Hi All,
I am in the middle of a shop remodel right now. I have everything either moved out or on wheels. Ripped out the old wall bench with plans of putting in a RAS/Mitersaw combo bench. I've changed the plans on that bench twice already. I have a nice "big iron" Delta Rockwell RAS that I pick up at an auction that I want to mount in there. Anybody out there have any thoughts/pics out on the most useful/efficient way to set up a RAS Bench?

Thanks in Advance!

Shane

I had a RAS once. Only had it for a short time, and did have it built into one of the benches I had. Never cared for a RAS and got rid of it a short time later. After having done woodworking for almost 30 years I can honestly say that I've never used one to build anything with.

Shane-welcome to the forum.

The guys I know who have radial arm saws in dedicated set ups (stop block set up, table flush with adjacent cabinets like a miter saw station) are guys who frequent www.forums.woodnet.net in the power tool part of the forum. They gave me helpful advice and encouraged me to tune up the radial arm saw following the step by step guidance of either of a couple of books they suggested. I'd check over there if you want some good direction.

The radial arm saw is a potentially dangerous tool when not properly adjusted to take the sloppiness out of the carriage and head making the saw capable of rising up and running toward the user. Even after taking the time to set up a newer Delta and install a very good blade optimized for radial arm saws, I never got the warm and fuzzy feeling when using it and dumped it at a loss deciding that if I was to get one, I'd seek out a oldie but goodie DeWalt that was able to cross cut and dado cabinet sides. That would be a big radial arm saw and I don't have the space in my 2 1/2 car garage shop for a radial arm of that size. The people who have dialed those in seem to be a loyal bunch and from what I've read can trust those tools for cutting joinery with precision. There's no way my Delta could have. At best it was a cross cut saw and with a max cross cut of 16" compared to the 12" cross cut of my sliding miter saw, it was a waste of space.

Thanks Paul, I'll check that out. I have always....I won't say enjoyed, but found a use for an RAS in the shop. The current one I got for a song and its a real bear of a machine. I go to a lot of auctions and I have a soft spot for what I affectionately call "Big Iron" machines. This thing weighs a solid 350 - 400# without the cabinet. While poking around to look for interesting bench designs I definately got the same vibe I am getting here. I am not much of a "go with the flow" kinda guy, but there are some valid points made about the amount of space it takes up in relation to the amount of use it sees. We will see.

Shane

Shane, I inherited a Craftsman RAS a few years ago and use it frequently. Recently I built a stand as shown in the photo. The key was to make it the same height as my table saw (so I can use it as in infeed support)

Thanks for the reply. I like the chip deflector. I'll need to do something like that. Since I mostly use mine for cutting rough lumber to size I think I am going to mount mine under the lumber rack on the other side of the shop.


Shane

This is how I did mine, maybe it will help some.
Good luck.
Nate
http://thewoodwhisperer.com/nates-shop- ... r-project/

That's an amazing setup, Nate! Tommy and I have been wanting to do something like that, too. I'll have to remember that link if we ever get around to it.

Eli

Eli,

Why remember the link. Just go to it, then add it to your "Favorites".. You should be able to name it something even an UGA can remember... LOL.

Haha. I see how it is. PTHB

PTHB? does that mean Praise To His Baldness?

Just picked up a 1951 DeWalt GW-5 10" radial arm and I'd be interested in seeing how you furniture guys have your well tuned radial arm saws setup in your shop. Before I set it up I'm trying to decide whether to keep it freestanding on its own stand or remove the legs and mount it on top of a large cabinet and build a station around it with a long fence and stops. Pics would be great.

I have a radial saw mounted in a 20' counter top under a wood rack. It is nice to pull a board off the shelf and chop it to rough length quickly. I don't use it much for finished cuts although I find it real useful with a dado blade for cross grain dados. Much easier than trying to dado a long piece on the table saw or setting up guide to use a router. I am not sure I would buy a radial arm saw today but since I have one, I use it.

Steve

I guess I am one of those die-hard "Radial Arm Saw People." I inherited my fathers DeWalt RAS from the 50's. Bought the Mr Sawdust, "Mastering the Radial Arm Saw" book. (A must have if for the DeWalt) I followed the book to the letter, and used the RAS exclusively in the shop for all ripping, crosscutting, shaping, and joinery. Yes it can be done. I believe that the RAS, if properly tuned in, and the user properly trained, is by far safer than a table saw. I have since bought a cabinet table saw, the 3/4 hp DeWalt RAS simply does not have the mustard to cut 8/4 purpleheart.
The base is simply a 2x4 stand with wheels. The key is the table; it must be flat, and it must stay that way. The Mr. Sawdust book guides you through making it, which you must do, then guides you through the proper setup of the saw.
I made the table at an unheard height of almost 4' from the floor. It makes for very easy working.
My two cents.

I bought my DeWalt 51 RAS after refurbing a Delta and being dissatisfied with its accuracy. This one is quite different and I feel much safer working on it.

The reason a RAS makes sense in the shop for me is its like a miter saw with more accuracy. I use a sliding miter saw for installing crown moulding etc in the field but it will never cross cut with the accuracy that this new ras will when making repetitive parts. I also bought a RAS to be able to cut dados without having to swap the blade in my table saw or use a straight edge and router.