I saw a discussion about drill press MORTISING vs. MORTISING machine. I am in the habit of specific set ups.that is, when frequently revisiting an operation, to leave the tool relatively ready to go. So, I propose, an old radial arm saw with the high speed aux. output shaft facing away horizontally. To use hight handle as x-axis and manually stops for y-axis.. I believe hand pushing or devising a lever to accomplish depth of cut would suffice…I am looking for thoughts on this possibly not-so-original use of this tool to do this. Rigidity should be well handled by these older models. Blocking a fenced stock platform should be do-able. Alright guys, let me have it…
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The concept is solid. Although I'm not sure what you could buy to ad on the would do that. The description sounds loosely like a Panta-router set up. You might want to check that out.
The radial arm saw was the wonder tool, there just nothing it couldn’t do and we used it to replace the jointer, table saw, planer, disk sander, drum sander and I forget some. Probably the most unsafe tool in the 70’s, please do only if you figured out the safety aspect, talking from experience.
I just peed a little. Scariest thing I ever witnessed was someone ripping on a RAS. I took one in trade once, used it twice and gave it away. A hoĺlow chisel mortiser, even a benchtop, will keep you from needing your brown pants.
The 70s ads for RASs are little horror flip books!
You guys are killing me. I'm loving it, but yer not very encouraging. I'm 65, all my I been a woodworker by trade. I'm still laughing about the horror story book. I think this is what was meant.
You could also chuck a cove bit in your drill press and freehand some righteous moldings..
RE radial arm saws. Neighbor gave me a book from the 1950's about using RAS's for all the things mentioned above. Yikes, I would never do those operations. I will read it in more detail soon. Another book she gave me, circa 1900, was about finishing that mentioned chestnut, elm, and ash, three woods that have or are vanishing from our use. What will the next 125 years remove from us?
Check the table of contents page:
https://ozarktoolmanuals.com/machinemanual/craftsman-know-how-book-on-radial-arm-saws-owners-manual/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0t63BhAUEiwA5xP54QJRgrBnNqlil_GXxz-GKZuG8YmK2x8hw3zGSgDcpkKsDU-Lt9nyWhoCHJMQAvD_BwE
The cover even says metalworking!
As noted, a RAS is considered very flexible. Unfortunately, it has this characteristic in two senses:
Multiple ways to use it;
Too long a distance from the cutter to the support of the stock.
The second one causes significant inaccuracy and the risk of a catch, which provides much of the danger noted (plus how people reach in under and behind the blade due to inappropriate set-up.)
Having said that, tool manufacturers also made a very similar machine, called a radial drill, that mounted a drill on a long arm just like a RAS. Gave a very deep throat, and you could angle the head both directions.
If your RAS is a cheap Craftsman, you will not be satisfied with the accuracy. If it is a heavier machine (Rockwell, DeWalt), it might service. Most of the danger of a RAS is from a saw blade. If you keep your drill bit size reasonably small, you are facing no particular danger.
Even tho I try to make extra parts, I'm with you in liking to keep a machine set up as long as possible, in case I need to go back and make another part.