Over the holidays, I happened to find myself in the barn/storage sheds of three different builders (two in CT, and one in NH). These were all unrelated incidents, but I noticed one thing they all had in common. They ALL had a radial arm saw stowed deep in the back, two were Craftsman, and one Dewalt. Including my own, that makes four radial arm saws that are collecting getting rusty and collecting dust. Just curious to know if anyone still uses theirs? Anyone who wants mine (an old (1950s??) Dewalt) can have it. Last time I used it it worked fine, or it’d make an awesome mooring, it must weigh 300 lbs.
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Replies
Make that five dusty ones.... mine's a Craftsman digital display model.
Make that six - mine's a Delta 10".
BruceT
seven-- kinda
I use mine for rough cross cuts. dewalt handed down from grampa.
I love it but want to use router with it. Anyone know how??
Bob
I am pretty sure Taunton's Best of FWW, Router tips book has a couple ideas on how to mount a router into a RAS arm. I didn't pay a lot of attention to them since I don't have a RAS but I could look more closely if you're interested.
Thanks, I'll check it out..
I do agree that the RAS is a great tool ...except the fine tuning...I havn't giving up yet.
My dad has one, a craftsman, and if your talking about the extra shaft that you can use for a router, the RPM isn't high enough, moves so slowly it just chews the wood, not pretty.
If you don't mind fiddling around to keep your cuts accurate, and if you have the space, I would hang on to it.Even after the SCMS's came out, I held on to mine for years -- until I ran out of space. It is great for cross grain dados and doing cheek cuts on tenons.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Not too much here as specifics but I vaguely remember that there was a jig offered way back in the 70's to mount a router onto a ras. Just a guess on my part but I would think Craftsman was a likely source.Friend had a ras with brand name "Tecomaster" way back in the 70's. Up here in Canada this was the brand name of a made in Canada department store called Eaton's but it folded many decades ago. Anyway, this ras had dual spindles: one side was for saw blades and maybe a dado head (3500 -4000 rpm). Flip it 180 degrees and you had a router spindle - or at least a spindle with about 13-15,000 rpm courtesy of step-up gearing - noisy beast. Don't recall the mfr (Emerson, or a subsidiary, maybe) but I think it was mfrd in the USA. Can't recall any specifics like chuck design. I never saw the router in action - not sure I would want to but it was "out there".
Dad had one, they were sold by Montgomery Wards in the US, under the "Power Kraft" name. The manufacturer was toolking or something similar, definitely not Emerson. The manufacturer was still in business a few years ago and had a limited selection of spare parts.
I may try to talk Mom out of Dad's, if just for sentimental reasons.
The high speed spindle was best used with shaper cutters, the increased diameter gets the tip speed up where you need it. Set up that way it made an acceptable small shaper.
If I had one I wanted to set up a router on, I would buy, (there is a guy on ebay selling them), or make a CNC mount. Then bolt it to a flat plate with a 5/8 hole in the center, and figure some kind of screw mechanism to keep the plate from turning by pushing against the motor.
Alternatively, if you take the motor off, you can probably mount the router on a similar plate to the motor mount.
Black and Decker used to make a bracket that fitted to the motor housing on the saw ,it held the motor section of their 1HP router. I am not sure if they make a current version for DeWalt routers.I have seen one but not recently.
John Bolton Regards from OZYou can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
I use mine every day a 12" dewalt old one for rough cuts although it cuts square and plumb. It's nice for dados and gang cuts and shaping. also has a presence about it. I would take all I could get, but I'm really looking for a 14" comet. Distance would be a problem since I live in NM.
In browsing "craigslist" I have seen a number of the old Comets for sale. Portland Or, Seattle, S.F., L.A. I have never looked in your neighborhood "craiglist" but know they are out there. I am certain you would find somebody to sell you one if you pay shipping.
I have owned 3 Comets.. best RS going in my estimation. Debating on getting another since I sold all mine .
I have to agree, those old Comets are great. I have held on to my last 16 incher. Way way back in the day I had a saw shop modify it somewhat so that it would swing an 18 blade. I retired it almost 7 years ago. And while I gaze at it once in a while with fondness, especially for the money it made me, I feel that OSHA would not share my enthusiasm. We have our lumber supplier do all of our milling these days.
I still remember having my 16" Comet decide it was going to eat a 6 x 14 fir beam... I still shake recalling that day. The only time I ever saw the stop spring get fully compressed.
voctech,
If I had another one I would donate it. I closed a 30 Yr old commercial cabinetshop, and donated tools and supplies to Jorden Vocational HS in COLGA. They sent students over for a week to pick up the tools, hardware, lumber, plywood, laminate,etc.
Stationary tools included: @2.5 hp Craftsman Radial saw, 10" Craftman table saw, Sprunger Brothers 8" longbed jointer, 14" 1950's Craftsman band saw. Belt sanders, routers, jigsaws etc.
I hope more tradesmen when they scale down, donate supplies and tools to local trade schools than sell the for .10 c. on a dollar.
Chuck S. live, work, build, ...better with wood
After moving it two times I gave away my Dad's
1957 vintage Dewalt Radial arm saw.
You are right, it weighs at least that much, minus
the stand!!
Use table saw almost exclusivley....
Mclaren
Still got 3 of them, stilluse 2.
BTW, if you want to unlaod any old Craftsman RAS for $100, google sears/emerson/recall.
They will send UPS by with a box, put the motor and carriage in the box with S/N plate, they will send you $100. You keep the stand and arm, etc.
You know I am pretty sure I have one of those models (Sears around 1980) I thought about returning the motor and using the arm and stand for a drill press/router gizmo. I was wondering if some others my have some creative ideas for old RAS??
I got a new 1" table plate and nice guard out of that recall. All still works fine. Used at least weekly.
Forrest
"BTW, if you want to unlaod any old Craftsman RAS for $100, google sears/emerson/recall.They will send UPS by with a box, put the motor and carriage in the box with S/N plate, they will send you $100. You keep the stand and arm, etc. "The have a retro kit for most model. The buyback is only for those models that they don't have kits for.FWIW you can buy new ones.http://www.originalsaw.com/They are the orginal DeWalt designs..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I have an old Craftsman 10". I think it was my first piece of stationary equipment. It lives just off the left end of my bench so the bench acts as a long table for the saw on one side. I use it for virtually every power tool crosscut I make in the shop. I also use it with a dado blade on occasion for quick, rough tennons. I know I'm in the minority here, but I think RASs are made for crosscutting and TSs (of the non-sliding table variety) are made for ripping, with each of these functions being safer on the respective machine. If the RAS ever dies, I'll probably replace it with a SCMS (which is really just a portable, less versatile, RAS), but for now, it's a workhorse.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
I have an old 10" Craftsman that was my grandfather's. I'm just starting to experiment with some crosscutting. I notice it has a tendency to kick out sometimes--kind of scares me. Is this a sign of a bad blade or something else?
In setting up a decent shop, would you try to get by with this or get a SCMS?
Thanks
Like I said to an earlier poster, the RAS is nice to have around -- but only if you already own it, and have the space for it.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
It is a crosscutting machine. And a pretty good miter machine. Overall it is better than most miter saws with the wide cross cutting capability....Maybe routing too... but everything else you can do with a RAS is dangerous. Basically it is ill suited to rip or mould.
Read the ripping adventure above and the molding head explosion above. Those aren't the adventures of an idiots. Most of us have seen this first hand. The problem with a RAS is that when the wood moves a little bit the wrong way the saw gets progressivly more agressive. A small mistake amplifies. A Table saw doesn't have as much capability to squeeze the board the way a RAS does.
Save it to shorten the 8 foot boards to 3 and use the Table saw for everything else. It is a lot better than using the skil saw to trim up a cut. Plus it is pretty benign in a medium size shop up against the wall.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
I agree -- I too think they are way too dangerous to use when we have other saws that give the same cuts and the same precision -- 12" TS and a 14" Chop Saw should replace the RAS and give the protection you need ----- I am just so scared that the saw will walk up on a piece and pull the piece and my hand into the red zone -- even with a sharp blade I just will not take the risk
I use mine constantly for crosscuts. My father got rid of his for a SCM, and misses it. If tuned in well, it's great. I'm planning a new shop building layout, and will draw in a spot for it.
I guess if you didn't have either one yet, a SCM might be more versitile for portability, doing crown molding, etc... Many of us though inherited our RA, or fell into them cheaply at least. For the price of a used unit these days, you can get a real workhorse.Ithaca, NY "10 square miles, surrounded by reality"
I have a Craftsman RAS moulding set that I bought when the RAS was all i had for stationary power tools. I sold the RAS years ago, but the moulding set is still around. If anyone is interested, email me and we can work out a deal. I used it once on the TS but after I got a router, it didn't seem necessary.
Art
I'm pretty fond of my digits. That .01% of the time my mind drifts is deadly on that machine. I think if you froze the carriage to disallow ripping, the RAS would be as safe as any other saw.
I just use it like the old time lumber yards did. Cut to length is its only job in my shop.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
I went for years using just my RAS before getting a CMS. I use the CMS for construction, the RAS for shop work. I'm not sure what you mean by "kick out". The RAS will sometimes try to plow forward in the cut if you don't hold it tight enough. If you keep your hands out of the "red zone" though, it's not really dangerous. It'll just stall the saw if it gets away -- so long as you keep a firm grip on the workpiece and the saw, no big deal. However, RAS blades are designed differently than table saw blades to reduce this tendency. You might try picking one up to see if that helps.
Mike Hennessy"Pittsburgh, PA
You should use a blade with a negatice hook angle. Blades for table saws have a positive hook angle..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
If anyone has Ryobi 8 1/4" RAS (mine sat,unused, in the garage for 15 years)DO NOT USE IT. They are recalled and Ryobi will send a PPD mail label and $75 upon receipt of saw motor.
SteveC
I remember those. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but they were KILLERS. Very unstable. There should never be anything portable about a RAS.
Chice #2 get the scms
You are starting with the saw away from you and cutting back towards you, aren't you?
Oh man, thats kinda scarry thinking about doing it the other way!
Doug
Yep, the wood "suddenly jumps up".
Common accident with inexperienced users.
We bought my dad a ras for fathers day, and he would not believe, me, or the brother that you pull it from the fence through the wood, until he read the manual. Even then he had to draw himself a picture of how the forces were orientated before he would do it.
And, since the poster said it had happened more than once, I thought a warning to be sure was in order.
Funny this thread should pop up right now, I am finally making room for my 50's era Black and Decker ( dewalt basically) and getting it in outta the side yard, where it was parked under a tarp for the last 3 yrs.
I am planning on keeping a stacked dado on it, and maybe reemploy the nifty moulding head. That way I can keep the tablesaws with just ripping type operations and crosscut sled work.
The 12" Bosch slider is dedicated for the shop, it never leaves for the job, so crosscuts are always handled with that.
I also have a panel raising jig that is a slanted table that the horizontal RAS blade is plunged thru from a rear fence..slide the panel along and the bevels are sliced off. Kinda cool.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
Hey, Sphere, you might wanna be a tad careful with that moulding head. The only time I ever saw wood actually, literally explode was when I was using one of those bad boys on my RAS. Last time I did THAT!
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
PS: BTW, how's the siding going? Those shears work out all right?
I've done it many, many times, I am careful. But good reminder, I did have a hunk of walnut dresser rail stock shoot like an arrow, and pierce a cinderblock wall.
Every spare moment I have had, its been raining or worse, so the siding is held up. But I did get a few practice cuts made, shears are sweet..Thanks.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
hello that bosh twin beam slider is nice I just didi a job with it and it is nice for a saw that will cut 12 inch stock at 45%. It is just a bit heavey bat 65 lbs.
Heavy, yup. That is why it stays in the shop.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
I have 2 DeWalts, a 7770-10" and a 7790-12"
the 10" is working right now; the 12" needs to be rebuilt, and will be. I believe the 12" has a 16" crosscut capacity, which is why I got it. My lumber yard beat the snot out of it until it didn't work anymore. I got it for nothing. I bought the 10" new close to 30 years ago.
The DeWalts are great radials, especially the older ones; accurate, powerful, durable.They do need to be properly tuned to get the most out of them, and that's where a lot of guys give up on them.
A good book on radials is " How to Master the Radial Saw " , by Wally Kunkel.
I have two 10" deltas one 12" delta and a one 16" dewalt. Two of the deltas are just saving space . I use one 10" for crosscuts all the time
If someone has a extra heavy duty radial arm saw that is in good working order donate it to a vocational program. Get a tax write off and help some students out.
Round Lake High School
Patrick O'Shea
800 High School Dr.
Round Lake IL 60073-2910
How about a fairly good one that needs a capasitor ? Job for the electronics class.
Does the book you mention talk in detail about setup, squaring etc? I recently picked up a really old DeWalt (probably 1930s, gov't issue) that I need to get setup. Or if you remember the details, e-mail them to me.I'm think along the lines of what Sphere did, set it up with the stacked dado, and use the EZ guide for rips and larger cross cuts.
Here is a GREAT book on the RAS. http://www.mrsawdust.com/Very detailed step by step guide to setting up and using the RAS.
I use mine for most cross cuts, The saw that is, not the book.
It's got all the info you'll ever need to properly set up your saw.
I see someone included the link http://www.mrsawdust.com
i took some classes with him years ago. he was quite a character
So I'm reading the book now (very fast shipping). Has anyone actually done the table as he describes it? Sounds like a lot of work, but maybe it is worth it.
I made the table like he describes. It does help it stay flat.
Wally Kunkel was an interesting guy. I took some woodworking courses with him about 25 years ago.
Thanks for the tips on the blades. I'll check mine.
By "kicking", I mean that as I pull the blade toward me--yes, I figured that's the way to do it--it wants to come at me some times. Blade seems to almost jam somehow. Guess I better get the book or a SCMS really fast.
You're not far from me, I'll take it off your hands. I've been looking for an older DeWalt for a while.
16†COMPOUND RADIAL arm saw, 5 hp, 220 single phase, trailer mounted, new tires, new lights, runs well, ready to go, $500. (435)xxx-xxxx
Saw this yesterday in the local advertiser.
I already have an old Crapsman 10" I don't use, but this would go nicely in my collection. Along with my Sawbuck that I haven't ued in a loooong time.
Joe H
Loaned my RAS to a guy about 5 yrs ago. Never went and picked it up. He loves it and I don't miss it, except about once a year.
So, mine is in use, just not by me. He still says it is mine, but it would feel like stealing if I took it from him.Friends help you move.
Real friends help you move bodies!
Same deal here!
I moved down to Texas about 4 years ago and left the RAS with a friend. He uses it all the time and I never did.
I dont need it and he uses it so I guess I know where it is if I need it but so far I havent!
Doug
RH,
I have a 12" Delta of early 90's variety. Hardly ever use it. But it is in my shop and I do use it. But I admit my Makita chop saw carries the load. Paid good money for it (The Delta) but times? Well, they are/were a changin and chop saws are the heat.
KD
I'm trying to decide if it would be worth the cost of gas to drive down and pick it up.
I have a Craftsman that was my first big power tool. I think the tarap over it is worth more than the saw now though. She has certainly earned her money's worth. I quit setting it up on jobs when I started hiring people more. Too dangerous for the un-initiated.
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Too late, Pif.
Have fun, and count your fingers.;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Sorry for not mentioning that Jon already took me up on the offer. I didn't want to corrupt the thread into a classified ad. The old dewalt RAS will be heading to greener pastures in VT tomorrow. Based on this discussion, as well as the number of classified ads on Craigs List and Ebay for these machines, there's likely a few thousand of them between here and whatever chunk of granite it is that you call home (Did I see Isleboro mentioned somewhere once?). Definitely not worth the gas to motor all the way down here, but I'll let you know if I come across another to replace your current mooring.
I've had two clients in the last year ask me if I had any use for the RAS that was collecting dust in their garage or basement. I have picked up two tablesaws in similar situations, one was free, the other cost me a $50 credit on their invoice. It kinda leaves me wondering what my wife will swap for all my iron when the time comes.
Jeez, now that I think about it, maybe I should make sure that she know's where my current tool inventory list is located. Hmm, personal tool inventory, sounds like a good topic for another thread.
I didn't need another right off, but figured I could find space for an olde Dewalt. I get down to Highland Hardwoods near Exeter about once a year for a few thousand dollars worth of poplar or whatever. Have a cousing near Wilton, and when we fly out, it seems like Manchester is the place lately.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!