More newbie stuff

[tys mom]

OK, guys and gals. I can't emphasize enough what a rookie I am. I have a list of questions that I haven't gotten around to posting yet, but when I do, you will know what kindergarten teachers feel like!

For right now: there's a yard sale tomorrow (yes, Thursday) and a radial arm saw is advertised. Would this be worth looking at? Does a radial arm saw have any good use in woodworking or is in more used in carpentry "or what" ??

I currently have the BT3100 and Freud dado blades, the Ryobi miter saw, a couple of old routers, a beaten up little jig saw and a Skilsaw. The usual array of hand tools, but that's it. My gut says to save for a bandsaw or planer.

What say ye, oh great ones?

[lrogers]

If I had the room, I have another RAS. They are great for cross cuts and cutting dadoes. They can be a bit intimidating, especially when ripping, and can be a pain to set up. Check the model and serial number, a bunch of saws made by Emerson (I think) and sold with the Craftsman name were recalled. Some of the saws were offered a tretro fit kit and some were offered a by. There's a web site, but I don't remember the exact address, maybe one of the other members will know it.
I had a Craftsman 10" radial arm in the mid '80's. It was a very nice saw. I parted with it (my ex. f.i.l) when I divorced. My son now has it and I wish I had it back.

[sweensdv]

So much depends on what type of projects you plan on doing in the future. With the advancements in technology in recent years in CMS's and SCMS's the RAS has fallen out of favor with many woodworkers. So much so that some mfgs. have quit producing them. For the most part, my gut says your gut is correct, save up for some other tools.

[LarryG]

I have two, somewhat mutually exclusive, answers.

1. I "learned on" a radial arm saw -- it's what my dad had as the centerpiece of his shop, in lieu of a table saw. A bad one can be a nightmare but a good one is highly useful, depending on what you're doing. Which brings me to the fact that I don't currently have one in MY shop, and I can't say it's a hardship. I do intend to get one someday, mainly to use for cutting rabbets and dados. An RAS makes a WONDERFUL platform for a dado set if the workpieces you're cutting are within its crosscut capacity (typically around 16"). But given your current tooling, I'd agree that there are higher priorities.

2. Used tools have to be treated like targets of opportunity. If something comes along that you are sure you need (or someday will need), and it's in good shape and you can get it for a good price ... it's usually best to jump, even if the timing isn't exactly right.

In short, tough call, but given the info you've supplied, I'd say ... pass.

[LCHIEN]

My 2 cents:
The table saw and miter saw make a complementary pair. One (TS) excels at rips and does OK with shorter croscuts and wider crosscuts. Also works well with Dados. The MS excels at narrow crosscuts.

The RAS does well at dadoes because you can see the work as it cuts (so people say). and it does well at all kinds of crosscuts both wide and narrow as well as long ones too because the wood is stationary. the RAS can also rip but I think that's a bit scary because the wood has to move. You also have to have the right blade with the right teeth so the wood doesn't want to lift. An advantage of a RAS is it backs up nicely to the wall for use and storage.

Theoretically if you have a RAS you don't need a TS or a Miter saw (if you can make those scary rips). Or a TS (for ripping) and RAS for croscuts and dados then you don't need a MS. Or maybe even have a TS and MS and keep a RAS for dados so you never have to change blades.

Bottom line:
You already have a TS and MS in my opinion there's no cut you can't reaonably handle with that. If you haven't missed it yet, you probably don't need a RAS. Save your money for something more useful whose functions yo can't yet duplicate - a drill press or a disk/belt sander. Or like you say a bandsaw or planer.

[Doug Jones]

For what its worth,
save the money to get a planer.

[Mainemarc]

Hi Tys Mom:

I too think you should pass on the radial arm saw. Your TS and miter saw will handle most of your cross-cutting and mitering needs nicely. Unless you have a pressing need to make extremely long pieces of dentrils or something similar, it's hard for me to see a pressing justification for the RAS, even if the price is right. Consider the shop space a radial arm saw requires, not to mention the considerable time and effort setting up and tuning the thing. And if it's one of those Sears Craftsman RASs subject to the product safety recall, that'll further complicate things.

Dave summed it up best when he said that it really depends on your project needs, but at this point, I'm thinking you should focus on things like a band saw (just a lovely, friendly tool) or a drill press.

[monte]

Since you have a TS and a MS I think you'd be better off saving for the Bandsaw or Planer. I have a RAS but I use it mainly for cross cuts and dadoes.

[tys mom]

Thank you all. The consensus has convinced me to skip the RAS.

[Popeye]

IMHO, don't skip it if the price is right!! I have an old Ryobi 10" MS (wouldn't trade it for nuttin), My BT (same same) got an old Craftsman RAS and it compliments the other two so well that I can't believe I did without it for so long. Pat

[silverfox]

At your particular position in the woodworking game I would probably pass for now on the RAS. I like them for several reasons but you already have the necessary learning tools and the RAS would be one more thing to learn. I would save up for tools that you will find that you need down the road for your projects and as you mature in your hobby you may then want to look into the RAS but maybe you will find you don't need it. If you insist on one....I have found the older the better when considering these tools.
Mike

[John Hunter]

I am looking for a good used one, I want to put a dado blade on it and leave it there since it is easier to change and adjust than using it on my BT3000. I do agree with some of the other posts that a bandsaw, planner and jointer were ahead of it on my want list but I now have those.