Rear pulley arbor to short

I had a similar problem and after removing the suspect pulley I discovered that the threads for the set screw were not tapped all the way through. The set screw would tighten but not go far enough to lock on the key. With the pulley off the arbor I forced the set screw until it threaded well into the key way. I had to use quite a bit of force to get it to go but it finally pushed through the last portion that was unthreaded. Then I reinstalled it on the arbor with the key and tightened it. It has been months now of steady use without any movement.

Check this manual . Have you tried calling sears?

The problem could be one of the following:
1) dull blade, in which case replace with a carbide-toothed blade
2) underpowered or old/faulty electric motor
3) faulty/worn belt, in which case replace with new belt
4) The pulley on either the motor or the saw arbor (where the pulley attaches underneath the saw near blade) could be loose. Tighten down set screw.
5) The saw fence isn't set straight causing the wood to jam as you push it into the blade. Check this with a framing square and readjust so it is at a 90-degree angle to the front of the saw table.

The nut is binding on the arbor because the threads are buggered up or clogged with something. It could be the nut (which is probably brass and soft) or the arbor (which is steel). If it got a little cross threaded, the damage will be on the nut. It might be the arbor if the arbor took a whack. Once you have it apart you should be able to see it - although the damage might be pretty small. You aren't likely to have a tap and die to run through the threads, but you can probably fix it with a little rotary tool (like a dremel) using a small disc. If it is the arbor you can use a triangular file. Or you can buy a new nut. I hope this helps.

There should be a locking knob on the front of the crank or a locking collar behind the crank depending on which model or age of the saw that you need to tighten down to lock the arbor height.

Sound like a nasty problem. Something has to be wrong, maybe the keyway is cammed out on the arbor shaft?? Did you try some lock tite, on the set screws, then I am guessing you got the set screws tight for sure? I know thats not easy. I deal in table saw parts on ebay as "Hokienpokie" if you need to try a different arbor assembly I should be able to get you one with your saw model #, Jim

Earlier comment 103.0205 Table Saws does not need lubrication is simply wrong.

The103.0202, 103.0203, 103.0305 Craftsman Companion Table Saws main Arbor axle DOES have to lubricated or else the axle bearing will quickly loosen side-to-side or vertically and fail to provide accurate saw cuts.

FWIW, Sears no longer sells Arbor Axle replacement parts... The Table Saw Arbor axle and Bearing Housing cannot use sealed bearings unless the saw case is re-milled and extensively modified. There are 2 Oil Hole Plugs (part# 475-32) that need to be opened and oil applied so the Arbor axle shaft does not get scored or worn.

I use 30wt motor oil to relube the Arbor Axle Shaft depending on amount of use, temperature, and axle rotation stiffness.

Remember, the higher the RPM speed of the table saw motor and/or the longer the use, the more frequently you may need to relube the Arbor Axle Bearing!

At the arbor end it should be a curved 3/16" key. At the motor it will be a square 3/16" key. I would guess these should be available at most hardware stores, but I would have both types & most other parts too. I sell craftsman table saw parts, you can contact me via email [email protected]

My 10" Craftsman saw started life with a 1 hp motor. I'm on number 3 motor which is 1 1/2 or 2 hp. 1 hp seems to weak. The pulley diameter is about 2". The motor needs to rotate as the blade is moved from vertical. Mine is mounted to back of the blade arbor. The mounts needs to be adjustable for adjusting tension to the belt. McMaster Carr would have the start of a motor and base.

go to sears service center and get a new arbor, and ask them to show you the motor and arbor assembly drawing. it should show how the arbor is attached to the shaft.
you can pull the arbor off with a pulley. you can get that from auto parts store.