| Project by Tim Gates | posted 877 days ago | 3035 views | 9 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
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I have been a fan of radial arm saws since I started using my Dad’s 1967 Craftsman which is a pretty good saw. However, I bought the Mr. Sawdust book and read some of the posts here and got bit by the Dewalt bug. When this 1959 Dewalt showed up on Craigslist, I couldn’t resist.
An old-timer had to be moved to a nursing home and the family sold off his apparently extensive collection of shop equipment and this saw was the very last item in the shop.
I use the term “restoration” lightly here becauase it was in decent shape. I broke it down and cleaned it up but nothing was replaced. A couple of the adjusting screws and bolts needed some significant persuasion to break free which in turn dictated that I paint the guard and the arm. Krylon satin Jade Green from Walmart is a very close match to the original color. I polished other parts to clean them up.
The dust collection device may be of interest. It is friction fit between the table and the frame. I think it looks good and it’s pretty effective. It also doesn’t add any depth to the saw.
It seems like the significant difference between the C’man and the Dewalt is that this saw holds it’s alignment much better. In particular, the arm lock on the Dewalt is much superior to the Craftsman.
I thoroughly enjoy this saw and the capability it brings to my small shop at a fraction of the cost of a sliding CMS.
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15 comments so far
Jamie Speirs
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3685 posts in 1028 days
#1 posted 877 days ago
Great Job, it looks really good.
A lot better than mine. :(
When I move it may get a makeover as well.
Jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Duster116
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20 posts in 1203 days
#2 posted 877 days ago
Fantastic job on the RAS. It turned out great!!
-- Yes dear, I know I already have one...but it's on sale.
Dennisgrosen
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10854 posts in 1287 days
#3 posted 877 days ago
huu that looks very niiiice
congrat´s with your new toy
take care but enjoy the game
Dennis
Earlb
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44 posts in 1191 days
#4 posted 877 days ago
Looks good. I have a c’man and it needs a little work. Did you say there is a book on them?
-- It is all in your perspective.
HokieMojo
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2085 posts in 1900 days
#5 posted 877 days ago
earl,
mrsawdust.com has a great book about RAS’s but it mainly deals with dewalts. If you are looking to learn about the operation of these saws, it would still be a very good resource.
jim C
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1400 posts in 1270 days
#6 posted 877 days ago
I just drool over old machines. Stability, workmanship and the thoughts of what they might have made in the past.
Great job!
Thanks for sharing.
-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
gary351
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95 posts in 968 days
#7 posted 877 days ago
Good find on ras looks great you should post it on owwm.
-- A poor man has poor way's
Blake
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3421 posts in 2046 days
#8 posted 877 days ago
This turned out great. It looks a lot like mine. I love these old saws. I like the flip down extension a lot.
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
SteveW
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269 posts in 1030 days
#9 posted 877 days ago
Beautiful restoration. I was given one of these, and hope to restore it in the future as well.
-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! SteveW
WoodSpanker
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517 posts in 1564 days
#10 posted 877 days ago
Nice job! I love old equipment… the histories that go with them make me shivers! :)
-- Adventure? Heh! Excitement? Heh! A Woodworker craves not these things!
Bob Kollman
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1779 posts in 1363 days
#11 posted 877 days ago
Classic looking saw, I’m still older then your classic though Mister!!!! LOL (I think)....
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
Chris
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27 posts in 1022 days
#12 posted 877 days ago
That’s a great looking saw, I have two just like it. One needs a little refurbishing as well.
Blake has some great tips on how to match the fleck paint.
I think the one downfall to these saws is the mess they make, looks like you’ve taken care of that problem.
Nice job!
-- Chris, Hubertus, WI
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1845 days
#13 posted 877 days ago
Thats a great job on the RAS, I found one from a woodworker in Atlanta, Ga. I just got to go and pick it up. I cant wait LOL!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
NBeener
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4856 posts in 1346 days
#14 posted 840 days ago
This is SO cool !!!!
-- -- Neil
brianinpa
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1809 posts in 1895 days
#15 posted 839 days ago
I also have a 925 and I have no plans of replacing it with a miter saw. I just love the way these saws work. Nice job on the restoration.
Is the dust collection design yours or did it come with the saw?
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
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