I Inherited a Radial Arm Saw

[TheHinge]

It is a Craftsman, 30 years or more old. I did some searching on here and found two things. Older is better with Craftsman and the Radial Arm Saw. And, the are supposed to be good a cutting dados.

All I have at the moment is the BT3100 and a Rigid 18v Cordless drill. I have a Rotozip tool RZ20, but I only bought it to do one thing. I don't have a clue if it can help me in woodworking (advice welcome).

I don't really know what I am asking here. I just thought I'd throw it out there to see if there were any good ideas for using the saw and other stuff (besides the BT3100).

What I am doing is making boxes, small, medium or large. Mostly small right now. Decorative types. Thanks.

[Jim Boyd]

Do a google search on tuning radial arm saws. You will find good instructions. Follow them precisely and in order and you saw will be good for all of the things a miter saw or chop saw are. Good haul

[TheHinge]

quote:Originally posted by Jim Boyd

Do a google search on tuning radial arm saws. You will find good instructions. Follow them precisely and in order and you saw will be good for all of the things a miter saw or chop saw are. Good haul

Good, because I don't have the money for a miter saw right now.

[mcgrath4u]

The radial arm saw is a good tool as long as you use it carefully. The older models of radial arm saws are being recalled by the emerson tool company. Your sears branded tool should fall under this category and you should be able to get a new table, blade guard, and extra little things to make the saw safer. (http://radialarmsawrecall.com/)

Though, I am not answering any of your questions, I thought this will help you with safety and any concern you may have with your new tool. BTW Welcome to woodworking, you'll love every minute of it(as long as you are not sanding, finishing, doing the boring stuff, etc).

John

[JTimmons]

There's a section in the latest (Sept 2005) issue of Wood magazine titled Box Top Magic on page 80. Pretty sweet jewelry boxes. If anything may give you some ideas.

[don_hart]

Congratulations. A RAS is a very usefull peice of equipment. It can be used for all jobs that you would normally use a chop saw for. You can also use it with a dado blade to cut dados some people like this because you can see the dado as you cut it. I use mine primarily for crosscutting. Depending on how you setup the table you can get a crosscut capacity of 17" -18".

[Pappy]

A RAS is a great tool capable of more than just cross cuts. A couple of things to keep in mind when using a RAS.

One is that the top of the blade is spinning forward. If the stock is not held firmly against the fence the blade can jerk it, dig in, and come forward before you know what is happening.

Another is to always keep in mind where your 'free' hand is located. It is easy to get your hand in the path of the blade, especially when batch cutting stock using a stop block. I have seen 2 people lose thumbs this way.

[TheHinge]

quote:Originally posted by Pappy

A RAS is a great tool capable of more than just cross cuts. A couple of things to keep in mind when using a RAS.

One is that the top of the blade is spinning forward. If the stock is not held firmly against the fence the blade can jerk it, dig in, and come forward before you know what is happening.

Another is to always keep in mind where your 'free' hand is located. It is easy to get your hand in the path of the blade, especially when batch cutting stock using a stop block. I have seen 2 people lose thumbs this way.

Thanks. It has been a long time since I saw my Dad use the saw. I will keep this in mind. Especially since I type for a living! (computer)

[Ken Weaver]

Nice haul Hinge. I've been looking for a similar find, you'll find it useful. Welcome aboard!

[Armini]

The RAS is probably the most dangerous of the common power tools, you should make sure you get instruction from someone who really knows how to use one, or take your time learning.

The worst thing is that they were once common enough that there are lots of people who think they know how to use one (viz. my stepfather). One of the operations they were used for was ripping, and the physics of that scrare the crap out of me.

[jhart]

You might want to contact Sears parts dept with the model number and see if there is an owners manual available to buy. They usually have excellent info for set up and adjustments, as well as an exploded parts diagram.

Keep in mind that if you are going to do dados, the table really needs to be perfectly flat relative to the blade.

Good luck with the RAS. I love mine and use it as much or more than the 3100.

[vaking]

I also have a rotozip. IMHO it is good for drywall. It is also good for cutting openings in countertops for sinks. I would not use for anything else realted to woodworking. It spins faster than any router, has practically no control of either speed or bit depth setting. An inexpensive router for $50-$60 will outclass it easily. Rotozip to woodworking is like swiss army knife for carving.

[don_hart]

If you need a manual try http://www.owwm.com or post the part number for the saw and if it the same as mine I can scan the manula for you.

[silverfox]

Good deal, Hinge. The older RAS's are great tools. Learn about it and be careful with it and you will use it often.
Mike

[scmhogg]

Hinge,

I have a manual for my 8 1/4" RAS. Model # 113.234700.

Don't even think about ripping with the RAS when you have a BT3K.

Steve