Saw choice

Radial Arm Saw Comments.

The first thing to remember about radial arm saws is that they are
politically incorrect. Even though most of the houses the USA were built
with them, it is considered very bad taste to even be on talking terms with
a radial arm saw.

There are many who are convinced that if you walk into a room with one of
these evil radial arms saws, it will grab you and begin to dismember you.
It had been demonized for some reason. I guess we all need to forget the
many years of useful service these unappreciated saws performed for us.
Whatever danger lurks in the radial arm saw also lurks in many other tools
as well. Maybe there are just more morons out there who should never handle
tools.

I have used radial arm saws for many years. I grew up with them. Every
construction site I saw growing up had a radial arm saw on site. Many came
on trailers or had their own little shelter built for them. Kinda like the
basic shelter for a horse.

I have cut a few miles of dado grooves with a radial arm saw. I don't do
much of that any more. I use a router now. But for production runs on
standard width lumber, you can't beat the old pull the saw head torwards you
radial arm saw.

I also used to work a lot with two by lumber to make various rustic
furniture. I doubt if one of those little, puny miter saws could handle very
much of the big stuff. I used to go out ofter dinner and fill a garbage can
full of sawdust and shavings from a radial arm saw. It is work tool. It
works and gets the job done.

Those little miter/chop saws do have limited utility. I have a hitachi I
bought to install moulding. It excelled at that. It was fast, accurate and
made the job much easier. It doesn't work so good on anything over a 1 X 6
board though. And no dados either.

I understand the space requirements. Which is why I do not have a radial arm
saw now. The garage is too small. But as soon as that situation changes, I
will get another radial arm saw. A big one this time. An old Dewalt or
something similar. I miss it.

<wipes tear from eye>

That is all I am going to say about radial arm saws.

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>>>>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding
>>>>> miter saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both
>>>>> world's, such as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm
>>>>> saw all in one? I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your
>>>>> opinions. Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>>>>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>>>>
>>>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>>>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>>>
>>> Such as?
>>
>> Bore horizonal holes. The RAS is the only one mentioned including the TS
>> that can do that.
>
> I agree with that. What I was asking was what he seemed to think a
> tablesaw would do that a radial arm saw won't.


In that case, cut a 4x8 sheet of plywood from one corner to the opposite
corner forming 2 identical triangles.

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:27:41 -0700, "CW" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...

>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>
>Such as?
>

For one, accurate crosscut dadoes comes to mind - and, IMO, better
than a table saw for that operation.

Don't think I'd want to try putting a dado head on a miter saw and
even if that would work, I don't think the depth stop is precise or
stable enough to make a good dado.

RAS will make rip cuts, but I'm happier doing those on a TS. Miter saw
in all it's variations is crosscut only.

Tom Veatch
Wichita, KS
USA

On Jun 28, 9:20=A0pm, "Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*[email protected]>
wrote:
> Radial Arm Saw Comments.
>

>
> <wipes tear from eye>
>
> That is all I am going to say about radial arm saws.

Lee,

I am with you buddy. My dad and uncle built everything with a RAS.
So, when I bought my first house that is the first tool I bought. In
1979 I bought a used Dewalt/B&D. I too, used it for everything,
including an official Dewalt drum sander attachment. But, over the
years as I added other tools including a table saw and compound miter
I began to use the RAS less and less. Last weekend, due to space
limitations, I tore the RAS down and packed it under the miter saw
table I built. I can't bring myself to get rid of it. If I find a
need for it, I promised the RAS I would build it a brandnew cabinet
with drawers and built in dust collection. Until then, my old friend
is stored away for hopefully another day.

Dave

"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial arm,
> or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter saw
> replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such as a
> combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one? I am
> new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>

The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
operations that a table saw would cover.

Ed

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>
>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
>>> saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
>>> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one?
>>> I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>>>
>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>>
>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>
>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>
>>>
>>
>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>
> Such as?
>

Hmmm... a problem with tenses there, perhaps. Maybe it should say, "but
not operations that a table saw wouldn't cover".

It's possible to do rips with a RAS. It's possible to do dado's and
rabbet's with a RAS, shaping (with a shaper blade and changeable cutters),
and a host of other operations. Taper cuts *can* be easier with a RAS.

As to the orig. question, which saw is "best" is up to the operator and the
intended use (IMO, of course). I've done a bunch of sawdust generation
without having a RAS... but if I had unlimited space, I wouldn't mind
having one.

Ed

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>>>>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding
>>>>> miter saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both
>>>>> world's, such as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm
>>>>> saw all in one? I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your
>>>>> opinions. Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>>>>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>>>>
>>>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>>>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>>>
>>> Such as?
>>
>> Bore horizonal holes. The RAS is the only one mentioned including the TS
>> that can do that.
>
> I agree with that. What I was asking was what he seemed to think a
> tablesaw would do that a radial arm saw won't.
>

See clarifier reply. (grin)

There are very few operations unique to a RAS. There are a few that are
easier on one. In general, I'd say a table saw and a miter saw (sliding or
not) are a better choice than a RAS alone.

Ed

"Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
>> saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
>> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one? I
>> am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>>
>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>
>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>
>> http://www.eset.com
>>
>>
>
> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
> operations that a table saw would cover.
>
Such as?

Dave wrote:
> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
> saw
> replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one? I
> am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>

All other things being equal...

They each do things the others can't do very well (if at all), so it depends
on your applications. For the functions that overlap, a radial arm saw is
much more accurate than a miter and a miter is much easier to use. If you're
building cabinets, go for the radial; if you're building houses, pick the
miter.

dpb wrote:
> HeyBub wrote:
> ...
>> ... For the functions that overlap, a radial arm saw is
>> much more accurate than a miter and a miter is much easier to use.
>> If you're building cabinets, go for the radial; if you're building
>> houses, pick the miter.
>
> I'd say which is more accurate is far more dependent on the individual
> tools' quality (reflected in, but not guaranteed by, price) relative
> to each other.

Right, I agree. That's why I prefaced my opinion (which got snipped) with
"All other things being equal..."

>
> As for the function, in most ways I'd think I'd choose the opposite
> way (altho I have all three plus TS + bandsaw and wouldn't want to
> part w/ any :) )

Dave wrote:
...
> ...will the sliding miter saw replace a radial arm saw ...

No.

It will have many uses, but it can't do many things a RAS can--ripping
being the easiest to envision.

I'd not suggest against that as a purchase only that it isn't a RAS (or
a tablesaw or a bandsaw or...)

What would be the best choice would depend on your intended usage and
what, if anything, you already have or intend else to get (the TS and/or
BS would be the two highest items on most lists, undoubtedly, the
specific one being more user-dependent).

--

dpb wrote:
...
> I'd not suggest against that as a purchase only that it isn't a RAS (or
> a tablesaw or a bandsaw or...)
...

Actually, as to what/which/whether to purchase would depend
significantly on just what each tool is--make, model, apparent
condition, etc. There are some of each that are real finds, some just
ok, and some you might as well leave there irregardless...

--

HeyBub wrote:
...
> ... For the functions that overlap, a radial arm saw is
> much more accurate than a miter and a miter is much easier to use. If you're
> building cabinets, go for the radial; if you're building houses, pick the
> miter.

I'd say which is more accurate is far more dependent on the individual
tools' quality (reflected in, but not guaranteed by, price) relative to
each other.

As for the function, in most ways I'd think I'd choose the opposite way
(altho I have all three plus TS + bandsaw and wouldn't want to part w/
any :) )

--

Tom Veatch wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:27:41 -0700, "CW" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>
>>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>>
>> Such as?
>>
>
> For one, accurate crosscut dadoes comes to mind - and, IMO, better
> than a table saw for that operation.
>
> Don't think I'd want to try putting a dado head on a miter saw and
> even if that would work, I don't think the depth stop is precise or
> stable enough to make a good dado.
>
> RAS will make rip cuts, but I'm happier doing those on a TS. Miter saw
> in all it's variations is crosscut only.

I find that for making small boxes an RAS is wonderful--with stock of that
dimension you can both rip and crosscut against the fence, use the cheap
plastic version of the Incra jig easily to get precise positioning, and not
have to fuss with safely handling small stock--just clamp it down and
cut--when it doesn't have to move, holding it gets a lot easier. I should
point out that the Incra jig or its various competitors are as happy
companions for the RAS as they are for the router.

The big thing it has trouble with is box joints--you can do them by setting
the blade horizontal and either raising it the required amount each time or
making a set of blocks to raise the workpiece a fixed amount each time
(you'd make up a special high fence to provide backup) or by setting the
blade vertical and clamping the stock between the front and rear tables, but
any way you do it it's pain in the butt.

HeyBub wrote:
> dpb wrote:
>> HeyBub wrote:
>> ...
>>> ... For the functions that overlap, a radial arm saw is
>>> much more accurate than a miter and a miter is much easier to use.
>>> If you're building cabinets, go for the radial; if you're building
>>> houses, pick the miter.
>> I'd say which is more accurate is far more dependent on the individual
>> tools' quality (reflected in, but not guaranteed by, price) relative
>> to each other.
>
> Right, I agree. That's why I prefaced my opinion (which got snipped) with
> "All other things being equal..."
...
Ok; my only defense is that part of "other things" and "equal" didn't
seem to ring out as a qualifier that would catch to a novice who's at
the point of asking to choose amongst three disparate tools at a sale
price... :)

_IF_ (the proverbial "big if") OP were still lurking around, figured it
couldn't hurt to point out there was too little info about what,
specifically, was in the mix to say anything at all other than
generalities of what one is good for as opposed to another but that one
could be a much better tool than either of the other two...anyway, doubt
any of it really made much of an impact as OP never responded (which, of
course, isn't unusual).

--

Larry Blanchard wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:29:15 -0500, dpb wrote:
>
>> Dave wrote:
>> ...
>>> ...will the sliding miter saw replace a radial arm saw ...
>>
>> No.
>>
>> It will have many uses, but it can't do many things a RAS
>> can--ripping being the easiest to envision.
>>
>
> OTOH, ripping on a radial arm saw causes shuddering among most who
> have done it. It's one of the most dangerous operations you can
> perform on a power tool.
>
> I'd better duck now - the RAS faithful will be here shortly :-).

In what way is it dangerous? The worst that it can do is sling the board
back in the direction it came with very limited lift , and it is far more
likely to just jam up and stall the saw. Even that is only going to happen
if you screw up badly in setting it up.

I find it inconvenient since it means moving the work across the saw from
side to side, but I've never felt like I was in any danger from it.

dpb wrote:
> HeyBub wrote:
>> dpb wrote:
>>> HeyBub wrote:
>>> ...
>>>> ... For the functions that overlap, a radial arm saw is
>>>> much more accurate than a miter and a miter is much easier to use.
>>>> If you're building cabinets, go for the radial; if you're building
>>>> houses, pick the miter.
>>> I'd say which is more accurate is far more dependent on the
>>> individual tools' quality (reflected in, but not guaranteed by,
>>> price) relative to each other.
>>
>> Right, I agree. That's why I prefaced my opinion (which got snipped)
>> with "All other things being equal..."
> ...
> Ok; my only defense is that part of "other things" and "equal" didn't
> seem to ring out as a qualifier that would catch to a novice who's at
> the point of asking to choose amongst three disparate tools at a sale
> price... :)

The problem is the "all else being equal". A 700 buck miter saw is a top of
the line tool from Bosch or Milwaukee or one of the Japanese manufacturers.
A 700 buck RAS is an entry level Craftsman. It's possible to do good work
on that Craftsman but you have to keep an eye on it to make sure that it
hasn't shifted on you, and for the cuts that both will do the miter saw is
going to usually be the more convenient tool.

> _IF_ (the proverbial "big if") OP were still lurking around, figured
> it couldn't hurt to point out there was too little info about what,
> specifically, was in the mix to say anything at all other than
> generalities of what one is good for as opposed to another but that
> one could be a much better tool than either of the other
> two...anyway, doubt any of it really made much of an impact as OP
> never responded (which, of course, isn't unusual).

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:23:43 -0500, "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial arm,
>or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter saw
>replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such as a
>combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one? I am new
>to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>
>
>__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>
>The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
>http://www.eset.com
>
>

No way does a sliding miter saw replace a radial arm saw. Personally
I do not like sliding miters because of a decrease in accuracy and
increase in cost. A simple chop saw will stay tuned longer than a
slider. I like my 12" DeWalt miter after doing 600 feet of 8"
layered crown molding. The DeWalt has a generously high back fence.
You will also want to make a miter stand with extended supports, a
stop, and support. Whatever you decide, get a quality name. Bosch
and Makita are very good choices too.

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>>>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
>>>> saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
>>>> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one?
>>>> I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>>>>
>>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>>>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>>>
>>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>>
>> Such as?
>
> Bore horizonal holes. The RAS is the only one mentioned including the TS
> that can do that.

I agree with that. What I was asking was what he seemed to think a tablesaw
would do that a radial arm saw won't.

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:29:15 -0500, dpb wrote:

> Dave wrote:
> ...
>> ...will the sliding miter saw replace a radial arm saw ...
>
> No.
>
> It will have many uses, but it can't do many things a RAS can--ripping
> being the easiest to envision.
>

OTOH, ripping on a radial arm saw causes shuddering among most who have
done it. It's one of the most dangerous operations you can perform on a
power tool.

I'd better duck now - the RAS faithful will be here shortly :-).

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>
>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
>>> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
>>> saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
>>> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one?
>>> I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>>>
>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>>> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>>>
>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>
>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>
>>>
>>
>> The radial arm will do things neither miter saw will do... but not
>> operations that a table saw would cover.
>>
> Such as?

Bore horizonal holes. The RAS is the only one mentioned including the TS
that can do that.

Dave wrote:
> I have a chance of buying 1 of 3 saws at a sale . A miter saw, radial
> arm, or a 12" sliding miter saw. My question is, will the sliding miter
> saw replace a radial arm saw and give me the best of both world's, such
> as a combination of having a chop saw and a radial arm saw all in one?
> I am new to woodworking and would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4194 (20090628) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
If this is to be your only tool for any amount of time, get the RAS.
It'll crosscut and miter and compound miter and rip and and dado (with
a stacked or wobble dado blade) and surface/thickness plane and disc
sand and do horizontal boring and run a molding cutter and ...

The CMS and SCMS will cross cut and miter and usually compound miter.