Sears RAS Side Play

[Jerry]

I have an old Sears 10" model 113.23100 RAS (about 30 years old). When the arm hits index stops at 90 and 45 degrees, there is an annoying amount of side-side play noted when you push side-to-side when the index pin is engaged. The play can be locked out by tightening the hand screw knob but you can affect the square and miter angle slightly by the movement. When looking at the owner's manual, the adjustment for what they call "looseness (movement) of column tube in column support. (arm end play)" does not seem to help. They indicate to feel for movement where the rising tube enters the lower, stationary column. There is little or no movement here. The movement is felt where the arm attaches to the rising tube and I don't see any adjustment procedure for this location. Apparently, there is some "slop" in the index pin seating but I don't see how to adjust it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks - Jerry Solomon, Slidell, LA

[lonestar1]

My RAS had the same problem after it was moved in the back of a pickup. The locking pin turned out to be bent (there is a slot machined at the end of the pin which makes the material on either side susceptible to bend under lateral force). I ordered a new pin from Craftsman and the replacement part looked like it was made in someone's garage, AND it was incorrectly machined. It was too big for the hole and would not slide in the hole to release the locking mechanism. Sears was no help, so I returned the part and took the old pin out to the shed with a cold chisel and 3 lb. sledge. After some careful realignment in the vise to spread the sides of the pin back to their original shape, the pin now works better than new and locks in at a perfect 90 degrees every time.

Net is that there is no adjustment, and be wary of replacement parts.

[Jerry]

Jim - Thanks for the advice. Do you recall how you removed the pin? I have the exploded parts diagram but it's not that helpful.

Regards,

Jerry