Saw Questions

[mrpizza]

Saw these on the local Cl. Interested in both, if you all have favorable opinions on them.

Delta 10" table saw
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/2864439264.html

Craftsman radial arm saw

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/2862179933.html

Thoughts? Thinking of offering 20 on the table saw, and maybe 75 on the radial arm saw and working from there, if you think they are good to have. I only own a scroll saw as of now. Wanting to get in to building some furniture and such. Thanks all.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm completely disillusioned with that style of Craftsman RA saw. had 3 blow up on me now... If you want a RA saw, shop around for an old AMF Dewalt. Rock solid completely adjustable, and all its likely to need is the starter caps replaced...

Also the price he's asking and you are considering offering is IMO way too much. Craftsman RA saws are practically giveaway items these days. A RA saw can be a great tool, but the sliding cutoffs have about killed them off for most people.

 

[mrpizza]

Thanks Outlawmws, I'll maybe offer him a lot less and see what shakes out. Any opinions on that table saw?

 

[mrpizza]

I don't know anything about woodworking hardly, so excuse my ignorance. I can just get a table saw and do the job of a ra saw or miter saw as well?

 

[Outlawmws]

On the table saw, it's pretty small, but certainly the price is good. If it is large enough for what you want, (and it would not be a good choice for large panels) take along some scrap 2Xs and see how it does ripping them. If it doesn't bog the motor's HP, probably a good deal

 

[mrpizza]

Thanks, I'll shoot him an email.

 

[Outlawmws]

IMO, a table saw is better than a radial arm saw; safer and more accurate. I had a RA and sold it to buy a tablesaw.

Yes and no.

Personally I like RA saws, and historically use that more than a T saw. About all I do with my T saw is ripping boards lengthwise, and the occasional Dado cut. will it do more? yes, but setup is killer for me.

For Large panels, I use my Skill saw, and a long 2 piece straight edge. I've made furniture and finished cabinets with that setup...


I like the RA for cutoff work but I now have a decent 12" chop/miter saw, so the RA will see less use, but for cross cut dado and rabbit cuts, and wider cross cuts, it will still be kept.

The real answer is what kind of wood work are you getting into?

For some work a Tsaw is a great answer, if sized for the job. (think table extensions and out-feed tables) for other work, its just a pain in the ***. (lost of setup time) Its at its best in a production shop setup for repeated cuts.

 

[mrpizza]

Gotcha. Any resources for learning about woodworking? I have no idea about dado, rabbit, any of that stuff. I would like to eventually make cabinets and tables and such. I hate spending so much money for cheap **** in the stores.

 

[woody 73]

I passed up a fantastic deal about 4 months ago on a 14" RA saw, the man wanted only $400.00 dollars on a $5000.00 saw. I have the little brother the 12" model and I just did not have any more room. In my area you can pick up those Craftsman saws for next to nothing; everybody wants the new saws that you can move from room to room.

 

[Outlawmws]

Gotcha. Any resources for learning about woodworking? I have no idea about dado, rabbit, any of that stuff. I would like to eventually make cabinets and tables and such. I hate spending so much money for cheap **** in the stores.

Two words:

"Fine Woodworking"

It's also a magazine, but they have published a series of paperback books (Their "On" series) that cover almost anything wood you can imagine, from shop layout, to the tools (several books on these) to joinery, to complete furniture or project pieces.

"On" the Small Workshop
"On" Proven shop Tips
"On" More Proven shop Tips
"On" Wood working Machines
"On" Making an modifying Machines

And many more

Also well written and produced are the Norm Abram's books.

If you want to get into more hand work, start with Roy Underhill's "The Woodwright's Shop" It comes in 2 or 3 paperbacks or I have them al in one hardcover edition. (His PBS Videos are a hoot to watch, he's a history Prof for the U. of N.C IIR, and it's all shot "live" and produced by the students I believe, and if he screws up they just keep trucking... He probably has more small injuries on tape than any one in history...)


All are concise, well written and illustrated, and are worth every penny.

I see these often in the used/ Half Price Book stores (we have a chain of the Half Price Book stores here) So I'd start with a used book store for these.

 

[mrpizza]

Thanks!