The material of a radial arm saw table depends on its application and the manufacturer. For industrial and professional use, the table is typically made of cast iron or steel. A high-grade steel table is more durable and provides better accuracy.
For home and hobby use, the table is usually made of particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to reduce cost and weight. The advantage of MDF is that it does not warp or expand as much as particleboard.
Metal shims are available to level the table and allow for precise cuts. It is important to keep the table properly oiled to ensure a smoother operation.
Why were Craftsman radial arm saws recalled?
In 2004, Sears Craftsman Radial Arm Saws were recalled due to a potential injury hazard. The recall was issued due to measurements of the motor mount bolts that allow the motor on the saw to rotate, which posed a potential risk of the motor detaching and either striking or pulling the operator in contact with, or close to, the blade of the saw.
Furthermore, the exposed blade along with the potential of operating the saw with the blade guard removed, made the risk of severe injury or even death more likely, which is why the saws had to be recalled.
Sears Craftsman Radial Arm Saws were recalled to mend these dangers, and all owners were instructed to stop using the saw and contact Sears for more information on how to obtain a new motor mount bolt.
After receiving this new bolt and assembling the saw, the owners were required to inspect the bolt for security and contact Sears for a free safety inspection. This recall also instructed all owners to never make any modifications or repair on the saw besides those outlined in the instruction manual.
In order to ensure the safety of their consumers, Sears Craftsman Radial Arm Saws were recalled due to the potential damage the motor mount bolt could cause when the motor detached and struck or pulled the operator in contact with the blade.
Following the initial recall, Sears issued updated instructions on how to inspect and repair the saw, meaning that if all instructions are followed correctly, owners can continue to use their saw without any danger.
How do you use a radial arm saw as a table saw?
Using a radial arm saw as a table saw requires a few adjustments and additions. First, you will need to raise the radial saw arm to its full height and to its maximum front-to-back adjustment. Then, you will need to attach a flat 2×4 surface to the arm to create a makeshift table for the saw.
Make sure that the table is level and properly secured on the arm, so that it does not move when the saw is in use. Lastly, you will need to attach a rip fence and a miter gauge to the table to help you make precise cuts.
Now your radial arm saw is ready to be used as a table saw, just like a regular table saw. Instructions like these are usually included in the manual that comes with the saw and should be followed accordingly to ensure that it is used safely and properly.
How do you make a dust collector for a radial arm saw?
Making a dust collector for a radial arm saw is quite simple and can be done with just a few supplies.
First, you will need to purchase a shop vac and some PVC pipe and other supplies to connect it to your saw. Measure the length and width of your saw’s arm and cut the PVC pipe accordingly. Drill holes in the PVC pipe where you plan to screw or hose clamp it to the saw’s arm.
The next step is to attach the PVC pipe to the saw’s arm. You can use screws, bolts, or hose clamps – whatever works best for you in the given space. Once the PVC pipe is attached, you can then attach the shop vac hose to the far end of the PVC pipe.
Depending on the make and model of the shop vac, you can use a coupler or adapter to ensure the hose fits snugly onto the PVC pipe.
Once the saw and shop vac are connected you can adjust the saw arm and the PVC pipe accordingly to ensure it will be close enough to the table for the sawdust and debris to move into the shop vac’s filter.
Finally, you can use screws and a gasketed collar to attached the shop vac’s filter to the PVC pipe. Partner this with a shop vac extension wand and you can easily reach even the tightest corners as you make your cuts.
What can a radial arm saw do?
A radial arm saw is a type of saw that uses a circular saw powered by an electric motor to make cuts to materials when used in a workshop. Radial arm saws can be used for a variety of cutting applications, such as making precise cuts in sheet materials, ripping boards and lumber, crosscutting boards and lumber, mitering, jigsaw cuts, hole cutting, and beveling.
Some radial arm saws also have a support arm that can be adjusted to different lengths and angles to make precise cuts in awkward shapes and positions. While they are larger, more expensive, and more powerful than other types of saws, radial arm saws enable users to make cuts faster, more accurately, and more consistently than other saws.
Radial arm saws are often used by professional woodworkers and carpenters, but can also be used by hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers.
Why are radial arm saws not popular?
Radial arm saws have fallen out of favor with many modern woodworkers in recent years due mainly to their large size, limited portability and the fact that they are not as versatile as other tools such as a table saw or miter saw.
They require a large investment for even basic models and the saws ability to pivot and do miter cuts is limited to the positioning of the saw arm. The blade guard can be bulky and awkward to work with, and the saws are often difficult to adjust and maintain.
They are also relatively slow to use when making multiple cuts due to the lack of a sliding table. Additionally, while they can be used to make rip cuts, they are nowhere near as accurate as a table saw in terms of trimming and managing long boards.
All these factors have led to their unpopularity in the modern woodworking world.
Is it worth having a radial arm saw?
It is definitely worth having a radial arm saw as part of your tool collection. This type of saw is incredibly useful for making cross, rip, miter and bevel cuts quickly and accurately. With the right blade, you can also use a radial arm saw to make more complex cuts, like dados and rabbets.
In addition, a radial arm saw can provide you with more control and accuracy than a circular saw, allowing you to make precise repeatable cuts.
Overall, a radial arm saw can be an indispensable tool to have around the house, especially if you’re looking to make high-precision cuts. The only downside to having one is that it can be quite a large and bulky machine, so you will need to ensure that you have enough space to store it if you’re planning on investing in one.
What do you cut with a radial saw?
A radial saw, also known as a radial arm saw, is a stationary saw that is perfect for precise, accurate straight and beveled cuts and miters. It is primarily used to cut wood, but with the right attachment it can be used to cut plastic, plywood, and aluminum.
The saw has a circular saw blade that can be rotated and extended on an arm, allowing you to cut wood pieces safely and accurately with a precise depth and angle of cut. It is most commonly used for cutting mouldings, hardwoods, dados, rabbets, tongue and groove joints, and planks.
You can also use it to cut dowels, tenons, and rip long boards. It is important to use the right blade and safety guards depending on the material you are trying to cut.
What is the difference between a radial arm saw and a miter saw?
The two main differences between a radial arm saw and a miter saw are size and function. Radial arm saws are typically much larger, designed for more commercial or industrial applications, and can make a wide range of cuts.
Meanwhile, a miter saw is smaller, more compact, and only designed for making certain types of cuts.
Radial arm saws are a stationary saw, mounted on a bench or table, and the arm has several different joints that allow you to move the arm and blade to different angles and make almost any kind of cut, including miter, bevel and curved cuts.
The blade is adjustable to different depths, too, giving you more control over the cut.
Miter saws, however, are designed for making only miter and cross-cuts. The blade is usually set in one angle, so it can make perfectly angled cuts, but only in one direction. They also have limited depth adjustments, usually no more than 3 to 6 inches.
Because it’s smaller and more compact, it’s usually better suited for DIY projects and other light-duty applications.
So, in summary, the main difference is that radial arm saws are designed for more professional work and have a lot of capability for making various cuts. Meanwhile, miter saws are much smaller and more compact and are limited to just miter and cross-cut applications.
Is a radial arm saw outdated?
No, a radial arm saw is not outdated. It is still a popular tool for DIY projects and for professional carpentry. The radial arm saw is a powerful tool that is capable of a variety of cuts, such as dados, rabbets, crosscuts, and miters.
It is incredibly accurate and can be used on large sheets of material, such as plywood. Radial arm saws have several advantages over other saws, such as a small blade size, greater capacity for small pieces, and a better ability to navigate around corners.
Furthermore, radial arm saws are often less expensive than other saws, making them a great option for those looking to save money. While some people may feel that the radial arm saw is outdated, there are still plenty of people who rely on this tool to get their projects completed.
Why do people not like radial arm saws?
People generally do not like radial arm saws because they can be dangerous and difficult to use. They require significant strength, balance and stability to operate, as the operator needs to guide the material and keep it in place while the blade is spinning.
Additionally, radial arm saws take significant time and effort to adjust correctly, and can be dangerous if not set up correctly. Another common complaint is that it can be difficult to make precise cuts, as the radial arm saw tends to drift and require frequent readjustment.
Finally, these saws tend to vibrate heavily, which can make extended use uncomfortable and tiring.
Do I need a miter saw if I have a radial arm saw?
Whether or not you need a miter saw if you have a radial arm saw depends on the specific tasks you intend to use the saws for. The miter saw, sometimes referred to as a “chop” saw, is often used for making small cuts and for quickly making angle cuts for small pieces of wood.
The miter saw usually has a blade that can be adjusted to make an angle cut in the wood. On the other hand, radial arm saws are designed for cutting larger pieces of wood and the angle of the blade is adjustable.
Radial arm saws are often used for making straight cross cuts and doing joinery such as mortise and tenon joining.
If you are only doing small woodworking projects that require quick angle cuts and some cross cutting, then a miter saw will be much more convenient than a radial arm saw. However, if you plan on doing larger woodworking projects that require cutting larger pieces of wood or doing more intricate joinery, the radial arm saw will be a better option.
Ultimately, if you have a need for both saws, it may be worth it to invest in both, depending on the tasks you plan to do.