Re: Taming my Craftsman 10" Radial Arm Saw

On Mar 31, 10:23 am, BoyntonStu <s...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have a 10" Delta table saw that has a motor about to die.

Recently built a slide table for it that is very precise and smooth.

It will crosscut to 25".

In the meantime, I bought a 10" Craftsman Radial Arm Saw for $40 with
a great motor.

The RAS in its normal pull is very squiggly.

However, when locked down to a fixed position, it is quite stable.

The light bulb went on in my head and this is what I did:

I mounted the Delta metal table with its extension and mounted it onto
a nice hunk of 3/4" plywood to fit the RAS table and a bit more.

I can quickly pivot the entire Delta table to align it with the RAS
blade.

I positioned the RAS  at its maximum rip position distance and feed it
at the blade lifting end.

Using an angle grinder, I cut a small groove into the table saw top to
allow the RAS blade to about 1/4" below the surface .

I can now rip about 25" using the table saw top and it original fence.

I can crosscut using the easy on/easy off slide table.

I now have an upside down sideways ripping crosscutting Radial Arm
Table Saw!

It is really neat!  I never use it as a RAS.

It can angle both ways, easily adjust the blade height, etc.

Radial arm saws maybe squirrelly as designed, but in a fixed position,
they can be very stable.

I still have a slight play in the head when I shake it, but it still
cuts very accurately.

Anyone know the tricks in tightening it up?

What model saw is it? I'm pretty familiar with the older ones. In any
case, I would think just about any Craftsman RAS should be capable of
working pretty smoothly through the crosscut motion. It's unlikely
that your saw would have been used heavily enough to wear out the
bearings, so I'd guess that it's an adjustment or set-up issue. Sears
is good about carrying manuals and parts for older machines. Check out
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

You'll need the model number which starts with 3 digits, a decimal
point, then lots more digits (can't remember exactly how many)
xxx.xxxxxxxx or something.

I encourage you to get it working properly to your satisfaction. Since
you have already committed the shop space, it's extremely useful to
have a dedicated crosscut machine, especially for cutting long stock
precisely. My RAS, like many others, is carefully tuned to 90 degrees
and is never moved.

Good luck,
Tom

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Radial Arm Saw Question?
    ... The grind angle is different for a ... radial arm which helps to reduce "climbing". ... such things as RAS blades or table saw blades--just blades. ... way) a "RAS blade" that anyone even thought of such a thing. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Radial Arm Saw Question?
    ... The grind angle is different for a ... radial arm which helps to reduce "climbing". ... such things as RAS blades or table saw blades--just blades. ... way) a "RAS blade" that anyone even thought of such a thing. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Radial Arm Saw Question?
    ... The grind angle is different for a ... radial arm which helps to reduce "climbing". ... such things as RAS blades or table saw blades--just blades. ... way) a "RAS blade" that anyone even thought of such a thing. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Taming my Craftsman 10" Radial Arm Saw
    ... What is the difference between pulling a RAS towards yourself and the ... are using a sled to push the board into the RAS the blade could aggressively ... Obviously in the crosscut position. ... In the rip position on a RAS, the work should be fed against the rotation of the blade, the same as a tablesaw. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Taming my Craftsman 10" Radial Arm Saw
    ... Tablesaw! ... What is the difference between pulling a RAS towards yourself and the ... are using a sled to push the board into the RAS the blade could aggressively ... Obviously in the crosscut position. ...
    (rec.woodworking)