Jfrostjr


member


Recent comments


Re: Is the Radial Arm Saw on its Last Legs?

My radial arm saw is an indispensable item in my shop. I admit it is old - a 1960s model DeWalt - but is rock solid. It sits in the middle of a 16' long bench and I use to "cut to rough length" new stock for each project.

I finish-trim-to-length, table tops (long and wide) on the RAS. I have to flip them to finish the cut, but it is accurate enough that the cut is perfect. My cabinet saw just won't handle the job accurately.

I must admit that I only use it for 90* cross cuts. NO RIPS! I almost speared one of my kids years ago when, on a rip-cut, the blade ran up on the board and threw it across the room! I don't want to go there again. I suspect that the RAS bad reputation came primarily from the ripping problem.

Frosty

posted: 4:59 pm on July 13th