table vs radial saw

[Ken Darga]

FYI

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/492-table-and-radial-saws/pages/1

[Jens Jensen]

Being 135.00 is quite a chunk of change I spent 1.50, and got same resuts took the savings and bought screws  haha

[Jens Jensen]

Couple more shots one is my edge sander which is a 70's model

[Jason Watkins]

I'm enjoying the conversation here fellers, it is nice to hear from others who use the RAS!

I think those return springs are a good idea, and I'm pretty sure original saw includes them. They bought the old DeWalt castings and currently manufacture the cream of the crop of radial arm saws here in the USA.

I would submit though, that if the carriage is loose enough in the arm to allow the saw to feed itself through material by itself, the tension of the roller bearings should be adjusted!

As with any tool, spinning blades present quite a danger, and should be treated with respect. We all want to walk away at the end of the project with all our fingers intact, as well as a sense of satisfaction of having used tools we enjoy. 

Jason

Old Florida Woodworks

[Jens Jensen]

Jason my saw has been in family since day itws delivered to my dad and I never recall having a spring on it,I have original owners manual and the metal accs box with a bunch of factory goodies and nothing mentions return spring on mine

[Jason Watkins]

Jay,

I've seen those before, and it looks like it would work great. Is there one on each side of the saw, or just one?

Jens,

DeWalt didn't include return springs on their saws, at least on the consumer versions. Industrial versions may have included them, I'm not sure. I do know original saw has them, and I want to say I've seen them on Wolfe Machinery's website also.

That's a nice family heirloom to have Jens! I like your DIY return spring also. 

[Jens Jensen]

Thanks Yes I no ours did not have em

[Jay Boutwell]

These were add on items made in the mid 70's and added as a safety device.  They were normally installed by the owner and on one side.  There purpose was to keep the carriage from sliding forward while the operator was loading lumber and or adjusting the lumber.  This is what happened to me it slid forward while I was adjusting lumber on the table for a cut and once it hit the edge of the lumber it went across the table climbing the lumber stock. I never installed one to the devices as at this time there were not offered as an after market feature.  I added two springs one on each side to hold the carrriage in its rearward postiton and then it required me to pull the carriage forward making the cut.  A short time after I altered the saw the after market return spring was introduced.  I recall several home builders used to use radial arm saws and used rubber tire chain tightners to do the same thing.  When I first saw them on their saws I though they were added to return the carriage after a cut was made to speed up the work of the operator.  I soon found out that they were there as a safety measure to keep the carriage from sliding forward by accident.
 
Jason Watkins said:

Jay,

I've seen those before, and it looks like it would work great. Is there one on each side of the saw, or just one?

Jens,

DeWalt didn't include return springs on their saws, at least on the consumer versions. Industrial versions may have included them, I'm not sure. I do know original saw has them, and I want to say I've seen them on Wolfe Machinery's website also.

That's a nice family heirloom to have Jens! I like your DIY return spring also. 

[Jason Watkins]

Jay I would still think that if the carriage moves that freely, an adjustment of the roller bearings is in order. It should take about 5lbs of force to move the carriage along the arm.

Another good tip is to make it a habit to park the saw behind the fence and switch the saw off when a cut is complete.

Jason
Old Florida Woodworks