Bob Deroeck
02-10-2011, 10:52 AM
Hi,
There's a 1950's Dewalt MBF 9" RAS for sale that I'm considering. I'm in the process of setting up my workshop and originally had no plans to include a RAS. I was intending on using my Makita 10" sliding compound miter saw for cross-cutting and miter cuts. But, that saw's cross-cutting capacity is only about 11". Though I'm not sure that the Dewalt MBF cross-cutting capacity will be much more. I will have a cross-cutting bench along a 17' long wall with the SCMS sitting on a built-in recess. The end of this cross-cutting bench will have hatch door opening into the garage area of the barn. The hatch can be opened for cutting long stock. There's plenty of room on this cross-cutting bench to have another built-in recess for the RAS, so this would be one of the few instances where I would not need to consider the space that would be required to fit in a new tool.
Aside from being able to cut somewhat longer cross-cuts on the RAS compared to the SCMS, the other advantage of the RAS for my purposes would be for cross-cutting dados using a stacked dado. I'd much rather cross-cut dados on long stock on a RAS then my tablesaw. But, using a router with a guide is another, safer option than the tablesaw.
My web research indicates the old Dewalt MBF's, while only 3/4 HP, are great little machines and highly accurate if properly tuned. The strongpoint seems to be highly accurate crosscuts. Some users recommend dialing in the saw for 90 degree cross-cuts and then not rotating the saw on the column for cutting miters, but instead using a miter sled or jig. The idea is to not jeopardize the accuracy of the 90 degree setting by rotating the saw on the column. Mark Duginske seems to favor this approach.
Anyway, I have a number of questions that you guys may be able to answer:
1. Is this RAS with a 3/4 HP motor underpowered for cutting dados in hardwood with, say, a 3/4" dado stack?
2. Does anyone know the approximate cross-cutting capacity of a Dewalt MBF RAS (12", 15", 18"?).
3. Should I wait until a larger, more powerful Dewalt RAS comes along, maybe something like a GP model?
4. Or, should I just forget the RAS and cut dados with my table saw with a cross-cut sled or with a router and guide for long stock?
The asking price for the Dewalt is reasonable, so cost isn't an issue. But, the saw is a 3 hour round-trip drive away, so I don't want to make this trip unless I'm seriously interested in buying the saw.
Thanks for your input.
Bob
There's a 1950's Dewalt MBF 9" RAS for sale that I'm considering. I'm in the process of setting up my workshop and originally had no plans to include a RAS. I was intending on using my Makita 10" sliding compound miter saw for cross-cutting and miter cuts. But, that saw's cross-cutting capacity is only about 11". Though I'm not sure that the Dewalt MBF cross-cutting capacity will be much more. I will have a cross-cutting bench along a 17' long wall with the SCMS sitting on a built-in recess. The end of this cross-cutting bench will have hatch door opening into the garage area of the barn. The hatch can be opened for cutting long stock. There's plenty of room on this cross-cutting bench to have another built-in recess for the RAS, so this would be one of the few instances where I would not need to consider the space that would be required to fit in a new tool.
Aside from being able to cut somewhat longer cross-cuts on the RAS compared to the SCMS, the other advantage of the RAS for my purposes would be for cross-cutting dados using a stacked dado. I'd much rather cross-cut dados on long stock on a RAS then my tablesaw. But, using a router with a guide is another, safer option than the tablesaw.
My web research indicates the old Dewalt MBF's, while only 3/4 HP, are great little machines and highly accurate if properly tuned. The strongpoint seems to be highly accurate crosscuts. Some users recommend dialing in the saw for 90 degree cross-cuts and then not rotating the saw on the column for cutting miters, but instead using a miter sled or jig. The idea is to not jeopardize the accuracy of the 90 degree setting by rotating the saw on the column. Mark Duginske seems to favor this approach.
Anyway, I have a number of questions that you guys may be able to answer:
1. Is this RAS with a 3/4 HP motor underpowered for cutting dados in hardwood with, say, a 3/4" dado stack?
2. Does anyone know the approximate cross-cutting capacity of a Dewalt MBF RAS (12", 15", 18"?).
3. Should I wait until a larger, more powerful Dewalt RAS comes along, maybe something like a GP model?
4. Or, should I just forget the RAS and cut dados with my table saw with a cross-cut sled or with a router and guide for long stock?
The asking price for the Dewalt is reasonable, so cost isn't an issue. But, the saw is a 3 hour round-trip drive away, so I don't want to make this trip unless I'm seriously interested in buying the saw.
Thanks for your input.
Bob