Old RAS Gloat

[Michael Boyle]

I know that Radial Arm Saws do not have a great reputation, but I saw this one on my local CL and could not resist it. From what I have been able to tell it was made in either 1955 or 1956. It is a MBF model and is in the best condition of any one of these I have ever seen. I got it for $150 which I felt was a fair price. It required very little clean-up and the motor runs perfectly. I hope this is gloat worthy.

[David DeCristoforo]

Yup... that's the "real thing" alright. Even got the original paint in what looks to be very good shape. Protect those red "bakelite" knobs with your life. Over time they can become brittle and they are almost impossible to replace. Nice score.

[Loren Blount]

Very nice original condition saw. Congrats! The first 2 #'s on the serial plate on the motor are the year the motor was made I believe. Lots more info here:http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start?lgnJR=1
Loren

[Michael Boyle]

Thank you for the both for your replies, I am defiantly nervous about the old Bakelite knobs, I was told that I can get replacements from Wolf Brothers - although they are black. I am planning on getting a set and put the originals away in a safe place.

I checked the motor serial number and it begins with '55'. From that I can now date the saw to 1955.

[David DeCristoforo]

Wolfe might be able to supply black knobs but the red ones are "hen's teeth".

[David Christopher]

nice gloat and good looking saw.... if those red knobs start drying out and get chalky looking .you can soak them in thined linseed oil and it will make them like new

[Kelly C. Hanna]

You got a fantastic deal for $150! Those saws are worth over $350....I sold one a few years ago for $450 and it needed a lot of work!

[Loren Blount]

David thanks for the tip on soaking the knobs. The ones on mine look terrible. I'll have to give it a try. Any idea how long they need to soak?

Loren

[Bob Genovesi]

Michale, gloat worthy!! That is one of the nicest RAS I have ever used, and now that you have one I'm not speaking to you so there!! :D :D

Here's a link that has some information on it if you need it.

http://home.comcast.net/~dewalts/

[Chip Lindley]

Great Gloat Michael! Your old DeWalt looks great! Imma *RAS Kinda Guy*! Restoring two Rockwell 12" RAS's as we speak!

[Fred Hargis]

Those saws are absolutely fantastic. With the right blade they can really be a valuable addition to a shop. I just put one in mine....and I love it. Yours is unusual with the excellent condition it's in, and all the knobs and other parts being there. Nice find!

[Kevin Looker]

Here's what those saws can do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUnZpUDvzgs

[george wilson]

Manhattan Supply Co. has red bakelite knobs as well as the black ones. At least they have red in the smaller sizes. I bought new knobs for my Hardinge HLVH lathe. The 2 knobs for lengthways and cross feeds are identical,so I bought a red knob for the crossfeed. It was 1" dia. Check with them for larger sizes.They have metal thread liners.

[Tim Sgrazzutti]

Michael, YOU SUCK!!

I've only seen one MBF in better shape than this. Went for over $500 on flea bay about four years ago, and was museum quality.

Looks like you already have the right blade on it. The 8" Forrest WW1 triple chip tooth blade was developed specifically to be an all-purpose RAS blade. Be sure to pick up the Mr. Sawdust RAS book. It will show you how to do everything that machine is capable of safely. Properly aligned and used with a correct blade, not much can touch an old DeWalt.

BTW, don't be too worried about the knobs. I've never thought one of mine would break unless it took a hit from something. As long as things are kept clean and moving, the forces on them are pretty small.

Enjoy!

[Bob Slater]

That is one fine looking machine. I would bet that is worth tons more once the economy settles down in in 2025, especially with those original knobs and great paint.

[David DeCristoforo]

"BTW, don't be too worried about the knobs. "

Agree... Under "normal" use, there should be no problem. Just don't smack em with anything because then they will break.

[keith ouellette]

I would say welcome to the club but You are in a much nicer ras club than I am. That saw is beautiful. someone must have really loved it to keep it looking so nice.

Here is a pic of my old ras I bought at a garage sale for $70

112418

[Michael Boyle]

I don't know that I would completely agree with your assessment, your saw looks in pretty good shape to me. For $70, I would say you got a real bargain.

[Rob Russell]

I picked up one of those about 8 years ago for $50. It was in nice shape. I gave it to a cabinetmaker who went above and beyond for us one some work he did on our house.

[James Williams 007]

I bought an old GWI the big brother to yours for around the same price but it was missing some of those knobs and needed some restoration so I did a complete tear down and rebuild it should look as good as yours in a few weeks!

[John Bailey]

Yes, definitely gloat worthy. I consider that model the best woodworking machine ever, even better than my GWI. You will love it if you put it to work.

Great find - at any price.

John (the RAS lover)

[Michael Boyle]

James,
Please be sure and post pictures of your GWI when you are done. I am really interested in seeing how it turns out.