Radial Arm Saw?

[00tec]

Friend of mine got a deal on an old Montgomery Ward. Had the original manual and all. Havent had a chance to put it to use yet.

[JohnnyDrama]

I've already talked myself into the deal. Thanks for the input. A traveling gypsy said dados and rabbets were in my future and I figure that saw will be easier than using my compound miter saw and circular saw. I think I've pushed the envelope a little with the circular a little. I'm sure it'll be fun. I'll try to some pics up if things go as advertised. Or if they fail spectacularly.

[Bailey Guns]

Hell, yeah... $25 is a no-brainer deal. Radial arm saws are nearly extinct. A few still being made but they've become very expensive.

[rondog]

Yeah, they do take up a lot of real estate.....

[JohnnyEgo]

Once upon a time, there were no powered compound miter saws, and everyone worked with solid wood instead of ply. In those times, the radial arm saw was king. However, compared to today's compound miters and table saws, the radial arm saw has been superseded in most metrics. They present a bit of a safety risk in that most of them cut as you pull towards yourself, on the climb, which magnifies bad technique and can cause skipping with the blade coming towards you.

When they are adjusted well, you can use a radial arm saw to do some novel cuts, particularly with a dado head and a high tolerance for fear. However, a modern compound miter takes up a lot less space and stays square better. Compared to a table saw, the radial arm has less capacity to work big panels, and is a bit more challenging to do small, intricate work. There is nothing 'wrong' with it; technology and building materials have simply moved on.

For me, space in my shop/garage is at a premium, and I have a large table saw and two compound miters already. I've turned down several similar opportunities on old Radials over the years. If I had a lot of space, I'd take one in, but it's range and limitations are not worth it for me personally.

[ben4372]

That is a good deal! You'll have fun. I gave away one that i got for free. They do take up a lot of room. The real question is can you buy a new one today? I think they quit making them for a reason.

[Hummer]

I sold one through Craigslist for $35 a few years ago, an old Craftsman or Monkey Wards, I've had both. Those old units were made pretty cheap and were under powered. It was impossible to set them up to make consistent, accurate cuts. And they are dangerous. For me, they weren't worth the space.

My Delta contractors saw and DeWalt compound miter saw do everything I need, accurately and with more power.

[gnihcraes]

I sold one through Craigslist for $35 a few years ago, an old Craftsman or Monkey Wards, I've had both. Those old units were made pretty cheap and were under powered. It was impossible to set them up to make consistent, accurate cuts. And they are dangerous. For me, they weren't worth the space.

My Delta contractors saw and DeWalt compound miter saw do everything I need, accurately and with more power.

I'll check the HP rating on my super old craftsman - neighborhood dims when I fire it up!

[Tim K]

Not allowed in my shop. They are inherently unsafe, and I've had one chase my hand and try to cut if off more than once. There's a reason you don't see them sold new much anymore, and a reason that used ones are cheap. If you do buy it, be frigging careful.

[rondog]

I can see where there's much better tools for professional woodworkers, but for a casual woodhacker like myself I'd still like to have one - if I had the place to keep and use it. I don't make furniture, just target frames, dog houses and other redneck shit.