Gloat: Help me to identify this new (to me) toy - Vintage DeWalt RAS

[Mike Spanbauer]

Saw an ad on Craigslist for a DeWalt RAS. Went by and checked it out as it appeared to be of the vintage I've been looking for.

Inspected and it was in decent shape (very, very little rust and most tolerances are very tight). Sitting unused for 6 years, was left to the guy by a friend who passed away some time back.

I'm trying to find a manual for it and find out a bit more. There are very few markings on it and of course, none that identify the specific model.

My best guess is an 8-9" MBF circa 1961-65 but I'm hoping that folks here can tell me.

I'll withhold the price I paid until we can identify the unit.

Cheers,

Mike

(please forgive the pic quality, camera phone)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2297042184_74ba14b647.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2296246461_a247a94bb4.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2297042164_64161f97b8.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2297042154_e2cd54f458.jpg?v=0

[David DeCristoforo]

Looks like a 10" but it's hard to tell from the pics. These are the best RAS ever made. I think this saw is earlier than '61 (red bakalite knobs). If the price is right buy it. Parts are available from Wolfe or Original Saw. Wolfe will completely rebuild the saw for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

YM

[Mike Spanbauer]

Already did pick it up :) Those are photo's from the back of my Toyota.

One critical piece of data I failed to mention was that there is the original blade cover / dust ejector and it measures very roughly 9 1/4" diameter.

I agree though that the saw is likely earlier than my original guess. But it's still VERY tight... I suspect it was lightly used.

Paid $80 for it.

mike

[Roy Fleming]

Looks like a Dewalt MBF series. Most were 3/4 hp and take a 9" blade. Great saw. Yoy need to purchase the radial arm saw book called Mr Sawdust. It will expalin in detal all about the saw

[Chris Padilla]

Hi Mike,

I added a CRITICAL word to your subject heading; part of the TOS you know! ;)

Nice find!

[Greg Peterson]

I bought one last summer that looks identical, except mine is a little cleaner.:D

It is a 9 1/4" blade. And it seems to come from the mid to late fifties. It's a heavy little bugger, isn't it?

Congrats.

[Richard Dragin]

Very nice score! Now do yourself a favor and order the Mr. Sawdust book.

[Mike Spanbauer]

Lol Chris. I wasn't certain it was a gloat until I had properly identified it though (although I had a suspicion). Thanks for the correction :)

I do plan on getting the book by Mr. Kunkel.

Just trying to get a line on the manual now though... which is proving tough since OWWM is belly up for the moment.

Thanks for the replies! I'm excited about the slight restoration project as it's really in pretty solid shape. mostly cleaning and a bit of touch up paint from as far as I can tell.

Mike

[Doug Shepard]

Boy does that bring back memories. My dad used to have the same saw when I was a kid.

[Brent Ring]

Nice Find - Old Machines are awesome, don't you agree?

[David DeCristoforo]

"But it's still VERY tight... I suspect it was lightly used."

Better yet.

"Paid $80 for it...."

Oh my.... you were robbed!

;)
YM

[Peter Quinn]

Nice Saw Mike...I own his big brother! Your's is the machine I grew up on...but I can't tell you the name/number.

I was given a 1951 GR-47 14" X 24" cross cut...if you think that one is heavy, try moving mine! Wolfe Mahinery was great help to me getting parts and manuals. They also had original wiring diagrams for all the motors. I got the original owners manual from OWWM which included great instructions for setup. If they are off line maybe you can contact a human over there who might help you find one.

When well tuned and setup these machines are beautiful, and they were designed to last. Every part you may need is still available. As precise as any machine in the shop (though I personally never use it to rip...that just scares me). I was in Sears the other day and happened to walk by a new Craftsman RAS...looked at how it was enginered...laughed out loud! My grand father had a drill chuck, shaper head w/guard, sander, and a chain mortiser for his if I remember correctly. I think the attachments are hard to come by these days.

Good luck with it. I sure do get a thrill out of seeing others take the same interest in old dewalt iron. Mine is my mascot!

[Mike Spanbauer]

Some additional pictures for posterity (post first pass cleaning)

Here are a few more pics this evening after 2 hours of cleaning. The bearings are all TIGHT and I can slide the carriage with 1 finger and barely any pressure.
Also, the motor absolutely purrs and has NO bearing noise whatsoever.

Patents Pending tag, which I'm hoping might help to nail down a specific model year.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2297592696_370a2a0476.jpg?v=0

Flip switch + 75º x 75º scale (Y rotation)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2296799041_b17763d217.jpg?v=0

18" rip scale
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2297592924_91a348c24a.jpg?v=0

Motor side plate with makers mark and the z axis gauge
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2297592884_74421c7987.jpg?v=0

Back side of the support mast
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2296798921_29decdc16e.jpg?v=0

Shot of the entire unit with the motor cover on
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2296798877_b2cf62effa.jpg?v=0

And of course the motor - 1/2 HP
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2297592756_e0e0c76f6d.jpg?v=0

When OWWM gets healthy again, I'll certainly check there too. Unfortunately, it's kinda sickly.

Thanks for all the help!

[Mike Spanbauer]

Nice Find - Old Machines are awesome, don't you agree?

Completely. My saw is an '84 PM 66, my jointer a '61 8" PM 60 and I've of course the usual stable of hand tools which are all much older yet.

mike

[Mike Spanbauer]

"Paid $80 for it...."

Oh my.... you were robbed!



I don't think so ;)

The table will be kind of a hassle to rebuild, but I'm looking forward to having a more accurate miter station than my current DW708.

Now, I've also to engineer a DC solution for this unit, which will likely present as much of a challenge as the MS was.

mike

[Deck Reagan]

Mike,
I had that same saw. It was bullet proof. I parted it out. All I have left is the original factory cabinet, which I put wheels on and use for my planer cart. Let me know if you decide you want a cabinet.

deck

[Ed Jolin]

I must've missed that one...or you grabbed it quick! If you need parts, there's another one (MBC) up in Roseville still listed cheap, though it's missing the parts I want - lower blade guard and antikickback pawls.
And besides, it never hurts to have two.

I second the recommendation for the Mr. Sawdust book if you don't already have it.

[Greg Narozniak]

I have the same exact saw. Original Saw replaced the bearings in the motor as well as the carriage bearings and for less than $100 It cuts like a dream.

I did pick up the Mr. Sawdust book and there is a world of info on adjusting the saw.

Congrats on the purchase.

[Mike Spanbauer]

Hah. Perhaps Ed, it was listed for a couple days though surprisingly. I missed that MBC in Roseville though (although I'm not sure I'll need it as mine is amazingly smooth).

After cleaning it up last night and with minimal bearing cleaning... it slides and moves in every direction smooth as silk AND locks TIGHT with no discernable play in any direction. Certainly will be an improvement over the DW708 I have in that regard.

Ordered the book already, should be here within the week. I'll likely disassemble the unit and do a complete tune once the book gets here though. I like to know my tools inside and out, but also not have to tune them once I get them dialed in.

Hence the purchase of this model, which by most accounts is bomb proof and retains its settings for a very long time.

Thanks for all the feedback!

mike