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.
