Replies

1. 
   bones | Sep 20, 2007 04:22pm | #1

   You don't have any profile area, but I have a RAS that is used as a table at the moment if you are close to ST. Louis, I can work you a good deal.

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
2. 
   dgreen | Sep 20, 2007 05:00pm | #2

   Omga makes a good one.

   http://www.omgainc.com/

   ------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

3. 
   BruceS | Sep 20, 2007 05:10pm | #3

   Look to the "Old Iron".  My dream is to find a circa 1950's Walker Turner Mod. 900 12"er.  But will settle for same vintage DeWalt.   My old neighbor had a DeWalt that he burnt up the run windings on, because he was too lazy to clean the start winding centrifugal switch.  He asked me afterwards what was wrong with his saw, I got sick.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

4. 
   frenchy | Sep 20, 2007 05:59pm | #4

   knothole,

    Have you completely eliminated a sliding compound mitre saw?  The only thing a radial arm saw will do that a sliding compound mitre saw won't do is rip wood.. but that's a task few suggest anymore. 

      I love the accuracy of mine even 6 years after I bought it and I use it hard! I do a lot of fine timber work with mine and the angle I use most common is 54.4 degrees. (and it's reciprical)  mine is so accurite that I can get exactly 54.4 because if I settle for 54.5 degrees it shows in the joints. 90degrees is exactly 90degrees plus or minus nothing.  I can completely cut thru a 4 inch timber and a 12 inch wide board..

        I had a radial arm saw previously and returned it.. 

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 20, 2007 06:35pm | #6

   frenchy,

   Bet ya can't cut a dado with it!  Also I'll bet ya would have a hard time sizing tenons on it too. 

   Oh ya, I jut thought of another use.  Mine allows you to attach a flexible shaft with a chuck on the end for grinding, cutting attachments.  Doesn't do all that bad as a spindle sander either!  I'm sure there are other uses too, none of which can be done on a SCMS.  And I can cut a board 21" wide!

   Ripping on a RAS, IMHO, has got to be masochistic.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 9/20/2007 11:37 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

   Edited 9/20/2007 11:39 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   frenchy | Sep 20, 2007 07:55pm | #7

   Bob,

    Actually I have used my SCMS to cut dado's and make tenions,

    tenions are one thing I am an expert on having built a double timberframe. Goes pretty slick. 

     21 inches huh?  still too short for my 22 inch wide burled wood. guess I'll either have to use my circular saw and straight edge or the table saw with the cross cut sled. ..

    I don't do many dado's  with stationary tools ever since I bought my groove cutter..

    (It's the name of an actual tool made by Makita.. Think Skil saw with a dado head)  coolest tool I own! Not legal in the US.. )  Cutters are made by Hitachi who'd like them back please..

    

1. 
   hulio | Sep 21, 2007 05:25am | #8

   will the arbor hold a stack dado heads cutter or do you use a wobble dado

   Hulio

1. 
   frenchy | Sep 22, 2007 06:26pm | #9

   hulio,

    multi pass. and a sharp chisel.. less time than switching blades. I have a dado head for my table saw but haven't used it.. ( and it's a special 12 inch one  made by Frued) 

     The resulting dado is every bit as finished looking as the best dado head.. (I don't like to do hand work if I can avoid it,, I'm not very gifted that way but when it's as easy as it is and as fast I'll do it..

   Edited 9/22/2007 11:28 am ET by frenchy

2. 
   Woodmann | Sep 23, 2007 08:37am | #10

   IMHO the older DeWalt  radial arm saws are far and away better than any current offerings . I have an old MBF and an old 1400 RAS that I have found to be very acurate and solidly built saw. Heavy castings and saws that my great grand children will still be using. Keep your eyes open. The come up often on Cxxxgs list and on the Bay.

    

   Woodmann

5. 
   canadacrafter | Sep 20, 2007 06:27pm | #5

   I see Craftsman still makes a radial arm saw, so why not get one of them they are great saws I have had mine for 25 years and it still works great.

6. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 23, 2007 08:24pm | #11

   I probably should not reply to this post but I have no shame so I'll give my opinion.

   Be aware I do NOT use them often but I used a Hitachi C12LSH
   12" Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saw. It has a Digital Display and a Laser Marker.

   Just a few feet about 1000 of molding. I for one thought it was a wonderful tool! Dead on accurate for what I was doing BUT 12" was a bit over kill because the crown molding was only about 8 inches.

   I thought it was a 'sweet' tool. Maybe there is better but by how much? I will never know..

   EDIT: I forgot to state that to ME it is the same as a a radial arm saw.

   I see one poster said a old craftsman.. I had one I got back in 1970? or so. My son-in-law still uses it mut he uses a metal cutting blade in it.. Still works! As I remember I had to replace one part. Index Pin or something but so long ago I foregts!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/23/2007 1:29 pm by WillGeorge

7. 
   mudman | Sep 24, 2007 01:58am | #12

   A 1950s era Dewalt GA or GE. The GE is a little better for some things, but it is seldom found in single phase. You can get a 18" cross cut GA for $200 to $500 in great condition. I can't tell you how importaint my Old Dewalt is to my shop. I use it more than any machine except for the Unisaw, and on some jobs more than that. There is no substitute for a good RAS. If you want a new one that dosen't need any work The Origional Saw Company bought the old Dewalt patents and tooling and makes updated versions of the origionals with more safety features. These start at $1600 if I remember correctly.

   By the way, I have a top of the line Dewalt miter saw and I only use it on job sites and for quick chops. For production and accuracy it dosent come close to the old iron machines.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

8. 
   RickL | Sep 24, 2007 02:36pm | #13

   For new http://www.wmdusa.com/products.html

   http://www.omgainc.com/productfamily.php?cid=1

   Personally I find a sliding tabler saw repalces a radial arm saw and miter saw in the shop and is far more accurate and convenient but that's just my opinion.

   For used RA's there's lots of old Dewalts and Tops around. The Northfield Unipoint is much better.

9. 
   maxxx56 | Apr 05, 2013 06:40pm | #14

   Walker-Turner Radial saw- commercial

   I have a big one, its old and good condition. Would you be interested? Give me a call at 413-212-3063

   Thanks,

   Max

10. 
    woodhacker | Apr 24, 2013 07:57pm | #15

    reliable radial arm

    I bought a new DeWalt 10" radial arm in 1966, which still runs like a new saw. The switch had to be replaced a few years ago and I also had to replace the arbor nut at one point. A shame that DeWalt name no longer means what it used to. I'm sure this saw will outlive me.