"LRod" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:41:14 -0700 (PDT), pete
wrote:

My Radial Arm saw is a compound Rockwell saw, that allows me to
move the lower arm into a position so I can push the 2 x 4 from the
side
that has the splitter.

Well, I guess I'm not familiar with exactly what a "compound
Rockwell
saw" but if it's truly a radial arm saw, and thus very similar in
design and use to my Craftsman radial arm saw, then you absolutely
do
not want to push the 2x4 from the side that has the splitter. In
fact,
I don't even see how you could do it the way you describe. The blade
has to make a kerf for the splitter to go in.

When ripping with a radial arm saw (not automatically a dangerous
act,
contrary to internet lore), the wood is fed toward the teeth which
are
spinning toward the wood--exactly like with a table saw. The
splitter
is the last thing encountered by the wood in the whole operation.

I'm surprised no one caught this, or I have it wrong.



--
LRod


Sounds like he is talking about setting the saw head up for either a
in rip or out rip
It can be turned either way, I'd guess he set it so it was turned so
the splitter and blade was
to the outside of the cut (toward the operator looking at the motor,)
versus toward the fence
side
CC.