After seeing the odd Radial Arm here and there over the years in someone's shop or garage, I only recently learned of their potential. I had mistakenly assumed that it was just another version of a miter saw. Well, it is...but it's a lot more too.
Agreed. Because of their bulkiness and ummmm… potentially dangerous kickback, they fell out of favor quickly when miter saws came out. But they’re still versatile. Mine has an arbor where I can even mount a drill chuck to, or a router bit, or whatever I can dream up. I just used mine this morning notching out this trim board:
I used mine as a lathe for several projects back in the day when I couldn’t justify a lathe. If you wanna tame down the kickback potential get a zero or negative hook blade. Why they sold them with aggressive crosscut blades I’ll never understand. Doesn’t cure all the evil but makes a world of difference.
That's pretty wild I'd have to rig up some sort of tailstock mounted to a board to support the other end of the workpiece, but I can see myself having fun with that. If I ever need to use this saw a lot that's what I'll have to buy for it. I think I used it 4-5 times in as many years.
Never used a tailstock, or lathe tools for that matter. Cuts perfect circles using a 1/2” dowel to spin a square board on the table. Just lower the carbide blade one tooth for every rotation. Don’t try it with a steel toothed blade,,,it might work or you may die LOL. I’ve cut perfect circles in 3” thick cherry using that method. Did build a jig for it that spun a workpiece under the blade. Used a dado blade. Made a handle that looked much like a motorcycle grip but with an arc to it and thumb protector. There’s not much they can’t do if you really have the will to do it, or you’re too cheap to buy a lathe. ps by one tooth I mean just the carbide cutting edge, not the entire tooth. 1/16” or so,,,maybe as much as 1/8” if you’re feeling brave.
I've heard stories of the radial arm saw that they used to have at work...the story goes that it chucked a board at the boss, who just happened to be in the area at the time, and that was the last straw...a long history of slinging boards across the shop, ended in the dumpster We do have a really nice table saw as a result though
They certainly come with a Darwin inspired learning curve. By the time you’ve made your third mistake and are still living you’re a pro. As I said it’s all in the blade. For reasons I’ll never understand in this lifetime they all came with some of the worst tooth configurations possible.
A factory here in town has been putting these 6, 8, and sometimes 10’ pallets out to the curb for years. Yesterday I grabbed a couple more. While I was loading up one of the employees came out and offered me a few more that were still inside the building. I had to politely decline as I was on my way to work at the moment. He said he’d leave them out for me to take at my leisure anyway At the very least I can salvage the 2x4’s from them. They make an awesome roof, tying in the end pallets too. Secure a tarp over the top and call it good.
Its hard to say no to big pallets. Im seeing pallets pens just like Joe makes, but yours are perfect too. Another good grab,
