June 3, 2007
Radial Arm Saws
Some months ago, we talked about table saws. A table saw is perhaps the center of all home workshops, that offers great versatility in an almost infinite number of cutting operations.
The next investment for the shop may be The Radial Arm Saw. It's best known for accurate crosscuts. Although you can get started in woodworking with a relatively low cost table saw, Radial Arm Saws, because of their design are expensive. A good model sells for as high as $1,000 and used ones may sell for over half of that price.
The home builder who is building a new home or has an interest in making fine furniture will find that The Radial Arm Saw will be instrumental in turning out quality workmanship. This tool will create well fitted joints in furniture, perfect miter joints for moldings and is ideal for cutting many of the same parts in a project. For example, if you are making your own trusses for a cabin, shed or cottage, you may need to cut as many as 160 gussets. This saw, once set up can cut your production time in half.
Radial Arm Saws require a plywood or particle board cutting bed, because the blade must cut downward through the stock and into the board. Although the board will need periodic replacement, the wood cutting board offers a very easy base in order to create an infinite number of jigs. Custom angles, even shallow ones are much easier with The Radial Arm Saw compared to a conventional table saw.
The calibration when the blade is tilted is also much more accurate than your average table saw and thus creates better fitting angled joints. One other benefit of this saw is that compound miter cuts, like those needed for creating gable rafters are easy to set up and precise.
Although The Radial Arm Saw is a step up for the home builder from the table saw, this tool can be more dangerous to operate. Never remove the safety guard from a radial arm saw and beware of the dangers of kick back from this tool. Radial Arm Saws may suddenly kick back.
However, if you follow the safety guidelines that come with your saw, this tool will open new options for you in more precision cabinet work, joinery and support for major building projects.
