Radial Arm Saw Tricks

[cmandp]

We used the radial arm saw for all crosscuts and dados/rabbets in high school woodshop. It was really convenient cutting out all of your rabbets and dados for all your parts on the radial arm. We never setup a dado stack either, just did multiple passes with the normal crosscut blade.

None of the kids got hurt on the radial arm while I was in high school and I hadn't heard about anyone from any other years either. My shop teacher had a 12" wide bright yellow "keep out" zone painted on the radial arm table and I am sure he had part of that safety record.

 

[dawgee]

The best use I ever found for a RAS is for cutting 90º dadoes, such as in sides for bookcases.

This is the reason i bought one. Theres a huge recall at www.radialarmsawrecall.com they give you a box and $100 bucks so dont toss them get something for them

 

[Showkey]

After 40 plus years of service with little or low use in the last 5 years.........turned mine in for the $100.
As several other posts suggest...........radial arm saws have very limited use or function when compared to power sliding miter box and any decent table saw.

 

[cgrutt]

My first significant tool was a Craftsman 10" RAS that my dad bought me when I was just a kid maybe 11-12 years old (I know.... you could get locked up doing that today lol). Built many projects with it over the years and kept it up until just a few years ago. Given choice I much prefer a table saw and sliding compound saw over RAS but that's not to say RAS doesn't have its place in the workshop. I would strongly advise against using it to rip long dados in boards clamped up snugly against back fence. Nearly lost a finger and surprised not a hand when long board with a slight bow in it jammed between fence and clamps, gave it a good push it let loose and my hand flew right up and into exposed blade. Suprisingly didn't hit any bone but damage could have been much worse. I always use a table saw for this now. Stay safe and enjoy your new saw!

 

[86turbodsl]

I wouldn't give you a dollar for one of the craftsman RAS's, even though i know there's a couple that are alright. There are some MUCH better RAS's out there though, most round arm dewalts, a lot of the delta's, and plenty more orphan big heavy cast iron rigid models. THOSE are usually fine. I have a 16" delta, and a JD Wallace. Both are great and rigid.

 

[sberry]

I finally got one at a yard sale for cheap, fixed it up a little,,, wouldn't bother again. My helper wiring some new stuff on motor. I put a box on it with 20A breakers thinking I might use it on welder recept but never moved it from its home once it was set.

 

[kbs2244]

For me the advantage over the newer, stronger, chop saws is the depth of a cross cut.

I would use a table saw for ripping.

Keep a plastic triangle nearby for setting the angle.

 

[tarmy]

This is my set up...absolutely handy tool if used correctly...

Space is an issue for some...so having this and a table saw is what I have found to work best...

 

[86turbodsl]

Table saws are great at ripping. Radials are great at crosscutting.

For my money, it makes more sense to specialize each tool to what it does best. That way i don't need a giant area around a table saw and a sliding table attachment to make a table saw into what a radial does best. Just MHO.

 

[sberry]

I would trade the radial I have for a modern chop/compound miter if one was interested. ha

 

[Richard D]

Wow, I started this over six years ago! The Craftsman is still sitting, will probably be given away. I ordered the "Mr. Sawdust" book, and it is all about the round arm DeWalt. I found one, 1956 model, within driving distance the first time I looked for $75. It is obvious that it is a more substansial tool than the Craftsman. Need to make a table for it per the book.

 

[Showkey]

I would trade the radial I have for a modern chop/compound miter if one was interested. ha

trade you might have to add $250-550 to the trade value.

I was thrilled with the recall $100.......plus you get to repurpose the stand.

 

[Outlawmws]

Table saws are great at ripping. Radials are great at crosscutting.

For my money, it makes more sense to specialize each tool to what it does best. That way i don't need a giant area around a table saw and a sliding table attachment to make a table saw into what a radial does best. Just MHO.

\
'


For dadoing a "Modern" miter/chop *****, for chopping and mitering its great...

And in reality, except for dadoing a mitering/chop saw IS a RAS in a smaller package and with a limited span...

The real deal is mostly people don't dado, and a short stroke is fine for 90% of what they do.

But it does NOT replace the RAS completely.

 

[Outlawmws]

trade you might have to add $250-550 to the trade value.

I was thrilled with the recall $100.......plus you get to repurpose the stand.

I've scrapped out 3 of the old Craftsman's, I sold the stands for a pittance...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thread resurrection of the year.

The year is still early my friend.




I like my Cman RAS. They can keep their $100 and box, I'll keep my saw.

 

[taumac]

I always had a table saw and chop saw. When I meet my wife my FIL has a old Dewalt radial arm. Similar to this one.


He’s past away but he built a lot of furniture in his home with that saw. I still have it down at his house as a quick saw to make a cut on. The more I use it I can ready see how useful it can be. I thought about finding a bigger one to use.

 

[tcianci]

The thing about a RAS is getting it in perfect adjustment and keeping it that way. Do a compound miter test: set the saw at a 45 for both adjustments. Set the blade down out in the middle of the arm so it just barely touches a perfectly flat and level (to the saw) piece of stock. Hand turn the blade as you draw the saw back and forth. It should just barely touch the stock at all points.

Obviously, unplug the saw before making any adjustments or tests. There are adjustments for all the facets of saw operation. do all the tests. If the saw is perfectly set up and the blade is razor fcuking sharp, it is a lot safer tool to use and will do a lot of work. In fact, if you will get a series of featherboards and USE them, you can rip all day long.

This is absolutely correct. A RAS has a multitude of ways it can move and unless it's set up perfectly, they try to move in every direction at the same time. I have seen pieces of wood launched amazing distances by unhappy RAS's

 

[captaindiode]

If you are using a RAS be sure you have the correct blade. True RAS blades have a negative hook angle. A regular general purpose blade will try to "climb" your board as you cross cut and pull the saw towards you.

 

[Enigma]

Thread resurrection of the year.

just call me Jesus

 

[Rc_Guy]

I built mine into a lower cabinet. Takes up less space and I have a rip fence that is about 10' long. I also have a spot for my compound miter which shares the same rip fence.

Basically....I can cut a board up to 16' long anywhere I want.

That don't look like a radial arm saw.

 

[Enigma]

.... I would strongly advise against using it to rip long dados in boards clamped up snugly against back fence.

Nearly lost a finger and surprised not a hand when long board with a slight bow in it jammed between fence and clamps, gave it a good push it let loose and my hand flew right up and into exposed blade.

when you say clamps do you mean featherboards? and
grooves with the grain? or dados across the grain? I'm trying to picture what happened.

 

[Outlawmws]

That don't look like a radial arm saw.

Look behind the chop saw...

 

[Rc_Guy]

Look behind the chop saw...

now I see it, that is a nice bench, the ras saw blends in nice

 

[HoosierMark]

Thanks to the posters for posting about the rebate for the craftsman saw. My friend had one and I helped him send it in. They quickly sent the paperwork, shipping box and free return labeling. He is thrilled as he did not want it anymore.
For helping him, he gave me the stand. I made it into a mobile tool parts cart. I plan to roll it next to the car I am working on to hold tools and parts. I made the top 2 x 4 foot and plan to put plywood on the center and then put plywood on the bottom of the side 2 x4s to create a 3.5 deep container on each end to keep things from falling off.
A win win for both of us.

 

[lakeroadster]

If you are using a RAS be sure you have the correct blade. True RAS blades have a negative hook angle. A regular general purpose blade will try to "climb" your board as you cross cut and pull the saw towards you.

^^^ Like he said ^^^ and "Thin Kerf" is the other must.

I've got a 1940's DeWalt that my grandfather bought new.

Grandpa used it from 1943 to 1963, Dad used it from 1963 to 2012, and I've used it since 2012.

Dad had a generic circular saw blade on it when I first got it... it was horrible. I got on the The Radial Arm Saw Discussion Forum and got educated on all things RAS.

I ended up buying a Freud LU83R008 Thin Kerf Combination 40 Tooth Blade.

For framing and generic projects I still use my chop saw, but the RAS is what I use for all trim work, be it ripping or crosscutting. It also works great for composite decking.

If you have a RAS check the site out.. The Radial Arm Saw Discussion Forum

 

[Outlawmws]

That's the bigger DEWalt. Does yours have the side carry handle?

I have one that size. I need to get off my **** and replace the capacitor...

 

[vrinner]

Old radial arm saws...

Here is the one I got from my Dad. He bought it new in the late 50's. This was the only big piece of woodworking equipment he had for many years and we built a lot of stuff on it. Including using it like a table saw which today I probably would never do. He even gave me all the attachments for it so it could be used as a drill press and router.

I'm keeping it and using it more for nostalgia then anything else.