What tool is this?

Looks like a radial arm with a dado blade attached. If that’s the case, you could certainly use a regular blade.

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Thank you Lew, what is a dado blade? (used for)

-- http://www.jordanstraker.com

I agree, thats what it looks like.

-- Donnie-- listen to the wood.

that is definitely a radial arm saw ,
the dado blades are used to make groves .
how many blades together determines how wide the grove is .
you can take those blades off ,
and put on a regular blade for cross cuts .
how big a blade is determined buy the guard ,
( not shown ) ,
read the model# and the make ,
i’m sure someone can get all the info on that saw for you .
looks like an old dewalt .

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

... and … if David’s right … I understand that old DeWalt RAS’s are VERY cool :-)

You done good!

-- -- Neil

Very nice find. If you don’t like it just ship out to me:)

-- Nubs,Reserve

you can ship the saw to me and i’ll tell ya everything lew just told ya. I can use one of those saws. LOL ;)

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

Jordan, ignorance is OK, it can be fixed by asking questions, as you did. Stupid, in contrast, can’t be fixed. As has been stated, this is a radial arm saw. I would ask that you pull the saw head all the way towards you, and try to pull it left and right (doesn’t have to be turned on). If you get some sideways movement, do what I did and recycle it for the metal. It won’t make square cuts if it’s worn out. You’ll be way better off with a table saw and sleds.

Yes, my father’s old ‘60s RAS got recycled due to slop when fully extended- I do much higher precision work than lopping off studs for building a house. But I saved the table frame for my new birch workbench top, since that table frame was so solid.

Looks like a stacked dado blade on the radial arm saw. A stacked dado blade can be adjusted for cutting various widths of grooves. Dados will cut,lets say,a 3/4in. wide by 1/4in. deep groove in the side of your panel for glueing your book shelf into. |

-- " In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Mother Teresa

Jordan, it is indeed a radial arm saw and since it sounds like you’ve never operated one before, be EXTREMELY careful using it. First see if you can find the blade guard in the garage. Next read up on proper use of them. Want you to be safe in the workshop :-)

-- James

Yes, you can take the dado blade off and use a single blade. I change them all the time on my radial arm.

-- " In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Mother Teresa

I’m not real sure but look closely at the back of the motor slider and it looks like the word CRAFTSMAN printed on it.

-- Donnie-- listen to the wood.

donjoe wins tonight ,
i just zoomed it ,
craftsman !

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

If you change the blade, make sure you get one that is made for a radial arm saw. Throwing a table saw blade on there could cause serious problems.

-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com

Based on the picture it looks like a Craftsman Radial Arm Saw, Model 113.29410 from the late 60’s or early 70’s

-- Potential is limited only by imagination