On Mon, 3 Jul 2017 19:44:34 -0700, Electric Comet
wrote:

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:51:25 -0700 (PDT)
" wrote:

I don't think anyone is saying a radial arm saw is awful, horrible,

most tools that get a bad rap are due to usage by the uninitiated

No, it's due to the intrinsic danger. These tools *are* dangerous.

one has to be in physical control of the radial arm saw or it will
grab

Not unless something goes wrong. If it does...

cut speed has to be controlled manually and that has surprised a
few people i am sure

Really? Tables saws are automatic? Bandsaws are automatic? Really?

terrible, evil. It just doesn't really have much use for the vast
majority of people. It does some things very well. As you said,
cutting large 4x4, 6x6, big rough lumber. Something very few people
do much of. If I owned a sawmill, I would likely have a radial arm
saw sitting around because it can cross cut a 24" wide board that is
4 inches thick. But other than a sawmill, who needs that ability? A
radial arm saw is good for cross cutting up to about 24" I think.
12" is the most almost anyone needs though. Crosscutting at 90
degrees only. Its not good to adjust the angle to 45 degrees or

there were some higher end radial arm saws that did well with angles
usually larger too like 14 or 16 inch saws

anything else. Not accurate except at 90 degrees only. Don't think
its safe or good at compound cuts either. Miter saws and sliding
miter saws do everything the radial arm saw does, except more
accurate and easier.

blade technology also makes a big difference
first time i used a freud on the skilsaw it really felt like a
different saw

hammer a little trim nail exactly. Air guns are just better in most
cases. But like the radial arm saw, manual winging hammers are
needed in some specific situations.

something about hammering nails sometimes it is just fun

but palm nailers and air guns are a lot of fun too

hammers will always be around but looks like fewer and fewer choices
if you want a radial arm saw

You can thank the snowflakes. Remember, Radial Arm Saws are known to
cause cancer.