Opinion on Old Sears RAS

[GTANNENB]

Hello,

I was given a circa 1970 Sears Radial Arm Saw that I am not sure what to do with it. I researched it and it was recalled but there is no repair kit for it. My options are to keep it and use it as is or return the motor and get $100 for it. The saw is in working condition but has a light coat of rust on it as it has been sitting in a basement for 5 years and not used during that time.

I am a fairly newbie to woodworking and I already have a approximately

10 year old Ryobi 8 1/4 inch RAS that is more portable that this saw. Is this saw almost as good as the Sears?

I am not sure if I should take the money and put it toward other tools, keep the saw for myself or sell it to someone else. Please let me know your opinion on the saw and what I should do.

Thanks.

[Evon]

I've used my Sears RAS since it was new early 1970's. It outlasted 2 boys and my heavy woodworking. It's still runs well, (Knock on wood). So my thought would be to take the motor to a local motor shop and have it worked on or buy a new motor. It would be cheaper than a new saw. However, this is a perfect time to up grade to a 12" RAS!!!.

[J. Clarke]

If it's working then clean it up and use it--one thing Sears does well is radial arm saws (at least they used to--mine's over 20 years old so can't speak for the new ones). If you have two RAS then you can run two setups, which is sometimes handy.

The recall kit is nice but not essential--just be careful.

If you're tight for space, keep the one with the larger blade unless portability is your number one priority.

[Wilson]

USE IT. Get a book or two, and some local advice. I think they are safer than TS, when used properly, and much more versatile. But don't be tempted by the shaper head.

Sears used to put out a comprehensive >

[Rumpty]

Yes, the Mr. Sawdust book "How To Master The Radial Saw"

and some local advice.

Good idea, such as the RAS forum

I think they are safer than TS, when used properly, and much more versatile.

Yup they sure are.

Unless you have purchased a copy of the Mr. Sawdust book "How To Master The Radial Saw"

, and the Delta shaper head system is much better than the Craftsman system.

[Bob G.]

My "Craftsman" Radial arm was purchased by me in the very early 70's and it also does not have a "kit" available to qualify for the recall.. Yes they will give you 100 bucks for the motor IF you return it...then you have to haul the rest of the saw to the dump...not a good deal in my opinion...

In other words it is worth more then a 100 bucks to me...

My saw still functions very well... I will admit that I "tune" it every now and then and I also have not moved it off the 90 degree cut mark in at least 10 years... BUT if makes a darn good cut off saw...so good in fact that I have not purchased a CMS to replace it...not enough bang for the buck so to speak although if I were now just beginning to set up shop I would buy a CMS long before I would a Radial Arm saw...

Sorry but I am NOT a fan of Roybi (nor am I a fan of new Craftsman)... given the choice in my shop I would take the 10 in Sears saw hands down without blinking an eyelid over the 8 1/2 in Roybi... BUT I HAVE NO NEED FOR PORTABILITY...

Bob Griffiths