Replies

1. 
   John_D | Apr 27, 2006 09:31am | #1

   OK, you've mystified me.  Why is it difficult to use a single dado set on a left and right arbor saw?

   My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
1. 
   SantaBarbaraSawDust | Apr 27, 2006 01:01pm | #2

   I guess I should have clarified that a little better. I have the Dial-A-Width Dado set and the hub always needs to be on the outside of the set. To use the set on both saws, I would need to change over the hub every time I change saws, which isn't tough to do, just a PITA.Terry
   Santa Barbara,CA

1. 
   John_D | Apr 27, 2006 08:10pm | #5

   Ahh, that totally makes sense.  I have a traditional stacked dado, and I just couldn't figure out what the problem could be.

   Getting adjusted for ply can be a hassle with the stacked dado.  I've reduced the pain point a LOT by keeping a board around into which I've plowed various grooves, with the configuration (chippers and shims) I used to get each groove, written right next to the groove.  Maybe in a couple years, my system will be nearly as easy to use as yours. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

2. 
   archias | Apr 27, 2006 06:57pm | #3

   I just bought a similar model off of Craig's List for a reasonable $200. It had some surface rust, but it cleaned up nicely.

   One thing to watch out for: Don't overcrank the height adjustment! The arm rides up and down on an aluminum block called the the "riser nut" or "riser block" that is inside the post. When you turn the crank to raise or lower the arm, you are turning a long bolt inside the post that is threaded through the aluminum riser nut. If you overcrank it, the riser nut can hop off the top of the bolt. If this happens--like it did to me--you have to take quite a few things apart to get to the riser nut and put it back on. Not terribly difficult, but a royal PITA.

   Jim

3. 
   wdrite | Apr 27, 2006 07:12pm | #4

   I used radial arm saws for years until they came out with sliding miter saws.  I was never pleased with the accuracy  of them.  If you are doing a lot of crosscutting, you can't beat them for  the volume of work they will put out in a day.  Ripping short or narrow stock can be done but is very dangerous.  I sold my radial saw and put the money on a Delta Sidekick.  Much more accurate but also has limitations such as dados and ripping.  The size of the circle on the degree scale is the key to accuracy. For square and miter cuts the radial saw has a very small scale whereas the miter saw has a very large one.  I think someone should build a radial saw with a 12 inch or larger miter scale. I might buy one.