To cut safely, you need to lean over the saw in order to properly see the line that will be used to cut the wood down. There are different brands out there, and each are set at different prices and specifications. Many radial arm saws have a rip-cutting feature with the saw's head rotating degrees so that the blade is parallel to the fence. Also, there is no need for the dado to radial arm saw ripping jig table the entire length of the stock wood. My Craftsman 10" machine has never performed better. Like many table saws, most radial-arm saws use ten-inch blades. Hello Jerry, Sorry, they have been out of print for years.

It is really good to feel that I wrote an "evergreen" book. I'm trying to decide how best to extend the work area. The three options are: 1 build cabinets or tables and place them on either side of the RAS table, 2 build a single cabinet or table in such a way that the saw sits in the middle, with a one-piece table spanning the cabinet or table tops, or 3 removeable extensions on both sides of the saw.

In option 1, the adjustment might make the saw table out of plane with the cabinet or table tops. That leaves option 3. Page 91 of the book actually talks about table extensions, including one plan for a portable installation.

First realize that nothing is "impossible" to adjust. You want all the tables to be in the same plane, and the fence must be perpendicular to the travel of the saw in the cross cut position. So if wings are temporary, they must be adjustable, lining up with the saw work surface. If you have a single table, then the saw mounting must have a "pivot" to get the blade travel perpendicular to the fence.

That could be as easy as one snug fit and three oversized holes for the column base mounting bolts. Remember the critical fence is about two feet each side of the blade -- the rest is just support for weight.

What you want is flat with straight edges. Then the final adjustments are made on the saw itself -- in fact that's what the book is all about. So the most important question you have is: Do you want to travel with your saw or not? Do you have 8 feet accessible on both sides of the saw at least a horizontal slot about 5" high -- above that you can have overhanging cupboards!

I saw a creative garage arrangement where the saw was very close to the driveway side of the garage. Then there was a large "mail slot" that could receive an extension wing that could be set-up in the driveway.

The whole thing could be advanced so that the fence cleared the door opening, allowing for ripping plywood. The core work surface and fence are critical -- the rest are just support. You can shim side supports to level and lock it all in, or have adjustment screws for both the wings and the extension fences. The fence directly on the work surface will be changed often either for function or too many cut points. Don't dream of making it a perfect permanent 16 feet long.

However, the arm has restricted movement when swung to the left, hard-stopping at around degrees, whereas when swinging to the right, it goes past 0 degrees to about before stopping. Hello Peter, What comes to mind is the possibility that the stop collar has rotated on the main shaft. These are usually welded in place, but it might be worth looking at.

Hi Neil, Most people only used radial arm saws as a cut-off saw and when the sliding miter boxes came out with their extended reach, they filled that need easier and cheaper.

Few people ever learned to use a radial arm saw in a precise manner -- so they blamed the saw -- thinking that the table saw was easier to use. Actually the table saw is very complicated to use for complicated tasks because you are always moving the wood, not the saw. So it became a market question and now radial arm saws are only made for industry. Hello Jerry, Sorry, they have been out of print for years.

It would be cheaper to get the PDF and print it. Hello Wayne, Cutting crown moulding using the fence is extremely simple for odd sized corners as you simply adjust the miter setting in either a miter saw or a radial arm saw. The book does show jigs for working with the fence. Trying to do compound cuts flat on the table require having the actual corner, miter and bevel numbers. What the book does is get your saw accurate enough that they will actually cut specific angles.

Hi Jon I need some help to do crown moulding against the fence and laying down does your book show how to do this. As you know the corners of the rooms are not square.. My Craftsman 10" machine has never performed better. I used to enjoy the hilarious results when I would cut off the end of a 4x6 by rotating and never get a square end.

Now the cuts line up. The new table is flat, the column adjustment is smooth, and roller head tracks are clean. But I have a new problem - when project parts don't fit together now, I can't blame the machine anymore. What can we do about that? Thanks very much. The radial arm saw has to be one of my favorite of all shop woodworking tools.. Growing up with one,and being the first power saw I used as a teen my father had one always set up in the basement most likely had an impact on my opinion.

You can't beat the radial arm saw for precision dado's and crosscuts This book has to be one of the best books ever written, concerning any type of shop woodworking equipment Concisely written and complied to the utmost detail. The reader will understand all the adjustments on the machine, and most importantly, how these adjustments interact which each other This book has been on my library shelf for a few decades..

I liked it so much, I bought the hardcover version off Ebay a few years back Now I have two copies to look at Jon's 70's style mop haircut which graces the cover..!

Though at times when looking at his photo, I can't help but think of Dudley Moore in his "Arthur" movie role Tuxedo and all! Great work Jon I had always hated and feared the radial arm saw that my Dad bought craftsman circa and was prepared to push it out into the rain, until set straight by my friend Douglas, who pointed me at your book. Douglas said something like "The properly configured radial arm saw is one of the finest pieces of wood working equipment that you will encounter.

You simply need to learn and use Jon Eakes' methods. I downloaded your book about a year ago, and I am now a fan of both the saw, and your work. Please continue! Funny, when I got my radial, I got especially for precision work. I got to thank my shop teacher in high school for that. Although I have developed most of this site with the encyclopedic concept of research and verification of information—I cannot vouch for anything contained in the comments below, but I may pick up, develop and include ideas put forward here into the primary entries.

Please sign your name so we know who to give credit to. Your picture will show up next to your comment, here and elsewhere, if you sign up with Gravatar - jon. Send me new comments on this article by email. Please note that comments now need to be approved before appearing on the site to combat spam problems. Sorry for the delay! Radial Arm Saws Videos. Related Topics Books Saws Techniques.

Showing 16 comments Viewing from newest to oldest — Reverse. Radial arm saws are among the most versatile woodworking machines in the woodshop.

They can be used to cross-cut, rip, cut compound miters, cut dadoes and rabbets, Radial Arm Saw Ripping Jig and more. They can also be among the most dangerous of all woodworking tools. However, by taking the proper precautions, you can safely use your radial Radial Arm Saw Ripping Jig Queen arm saw for numerous tasks on your woodworking projects.

The first step to working safely with your radial arm saw is to wear appropriate clothing. Loose-fitting clothes can become caught in your tools or work, which is a very dangerous situation. Part of dressing appropriately includes wearing safety glasses and hearing protection. Airplane pilots always run through a pre-flight safety check before takeoff, and, as a woodworker, you should always make a pre-cut safety check.

This check begins with reading and understanding the owner's manual that accompanies your radial arm saw. This manual will walk you through setting up and adjusting your saw properly. Next, check your saw blade to be sure it is installed properly and that it is sharp and relatively clean of pitch. At the same time, check to see that all of the blade guards are installed and functioning properly.

Your manual should cover this subject clearly. Woodworking Lathe: Used for Knurling, woodturning, metal spinning, glass working and metal working, Woodworking Lathe is a…. Currently in my shop I am limited on my number of larger tools.

I have a miter saw that I have been using for all of my cross-cuts and a circular saw for ripping down sheet goods. However, after watching many videos on Youtube of the capabilities Had this radial arm saw about 10 years, after I got it used from my friend who ran out of room for it. Finally got around to

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