HF Radial arm Gizmo $45.99, Gives me ideas.

[MoldnMaker]

I don't know if this has been mentioned or posted before, but I did a couple searches and came up with nothing. So I'm assuming this thing has been overlooked or ignored.

link to it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33576

Seems like a good deal depending on quality. Is the support good? is the action smooth? Is the adjustment accurate? Is it safe? ect...

I'm thinking MODIFICATION. (within safety limits) Seems like I could fabricate a mount for a belt sander turned 90 degrees and have a quasi-thickness sander(ideally without making your work piece into a projectile), fabricate a mount for a Dremel and create straite and even depth decrative designs (jig required too) And possibly other uses I can't think of at the moment. All this functionallity on one table. May have to look up quality and similar devices if they are out there. What do you all think ? Is this device a gimmick thingy or a useful gadget? I need a second opinion before a order it.

[Jduke]

I wouldn't

I am going to vote NO!

You can find an old Sears RAS for $100 used most places, and while they aren't the best RAS available, they would be worth the $55 step up in my book.

THat RAS kit looks a little to flimsy to be of much use.
Can't use a dado blade on it either, which is one about the only reason to get a RAS over a sliding compound miter saw anyway.

I wouldn't waste money on it, I would just watch the classifieds, and see if you could find a $100 RAS to work with.
I even picked up a ryobi RA 200 RAS for $50 at a garage sale a few years ago.

just my thoughts.
Duke

In sunny hot Kuwait.

[LCHIEN]

Come on now, take a good look at that thing and how sturdy it is,
do you want to be within 50 yards of it when it hits wood?

do you think it has the stability to hold your belt sander and maintain a few thousandsth of an inch height to equal the smoothness and accuracy of a 80 pound thickness planer?

[Tequila]

Add me to the "no" list. It loks like it's got some kind of clamp that attaches to the saw handle. How exatly are you supposed to get that level to the surface you're cutting?

If you're looking for a cheap planer, I'd suggest tracking down some plans for a "router sled planer "before wasting your money on this.

[MoldnMaker]

Thanks for the replies. You talked me out of it. Back to the drawing board.

[Tequila]

I found a router sled planer plan on Lee Styron's site.
http://www.leestyron.com/sled.php

[pirinst]

I looked at the 63 page manual for this thinkkk

They have you building a complete table top to use with the unit.

Plus, you have to have your circular saw a dedicated unit. It looks like

a unique idea on paper but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is

serious about safety and reliability.

[cwsmith]

I've got to tell you, with more than 30 years of experience with a RAS, I wouldn't go near that HF thing! Save your money and probably a few appendages. If you want a RAS, there are a lot of them on the market for $100 or less. Check your local garage sales, etc.

CWS

[LinuxRandal]

If I needed to do wierd angles, for ONE job, ON THE JOBSITE, I might consider getting that and making use of it, out of the bed of my pickup. THAT'S IT.
I picked up (a few years back) a 1963 Dewalt RAS for $75, two weeks later, the same model, sold at a garage sale for $150, three blocks from my house, in the first 10 minutes of the sale. You can find good models reasonable, and you could put out ads. I would also check out things like the Dewalt RAS forums, for how to's on fixing one up (new tables and such).