Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Nov 06, 2004 05:35pm | #1

   Mike,

   I've never seen a machine the size of these saws that wasn't fully adjustable, but if you aren't experienced with machinery, you probably wouldn't recognize and understand the functioning of the adjustment mechanisms that need to be worked on. 

   A radial arm saw needs to be adjusted from the ground up to make sure everything lines up properly.  Randomly adjusting just a few of the dozen or so settings on the saw probably won't get it working properly.  Your description of the looseness in these saws suggests that they both need thorough tune ups.  They will need realigning, in any case, after they are moved.  On the positive side, once they are aligned, a saw like the DeWalt will stay true for years if it isn't abused.   

   To be honest, lining up a radial arm saw is one of the few times I would recommend finding someone really knowledgeable to do the job, rather than attempting the work yourself.  With luck, the saws came with complete service manuals or you could get copies of them from either the makers or on the OWWM web site.  If the manuals are well written, someone with general machine experience, could probably get the saw properly tuned.

   Hope this helps, feel free to ask additional questions.

   John W.

1. 
   mudman | Nov 06, 2004 06:09pm | #2

   Hi John,

   Ouch, your killing me! I am confident that I can tune it in. Though I know that setting up a RAS is probably on of the most tedious machines in the shop. The guy selling the machines has 9 large tools and I looked over all of them because I am going to offer him a price on the whole lot. So I only looked at the machine for maybe 10 minutes. I know that it is all fully adjustable. However because of how the miter stops work you are relying on their machining. Kind of like a miter saw with an adjustable indexing plate. You can set it at 90 and then you have to hope it is acurate at the other detents. Even that is not the end of the world, I know that I can shim the detents to work it out if necessary. Really what I want to know, hopefully from someone who has experience on these machines, is can they be relied on to turn out furniture grade work. Or, rather is the Dewalt more accurate than the Rockwell. Obviously the Dewalt is much more solid, but that dosen't necessarily equate percision. I really want the greater crosscut capacity of the Dewalt. But if I can't trust it to acurately trim the ends of glued up panels it is not very usefull.

   Thanks for the help,

   Mike

   EDIT: I also have seen the Mr. sawdust book on RAS and certintly get it to help.

   please excuse my spelling.

    

    

   Edited 11/6/2004 11:14 am ET by mike

1. 
   JohnWW | Nov 06, 2004 06:40pm | #3

   Mike,

   I'm sorry if I offended you, I knew that I was being blunt.  It's just that I have seen too many wonderful machines condemned as inaccurate and/or damaged by inept tune ups that I sometimes get short tempered on the subject.  The 18 year old Scotch we were drinking last night apparently hasn't made me any mellower this morning, again I sincerely apologize.

   Although I have used them, I have no relevant experience in using the DeWalt saw for cabinet grade work, but my impression is that they are capable of it.  If you are going to buy the saw as part of the whole lot, it is probably worth setting it up and giving it a try.  If you could leave it set up for 90 degree cuts only, your chance of success will be greater than if you move it to other stops. 

   By the way, I fully share your dislike of machined in stops that can't be independently fine tuned, in my experience, mostly with chop saws, they are rarely all accurately placed.

   John W.

   Edited 11/6/2004 11:41 am ET by JohnW

1. 
   mudman | Nov 07, 2004 06:59am | #4

   Thanks for the reply John,

    I agree that at the very least the 45 and 90 should be independantly adjustable... oh well. I have a Dewalt 706 miter saw and love it. The stops are good enough for Interior trim work (my bread and butter), but not good for furniture. However none of my current methods employed to crosscut wide long pieces are accurate either, even in my well equiped shop. I am leaning toward the Dewalt because it is actually in better condition (by virtue of its indestructable cast iron construction) and has a greater capacity. The three phase thing bothers me a little as well. It has a solid state converter which I heard is not as good as a rotary style.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

2. 
   scooter1 | Nov 09, 2004 12:32am | #5

   I have that DeWalt and the adjustment is made on the pillar. On the left side, there are two set screws and a locking nut for them. Loosen the locking nut and tighten one screw and loosen the other, and it swings the arm one way; do the reverse, and it swings the arm the other way. That DeWalt will stay locked in for years, unless you really stress it out with crosscutting 4x4's too quick.

   In any event it is about 5 minutes to adjust with a framing square and two hex keys.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   mudman | Nov 09, 2004 08:16am | #6

   Thanks Boris,

   I found a Dewalt RAS forum (theres a forum for everything) and it looks like this is quite an amazing tool. I want it. Should be in my shop by next weekend.

   Thanks for all the replies,

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   scooter1 | Nov 09, 2004 09:20pm | #7

   What is the RAS Forum?Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934