Do many use these? I have two and they can crosscut with almost a burnished finish when set up. This is how I do it.
Set arm to zero position and remove fence, set blade to 90degrees to table and top table with a sacrificial 1/2 inch thick sheet of ply or MDF clamped on.
Measure the saw blade thickness off the blade itself by sandwiching at least three teeth between two metal rules and measuring and then deducting the thickness of the rules.
Cut a kerf in the top about 1/4 inch deep and measure the kerf. If it is more than the blade thickness then the motor assembly is not square to the track. Adjust the horizontal settings until the kerf is the same as blade thickness.
Drop into the kerf a strip of wood which is a tight fit, then use a square to re-align the fence with the kerf. Keep the strip to align jigs for mitre etc cuts by reference to the kerf.
All the above does is ensure the blade is not crabbing when cutting and stand conventional adjustments on their head.
Replies
Good trick. Makes sense. I don't own a radial arm saw any more, but would like to, at least if I can afford one solid enough to hold settings for reasonable periods. (I owned a Craftsman for a time--a great carpentry tool, but just not sufficiently constructed to be relied on for precision work--but that was a very long time ago.)
Which saws do you own, and what models do you think are worthwhile owning?
I have a 50's vintage Dewalt 12" that gets a lot of use, very solid and accurate. Hernia material to move though! Took two guys bigger than me to get it into the shop, I took it apart into 3 pieces and reassembled it on the bench.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Yeah, that's the kind I keep dreaming I will find covered with dust with a $50 price at some tag sale. An old DeWalt will do too. About as much chance as having a supermodel send me a drink at a bar.
"Yeah, that's the kind I keep dreaming I will find covered with dust with a $50 price at some tag sale. An old DeWalt will do too."Check out some of these DeWalt stories/photos. It may inspire you.http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/ByMfg.asp?MfgID=252
My first is an Italian Minirad 8 inch saw, no longer made. Not up to heavy work but fine for cutting shoulders etc. I just like to see the cut as it happens. The other is an old DW 1251 bought as not working for £ 70, ten inch blade. The only fault was seized switchgear taking about 1/2 hour to fix. Set up took half a day.
The point is these saws are easily bought secondhand quite cheaply, especially as chop saws are thought better. But RAS are heavy and stable so I would consider any reputable past brand using an induction motor, preferably 240 volts. We have the advantage there.
The point of using the blade/kerf measurements to square cuts also applies to table saws where the mitre grooves are used. If you make a groove in a trial piece and it's wider than the blade kerf then the table needs to be readjusted which is easier than messing with the saw trunnion. The end result is polished edge cuts.
Edited 8/18/2006 1:43 pm ET by mufti
That trick is worth it's weight in gold. As soon as I am back in working condition and can get into the shop, I will give it a try on the TS. I have a RAS on hold for me with a friend who got one from his neighbor and has no room for it. When he asked me if I wanted it I was picturing some cheap and cheesy craftsman lowender. Turns out it is a nice older DeWalt 10". The frame and stand are not the current flimsy bent metal stuff but the older heavy stock. I gave it a pull and the saw head runs pretty smoothly. A days work adjusting it will make it the best free saw I have ever been given. Oh, and there are about a half dozen blades with it also. I will just need to get myself a dado set for it. Like dad always said, it's not what you know, but who.Andy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
You rat.
Guilty as charged. If you want to help move and set it up, you would be welcome to make a few cuts on it. I am always willing to share.Andy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
I have a 50's Dewalt GA 14". I use it at least as much as I use the Table Saw. I do most of my joinery, including Dados and Rabbits. It is a lot safer and faster than a table saw for cross cutting and generally better than a miter saw.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
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