide for the arbor	Use fewer chippers or a thinner dado set
Cutter rubs the insert	Insert opening is too narrow	Use a dado insert sized for the width
Rough cut or burning	Alignment or dull cutters	Align fence and blade; use sharp cutters

Why it matters

If the arbor nut cannot fully clamp the stack, the dado set can loosen or wobble; that increases kickback risk and can damage the arbor bearings.

Helpful DIY guidance

Use how to replace a table saw blade for safe blade removal and installation steps, and how to use a table saw safely for setup and cutting practices.

Last updated: January 2026

An 8-1/4 inch table saw typically through-cuts about 2-1/2 inches at 0° (90° cut), and about 1-3/4 inches at 45° bevel. For the Craftsman 17155 table saw, confirm the exact capacity by measuring blade height at full raise on your saw.

Typical cutting depth for an 8-1/4 inch blade

Actual depth varies with blade diameter, tooth height above the table, and how much the blade can raise.

• 0° bevel (straight cut): about 2-1/2 in.
• 45° bevel: about 1-3/4 in.
• Thin-kerf vs. full-kerf blades: cut width changes, not max depth
• Worn height mechanism or packed sawdust: can reduce max blade lift

Setup	Typical max thickness	What changes it most
0° bevel	~2-1/2 in.	Max blade lift above table
45° bevel	~1-3/4 in.	Bevel angle reduces effective height

How to measure your Craftsman 17155 cut capacity (fast and accurate)

Use this method to get the real number for your saw and blade.

• Unplug the saw.
• Raise the blade to full height.
• Measure from the tabletop to the highest tooth tip.
• Set bevel to 45°, raise fully again, and re-measure.
• If the blade will not raise smoothly or fully, use table saw can't adjust the blade height.

Why it matters

Knowing the true max depth helps you choose the right approach for thick stock (avoid binding and kickback risk) and decide when you need a different tool or a two-pass technique.

For blade-related setup that affects real-world performance, use how to replace a table saw blade.

Last updated: January 2026