DaleConway
New member
Sorry if this topic has been started, has anyone refurbished one?
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Craftsman racial arm saw
- Thread starter DaleConway
- Start date
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
That's a new one..lol
I've heard radial arm saws called radio arm saws, and radio alarm saws, but never a racial arm saw.
I've heard radial arm saws called radio arm saws, and radio alarm saws, but never a racial arm saw.
OP
DaleConway
New member
Yes, yes... It's my first post and as you can see I did NOT check my spelling! Hi, I'm new!
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Welcome, and don't think for a second that you're alone in getting this one wrong. It's a pretty common one actually
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Best first post ever!
King_Bobo_XXVII
New member
Radical Arm Saw?
Dumber than lumber
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,952
I have done that. My dad had one of the old gold ones - probably from the very late '50s (or early '60s). It was really tough to get parts, and that was before Sears went to pieces.
The handbrake was worn out and no replacement was available. The positioning brake (has stops at 45* and -45*) was broken, but I managed to get a new one and installed that. That was over 25 years ago.
Radial arm saws are just a nightmare to get all squared up to any reasonable degree of accuracy. I never did get a chop saw, but those are what have made most RA saws irrelevant/obsolete.
I much prefer a table saw for a lot of stuff, but my dad thought the RA was great.
Finding parts might be a little easier in the age of internet.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Re: Craftsman radial arm saw
Welcome to GJ Dale.
I have my grandfathers 1940's era DeWalt Radial Arm Saw. It's awesome.
The key is to use the proper blade. This is the one I've found to work best: https://www.freudtools.com/products/LU83R008
Just this week I've been building a computer desk. Ripping, crosscutting, making dado's... the RAS does it all, and it does it well.
Welcome to GJ Dale.
I have my grandfathers 1940's era DeWalt Radial Arm Saw. It's awesome.
The key is to use the proper blade. This is the one I've found to work best: https://www.freudtools.com/products/LU83R008
Just this week I've been building a computer desk. Ripping, crosscutting, making dado's... the RAS does it all, and it does it well.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
Most of the time mine had a dado blade installed.
James-W
Well-known member
I have a radial arm saw that I very rarely ever use. My table saw, bandsaw and 12 inch sliding miter saw, are more than capable of doing pretty much anything I need to do. About the only time I ever use the radial arm saw is to cut siding. I use a plywood blade installed backwards. I must admit, a radial arm saw works great for that.
DWise
Well-known member
I have been using a Craftsman radial arm saw for over 40 years. They are a very useful tool if used correctly. They can also be dangerous if used incorrectly. There is a recall on some model numbers, and they will send you $100.00 dollars if you send in certain parts. My motor failed after about 38 years so I returned it for the $100 and bought another almost new one from a neighbor. Owners manuals and parts lists are available online for some. Depending on condition it may be easier to just pick up a good one from craigs list or Facebook market place.
Funny this thread should pop up today. Just yesterday I tore down my Craftsman that I used for 40+ years for the $100 recall. Not that I think it's a bad machine, it just was taking up too much space and I recently bought a sliding miter. I did everything you could do with it and it never hurt me. The only thing I will miss is the ease of doing dadoes with it. I was looking around out of curiosity and I see the recall models still selling used for over $200 sometimes, sold item on ebay. Also see parts being sold by people who obviously turned in the motor for recall and the little parts bring some good $. I'll probably keep the stand on casters and use it for a miter saw stand.
NORTON'S SHOP
Well-known member
My first large tool purchase was a Craftsman radial arm saw. This was back around 1975/76. I would have been around 15 years old. Never could get it to cut square (perpendicular to the table). I spent days trying to accomplish this. It would cut out of square in one direction at the beginning of the cut, then go to square, and then out of square in the opposite direction. I think this was the start of my OCD. 
Sold it and bought a table saw.
Racial or not, good luck with your saw.
Sold it and bought a table saw.Racial or not, good luck with your saw.
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OP
DaleConway
New member
Thanks everyone! I've got everything (i.e. SOME things) clean & working but still have a problem in the miter arm fixed stops. I've been reluctant to do a complete teardown but it seems to be in the cards. Any aged words of wisdom? (Note: I typed MITER above 3 times! And it changed to UNITED! Is this some kind of "new guy" hazing thing!) Thanks again. I'll keep you posted.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Seems the normal M/O for auto correct.
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
A few Craftsman RAS are DeWalts, but most are Emerson, latest one are some Taiwanese firm. Which I've forgotten the name of. There are a couple of books out there on the set up of a RAS. I think there may be 14 steps on a RAS whereas a TS has 4. My Dewalt is more accurate than my SCMS . But it's not a Festool.
Cleave
Well-known member
Made in America by workmen of English, German, Mexican, and Chinese descent?
Sounds like your tool saw some racial collaboration.
Sounds like your tool saw some racial collaboration.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Two previous threads with info you may find of use.
The Original Poster (OP) hasn't been around in over two years , photos are up though.
Old Craftsman Radial arm saw I restored
spyhunter hasn't been around in over seven years - Links still good.
Rebuilding a craftsman radial arm saw
