I Inherited a Radial Arm Saw

[DaveinFloweryBranchGA]

Hinge,

Don Hart posted a link you definately want to go to. The Old Woodworking Machines website will likely have all the information having to do with your RAS you'd ever want to know, including where and how to get parts, plus help you identify what year it was made, etc. I'd certainly check it out, just follow the link Don posted.

[Tom Hintz]

Hinge,
Getting a manual for that saw, from Sears, is a very good idea. At that age, that saw was made long before the recalls and when those types of machines were "cheapened up".
I have a story at the link below that has some pointers on the alignment process that I found very helpful with my Sears RAS. It worked great and the saw stayed in alignment much longer.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/squarerastble.html

Have fun but be careful! It's still a saw so watch those fingers...

[mater]

That is a nice old saw. If I had the room I would be looking for one.

[JimD]

I have my Ryobi RAS and a CMS on a table with a long (more than 8 foot) fence for making cross-cuts. The fence has flip stops. I generally use the RAS for crude cross cuts because it tends to wander a little on the settings. If I need it to make a precision cut (something wider than my CMS can handle) I double check to make sure it is square first - I have a large drafting triangle right at the RAS for this purpose. My last use was with a dado blade to make tenons. Sliding CMSs are taking over these days but they do not have the dado capability of a RAS and they stick out terribly on the backside making mounting on a bench difficult. There is definitely still a place for a decent RAS.

Jim

[Bob Webb]

Hinge--

Did you ever find a manual for your saw? I recently acquired one for $100 from a neighbor. It is a 1977 version. I would be glad to copy it for you and send it. (Don't have scanner, bought the RAS instead.)

[TheHinge]

quote:Originally posted by Bob Webb

Hinge--

Did you ever find a manual for your saw? I recently acquired one for $100 from a neighbor. It is a 1977 version. I would be glad to copy it for you and send it. (Don't have scanner, bought the RAS instead.)

I pick up the saw in a couple of weeks. I will search then. Thanks.

[ironhat]

Sorry that this is late but, congrats. I have one from that era in the 9" version. It's used nearly as much as my TS. Once familiar with its peculiarities you will respect and love your RAS.
Later,
Chiz

[rabmaxx]

Bought one new in 1977, think it was made in 1975. Still going strong, does great cross cuts and holds alignment well. One piece is wearing and I will most likely have to have it milled if it needs replacing.

I have done miter and compound cuts with it and have ripped with great trepidition. Don't need to anymore. I use it 100% to cross cut 'cause it is so convienient and accurate (I also have a twelve inch Delta CPMs w/laser) which I use for miter cuts.

The recall upgrade turned out to be a hassel so I didn't bother. I have determined that if one hand is on the front handle to pull the saw blade through the work and the other hand is holding the work against the fence AWAY from the blade, no fingers are lost.

One note of caution: I was ripping (before table saw was purchased) one foot quarter wide pieces and one piece just missed the head of my dog about six feet away, went another two feet and all the way through a card board box and stopped in the drywall.

If you do not get a manual, let me know.

Ron

[TheHinge]

quote:Originally posted by Bob Webb

Hinge--

Did you ever find a manual for your saw? I recently acquired one for $100 from a neighbor. It is a 1977 version. I would be glad to copy it for you and send it. (Don't have scanner, bought the RAS instead.)

I was looking through some other stuff and found the original manual from 1969. It's great. Has all kind of helpful information in it. They have the saw being a router, sander, drill, cutting bowls out...Thank you for your help.

[meika123]

Quite frankly, IMHO the radial arm is the best way to cut a dado. The dado is being cut where you can see, and you can more accurately locate it. When cutting multiple dadoes, you can mark them and accurately cut them.
I wish I had a radial arm when I built Norm's back counter. All those dadoes, and I got my cuts off a smidge when cutting them on the bottom. A lot of guys here use the router to cut dadoes, but, personally, I like to use the TS.

Dave in NC

[Anthony]

quote:Originally posted by 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.

I beleiev i read somewhere that stated that the radial arm saw accouts for most saw accidents. A word to the wise , esp since it seems that woodworking is a new venture for you.