Radial Arm Saw?

[JohnnyDrama]

I was offered an older model radial arm saw last night for $25.00. It's kind of big, and I don't really have room for it, it's not as useful as a table saw would be (which I don't have), but would come in handy for a couple of upcoming projects. I'll probably take the guy up on the offer just because I can't stand to see such a tool go to goodwill. Anyway, does anybody out there have experience with such a tool? I haven't used one but it looks like fun. Thoughts?

[rondog]

I wish I could have nabbed my dad's Craftsman radial arm saw! That was one handy mother, I loved that thing.

[Erni]

No experiance but sounds fun. Use it and then post it here to pass on to the next needy soul.

[Irving]

MUCH easier to make perfectly square cuts. Is it just on a straight arm, or can you rotate the blade at all? If it does miter cuts, and especially compound miter cuts, grab it!

[BladesNBarrels]

First power saw was the early Craftsman Radial Arm Saw.
Did everything I asked, but had to be a little creative in making some cuts.
Built a free-standing garage and cabinetry.
Have fun and post some pictures!

[ray1970]

My grandfather had a radial arm saw that we used for everything. Space or not, it would be hard to turn one down for $25.

[Great-Kazoo]

TimK & Johnny Ego are the guys to ask when it comes to wood working tools. Personally, for $25 it's a win win for you, i understand not having the space is a negative. But.....after the first project you'll be happy.

[BushMasterBoy]

I have a Craftsman belt run table saw. It is the cast steel top type. I don't even think you can buy one anymore from Craftsman. Last time I looked they had granite tops in Sears. Sounds like a deal!

[buffalobo]

Depending on model, it can do pretty much anything a table saw can do and more. For $25 you can't really lose.

I have 3 in my shop, 2 10" Craftsman and a 14" Dewalt.

[00tec]

Friend of mine got a deal on an old Montgomery Ward. Had the original manual and all. Havent had a chance to put it to use yet.

[laportecharlie]

Lots of people have been hurt using radial arm saws. You have to be very careful to not have your hand holding the material in line with the path of the blade. The blade runs backward relative to a table saw and can jump back and bite you. For $25.00 you should grab it. There are dozens of them on Craig's list for a lot more but they never sell. Just take up too much room if set up with useful tables both ways.

[Bailey Guns]

Hell, yeah... $25 is a no-brainer deal. Radial arm saws are nearly extinct. A few still being made but they've become very expensive.

[rondog]

Yeah, they do take up a lot of real estate.....

[JohnnyEgo]

Once upon a time, there were no powered compound miter saws, and everyone worked with solid wood instead of ply. In those times, the radial arm saw was king. However, compared to today's compound miters and table saws, the radial arm saw has been superseded in most metrics. They present a bit of a safety risk in that most of them cut as you pull towards yourself, on the climb, which magnifies bad technique and can cause skipping with the blade coming towards you.

When they are adjusted well, you can use a radial arm saw to do some novel cuts, particularly with a dado head and a high tolerance for fear. However, a modern compound miter takes up a lot less space and stays square better. Compared to a table saw, the radial arm has less capacity to work big panels, and is a bit more challenging to do small, intricate work. There is nothing 'wrong' with it; technology and building materials have simply moved on.

For me, space in my shop/garage is at a premium, and I have a large table saw and two compound miters already. I've turned down several similar opportunities on old Radials over the years. If I had a lot of space, I'd take one in, but it's range and limitations are not worth it for me personally.

[JohnnyDrama]

I've already talked myself into the deal. Thanks for the input. A traveling gypsy said dados and rabbets were in my future and I figure that saw will be easier than using my compound miter saw and circular saw. I think I've pushed the envelope a little with the circular a little. I'm sure it'll be fun. I'll try to some pics up if things go as advertised. Or if they fail spectacularly.

[ben4372]

That is a good deal! You'll have fun. I gave away one that i got for free. They do take up a lot of room. The real question is can you buy a new one today? I think they quit making them for a reason.

[Hummer]

I sold one through Craigslist for $35 a few years ago, an old Craftsman or Monkey Wards, I've had both. Those old units were made pretty cheap and were under powered. It was impossible to set them up to make consistent, accurate cuts. And they are dangerous. For me, they weren't worth the space.

My Delta contractors saw and DeWalt compound miter saw do everything I need, accurately and with more power.

[Tim K]

Not allowed in my shop. They are inherently unsafe, and I've had one chase my hand and try to cut if off more than once. There's a reason you don't see them sold new much anymore, and a reason that used ones are cheap. If you do buy it, be frigging careful.

[rondog]

I can see where there's much better tools for professional woodworkers, but for a casual woodhacker like myself I'd still like to have one - if I had the place to keep and use it. I don't make furniture, just target frames, dog houses and other redneck shit.

[gnihcraes]

I sold one through Craigslist for $35 a few years ago, an old Craftsman or Monkey Wards, I've had both. Those old units were made pretty cheap and were under powered. It was impossible to set them up to make consistent, accurate cuts. And they are dangerous. For me, they weren't worth the space.

My Delta contractors saw and DeWalt compound miter saw do everything I need, accurately and with more power.

I'll check the HP rating on my super old craftsman - neighborhood dims when I fire it up! :)