What’s a Radial Arm Saw?

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A radial arm saw is one of the most versatile woodworking power tools. The basic design of a radial arm saw allows for vertical movement of the saw, which is housed in the saw carriage and supported by an arm. The yoke houses the motor and blade and allows bevel cuts from 0 to 90 degrees.
For home use, a radial arm saw is ideal for cutting miter, miter, and compound angles. Most radial arm saws come with a stand and are sturdy enough to handle ripped lumber, though not as easily as a table saw. However, the versatility of a radial arm saw makes it an ideal tool for most home improvement projects such as trim, molding and door casings. The radial arm saw is also very useful for cross cutting and accommodates different attachments and blades, such as a dado blade used for cutting grooves.

Some of the accessories include rotary planes and sanding and polishing wheels. If you are purchasing a radial arm saw with the intent to use accessories, you need to ensure that the make and model has a shaft that accepts accessories and that you purchase accessories made for your saw. The radial arm saws you’ll find in most home improvement stores will range in size from 8 inches (20.3 cm) to 12 inches (30.5 cm). This refers to the diameter of the blade the saw uses, and most makes and models are 10 inches (25.4cm), which is the most commonly purchased size for home use.

The price for a radial arm saw ranges from about $600 to $1,000 depending on the make and model. While the radial arm saw is a versatile enough power tool for the investment, some woodworkers prefer a compound miter saw. The usefulness of a radial arm saw in your shop or garage will depend on your personal preferences and the most commonly performed projects.

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