Radial Arm Saws- do-do bird?

[Greatwhitewing]

Years ago used to be really common now the offerings new are kinda rare/sparse.

Prices on CL seem pretty low for older Craftsman that look to be well made.

Looking at maybe picking one up for some lap joints on 2x8's. Need to do 16 of them and doing it with a skil saw doesn't sound very fun.

Would you buy one for the job and turn it around, keep it or just nibble with a skil saw?


BTW I have dado blades I could put in the Radial Arm Saw.

 

[Outlawmws]

No real need to "nibble" it away with the skill saw

Make the end cut accurately using a Speed Square as a guide (Not a try square; one of those plastic carpenter's squares that look like a triangle).

Then make as many spaced cuts in the waste area. you can space these to something less than 1/4". no need to make these secondary cut square at all.

tap the waste with a hammer and they will mostly pop out

Use a wider wood chisel to smooth the bottom. (this is a LOT faster than in sounds)

Done, and probably less that a few minutes each.

 

[tcianci]

What he said /\ /\ /\

 

[Greatwhitewing]

"Then make as many spaced cuts in the waste area. you can space these to something less than 1/4". no need to make these secondary cut square at all."

That's what I meant by nibbling it...

 

[Outlawmws]

By the time you find, buy, and setup a RA saw, I think you could be done several times over.

 

[Steevo]

Years ago I had a radial arm saw. Then I got a Delta Sawbuck. Then I got a chop saw.
Then I got a compound miter saw. Then I got a 12" sliding compound miter saw.
Then I sold everything but the sliding compound miter saw.

With that, my skilsaw, and my table saw, there isn't a joint or cut I can't do.
I do miss the dado head in the RAS, though. Sure made quick and accurate work of dado joints for shelving or box corners.

 

[Lightfoot]

I used a router the last time i had to do lap joints. worked fine, and a lot less passes than a single blade.

I certainly wouldn't go buy a RAS. I sold mine about 5 years ago, glad i did-they aren't bringin half of what i sold mine for now.

 

[Larwyn]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a used radial arm saw. Wish I had never sold the one I had but I needed the shop space at the time and I figured a miter saw would take up less room. If I find one I plan to put in place of my miter saw in the shop because it will do everything the miter saw will do and more, and on wider stock. I'll keep the miter saw for outdoor/on site work but it will loose it's spot in the shop when I find a good used radial arm saw in my area.

 

[plinker]

I like having a RAS around simply for the dado-ing ability or for very wide boards (dont have a sliding miter saw).

 

[tcianci]

I sold my RAS too. I'm using a 12" Makita double compound slider now. It's a great saw but it weighs about 60 lbs and I'm getting tired of putting it on and off the truck. HF has a 10" double compound chop going on sale in Jan for 69 bucks and I have a 20% coupon. As long as it's reasonably accurate, it may end up being my go to saw for the job site.