Kreg Owners' Community

I just bought an old Craftsman Radial Arm Saw and want to know what sort of things I should do to prolong its life. It has a ball bearing motor, so i am wondering if I should lube it, should I lube the slide rail and pivots? There is some minor surface rust on the neck, should I hit this with steel wool then lube?

What type of lube do you recommend? Pic is attached to my pix here:

https://kregjig.ning.com/photo/my-new-toy-1?context=user

 

Views: 377

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

The Craftsman tool That were made to last. See if you can get a manual that will tell  you where to lubricate .I always take a air hose and blow the whole exterior and inside the motor ( NOT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ) I do this to all my power tools.

Besides lube I would check out brushes and replace ,most likely they are short and also get a short rubber 90 degree hose ant get the sawdust blowing out the side instead of you face. Last I would get a nice table for it.Other than that it looks like your ready to make some nice projects

 

Hmmm, that one looks like it came from the era that Craftsman made tools. Looks like a good blade cleaning/replacement is in order. As has been pointed out probably motor brushes. Some of the motor bearings may have oiler holes which just use a light oil and just a couple of drops at that. For lubing the slide I'd use a dry graphite spray, I get from NAPA. Kind of a mess to use, need to protect from overspray or clean up right away but it doesn't attract or hold dust and dirt and lasts a looong time.

Thanks guys, I did go through the manual. It says the following are NOT to be lubed: the carriage ball bearings. The motor Bearings (these are sealed ball bearings and require no added lubrication). Between the radial arm cap and the radial arm.

I am not sure what is what other than the motor bearings.... have to read the manual and memorize it I guess.

 

It goes on to say to "Periodically Lubricate These Points: Use SAE No. 10-30 Auto Engine Oil and refer to the Parts List for Locations.

Then it goes on to point out a few places to lube.

I am not sure about using motor oil on it since there have been major advances in lubrication technology in the past several years.

Then it does go on to CAUTION: Excessive oil at any location will attract dust particles and sawdust.

You have to love these old manuals.

According to the manual, I could buy accessories to go with this thing to attach to the non blade side of the motor to turn it into a router/drill press/sander. Kind of like an early Shop Smith.

I know most motors these days would have access ports built into the side of the motor housing for the brushes... an old motor like this... would I have to tear the motor down to replace the brushes? Take it to a Starter and Alternator rebuild business to get new brushes?

That is one beautiful old saw. Invest in a good blade for RAS not the same as a table saw.
You need to see if you can get the new blade gaurd and DO NOT use oil on the carrage rails it fill collect dust and push your saw out of square use a dry lube or wax.
Craftsman years  ago had a recall and it concerned the guard.You might want to check I think it was really cheap if any thing at all
To keep sawdust from blowing at operator use a rubber elbow. this can be obtained at a auto parts store. Measure OD of sawdust discharge port. buy a radiator hose of proper ID to match OD with a 90 degree bend in hose. A good fiction fit will allow to position discharge direction.
Good idea on the radiator hose Ed - Seems like I'm always trying to figure out how to rig a vacuum adapter and there's a whole plethora of those things out there. Thanks for the tip

Ed Manly said:
To keep sawdust from blowing at operator use a rubber elbow. this can be obtained at a auto parts store. Measure OD of sawdust discharge port. buy a radiator hose of proper ID to match OD with a 90 degree bend in hose. A good fiction fit will allow to position discharge direction.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Need Help?

For Technical Support, please call 800-447-8638 or send a message. Reps are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm CST. 

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Forum

Jig settings for 2 ¾ x 1 ½ boards with 30 degree miters?

I making a hex ring out of 2x4s ripped to 2 ¾ inches wide with 30 degree miters.  What setting on the Jig should I used? 1 ½ is too much.  Thanks.Continue

Started by Patrick Halinski in Kreg Jig® Operation Dec 30, 2023.

40mm Cup Hinge Jig Question

Hi All.....I have the 35mm Kreg Jig hinge drill guide. The guide is great for 35mm Hinge Cups, but I have a speciality 40MM hinge cup to drill.Has anyone adapted the Kreg guide to work with 40mm Forsner drill bits? Or have a guide that works…Continue

Started by Ed Anderson in Beginners' Zone Oct 3, 2023.

Product Reviews

New Kreg 720Pro

I saw the video Kreg put out for this new jig and had high hopes for it.

I purchased one today and am very disappointed with it.

First the docking station is extremely cheap. The plastic is pathetic. A Lego has more…

Continue

Posted by Duke Leon on February 15, 2021 at 9:00pm

Not Pleased With Pocket Hole Construction

Several months ago, I purchased the Kreg K4MS so that I could build the Lego Table as outlined on the companion "buildsomething" web site which exclusively uses pocket hole construction.  I have considerable experience with conventional…

Continue

Posted by Robert Ringel on September 17, 2020 at 1:48pm — 9 Comments

© 2024   Created by KregRep.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service

_