Table Saw vs Miter Saw

[LCHIEN]

Someone actually offered me an arm saw, they're in Texas, I'm in NJ. May take them up on but wondering what shipping may be.

Radial Arm saws were more popular many years ago, they fallen out of favor.
Cuts from the top rather than the bottom, so you can see your dados and grooving
Crosscuts well, wider than miter saws because of the arm track
can be pushed up against the wall for use, does not need outfeed area behind
They claim these will rip a board - you have to rotate the head sideways and feed from the side... A lot of people say they don't like/don't feel safe with this operation on a RAS.
Sacrificial table - blade cuts into table top.
Good ones are pretty heavy due to the stiffness of the support arm.

so depending on your take, a RAS is a do-everything saw or only a replacement for a miter saw.

That said, you can pick them up pretty cheap on Craigs list so shipping one from TX to NJ doesn't make much sense. Many of the ones sold by Sears are worth $50 or more - Sears is offering to buy back a key part to take the saw off the market and reduce their liability for safety concerns.

[greenacres2]

I got my RAS for$50, but had to drive an hour to get it. Routinely see nice ones for $100 plus or minus. It took 2 months to find mine, and just a few days ago got the free new top from the craftsman recall--a 3 month wait. I'm amazed at how much I use mine.
Earl

[leehljp]

I agree with what Loring wrote on the RAS.

The two RAS's that I have had, I could play with them until I got an accurate cut and just about any angle that I wanted. However, I usually had to spend 30 minutes re-configure and adjust just about everytime, which wasn't too bad since I didn't use it that often.

That said, I have a Makita 12" dual slide compound miter saw and I get quick repeatable cuts with it and haven't used the RAS in about 10 years except to turn it on a few times over the years.

I have not used the Makita enough to recoup my money, but it will last long enough to eventually do that, plus, when I need it, man, is it the go-to tool!

[T...K21]

IMO... To use them at first is a bit awkward somewhat intimidating because of the position of the saw blade. (It's pretty much in your face.) It demands your full attention. But once you figure out how it works...you can do quite a bit with it.

I have an old Sears/ Craftsman I keep around. I don't know how old it is or the model. Like most RAS, the arm pivots and swings to make angle cuts, the head tilts for bevel cuts, the head then turns for rips, but what I thought was kindof neat about it was.... it has a horizontal 1/2 inch chuck for drill bits on the opposite side of the saw blade. I've used it to cut/ drill log poles to make deck railings, balusters, and gates.

[T...K21]

"Sears is offering to buy back a key part to take the saw off the market and reduce their liability for safety concerns."

L, I didn't know that. Are they still? Do they ask for a specific part to make it inoperable? or do they take the whole thing? Just out of curiosity...

[LCHIEN]

"Sears is offering to buy back a key part to take the saw off the market and reduce their liability for safety concerns."

L, I didn't know that. Are they still? Do they ask for a specific part to make it inoperable? or do they take the whole thing? Just out of curiosity...

More accurately i should have said, Emerson is offering improved blade guards for many Sears Craftsman Radial Arm saws for those than can be retrofitted, or $100 for the arm, motor and carriage to disable saws that cannot be retrofitted.

http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com/

http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com/determinemodels.aspx

excerpt:
Emerson Tool Co. (ETC) is providing a repair kit consisting of a new blade guard or $100 to owners of certain Craftsman® 8-inch, 8¼-inch, 9-inch, and 10-inch Radial Arm Saws. Sears sold the 8-inch, 9-inch, and 10-inch saws from 1958 through 1992. The 8¼-inch saws were sold from 1990 through 1995. Is my saw part of this recall? 12 inch saws are not eligible for kit OR Rebate.

These saws were sold without a guard that covers the entire blade. Some consumers have contacted the blade or have been hit by wood kicked back by the saws, resulting in amputations, fractures and lacerations.

The kit will be provided to owners whose 10-inch saws are retrofitable with the kit. If the saw is not retrofitable (certain 10-inch and all 8-inch, 8¼-inch and 9-inch Saws), the owner must return the radial arm saw carriage/motor assembly to Emerson to receive the $100.
Additional Facts

For anyone who owns a Craftsman® 8-inch, 8¼-inch, 9-inch, and 10-inch Radial Arm that cannot be retrofitted, ETC will provide $100 for the return of the radial arm saw carriage/motor assembly. Enter your model number in the “Check RAS Model” link, or call toll-free (800) 511-2628. Sears should not be contacted, as ETC is handling this program.

ETC believes that its radial arm saws have always represented the state-of-the-art at the time they were manufactured and distributed. Prior to 1992, ETC's radial arm saws included active guarding devices such as the nose-blade guard and the anti-kickback pawls. When used in accordance with the operating instructions that accompany each saw, these guards provide the necessary protection needed for their safe operation. In 1992, ETC developed a complete blade guarding system and immediately began including it as standard equipment on all its radial arm saws, with the exception of certain 8-1/4" model saws that do not accept the guard. This proven guarding system does not require as much action on the part of the saw operator to achieve protection.