Need advice on Craftsman RAS models

Dan Delaney · 2025-09-30T21:03:31-0400

Hi all!

I'm excited to get my first radial arm saw, but there are so many to choose from on Facebook Marketplace! Currently, I'm looking at some Craftsman models and not finding much information anywhere on the relative quality and features between them.

Any Craftsman RAS aficionados who can explain the ins-and-outs of these various models? As I said, I can't find any information that details the differences. Even ChatGPT has a hard time finding anything.

EDIT: I found most of the model numbers of these. Added to the text.)

The Craftsman "Professional", with the motorized carriage looks pretty good, and there's one available in my area that looks to be in perfect condition. (And yes, they do have the blade guard

) (Model 315.220381)

And there's a 3.0 HP "Contractor Series" available that looks to be in good shape. (Can't find model # of this one)

And a different "Contractor Series" model (Model 113.196380)

Are those (the "Professional" and "Contractor") considered the "top of the line" models of Craftsman radial arm saws?

Then there are what look like to be different models that are both 2.75 HP. One has a large lever on top of the arm to release the swivel motion, the other has a sliding lever on the front of the arm for that purpose. (Model 113.196321)

(Model 113.197150)

Then there's what seems to be the more common, maybe more consumer-level, model that I see a lot of (Model 113.197751):

And, of course, there's the "Electronic" model (Model 113.198251, which seems to be identical to model 113.198110 but with the electronic bit added.)

And finally, there are a few of what I would characterize as more "antique" models. This one shows "Radial 100" on the label, and the seller says it's in "Very Good Shape". (Apparently, this is model 113.29411, aka: "Accra-Arm".)

Thanks!
—Dan

Dan Delaney · 2025-10-01T01:38:48-0400

Anyone who has owned/used one of these models, I'd love to hear what your experience with it was like.

WoodenDreams · 2025-10-01T02:14:05-0400

I know several carpenters that use them on job sites.

Be careful with this type of saw (extra precaution when cutting small peices). If you want to keep your fingers or thumbs.

But there good for cutting larger or wider peices.

wapakfred · 2025-10-01T06:31:21-0400

Is there a reason you're sold on Having a Craftsman? I personally blame their brand to a large extant for the death of the RAS. I've had 2, and both went back to the recall.

ibewjon · 2025-10-01T08:50:37-0400

I have one. As accurate as a wrecking ball. Look for an old ugly green DeWalt with burgundy knobs. Accurate as a swiss watch. I have a 10" and a smaller one. Whatever ras you buy , get a negative rake blade. Not a standard table saw blade.

3Steers · 2025-10-01T10:47:43-0400

I know the model numbers starting with 113 have safety recalls.

hairy · 2025-10-01T12:01:29-0400

I see old DeWalts on FB marketplace in the $50 range. It will outlast you.

JackDuren · 2025-10-01T12:16:05-0400

If you can find a Delta, it will be the last one you’ll need..

Dan Delaney · 2025-10-01T16:02:11-0400

Thanks everyone. No, I'm not sold on the Craftsman models, there are just a whole lot of them close by. There are also a few Rockwell, Delta, and DeWalt. I'll start a separate topic thread about those, though, to keep this thread just on the Craftsman models.

WoodChuckWood19 · 2025-10-01T17:52:54-0400

If the one you’re looking at is in great shape, with tight bearings and no slop in the arm, you’ve probably found a solid machine. Just be sure to check that everything locks down firmly and that the motor runs smooth and quiet. Replacement parts can be a little tricky, but lots of folks keep them running for decades

Dan Delaney · 2025-10-02T19:36:47-0400

Funny you should say that about being in good shape. Someone just posted a Craftsman "Professional" model (315.220381) that literally looks like it's hardly ever been used and was kept indoors—no rust, grime, dirt, sawdust...nothing. He's asking $200.

mkelty · 2025-10-03T11:06:26-0400

I have both Craftsman (2) and Ward's Powr-Kraft (3) saws, and appreciate them both for different reasons. I would say the Craftsman are easier to run, but the Powr-Kraft is more tune-able. Also the Powr-Kraft has two accessory spindles, a 3450 rpm as well as a 20,000 rpm. In addition, the Powr-Kraft gear induction assembly makes it very friendly to deal with when things go awry and bind up.

dlynch · 2025-10-03T11:33:23-0400

I have owned a craftsman, labeled the professional model and posted a question on table measurements on this site a couple years ago. RAS used to be the solution for crosscutting until the sliding crosscut saws came out. The biggest problem I had with the craftsman RAS was making a square cut. It cut fine for construction lumber purposes but not for woodworking. I could get it square, make a few cuts and it would be out of square enough that I went back to my sliding crosscut which holds square.

wapakfred · 2025-10-03T12:06:47-0400

Just a comment, you seem to be overly focused on newness, "looks like it's never been used". That shouldn't be that important in your search, look for a reliable brand (back to Dewalt and Delta/Rockwell) and give the appearance thing a second of 3rd point in the search. My Dewalt looks terrible, but yet after tuning it's dead accurate, I swing the arm back and forth all the time and it returns to zero, but it's probably the ugliest thing in the shop (excluding me). A bad RAS (Craftsman and maybe a few of the others you've asked about) will make you cuss the day you heard the acronym RAS and abandon the forever....like so many others have done.

JackDuren · 2025-10-03T12:09:51-0400

The RAS was replaced by tye slider, but people buy them because they are cheap now.

Need advice on Craftsman RAS models

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