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Radial Arm Saws, dying breed?

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4K views 22 replies 19 participants last post by  Martyroc 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi folks, I was on Craigs list last night, and there are tons of old RAS for sale, all older units. I don't see any new ones anymore from anyone, except maybe one from Craftsman. I started woodworking using a RAS and would like to get one again,( probably more nostalgic than anything else). Did everyone abandon RAS's for TS's now, or am I just not lookng in the correct places/manufacturers?
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Radial arm saws definitely have their place, but I think for most of us the amount of space they take up vs how often they get used doesn't make sense. They are quite versatile machines and can perform loads of different tasks. Honestly if you are looking for one, if you buy an older one in good condition and and refurbish it, you could have a much better and longer lasting machine. Also, I think most people that haven't had much experience with them are a bit afraid of them.
I have two RAS waiting to be restored, but don't have one in my shop yet. One is an old Mongomery Ward(shopcraft?I'd have to look) And the other is a 1940's AMF DeWalt that was actually manufactured in Lancaster PA, just a hop and skip from here. It is built like a tank. Smaller than the MG model, but I think That is the one I'll be keeping.
 
#3 ·
It's true, they are dying…..

With the proliferation in sliding compound miter saws, RAS's don't really stand a chance. They are kind of like Britney Spears; heavier than most of the other options out there and don't preform as well. And like Britney, they have some nostalgic value and would look good in a shop, covered in saw dust. :)

The main reason was their one fatal flaw, they get out of whack so easy. I have a 10" Kobalt compound miter saw that I've been LESS than kind too and it still cuts true. Plus it was only $185 new (got it on sale). The other main flaws with them is wight and cost. Add those 3 together and look at the alternitives and you can understand why they are only slightly more popular than pet rocks.

I think Delta and Woodtek still make 12" versions. i guess for industrial uses they still have some value.

my 2 cents,
JD
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have an old DeWalt RAS, that I need to rehab. Can't wait to put it back into service. I believe, one can never have tooooo many saws! I plan on dedicating it to Dadoes, much easier to install/set the dadoe blade than on the TS.

Machine tool Gas Shaper Engineering Machine
 

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#6 ·
DIY, that would be a great purpose for a RAS. Set it dead on 90 and it will stay there. You have a good saw there. My DeWalt is one of the old humpback style. It weighs a ton and is built like a tank! It is only an 8" blade with a 14" draw, but I really don't think I'd need much more for 99% of what I do.
 
#7 ·
I can't justify the space needed…Justify? Heck there just ISN'T the space!
But, for 90 cross cuts, dadoes and end bevels. they are awesome.
The SCMSs have pretty much taken the market away from the RASs.
Now, if only there was a SCMS that would take a 6" dado set…..
 
#9 ·
I have an old sears r.a.s. from the late sixties, it is dead on and solid as a rock. i bought it used when i saw an add in the local paper for it, this was about 1996, i went to take a look at it and the owner threw in 6 blades 4 of them was new ( still in the packages ) also a sears cabinet with drawers, a set of locking casters, and all the original manuals. He said i was the first one to look at it and he wanted it out of his way so he let me have it for $225.00 . It was in real good shape and i have gotten a lot of use out of it, i used to build picnic tables and it worked great for as cut off saw with extended table and stop blocks. I cut the parts for about 130 tables all together with it. I still use it once in a while to cut down longer stock when i don't want to take the fence off the table saw.
 
#11 ·
Yes, its true that the RAS is an endangered species, much like other tools from the past. Being replaced by much lighter and easier to use tools of today. While there are still some diehards like myself and others that will keep them around for as long as we can.

I would also venture to say that in another 20 years the table saw will also be an endangered species being replaced by much newer technology as we are beginning to see. Such as the new track saws and the improvements being made with the band saw.

Much like the woodworker of yesteryear's being replaced by the woodworker of today. We to will be replaced by the woodworker of the future. So long live the woodworker and the tools of his day.
 
#12 ·
Bought mine in 1978 ($178.00) at Sears. Used it, moved it all over the South East, took good care of it, and finally sold it this year for $150.00. Sure served me well, but I no longer had room for it in the new shop. Didn't want to sell but, with the TS and the MS, it was redundant.
Goodby old friend.
Bill
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
The SCMS can do much of the tasks of the RAS, and is potable…..

IMO, the SCMS (if used correctly) is a safer saw to work with as well.

I still want a RAS for Dados…. but can't justify the money or space.

Even at work, where we have two 16" Dewalts (older hump back style) in our crating shop, we use them primarily for dado cuts. We use jump saws to cut stock to length.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
An RAS gets that knock of not staying in alignment quite often, and it's a true statement, for some of them! That would be the Craftsman models, and they did as much as anything to give the RAS it's undeserved (IMHO) reputation. I've had 2 C'man saws…both generally considered the "better" models. Couldn't keep them aligned no matter how many hours I spent tuning them. But switch over to the Dewalts….they have such a simple and precise alignment system (machined notches in the column) that once tuned correctly, they hold and return to the settings (45° and 90°) with dead nuts precision. What ruined the Dewalts was when B&D bought them put and then cheapened them to compete with Sears. So finding an older one (solid cast iron arm, probably pre-1962 or so). can get you a valuable tool that really earns it's keep. If you have one there is no reason to keep it on 90…swing it back and forth as much as you want…it will return to zero as accurately as any other saw. Don't forget there are some wonderful industrial models (my dream saw would be a Northfield Unipoint) that also really work well. That said, you are right…they area dying breed.
 
#19 ·
I've had my RAS and my old Craftsman tablesaw, and my chop saw since 1985, and all are still going strong..
I have a pretty big shop, so I do have the room for them all, plus 2 tablesaws…..My cabinet I built a while back houses my RAS and my chop saw, and I can handle a board 20' long, if necessary….Unless my old RAS just dies outright, I will never get rid of it…..it's like part of the family, works great for crosscutting, and stays 90 degrees. I'm like SnowyRiver…..I love it just for that purpose…...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
WW that get rid of there RAS for a chop saw or Sliding miter saw to save room just doesn't make any sense…

Are you getting rid of your TS for a bench top saw to save room ….

Did you buy a cheap TS / RAS [as to the alinement issues] ...

Not knowing how to use it or being scared of it is more like the reason…

It's more versatile & for the TS to keep up with it you have to build a sh!t load of jigs, more room…

I think you need both, TS / RAS not one over the other…
 
#23 ·
Thank you all for your input. The RAS that I had was a Delta, very rarely got out of alignment, and used it for the first 3-5 years of my woodworking hobby. I will probably purchase one from CL, mostly they are listed very cheap, and it gives me a project to rehab. Like some of you mentioned it did look good in my shop covered with sawdust and I would like to use it again even if it's only once or twice a year :)
 
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