Router Saw?

[dkerfoot]

So, is this just a radial arm saw that someone has badly mangled the name of, or is it something else?

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/751421393.html

[jonmulzer]

Mangled name, though I do remember seeing a radial arm saw that had a router attachment. I am not sure who made it, or how reliable it would be, but it looked like it would be handy for some cases.

I need to find an older radial arm saw, they just seem like they would be handy if I could carve out the space in my already cramped shop.

[Tom Slick]

My dad had a radial arm saw that you turned the motor sideways and it had a collet for router bits. I think it was a Wards.

[Daryl]

You can see the threaded shaft on the left of that saw. Just screw on a collet. It will run too slow to do fine work tho.

[Whaler]

You could rotate the motor on my old Ryobi RA200 and use it as a router. It seems to me that the router collet shaft turned 10,000 rpm, I never used it as a router so no idea how well it worked.

[eezlock]

router saw?

Hardly a router saw, I've seen a few of them for sale around here. It still looks like a radial arm saw to me! I was never a fan of those saws years ago,
have used them a few times, still prefer a good tablesaw to them any day.
eezlock

[just started]

Sears parts site says that model # is a 9" RAS.

[docrowan]

Radial Arm Saw Uses?

I know a number of members here have radial arm saws, but for someone who does not already have one, but does have a CMS and a tablesaw, is there any advantage to owning one? I read that they had some trouble in maintaining accuracy and the new ones are always priced a good bit higher than a SCMS of almost the same capacity.

[Tamarack]

I don't think you can dado a shelf side with a SCMS.
Paul

[dkerfoot]

I have had the chance to get good deals on RAS, but my impression is that when people have a tablesaw, router table, SCMS and a RAS, the RAS usually doesn't see much use and it is pretty rare for it to be the only tool that can do the job.

Given my space constraints, I have decided to pass on them, even when they have been stupid cheap.

[rjwaldren]

In addition to overhand dado's and ripping when turned parallel fence, I've seen them used for end boring. Never thought about routing, and can't say I see much use for it.

BTW - Whaler, I was shopping CL recently and found a RA200 for $20. When I googled for info all I found was recall notices. Apparently there is enough of a history of breaking mounts resulting in dropping saw heads during use that Ryobi recalled them all. It just reaffirmed to me that I don't want a RAS around. It's definitely the tool I fear most, and not in the good respectful way - More of a "I'm about to lose a limb regardless of the precautions I take" way.

[LCHIEN]

... Apparently there is enough of a history of breaking mounts resulting in dropping saw heads during use that Ryobi recalled them all. ...

that makes it an such an exciting tool to use.

[KLF]

My RAS was one of my first tools that I bought after getting married, way back in 1984. I used the heck out of that thing, my workbench was my first project. But, now that I had a SCMS and a BT3000, I never used it anymore. I bet it sat for 2 years without being turned on. So, I sold it 2 weeks ago, got $150 for it.

They are very dangerous tools, especially when ripping. I've had mine throw lumber across the shop and splinter more than one piece of wood. I'm surprised I never got cut with it, but I always tried to use a fingerboard.