Possible RAS buy

[gad5264]

The father of one of my closest friends here at work passed away about 3 weeks ago. Over this past weekend my friend went to Michigan to empty his fathers garage and house of possessions before he sells it. He brought me these pictures and the owners manual of the RAS that you see and offered to sell it to me. Chris is not very mechanically inclined and has no idea what it is worth. I for that matter do not have much knowledge of RAS's either but have always wanted one. So I thought I would ask all of you what you would offer for it if you had the opportunity?

As you can see in the pictures it clearly says that it is a B&D, but the manual has B&D and also says Dewalt Deluxe Power Shop on it. The model number is R-1450 Type B.

Any information that you can provide on this would be helpful.

[bmyers]

I have an older version of one of these that says Dewalt on it. They are not bad but they are not the best Dewally had to offer. Here's why:

More sought after Dewally RAS's have a solid cast iron top to the arm. This one has an open arm at the top with a plastic lid on it and the height adjustment closer to the front. The better ones have the height adjustment in the back on top of the post and no plastic top.

Even of the 1450 series, this is a later one. Dewally Officianatos say the older the better. The older ones still say Dewalt on the and are blue and orange (rowin and martin colors minus the flowers)

This 1450 probably has a place to attach a drill collet. Why you'd want to drill stuff at 3450 RPM is beyond me...

That said, I have one and I like it except 1 thing. The arm has movement to the left/right. If you're standing in front of it and grab on to where the key/switch is, it wiggles from left to right. You're supposed to be able to adjust this with the set screws on the gib but I can't adjust it out. It doesn't seem to affect my cut's but I wish I could adjust it out.

I also have a 7790, the heavy duty version of the late model Dewallys and it does not have this defect.

Try this test with the one you're looking at if you can. There really should not be any play laterally like that. This one looks well cared for and may not have the same problem.

A decent table is really important to have also because all your non-through cuts depend on that reference. This one doesn't seem to have that.

This one does have the metal cabinet which actually added accuracy and is not that common to see one thats not rusted out. Adds a few bux..


Bill

[LinuxRandal]

Dewalt was bought by B&D in the early sixties. You'll want a Mr. Sawdust table for it, and it's a good starting point if the price is right, and you have room in the shop (a much cheaper way to have the SCMS but without the portability, yet can do overhead dado's). I'd say sign up to the Dewalt radial arm saw forums, they can answer any questions you have about it, you can also find some info on owwm.com.

[cabinetman]

RAS's once tuned up can be a very useful tool. There are many areas that require diligence to correct a problem. The real problem with most of them lies in the fact that there are so many adjustments possible. The carriage/motor rotates, tilts, and rolls. The arm swings and goes up and down. I would venture a guess that the RAS has more points of movement/adjustment than any other tool. I personally like the tool, especially for repetitive crosscuts. I would also add that ripping on a RAS is a dangerous procedure. There is no real "safe" method.

I've always had one or more, in fact I recently bought one just to take the motor off and mount a router to make a radial arm router (RAR). How 'bout that, a new acronym. Think about the possibilities.

Anyway, as far as value, get it as cheap as you can. The most I ever paid or was willing to pay was $125. The one you are looking at will need a new table assembly. I would first start your negotiations with finding out what the seller has in mind. Don't ever volunteer a price. It's much easier (and friendly) for you to increase your bid than to talk the seller down.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[JSUPreston]

If/when negotiating the price, remember the sentimental value. It probably would mean a lot to him to have his father's tools go to his friends.

[Russianwolf]

check craig's list and ebay. I saw a B&D RAS on craig'slist recently for $100 I think it was. Can't wait till I find one for me.