[BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw
Hi, I just acquired an older Craftsman Radial Arm Saw #11323100. It is in good condition but I would like some help on how to adjust the miter angle and bevel. I downloaded the manual, but I can't figure it out. I can't wait to use it for making dados. The manual refers to some molding cutters and sanding drums that sound really cool. I called Sears and none of the items are available. I will have to go to Sears and pick their brains for the appropriate attachments. Appreciate any tips or suggestions. Keith [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw
Last year Sears discontinued the molding cutter. I have one and only ever used one or two blades. It is a heavy piece of metal with three parts sticking out. You put one blade or cutter in each of the three fingers. When running it sounds like a 1965 muscle car with the air cleaner removed.The cutter that I used a lot was a 3 bead. I wanted to replace that cutter and found out that they all were being discontinued. I suppose that some searches could find a similar product. - Original Message - From: Keith Christian keithchrist...@roadrunner.com To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:50 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw Hi, I just acquired an older Craftsman Radial Arm Saw #11323100. It is in good condition but I would like some help on how to adjust the miter angle and bevel. I downloaded the manual, but I can't figure it out. I can't wait to use it for making dados. The manual refers to some molding cutters and sanding drums that sound really cool. I called Sears and none of the items are available. I will have to go to Sears and pick their brains for the appropriate attachments. Appreciate any tips or suggestions. Keith [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Send any questions regarding list management to: blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com To listen to the show archives go to link http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemasterPAGE_user_op=view_pagePAGE_id=33MMN_position=47:29 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 Visit the 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: blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw
I have a Craftsman Radial Arm Saw that is about 10 years old that I bought new. The primary problem is keeping it true to the fence. This adjustment is made with two Allen cap screws on the post. on the left side. The tighter these screws are set, the more difficult it is to move the top up and down. If too loose, it comes out of adjustment very easy. To adjust, use a framing square to get the adjustment in the ball park. Put the framing square against the fence and against the blade, being careful not to put the square on a saw tooth. Make sure that the lever that is on the front of the arm is pushed all the way forward. I forgot to do this my last adjustment. Move the arm until the square is snug with the fence and blade. Tighten the cap screws on the left side. If you have a scrap with two sides that are known to be parallel, put one side against the fence. Clamp a block against the side away from the blade. Cut the scrap with the saw. Flip the scrap over, push it against the clamped block, and cut. If your saw is true, you will have one smooth edge. If you are off, slap the front side of the arm and try again. I have found that it takes me a couple of hours of adjusting if I loosen the cap screws, but a few minutes by slapping the arm. It will stay true for a while. If you rip with this saw, you will have to make this adjustment afterwards. The second problem I have with this saw is that the carriage gets loose, making sloppy cuts. I have to get this adjusted every year. This is when I use my service contract with Sears. A Sears tech told me that the only thing that goes wrong is that the motor fills up with resin from saw dust. If you blow it out every time you use it, the saw will last. John http://WhiteCane.org http://BlindWoodWorker.com http://HolyTeaClub.comcom\whitecane http://anellos.ws - Original Message - From: Keith Christian To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:50 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw Hi, I just acquired an older Craftsman Radial Arm Saw #11323100. It is in good condition but I would like some help on how to adjust the miter angle and bevel. I downloaded the manual, but I can't figure it out. I can't wait to use it for making dados. The manual refers to some molding cutters and sanding drums that sound really cool. I called Sears and none of the items are available. I will have to go to Sears and pick their brains for the appropriate attachments. Appreciate any tips or suggestions. Keith [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw
I have that molding cutter. I may have used the three bead once or twice. John http://WhiteCane.org http://BlindWoodWorker.com http://HolyTeaClub.comcom\whitecane http://anellos.ws - Original Message - From: Lenny McHugh To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 6:41 PM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw Last year Sears discontinued the molding cutter. I have one and only ever used one or two blades. It is a heavy piece of metal with three parts sticking out. You put one blade or cutter in each of the three fingers. When running it sounds like a 1965 muscle car with the air cleaner removed.The cutter that I used a lot was a 3 bead. I wanted to replace that cutter and found out that they all were being discontinued. I suppose that some searches could find a similar product. - Original Message - From: Keith Christian keithchrist...@roadrunner.com To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:50 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw Hi, I just acquired an older Craftsman Radial Arm Saw #11323100. It is in good condition but I would like some help on how to adjust the miter angle and bevel. I downloaded the manual, but I can't figure it out. I can't wait to use it for making dados. The manual refers to some molding cutters and sanding drums that sound really cool. I called Sears and none of the items are available. I will have to go to Sears and pick their brains for the appropriate attachments. Appreciate any tips or suggestions. Keith [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Send any questions regarding list management to: blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com To listen to the show archives go to link http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemasterPAGE_user_op=view_pagePAGE_id=33MMN_position=47:29 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 Visit the 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: blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
hi the size. the radial saw is larger on a stand and all and probebly more power. if you don't have the space then the compound saw is the way to go. jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
A sliding compound miter saw is a lot more accurate. If you already have a table saw which is also more accurate than a radial arm saw for ripping and a lot safer then about the only thing you will use a radial arm saw for is cross cutting. Now that some miter saws also have depth control for plowing out dados should you want this, you are pretty well down to crosscut capacity. For a fraction of the difference between cost of a high end miter saw and a decent radial arm saw you can buy the very best miter gauge for your table saw and there goes most of the remaining capacity advantage of a radial arm saw. Personally I believe radial arm saws to be relatively dangerous as well but this is a debate many would not agree with, sort of a subjective assessment. Hope this view is helpful. - Original Message - From: Ralph Supernaw To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:46 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
My radial saw is stationary, and my sliding compound miter is portable on wheels. Both are fine and cut the same width, but the miter saw is more versatile. I can't rip a long board on the miter as the radial I can set at 90 degrees and rip length wise. It depends what you all want to do with it the most. .bob [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
RE: [SPAM][BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
Hi, Ralph: Another function that the radial arm saw can do is the ability to add an adjustable chuck to it and use as a drill press or add a buffing wheel or wire brush wheel to clean and polish things. I had a Craftsman 10 radial arm saw and it did all that. Tom _ From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ralph Supernaw Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:47 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM][BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
Would you please elaborate on what makes a radial arm saw less accurate than a sliding miter saw? One major reason I am considering these two saws is that I have an aweful time cutting accurate miters with my table saw. Ralph _ From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 7:13 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw A sliding compound miter saw is a lot more accurate. If you already have a table saw which is also more accurate than a radial arm saw for ripping and a lot safer then about the only thing you will use a radial arm saw for is cross cutting. Now that some miter saws also have depth control for plowing out dados should you want this, you are pretty well down to crosscut capacity. For a fraction of the difference between cost of a high end miter saw and a decent radial arm saw you can buy the very best miter gauge for your table saw and there goes most of the remaining capacity advantage of a radial arm saw. Personally I believe radial arm saws to be relatively dangerous as well but this is a debate many would not agree with, sort of a subjective assessment. Hope this view is helpful. - Original Message - From: Ralph Supernaw To: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:46 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
RE: [SPAM]RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
The reason there is less accuracy with a radial arm saw is the saw blade motor is suspended on a beam, which is turn is mounted to a vertical shaft which cranks up and down. The motor also slides back and forth on the beam. All these various support items for the saw itself contributes to less accuracy. If you compare this to a table saw, for instance, the motor just goes up and down and tilts. Much less movement than with a radial arm saw. Also, the miter saw should be more accurate for miters, I would think, than a table saw (unless you have a very expensive table saw). Tom _ From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ralph Supernaw Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:59 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM]RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Would you please elaborate on what makes a radial arm saw less accurate than a sliding miter saw? One major reason I am considering these two saws is that I have an aweful time cutting accurate miters with my table saw. Ralph _ From: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 7:13 PM To: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw A sliding compound miter saw is a lot more accurate. If you already have a table saw which is also more accurate than a radial arm saw for ripping and a lot safer then about the only thing you will use a radial arm saw for is cross cutting. Now that some miter saws also have depth control for plowing out dados should you want this, you are pretty well down to crosscut capacity. For a fraction of the difference between cost of a high end miter saw and a decent radial arm saw you can buy the very best miter gauge for your table saw and there goes most of the remaining capacity advantage of a radial arm saw. Personally I believe radial arm saws to be relatively dangerous as well but this is a debate many would not agree with, sort of a subjective assessment. Hope this view is helpful. - Original Message - From: Ralph Supernaw To: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:46 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
I've had both and now only have the sliding miter saw. I don't know if I'm giving up much width with the miter, I can cut about 16 inches with mine. If I have to get much wider than that I'll either use the table saw or the circular saw. I am one that doesn't buy into the danger of one over the other. The radial arm travels a given path. True you can pull the blade over your fingers if you don't pay attention. But you can do the same with a sliding miter, not to mention bringing the blade down on them as well. The blade spins in the same direction on both. You can buy the chuck for the radial arm for drilling, and most have a second port to attach the same chuck and you can run a router bit with it. But I have a drill press and a router table so neither one holds much appeal. You can't drill accurately if using it for a drill press because it's the weight of the motor bringing the bit down as you crank it. You also have to take the blade off each time you want to use either attachment. And finally, if you haven't ever done it, you are asking for all kinds of trouble if you want to use a radial arm to rip with. If there is something good to be said for ripping it is that you won't have any kick back. But it can snatch the wood from your hand and send it away from you at pretty scary speeds. And if you don't have the reflexes to let go in time it will drag your hand through the blade. When I say scary speed, here is my worst oops. I was trying to rip a piece of black walnut when I was much younger and that was my only saw. It jerked the piece from me and shot it at a cement block wall. When the wood hit about 8 feet away, it busted a hole in the wall. Didn't go through it but it takes a pretty good blow to bust a piece from the cement block. So I hope you can see I come down in favor of the miter. - Original Message - From: Ralph Supernaw To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:46 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [SPAM]RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw
Just to add to what Tom has said here, you can certainly cut very accurate angles on a table saw but not usually with the standard miter gauge sold with the saw or even an after-market or third party gauge unless it is a fairly expensive one, in the range of a couple of hundred bucks or more. The saw table must have an accurate miter slot so the gauge doesn't wobble in it and the blade must be accurately adjusted to be truly parallel to the miter slot. These are all fairly easily achieved provided the table saw is of reasonable quality. A miter sled built for particular angles will improve that even more and with good equipment the table saw can cut more accurately than most miter saws. For common uses it is probably worth while building dedicated sleds, say 45 degrees, 30 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 15 degrees, if you are into turning you may even wish to go for smaller angles so as to make up rings of mostly straight grain. Now I haven't actually done any of that, so far my miter saw generally suits my needs but some day when I don't need it any more I'll probably find time to make some sleds. As for ripping with a radial arm saw, certainly it can be done and even though I am something of a cowboy but that is just too much excitement for me. Dale leavens. - Original Message - From: Tom Hodges To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 9:13 PM Subject: RE: [SPAM]RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw The reason there is less accuracy with a radial arm saw is the saw blade motor is suspended on a beam, which is turn is mounted to a vertical shaft which cranks up and down. The motor also slides back and forth on the beam. All these various support items for the saw itself contributes to less accuracy. If you compare this to a table saw, for instance, the motor just goes up and down and tilts. Much less movement than with a radial arm saw. Also, the miter saw should be more accurate for miters, I would think, than a table saw (unless you have a very expensive table saw). Tom _ From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ralph Supernaw Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:59 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM]RE: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Would you please elaborate on what makes a radial arm saw less accurate than a sliding miter saw? One major reason I am considering these two saws is that I have an aweful time cutting accurate miters with my table saw. Ralph _ From: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 7:13 PM To: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw A sliding compound miter saw is a lot more accurate. If you already have a table saw which is also more accurate than a radial arm saw for ripping and a lot safer then about the only thing you will use a radial arm saw for is cross cutting. Now that some miter saws also have depth control for plowing out dados should you want this, you are pretty well down to crosscut capacity. For a fraction of the difference between cost of a high end miter saw and a decent radial arm saw you can buy the very best miter gauge for your table saw and there goes most of the remaining capacity advantage of a radial arm saw. Personally I believe radial arm saws to be relatively dangerous as well but this is a debate many would not agree with, sort of a subjective assessment. Hope this view is helpful. - Original Message - From: Ralph Supernaw To: blindhandyman@ mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:46 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Radial Arm Saw verses Sliding Compound Mitor Saw Hi, I am contemplating my next saw purchase. I have a 10 inch table saw. It seems to me a radial arm saw would be superior to a sliding compound miter saw because of its greater capacity and flexibility. The sliding compound miter saw would likely be less expensive. What other pros and cons would you add? Ralph [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
