Opinions wanted-radial arm vs. compound mitre saws

[thisoldcrackhouse]

I've got a 10" Craftsman radial arm that seems to be serving duty as "table" more than saw and a 12" Bosch non-sliding compound mitre that seems to be my go-to whenever I need to cut a piece of stock. I've got a folding table saw for ripping down wide or longish pieces as well. Is there any unforeseen benefit that I'm missing or am I just having this thing just taking up valuable floor space? All opinions are appreciated.

 

[KEH]

Let's suppose you are making a bookcase and want to cut dados to fit the shelves into and glue up. The RAS makes quick work of that. Put dado blade on, mark cuts, go to it. Work is held in a safe and rigid poition.

Dados cut at an angle are easy with RAS.

The RAS probably can make wider cuts than the sliding miter saw.

KEH

 

[Packard V8]

If you're just chopping stock to length, then the RAS takes up a lot of room. The RAS are most practical when built into a bench against the wall. In that configuration, they take up literally no floor space.

As mentioned above, the RAS can do many operations the chop saw can't. However, if you're not doing any dadoes, compound bevels or the like, it is surplus.

Bottom line, RAS have literally no resale value. I've been given a couple for free because the owner didn't get any calls from a craigslisting and just wanted it gone. Build it into your workbench and it will be there for the rare but necessary ops.

jack vines

 

[Professur]

If you want to use the radial arm, it's far more versatile than any of the others. A top of the line model where the head is fully articulated can do 90% of the work of a table saw, 100% of the work of a mitre saw, and 50% the work of a lathe. Cutting a bowl out of a round from a maple trunk is child's play with a radial arm saw. Damn few people with lathes would attempt it.

But if you're not using it ... it's surplus. It's not about the tool, it's about you.

 

[toolchaser]

RAS= shop saw
CMS= Jobsite saw

 

[crowldawg]

Agree with toolchaser.

 

[plinker]

A Radial arm saw is very useful with a (stacked) dado blade easier to use when making shelving as said above.

Otherwise a compound sliding miter saw should have the same cut depth (around 14"-16") same as your 10" R A saw

Portability the miter saw wins, but I dont think a person is likely to make shelving at a jobsite.

Just my opinions.

 

[rsanter]

a radial arm will do more and generally have a larger capacity

the chop saw is quicker and a little easier to use

I have both

by the way, if you need a adjustable blade guard for using a shaper or dato blade on your radial arm, I have a spare one

bob

 

[Major Ramifications]

You do know about the recall on the Craftsman RAS, don't you? If yours qualifys (most do) you register for the recall and they send you a new blade guard and a whole new top and fence for free.

 

[Underdog]

You do know about the recall on the Craftsman RAS, don't you? If yours qualifys (most do) you register for the recall and they send you a new blade guard and a whole new top and fence for free.

And probably make it totally useless!!

 

[Bolster]

RA saws are versatile, but also disappearing, largely due to the danger they pose. Long considered one of the most dangerous tools in a woodshop. They've claimed lots of hands. I got rid of mine as soon as I could replace it with a CM saw, and operations I used to do on the RA, I now do with a chopsaw or tablesaw or router. A RA saw is no longer an essential tool. There are safer options nowadays.

 

[plinker]

RA saws are versatile, but also disappearing, largely due to the danger they pose. Long considered one of the most dangerous tools in a woodshop. They've claimed lots of hands. I got rid of mine as soon as I could replace it with a CM saw, and operations I used to do on the RA, I now do with a chopsaw or tablesaw or router. A RA saw is no longer an essential tool. There are safer options nowadays.

I agree, they need to be used with caution.

I use mine for dado's but I will cut a wide board if I need to, the miter saw is really faster/easier/safer for basic cutting (but it's nice to have options).

Most of the other cutting I do is circ. saw and miter saw.

 

[thisoldcrackhouse]

Thanks for all the feedback, I never really considered the cabinet making aspect of the tool. I took about an hour today and dismantled it and it now resides in my garage attic. As soon as the (re)construction of my house is done I'll more than likely reassemble it once I gain some garage space back.

 

[rsanter]

RA saws are versatile, but also disappearing, largely due to the danger they pose. Long considered one of the most dangerous tools in a woodshop. They've claimed lots of hands. I got rid of mine as soon as I could replace it with a CM saw, and operations I used to do on the RA, I now do with a chopsaw or tablesaw or router. A RA saw is no longer an essential tool. There are safer options nowadays.

you are right, because of the way the blade rotated verses the fact that you are pulling the carrage twards you. it does make for a more dangerious tool than average.
I have thought about selling mine but am glad I didnt. I had not used it in over 10 years but when doing my wood floor I had some long thin tapers I had to do and the radial arm what actually the safer way to do it. the CM saw wouldnt do it and the tablesaw would have posed problems to do it.
I would keep yours and use it with caution

bob

 

[woody 73]

Yes it is all true what the others have said,sad back in the day every garage had a ras.
Today on CL in my part of the state people can not give them away.
I own both and enjoy them very much,the one great thing I like about the mitre saw is I can take it into any room of my house and cut wood.

I can remember watching other men perform the most amazing cuts on a ras,that would defy the laws of nature...But as one other GJ member pointed out they are dangerous!

 

[Packard V8]

I'll categorically state RAS are not a particularly dangerous woodworking tool. How many people died from RAS injuries last year? Ever? None I could find. Now cars, they're dangerous. Cars run amok and kill 40,000 people each year. You say cars don't kill people; dumb drivers do? Well, a RAS never hurt anyone unless he was inattentative or just numbnuts dumb. I've used a RAS for forty years now. Every time I switch it on, I'm conscious of the 60-tooth blade spinning toward my nose at 3450 RPMs. Just the same consideration I give a car, a 4,000-pound projectile I'm aiming. Used by an attentive operator, the RAS is as safe as any woodworking tool can be.

FWIW, the jointer is the power tool which causes the most woodworking shop injuries. The blades are hidden and the stock has to be held down directly over those hidden blades.

jack vines

 

[knotheads]

i have a full host of woodworking machines,including a 12 in radial arm saw that is very versital around the shop. i also have a miter saw. the radial arm saw knows it place in my shop. the miter saw travels well. each machine has its weak and strong points.

 

[Coach James]

I worked at a home cen ter in college and we used a panel saw and RAS hourly cutting lumber for customers. In four years, no employee got hurt. We just kept our hands away from the blade. Seems ours rotated towards us at the top and away from us at the bottom. Was that abnormal? If not, how was that dangerous?

Coach