LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Craftsman RAS Recall... $100 for free!

11K views 30 replies 22 participants last post by  roofner 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This topic is in response to Jimthecarver's question on what to do with his Radial arm saw.

A few year back Craftsman did a recall on several models of their Radial Arm Saws. We own a used tool store and see these things come in all the time. They are a dime-a-dozen all across America. Nobody ever wants them, we can't even give them away. But we found out about this recall and here's the deal:

Somebody filed a class action law suit against Craftsman that deemed several models of their RAS "Unsafe" (imagine that) due to a faulty blade guard.

Depending on which model you own, their are two possibilities.

Their is a blade guard upgrade kit available:
  • If this is the case they will send you the kit for free along with a new replacement table and fence (nice!)

No kit available: This is the best case scenario…
  • They send you a box (free shipping)
  • You disassemble the RAS and put the motor in the box
  • You put the box on your doorstep and then call them when done
  • They pick up the box from your doorstep and mail it back to them (free shipping)
  • THEY SEND YOU A CHECK IN THE MAIL FOR $100.00!

By sending them the motor, their is now way anybody could use the thing and get hurt. So after you do that, you take the rest of the body to metal recycle.

Either way you win. Free parts or free money. Can't go wrong. Ok, so here is the link: Craftsman RAS Recall

Just type in the Model# and Serial# from your saw (usually on a silver sticker located on the base or stand of the saw). Then give them a call and they will walk you through it.

By the way, I have found that most models come up as "NO KIT AVAILABLE" so you will probably get $100.
 
See less See more
#5 ·
Thank you Blake!
I think I will just dismantle it. I would hate to think someone could get hurt by it.
One day I was using it and the thing went crazy and damaged a new blade, I always thought it was because I did something wrong.
Wow! now since you showed us this link im sure it wasnt all because of me.
It scared me so I never used it again.
Thanks again,
Jim
 
#8 ·
Really, until I can afford to buy the 12" SCMS I want, I can't part with the RAS. But it takes up a ton of shop space and while its excellent for precision 90 degree crosscuts, its not any good for anything else and takes up too much room.

I'll sell ya mine if you come pick it up! :p
 
#12 ·
you guys are all crazy…. talkin about getting rid of your RAS for money. its a priceless tool. "IF" its tuned properley. i just got my craftsman radial arm saw at a garage sale a few months ago for like 30$ i brought that sucker home and started making a whole station for it. i tuned everything up to within .005" and she cuts like a CHAMPION. the reason so many people get injured with RAS saws is because they dont understand how important it is to make sure that the saw cuts properly. alot of people just buy the saw. bring it home, plug it in, and start cuting. that is not the case. if i would have done that with my saw then i am sure i would have had an accident. the heel and toe of the blade was so far out of wack it was sure to malfunction. and then i would have filed a law suit with sears and told them that there was a problem with theyre saw. then they would have to recall all of there products, lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, and make every radial arm saw owner think that it is an unsafe tool!!!! all becasue Joe Blow didnt know how to properly work his RAS.
so please dont get rid of your RAS…. i mean if you think its unsafe from personal experiences then OK, but dont just believe everyone else because they said it was dangerouse. its unbeleievable how many people i have talked to who have said. "oh my god dont get an RAS" "theyre so unpredictable and unsafe". and then i come to find out that they have never even owned one or worked one in thiere life…. lol. so if anybody would like to keep theyre saw and have questions on how they can fix the problem they are having with the saw i would be glad to help. just P.M. me
 
#15 ·
Bought my CM RAS in 1978. Still use it, and gonna keep on usin'it. As with most equipment-related probs, it is the operator's fault. I SAID MOST!!! Don't freak. Did the hammer get taken off the market after 12000 folks (like me) whacked a thumb?
Gosh! Now I feel better.
Bill
 
#17 ·
The CM RAS was the first stationary power tool I bought. I have used it extensively for ripping, crosscutting and miter cuts. Never had any problems what-so-ever. I don't use it as much as I used to because I've got a decent table saw. But, I do still use it. Most of the time, like Bill said, it's the operator's fault for getting hurt. Carelessness is generally the culprit. Litigation is the get rich quick scheme and it is ruining the American Manufacturers. I order the new kit, put it on and kept on keeping on. Works fine, fails safe and drains to the bilge.
 
#19 ·
Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered my kit. However, if it had come up no kit available I wouldn't have give up my saw. I bought it new in the early eighties and haven't had any trouble. It's only for crosscutting now that I have a tablesaw.

As for out of control litigation; about twenty years ago I read that 25% of a ladders cost was for insurance. I've since responded, on a fire truck, to many falls from ladders. Never saw a ladder that had failed. Always operator error. Usually over reaching instead of climbing down and moving the thing. It was probably the same type thing with the saw law suit and we all pay for it.
 
#21 ·
I just read the details of this recall and my saw is one of the ones they will give me $100.00 for, no kit to fix it. I have had this saw for about 10 years. I bought it at a garage sale for $25.00. I had to do some repairs and replaced the table and fence and tuned it up. I got it running really sweet. Then it sat in the corner of my shop, unused and taking up space. I might have used it twice in that time. I have had it on CL for a couple months with no luck. I am thinking about getting the $100 for it and getting some floor space back. Has anyone else done this and is it worth the trouble? I only bought it because it was a good deal at the time and have found that I really don't need it. I'm sure I can find a good use for the money to buy more tools with. Now if I can just find someone that wants a Rockwell/Delta table saw.
 
#22 ·
@cjwillie - Seems to me It's going to take most of the $100 to send the motor back. I'd try selling it on Craigs list first. Unless Craftsman is going to pay the shipping to return it to them.
 
#24 ·
Sounds like a winner to me. I've had the saw on CL for over a month for $100 with no takers. It's a good saw but I never use it and would rather have the floorspace and a few bucks I can put towards something I'll use more. $100 at an auction or garage sale will get a lot of bang for the buck. Not bad with this one paid $25, get $100. I can deal with that!
 
#26 ·
I haven't tried it with dust collection yet. Working on getting the ducting over to the RAS.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top