I have come across an older craftsman 9″ radial arm saw at a garage sale. For various reasons, I did not have an opportunity to plug it in and give it a test. They have not sold it yet, and I am trying to decide about returning to test it out.
The user manual has a copyright of 1969. I get the impression from tool nuts that craftsman power tools today are not top-quality, but the older tools were better quality.
1) Would a Craftsman RAS of this age be worth investigating further?
2) Are 9″ RAS blades easy to come by?
Thanks for your opinions.
Replies
Red,
Here's some good info. for ya.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wood/msg1112125011241.html
I own a 70's vintage 10" Craftsman RAS and have used it for 30+ years. Wouldn't part with it in a million more. Takes some tweaking but does a lot of things I wouldn't attempt with either a SCMS or a CMS (got one of those too, for portability mainly).
Also you might want to peruse this discussion: http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=38414.1
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 11/9/2007 9:55 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
There you go again, Bob. Singing the praises of those radial arm saws. :)
Just poke'n fun
Paul
My radial arm saw and me,
never shall part will we.
It makes tenons and dados
without any shadows.
There are those who disdain,
they think they're a pain.
The challenge is there,
to cut the boards square.
Just don't understand,
the best saw in the land.
Some say they're inconsistent,
but you must be persistant.
Some fettle their plane,
and sharpen their saw.
I just put the board against the fence,
and cut that sucker without recompense.
The mortise and tenon,
is a sight to see.
It's so easily done,
My radial arm saw and me!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 11/10/2007 8:22 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Well done
Paul
My radial arm saw and me!But then again I had my wife to go back to when I was tired and cold..
Redwoodie,
I owned a Sears 10" RAS purchased in 1965 and finally got rid of it this year. I used it only for rough work. I suppose you could spend some time to clean and adjust it, but at its best, it is not a precision tool. So, buy it with the idea that you will want to upgrade in the future.
You should be aware that Emerson is recalling lots of these old saws because of a safety issue. They have designed a new guard and it cannot be retrofitted onto the old saws. So, they are offering $100 to buy the motor and carriage so that the old saws are taken out of use. The system is very easy: find the web site by "googling" radial arm saw recall, call the 800 number, and they will lead you thru the process. You should check the serial number against the list of recalled saws before committing to buy the saw. Or, just tell the owner about the recall.
Good luck, Tom.
I used to own the 9" model. I shipped the motor head back a few years ago when I cane across an old Dewalt. The Dewalt is a much superior saw,IMO.The craftsman will do the job, and blades are easy to come by from Amazon or Forrest. Make sure you get a negative hook blade made specifically for RAS. You didn't ask, but if it were me ,I wouldn't pay more than $50. If you do get any RAS, I would DEFINATELY buy the book from Mr. Sawdust. Well worth the money.
Thought I'd through my two cents in on Craftsman tools. I have a 1953 Craftsman table in my shop that I use all the time and I just picked up another one for 100 bucks for using un the job site. You can't beat these saws for the price. Were doing fine trim work in a house and when it comes to table saws the portable one leave a lot to be desired. When its time to load up I seperate the base from the top remove the motor and put it in the van.
Hammerelbow
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