I am in the process of rejuvinating a craftsman radial arm saw and need to know what to use to lubricate the sliding mechanism in order for sawdust not to cake up on it. I think using wd-40 would attract sawdust.
Any other tip for restoring this saw a customer of mine had it in his shop and had not used it for 5 years and was going to throw it away. I tried the motor and it ran smooth and quiet. Just need to know if there is anything else and should look at workin on.
Thanks
Replies
I dont put anything on mine. The ideal lube would be a silicone or teflon based dry lube. Like what is used for motor cycle and Bicycle chains. Teflon is best because it as it gets contaminated it sheds off, self cleaning. However I worry about teflon getting on my work. It would not likely cause a problem, but I have no problems currently using nothing.
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.
"need to know what to use to lubricate the sliding mechanism in order for sawdust not to cake up on it."
I've never had a problem with sawdust build up on my Sears saw. Good dust collection at the back of the saw and an occasional dust off with a drafting brush and it always slides smoothly.
Just curious, what's the vintage of your saw?
Edited 7/7/2006 12:55 pm ET by Mike_B
going by the serial number and the book that I ordered for it I thinkit is a 1983. I am not positive though I just had someone give it to me because it was in their way.
"going by the serial number and the book that I ordered for it I thinkit is a 1983"Sounds like we probably have the same saw. I think I bought mine around '84. You mentioned that you're restoring the saw. Many parts for it are still available through Sears (http://www3.sears.com/). I decided to tune up my saw about three years ago and wanted to replace some parts and buy some extra for possible future need (I've been waiting for the plastic power switch assembly to break for 20 years). I was surprised at how much is available for such an old machine. They even had the aluminum arm cover.Sears saws of this vintage were of decent quality, with more metal than plastic, though not as good as older DeWalts and Deltas with solid cast arms. I believe that DeWalt actually made radials for Sears back in the "50s.I won't bore you with all the details of the tune up, but there are two things I did that made a huge difference in performance. First I lost the stock stand and table, and replaced it with a long table/cabinet system -- plenty of support now for long boards. The second was investing in a really good cross cut blade. The cheaper blades I'd been using wanted to walk all over the board and the cut was never dead straight. Now, after installing a Forrest Chopmaster, it's dead on every time.Good luck with your project. I have a manual that gives detailed instructions on set up and adjustment and would be happy to send you a copy if you don't have one. It includes a complete parts list which came in handy when I was ordering replacement parts for my rehab project.And, finally, I see from your profile that you're in Valdosta. Are you a transplant or local boy. I spent the best 4+ years of my life in Valdosta -- VSC '72 -- back when we were still the Rebels (never got on board for the Blazers thing). I had a real blast the whole time I lived there. What a great town! Are there many woodworkers in the area?
I am a local Valdosta boy. i don't remember the rebel because I wasn't even around until 73. I don't know much of other local woodworkers, I just get out and piddle most of the time. Though now that the new house and shop are finished my wife wants me to start making picture frames.Anyone know of a wholesale source for bulk framing material.
Thanks
Most important to remake the table support system. REmove the small flimsy angle iron on the main under housing and install thick angle iron which extends from the back of housing to hhe front of the table. Upon these install more thick angle iron lengthwise and channel crosswise. Bolt these to the table base with three inch bolts so they can be adjusted for height. Then go through the leveling routine. This makes all the differance in saw performance.
"Though now that the new house and shop are finished"New house
New shop
Sears radial arm
In ValdostaLife is good.
Check out this website: http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com
These saws are part of a recall--regardless of the age of the saw.
I just fixed up my '85 model hand-me-down with the recalled parts and it's now a sweet saw that's safer to operate than the day it was delivered.
"Kinky for Gov. of Texas"
Yea, I got that kit for mine a couple of years ago and it even came with a new table and saw handle, all free!
I have 30+ year old Craftsman RAS and I've never lubbed it. If you keep it correctly ajusted it should not need any lub to roll smoothly but with a slight tension.
I would clean the track and bearings with WD40, dry them off and rub a little parifin on the track. Not too much parifin though as a chunk on the track will cause a bumb as the bearing passes over it.
Graphite dust such as is used in locks is good , but the ways must be clean first. The graphite reduces friction and discourages gunk build-up.
See my msg http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=6880.19
regarding a book about RAS. I was happy, but the book is mostly aimed at the DeWalt (I believe), it has a lot of good info re RAS.
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