A few months ago I read an article on saw blades (probably in FW) that suggested the cure for “climb” when crosscutting with a radial arm saw was a “negative hook blade.” Although this was more or less an aside in the article, it makes intuitive sense as a less agressive tooth pattern is less likely to draw the saw into the work. I’d like to hear from others who have experience with such blades on their radial arms, and would also appreciate learning of supply sources as the catalogues I have don’t seem to mention negative or positive hook patterns. With my thanks for your thoughts.
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Replies
Wes,
I always recommend a negative hooked blade for the RAS and SCMS. I use a DML Golden Eage 80T ATB with a -5° hook on my 10" DeWalt RAS for crosscuts (I rip on the TS), FWIW. CMT, SystiMatic also make negative hooked blades that I would feel comfortable in recommending. Go to http://www.sommerfeldtools.com for an idea on CMT's offerings.
Dano
Dano:
I ordered the CMT blade. Many thanks to you for exactly the information I wanted! A friend gave me a _circa_ 1975 Sears 10" RAS that's almost unused, but with a Freud blade who's teeth appear to be extracted from a piranha that I would expect to be in my lap if I put it through a 2 X 8. Now I need to figure out if a "modern" blade guard will fit it. Thanks again.
Wes Tiffney
Wes,
The pleasure was mine. I believe that Craftsman had a recall on their blade guards, you should be able to get a replacement from Sears. Work safe and have fun.
Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
Dano:
Thanks again for your most useful advice. Working safely is my objective, I started woodworking back before the middle of the last century, still have all my appendages (if not my marbles), and only hope to give the world a finger on my deathbed.
I'll certainly ask Sears about a replacement saw guard. Do you remember about when this recall happened? I'm a little confused as my "gift" saw is (I think) a 1976 model (10" 110 v) and has a guard that covers only half the blade leaving, the lower half entirely exposed, while a 1974 model (12" 220 v) I have been using for many years has transparent plastic wings that cover the lower portion of the blade and retract as they pass over the work. No, the wings do nothing to protect fingers or anything else in the blade's path, but they do, at least to some extent, help channel chips, knots that pop out, and other shrapnel, in a more-or-less rearward direction away from my person most of the time. While no substitute for a face mask, this does make me feel a little better about containing the impressive amount of flying wreckage an RAS is capable of propelling about the shop.
My reason for abandoning the 12" 220 v is simple, I'm retiring, moving away, and it belongs to the "company." I really wanted a 1950s era DeWalt 12", or a new Delta, but at it's saving me some $1600 I won't look a gift Sears RAS in the teeth. Like you I use it only for crosscuts (and lazy dados), but I do my ripping on a band saw cleaning up the cut edge on a joiner or with a hand plane. Yeah, a table saw would be quicker, but I'm not in production, rather enjoy futzing around anyway, and the band saw rarely throws anything at me.
All best, and thanks again!
Wes Tiffney
Wes,
I believe the recall was about a year or so ago, it should still be "in effect". If you go to http://www.sears.com click on their "parts" button, it will ask for a model number and that should take you to page that lists parts availability for your saw.
Congratulations on keeping all your appendages, by the way. Keep it up......
Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
Dano:
Thanks once again. I used the link you kindly provided and (maybe) located a replacement guard although the Sears rep said they only stocked original equipment for the model number I provided. So I ordered a guard for a newer model and hope, with a little TLC, I can adapt it to my needs. I'll report later.
All best,
Wes Tiffney
Hmmm. From Wes to Wes. Oh well, I'm always writing myself memos and losing them. Wanted to report that a current model Sears blade guard for a 10" RAS is a "bolt on" for my 1975 unit. Thanks to Dano's fine advice I have a like-new saw for under $200.
Wes,
Glad to hear that you're up and running, safely. Glad I was of some help...
Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
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