Do You Need a Radial-Arm Saw?
Monday November 13, 2006
One of the most versatile, yet overlooked woodworking machines is the radial-arm saw. This one tool can cut straight cross-cuts, bevels, miters, dadoes and rabbets, form moldings, and even be used as a horizontal drill press or serve as a guide for a router. And yet, even with all of that versatility, few woodworkers one, and even fewer manufacturers are building them.
Why?
In a single word: cost. A quality radial-arm saw is not cheap. Additionally, they often aren't available in 110v power. On top of all that, they take up quite a bit of space in the shop, and aren't very portable. All of those factors often preclude the average woodworker from adding a radial-arm saw to their shop.
However, I don't know too many woodworkers who have a radial-arm saw that would want to be without it. While they may be considered a luxury to some, to experienced woodworkers, they're invaluable.
Learn about the versatility and ways to incorporate this most useful of woodworking tools into your shop in Radial-Arm Saws. You may begin to think that a radial-arm saw is a luxury you really can afford!
(c) 2006 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.
Why?
In a single word: cost. A quality radial-arm saw is not cheap. Additionally, they often aren't available in 110v power. On top of all that, they take up quite a bit of space in the shop, and aren't very portable. All of those factors often preclude the average woodworker from adding a radial-arm saw to their shop.
However, I don't know too many woodworkers who have a radial-arm saw that would want to be without it. While they may be considered a luxury to some, to experienced woodworkers, they're invaluable.
Learn about the versatility and ways to incorporate this most useful of woodworking tools into your shop in Radial-Arm Saws. You may begin to think that a radial-arm saw is a luxury you really can afford!
(c) 2006 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
This is my 3rd Radial Arm saw this last on is a Sears 10″ and I paid $100.00 fo it the previous 2 I hated with a passion, this one was abused and I’m forever adjusting it and parts are difficult to come by,I use it only to crosscut boards so this is why I read your article with interest,could you give more info as to why I should keep it cause I was about to sell for $50.00
Gerry
I in a similar situation. I have a used Craftsman that I bought nearly 10 years ago. While is used the manual to set it up, it constantly needs adjustment to stay anywhere near square. I’m trying to develop my skills as a woodworker, but the saw challenges. I’m debating whether to buy a new radial arm saw or a quality table saw where I can use a cross cut sled to do what the RA saw does for me now. This article didn’t help me much.
A good quality radial arm saw is a great tool. Overhead dados and rough cross cuts. I often do siding for my house and shop and for friends. It is terrific for vinyl siding and soffit. I had an old sears and after initial tweeking have not had to reajust. This is not the norm, the newer models are not as steady. I am looking for a industrial model now. However it is worth noting that many of the slide compound miter saws are more accurate and more portable with almost the cross cut depth. I began my woodworking career with a radial arm saw. It would have been easier with a talbesaw. TTFN
Gideon I will give you your $100 for it in a heart beat. Call me 205-672-2577. That is if it is not all beat to crap. I agree whole heartedly with the author and maybe you have no use for it but I will not be without one. I am currently use a Ryobi piece of crap for a radial arm saw and would not give it up. I have a quality Rigid table and love it but I still use the Ryobi for most of my cross cuts. Even though I have a compound miter.
I have wanted one since graduating from school and losing access to the wood shop. Finally I ran across an early 70’s vintage Craftsman 10″ at a rummage sale for $25.00 and I didn’t even bother to plug it in before digging out the cash! A little WD on the various dust caked parts that were last moved 20 years ago and a new blade got it up to stock use and after installing a 1/2″ chuck to the other end of the motor I can use it for routing, horizontal boring, drum sanding and as a stationary buffer. When the genuine Craftsman 10″ sanding wheel gets here from eBay I’ll have a disk sander. The shaper head I picked up a couple years ago will work much better on the RA than it would have on the table saw. Except for turning, this machine does everything a ShopSmith can do, I think, and is far simpler to convert between functions. I’m deep in thought over rigging it up as a lathe so ShopSmith may have met it’s match yet.
BTW, despite having been shuffled about for the last two decades the machine is still so true that I haven’t needed to do any fine tuning. I might build a new table and fence for it one day soon, though, so then will be a good time to zero everything in.
Found my Craftsman RAS, built 1989, in a Yahoo group, for $25.00, May, 2009. Prior owner just bought a new RAS.
I had owned table saws, but, now, am impressed!
For my use in creating furniture quality shelves, the RAS is better and more precise! All adjustments
Grabbed the manual off OldWoodWorkingMachines site.
Emerson Tool Company is sending me the new safety guard, FREE, in a CPSC recall.
So, used my RAS to make a rolling storage cabinet on which to mount it.
It has locking casters, two storage shelves, locking door, and a huge beach umbrella, for shade/shelter, when working in the Driveway.
About 15 years ago I bought a Ryobi 10″ radial arm saw (Model RA-2500),
put a good work surface on it, and then basically never used it. Need for space requires sale.
Not significantly rusted. In Del Mar, CA. $175. Buyer to pick up or pay shipping.
Do you still have this radial arm saw?