Does anyone have any ideas what to do with a 25 yr old Craftsman radial arm. The motor is shot and a replacement motor is more than I want to put into it (even if it was new). The carriage bearings and rails are still tight, the motor housing still swivels and tilts. I was thinking of mounting a router on some kind of bracket which would still allow it to tilt. Might be usefull for dadoes and grooving. Any ideas?? Anyone need any parts?
Or I could set it in the front yard and plant flowers in it. Next to the claw foot tub. Maybe tulips……
Dave
Edited 1/13/2004 10:22:34 AM ET by Dave
Replies
Check with a motor shop on having it rewound. Might be cheaper than a new part from Sears. Following on the router idea it might make a nice pin router.
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Dear Dave,
Here, a pro woodworker on budget has had for years a usual hand-hald skill circular saw mounted on an old Delta, whose motor failed.
And, yes, you can make a bracket that attaches to the RAS and can be positioned and moved via the RAS arm mechanisms.
Used skill saws are easy to find or B&Decker repair centers sell rebuilt ones in good condition for much less than a new one.
I have one and use it daily - rather than getting a miter saw. The Sears parts are absurdly expensive - $40 for a replacement power switch - so I would look at "third parties" to have the motor rebuilt.
The older sears RAS hold alignment pretty well, but the newer units have a reputation of needing more time for alignment than use. I don't know when the transition from good to bad occurred, but if you have a newer one, or if the motor cannot be rebuilt, boat anchor might be a good use if you don't need a flower garden sculpture.
One test is to see if the arm can be wiggled sideways when the indent is in but the knob is loosened. If so, you may have alignment problems.
Dave, I have a spare motor for a craftsman RAS mine may be older but as I remember is good shape. Had two broke saws and made one from two and made a few other parts for the one.
If you have intrest let me know & we can strike a deal.
Marsh
Hi Marsh,
Thanks for the reply. Any idea what year your motor is from - I might be interested. The serial # on mine is 113.19771 - I think the 1977 portion is the year. I believe I bought it in '78 or '79 but I could be wrong. My owners manual was printed in '79 if that means anything.
Let me know what you might want for it.
Dave
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