On 7/21/13 9:43 PM, Mike M wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jul 2013 18:29:31 -0500, -MIKE-
wrote:

On 7/20/13 4:49 PM, mcp6453 wrote:
On 7/20/2013 2:13 AM, Bob F wrote:
mcp6453 wrote:

The motor is still on the saw, but I can't get to it at the moment.
There's too much junk in front of it. When I get to it, hopefully
soon, I will get better information. Most of the purpose of my post
was to learn whether there is any reason to waste time on it. It
sounds like there may be. At least the saw may be interesting to
someone else if I decide to give it away.

Radial arm saws are available free frequently on Craigslist and freecycle. Many
are newer than yours. If you want a usable one, that might be a better approach.

I wish I had never wasted the money on mine. A table saw is a way more useful
tool to me. A mitre saw does almost anything a radial arm saw has ever done for
me.

Out of curiosity, can you put a dado blade in a sliding miter saw? Someone said
he kept a dado in his RAS but used the compound miter for everything else.


Most likely the arbor would be way too short.
You can't even put one of those washer-style laser guides on most CMS.

Like you I have the old craftsmen with the upgrade and spent time
tweaking it and adding dust collection. You can do a lot with it if
you keep track of the accuracy. Making trim for curved cabinets I was
able to mound a chuck on the opposite end and with a router bit use it
as a pin router to cut the inside of pieces. Not production but it
got the job done. There have been lots of times I was glad to have
it. Only thing I won't do with it is rip boards although with the
upgrade it probably wouldn't be as terrorizing.

Mike M


I wouldn't think it would turn fast enough to get a router bit to cut
well. But it worked for you, so that's all that matters.

I recall ripping with mine soon after getting it and didn't find
anything more inherently dangerous than with a table saw. I don't think
anyone uses the antkick back claws on their table saws, so the RAS might
actually be safer. :-)


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

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