Radial arm saws have always scared me. I'm not sure exactly why. You can certainly hurt yourself on any moving blade. But, there's something about that radial arm saw... Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not crazy about bandsaws either.
--Barry -----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 11:17 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? Si, This has always been my feeling about radial arm saws. I don't much like backing the blade into the work and I would certainly be uncomfortable using it to rip. Like you I too have cut wide boards by turning the board over and when I was putting the vertical siding on my gable ends and could not complete the length of diagonal cut needed I just finished the cut, last three inches or so with a hand saw, following the inside of the cut started by the miter saw. One really nice application for a radial arm saw is cutting dados, the orientation is as you would use the material so dummies like me don't hop from foot-to-foot in front of the saw making sure that when I turn it over the piece will be correctly oriented and after several simulations getting it backward anyway. Of course the table saw can be a similarly dangerous tool but at least only the required amount of blade is exposed and I trust it to stay just where it is. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cy Selfridge" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:29 PM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > Dale, > I once had a radial arm saw because I thought it would just be the > berries. > It could cross cut a 2 foot wide board just like my miter saw. The way in > which the head was transported, the height of the saw blade and the > possibility, although remote, that I could encounter the blade in an > unwanted manner made me feel uncomfortable any time I used it so I just > gave > it to a friend who could safely use it. > I have cut a 2 foot wide board with my miter saw by simply turning the > board > over and lining up the cut with the blade. > If you take a little time it works very well. > Somehow I really do not want to loose a hand or arm so I will just stay > with > the miter saw for now. > Cy, the cautious Ancient Okie.. > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > On Behalf Of Dale Leavens > Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 7:49 PM > To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > > You know, oddly enough the larger blade doesn't gain you much. I had not > known of these new belt drive machines, mine and all I have seen to date > are > direct drive units. > > A nice big panel saw would be a treat. > > Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Skype DaleLeavens > Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cy Selfridge" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 7:44 PM > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > > >> Well Dale, >> It sure sounds like you and I do much the same thing with the miter saw. >> My saw is only an 8 inch blade but it has served me well over the past 14 >> or >> so years. >> It also is a sliding head so it can cut a 1x12 on a 45 degree angle. Mine >> also tilts to the left up to 45 degrees as well. >> I, as you, make a "template" piece of wood if I am cutting a number of >> boards the same length and always measure from the first one. >> I also lay the template on top of the board I am going to cut. I do use >> the >> clamp most of the time. >> Now, as for the extensions, I built a little table which is the same >> height >> as the bed on the miter saw so I can rest the boards on the table and >> they >> will not "drop" as I cut them. >> I also check the square of the blade at 90 degrees with a small square. I >> just can not get accurate enough by feeling of the blamed little raised >> lines and I do not always trust the 90 degree detent. >> A 12 or 14 inch miter would just be the absolute berries..... Know anyone >> who has one? If so we might pay them a visit. (LOL) >> Cy, the Ancient Okie... >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> On Behalf Of Dale Leavens >> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5:46 PM >> To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? >> >> Hi Andy, >> >> I have never had much luck cutting to a mark although there are some here >> who do apparently use an awl or other scratch tool to mark and cut, I >> find >> that even using a finger nail to locate the mark against a tool or jig is >> too inaccurate for me. I don't know how they make it work for them >> however > >> I >> will tell you how I work. >> >> My advice on buying a compound miter saw is first to buy the best you >> possibly can. They are getting better all the time of course, mine is a >> 10 >> inch Makita sliding compound miter saw, these days they are as much as 14 >> inches and with a slide they can cut a very wide board. New ones will >> tilt >> left or right for a bevel cut each way, this is not essential but if you >> get >> one be sure it has a positive stop at 90 degrees vertical and preferably >> at >> least one stop at 45 degrees to one or other side, preferably both. >> >> My saw has a raised scale and pointer for setting the miter left and >> right >> but I find it difficult to use this exclusively to set precise angles, >> the >> pointer must line up very directly with the raised mark on the scale, a >> sighted person will stand in line with the two but my fingers, though >> they >> can get me close are usually off a degree or two when I actually make the >> cut. My saw though does have detent stops at 15, 30 and 45 degrees in >> both >> directions and of course at 0 degrees so those are very easy and >> convenient. >> >> Some now have other detent stops, you want as many as is reasonable or >> practical, stops will save you loads of time locating very accurately the >> most commonly using angles. >> >> You will prefer a fairly high fence. It is very helpful to be able to lay >> one 2 by 4 of a known and desired length on top of another to duplicate >> it >> and it will be much easier to line them both up if the fence is high >> enough. >> >> Because of the depth available it is often very helpful to lay out two >> boards and cut them simultaneously by cutting through the double >> thickness >> which makes it easy to get two very exactly the same length and a fence >> high >> enough to do this will be satisfying. >> >> The last thing that occurs to me is to get as long a bed as you can. This >> makes it easier to use. If you can get a purpose built stand with >> extensions >> to hold long pieces you may be able to attach blocks against which you >> can >> push a series of boards to cut many of exact length. >> >> I have built a cabinet to hold my saw with a dust hutch behind to catch >> as >> much as I can. I had a pair of extensions but they were not to my >> satisfaction, I will try again some day to have extensions which I can >> raise >> into place with a back fence and block I can run out and lock into place >> for >> making several pieces of precise length. The old table I had built for >> house >> building is way too big, it now rests in the back lane where it may >> disappear any day but where I can still use it if I again need to cut >> lengths up to about 20 feet. >> >> Most of these saws have at least one hold-down clamp, mine does, it can >> be >> located on either side of the saw, I should have had two, it gets a bit >> frustrating to move it though I don't often want it on the right side of >> the >> saw. >> >> As for measuring, I lower the saw to the work and measure that way. >> Usually >> I am in a hurry so I find myself using my chin or forehead to hold the >> saw >> down while I measure with both hands. Pushing the saw down retracts the >> blade guard. The start requires a button to be held while the trigger is >> squeezed but probably one should take the additional safety measure of >> unplugging the saw when doing this. >> >> Because I have this cabinet with three drawers for storing tools I also >> have >> an 18 inch or so bungie cord which I loop around the handle and hook to >> one >> of the drawer handles. This only just balances the spring which raises >> the >> saw so I can pull it down to the work and it pretty well stays where I >> leave >> it. I can then slide my measure to the end of the board and then slide >> the >> board until the blade just touches the measure. Double check that the >> work >> is snug against the fence then clamp the work down and remove the >> measure, >> release the cord so the saw rises then grab the trigger and make your >> cut. >> >> Remember that the teeth of a carbide blade are a little thicker than the >> blade and the pitch of a conventional blade too is a little wider. This >> is >> only millimeters but it can make a difference. >> >> If using a single piece as a measure for multiple pieces keep the first >> one >> as a master and use it as your standard. Small errors can compound and >> become significant. This is not just true for blind folk, I notice that >> the >> television cabinet makers do precisely the same thing for the same >> reason. >> >> I am not as careful as probably I should be, I don't always clamp my work >> but hold it with my free left hand much of the time however if you clamp >> your work and put your left hand in your pocket before you grasp that >> handle >> you and you listen for that saw to spin fully down before you let go, you >> will be hard pressed to find a way of getting hurt. Take the additional >> step >> of unplugging the machine before you bring the blade to measure the work >> and >> I don't see how you could ever get hurt. Even my way would be tough >> enough. >> >> I hope this is helpful to you. In my mind, a miter saw is about the most >> useful tool a blind wood worker can own even if all you do is some >> framing >> or decking. You will soon want a table saw, I don't know which is more >> desirable, I got the table saw first and did a lot of pretty >> sophisticated >> work with it but that miter saw is also pretty darn helpful. >> >> >> Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Skype DaleLeavens >> Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "wd1q" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 6:00 AM >> Subject: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? >> >> >>> Hi, I am sorry if this has or will be coming along as a message again, >>> but I can't seem to get my messages out for some reason..... >>> Well, for my question, I am interested in purchasing a table compound >>> miter saw and have never used one. Can someone give some wisdom in >>> looking for a good model for someone like us being blind.? I would >>> like to know how I would go about to setting the saw blade that is >>> under the safety guard to cut at the correct location which I have >>> marked. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Andy. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> To listen to the show archives go to link >>> http://acbradio.org/handyman.html >>> or >>> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >>> >>> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >>> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >>> >>> The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. >>> http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml >>> >>> Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From >>> Various List Members At The Following Address: >>> http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ >>> Visit the new archives page at the following address >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >>> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >>> list just send a blank message to: >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Yahoo! 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Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: >> 22/08/2006 >> > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. > http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml > > Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From > Various List Members At The Following Address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > Visit the new archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list > just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 8/22/2006 > > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. > http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml > > Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From > Various List Members At The Following Address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > Visit the new archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 22/08/2006 > To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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