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.
I’ve done it twice. Once I got the kit and the other time I got the money. The kit comes with a new blade guard, handle, and new wood for the table. A great deal.
-- DaveH - Boise, Idaho - “How hard can it be? It's only wood!”
I just stumbled onto this about the RAS recall. Went to the link provided and low and behold I’ve got a kit ordered. I don’t use the RAS much and have been thinking of selling it. Having this upgrade may help me get rid of it. Thanks to all for this posting and my good luck to stumble onto it.
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
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
So I can buy a used saw for $50.00 and then give the motor to Sears and get $100.00. That is a win win! Actually, I would buy the old RAS just to use it.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Really, until I can afford to buy the 12” SCMS I want, I can’t part with the RAS. But it takes up a ton of shop space and while its excellent for precision 90 degree crosscuts, its not any good for anything else and takes up too much room.
I have had mine for 20 years and got the free kit. It works great, I love my RAS. But, as with any power tool you need to know how to use it safely. Even then xv?x happens.
you guys are all crazy…. talkin about getting rid of your RAS for money. its a priceless tool. “IF” its tuned properley. i just got my craftsman radial arm saw at a garage sale a few months ago for like 30$ 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
-- i can do all things through christ who strengthens me
I just ran a model number check on my Craftsman RAS and it states “no such model number”. Maybe it is too new of a saw, as I’ve only had it about 4 or 5 years.
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
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