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Thread: Do you have a radial arm saw and do you use it?

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Do you have a radial arm saw and do you use it?

    I have one that has not been used for years. Of course my table saw has not been used lately either.
    The RAS is bit scary.

    I'm just curious.

  2. #2
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    Yes and yes but I only use it for crosscutting with carefull set up and the correct blade it works just fine.
    Paul

  3. #3
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    I vaguely remember cutting dadoes with mine. I put 1X12 wings on mine and I could rip on it.

  4. #4
    I put 1X12 wings on mine and I could rip on it.[/QUOTE]

    I admire your courage!

  5. #5
    I used it recently for cutting floor boards (new) when installing a new floor in my home. Just crosscutting, but excellent for repetitive non-perpendicular cuts.

    As for ripping, I don't know if there is any other tool in my workshop that is as close to being a javelin throwing tool (with just a few mods) as my RAS.

  6. #6
    I have a Sears craftsman that is about 50 years old with a 1/2 hp. motor. It is my go to dado machine for bookcases. I will never sell it. I am in the process of reducing its footprint and capacity.

    It is only powerful enough to break down under 3/4 of an inch. But, I have used it for some pretty crazy wood machining. I actually really use it only about 6 to 10 times a year. But, I think I would feel lost without it. On the used market I would get less than $100. It’s worth more than $100 to me.
    Last edited by Matt Mattingley; 06-28-2018 at 12:19 AM.

  7. #7
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    I have one that has not been used in quite a few years. However, once I finish my shop in the next month or so, I will be setting it up to use. I will use it for cross cutting longer boards to make it easier to joint.
    I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love.... It seems to me that Montana is a great splash of grandeur....the mountains are the kind I would create if mountains were ever put on my agenda. Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans. Montana has a spell on me. It is grandeur and warmth. Of all the states it is my favorite and my love.

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  8. #8
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    Nov 2005
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    Mid Michigan
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    DeWalt GE medium arm, another GE shortarm with powerfeed for ripping and last but not least a Delta Super 900.

    FWIW, I can make angle cuts on the Delta that a miter saw can only dream of.

    Yes, I use them on a regular basis.

    Ed

  9. #9
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    If I had space for one I would get the biggest I could find. I used to cut webs and cords for trusses on a Metra cut center line saw.
    One of my favorite jobs ever.
    Aj

  10. #10
    have no love for those sears things, had one long enough at the start. put the right blade on a radial as mentioned. Your arm should be straight not bent at the elbow when you use it.

  11. #11
    No radial arm but a sliding compound miter saw.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by lowell holmes View Post
    I have one that has not been used for years. Of course my table saw has not been used lately either.
    The RAS is bit scary.

    I'm just curious.
    I have a Craftsman 10" I bought about 45 years ago. The saw was my primary power tool in three different backyard shops, quite flexible in function. I used it for crosscuts and ripping, perfect for dados especially crosscut dados - very safe and with the blade on top I could see the cut for dados. I used it to cut a lot of molding and picture frames. With a chuck it made a great horizontal drill press for dowel holes in the ends of long pieces. I used it with a sanding drum for curved things before I got a stand-alone drum sander.

    The saw was quite accurate once I tuned it to suit me. I kept a piece of sacrificial 1/4" ply on the top.

    I didn't think it was the least bit scary. I pushed crosscuts and dados instead of pulled, and made a variety of jigs and hold-downs for narrow stock and moldings. I'd be using it today if I had room in my new shop - I now use a PM66 and Bosch SCMS.

    The RAS is now in my garage, on a sturdy wood stand, the first thing I built with the saw. It's up for grabs if anyone local could use it.

    JKJ

  13. #13
    4 in use, 8 more for back up.

  14. #14
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    I used up an '80s Craftsman (not a particularly stellar representative of its category, but it seemed worth the price I paid for it at the time) and replaced it with an old DeWalt. My dad's old Craftsman will probably find its way to me one day.

    I don't use them as much as some of my other saws, but for me they're worth having in the shop.
    Chuck Taylor

  15. #15
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    I had a Montgomery Wards RAS that was the start of my woodworking shop about 50 years ago. Got lots of use, including its 20,000 rpm spindle. When I got my Grizzly 1023 15 years ago, I had to get rid of it as I didn't have room for both. Don't really miss it. It was nice for crosscutting wider stock than my 10" Milwaukee miter saw is capable of.
    NOW you tell me...

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