Radial arms saws scare me!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

(vintage) at least. I've got a radial arm saw.

It's like this:




I've currently got it set up to run a drum sander for thickness planing guitar tops, BUT, I wonder about actually using it as a saw. Blade. Cutting. Stuff.

Personally, I'm as scared as hell of it.

Any of you used one? Is the fear real? Or with some good common sense is the thing a good tool?

[A930Rocket]

I don’t have a picture, but that looks like one my dad had from the 70s. When you press the on button, it was like a 747 engine spooling up. It scared the **** out of me.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

At very least I'd need a flannel shirt and a pack of Malboro reds before firing it up.

It seems like a death trap.

[javadog]

Began using one when I was 13, in the early 1970’s. No big deal, just learn how to use one.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

At very least I'd need a flannel shirt and a pack of Malboro reds before firing it up.

It seems like a death trap.

Definitely my dads method and he never had a problem! Still had all of his fingers after building all the cabinetry in my childhood home.

[zakthor]

Isnt it supposed to have a guard?

Ive got a compound mitre saw and for the times i need to hold the guard im 110% attentive around the giant exposed blade.

Normally though its no big deal. My table saw is scarier.

That thing? With that huge exposed face? It looks too damn hungry for everything. You sure it isnt missing a guard?

[908/930]

Anything with a motor and a sharp blade should scare you.

[VINMAN]

Love mine. One of my most used tools in my shop.

As with any saw or tool, use it the right way and respect it.

.

[chapo]

Remember, you have to push it through your limb, it wont do it by itself

[look 171]

I use to teach high school kids how to use them. If those 15-17 years old can do it you can too. I suggest two things:

1, Get a negative hook blade to keep saw from climbing on the stock. Meaning it would jump onto or come at you unexpectedly and you must hold on to the handle firmly to control the saw. Negative hook blade will prevent a lot of that from happenning.

2, Make sure you push the stock up against the fence (back ) to keep the stock from flying when the saw blade hits the material.

I learn how to use one around the age of 15 in my old high school woodshop.

[look 171]

Tenryu makes a dang good saw blade. We use them out in the field often.

That saw you have there is that its a little under power and that's where its dangerous. I have use it plenty of times. It will bog down and the saw blade will start to deform so if you are cutting 1.5" thick maple, go slow. I ended up giving it away and bought an industrial one.

[Dantilla]

One of the most useful tools in the shop.
Table saw and chop saw all in one.

[GH85Carrera]

I have a chop saw that is very old school, from my grandfather. Likely from the early 60s. It is VERY noisy just to turn it on, and lots of racket to cut a 2x4. I get my ear protection out before I use it. And unlike any modern tool, when the switch is released, the blade is very slow to come to a stop. I don't get close to that spinning blade until it is stopped. It is a scary tool, but I just don't use it enough that I would ever think of getting a new one.

[schwarz633]

I use my mid 70's Craftsman RAS all the time. I will say ripping with it is a little dicey, but like any power tool you just need to respect it.

[look 171]

I personally think its a dinosaur. Can't rip all that well and not the most accurate but others will argue until their faces turn blue. In theory it works but the set up and change it back to cross cut is a royal pain. I will take any table saw eight days 'til Sunday before I cut anything on the radial arm. Our radial arm is set up to cross cut only and its very accurate but it is used to cut long length of lumber 99% of the time.

We often use our sliding miter saw for odd angles and cross cut too. Fast and very accurate.

[astrochex]

My dad had one and we used it a lot without issue.

[1990C4S]

Here's a decent analysis, he has a couple more on radial arm saws if you care to search YT.

[oldE]

Radial arm saws are circular saws which can be restricted to a single plane of movement. Treat it like that and you'll have no problems.

Best
Les

[Shaun @ Tru6]

We were taught how to use these in 9th grade shop class. What's so scary about them?

[javadog]

The bottom line with ALL saws is that you need to learn ALL of the do’s and don’ts for operating them. And keep your blades sharp.

They deserve a normal amount of respect, not fear. Misuse one though and all bets are off.