is $300 to much to pay for a used dewalt model 7740 radial arm saw, I haven’t seen it yet the owner says its in good shape,its about 14 years old
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Unless you are using it to production roughcut long lengths of lumber, the Radial Arm Saw, whatever brand, is obsolete.
RA Saws after a great deal of time and adjustment, can cut a true 90 degrees.
If used gently and with precision, it will still be off tomorrow.
As for the question...300 Canadian dollars is too much
Gord
St.Margaret's Bay NS
100 - 125$ tops.....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
he can have mine for free if he picks it up. Theyre so outdated its not funny. Why spend money on a RAS when you could buy a SCMS???The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
the tool set up right and of good heritage is great for wht they are intended...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
the big problem with RAS's is there are no definate stops when cutting miters/angles.
Also having to raise and lower the RAS vs just coming down on the work is a pain in the azz.
I can't see the advatage of a radial over the SCMS if one were to go out and buy one now.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
they're world different...
fer some they're not their cup of tea....
I like 'em....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
geezzz, now ya tell me, I'd a traded you my RAS for one of your 5 Bosch hammer drills.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
SOS-wassa SCMS? SEARS Compound Mitre Saw?
WWAI (while we're at it) LOL= ? IMHO figgering things like that & ROFLMAO (?) or something like that is HTF (half the fun) of Breaktime.
Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Loaffing Out Loud....
Lots of laffs....
Lots of love....
Rolling on the floor laffing....
WTF
IIRC
BTW
DW
SA
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
YGBSM
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
I have one...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I agree.
they're two different tools ...
and a shiney new slider can't beat a good old RAS .... aside from portability.
I had a chance to buy a 60's model DeWalt ... cast iron .... rock solid tool ...
was an old HS shop tool ...
The guy came down to $350 if I took it then ...
didn't have the cash on me ... went back a week later ... it was gone.
I've been looking off and on since ....
I'll snatch up the next one ... even though I still don't have anywhere to put it ....
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Andy,
My DeWalt has positive stops. I think for general use, you only have to change the height when you tilt the blade. IMO, several table saw operations can be performed quicker and easier on a RAS.
I think in a way past thread, someone here referred to a RAS as a good boat anchor! I must admit, mines in storage. No shop at the moment, but it would be set up if I had one.
Don't give me too much grief for this, but I would rather rip dimension lumber on my RAS than a table saw.
Dez
that free sounds like a good price to me
thanks for the replies kinda gives me a little perspective to go from
Not sure of the price but
I ask all the nay sayers when was the last time you put a dado blade on a miter saw?
Other benefits include cutting to an accurate pre determined depth such as when making tenons.
I had a Dewalt RAS years back, it had a green crinkle finish and big red knobs on it. Easy to square up and held adjustments perfectly.
Absolute top of the list for stupid things I've done ( and will admit<G>) is selling that tool.
Cor.
"I ask all the nay sayers when was the last time you put a dado blade on a miter saw?"--CorradoYes, you cannot put a dado blade in a SCMS, nor can you rip with one. But why would you want to?! with a good tablesaw and/or a router with a couple of bits. All of the extra functions that a RAS can do, become obsolite when you consider that RAS's do every job that they're capable of doing with: a longer set up time, difficult to maintain accuracy, and on top of that, the RAS is a dangerouse tool.Justifying it by saying that it performs multiple operations is like justifying a shopsmith. Shure it does lots of stuff, but it does all of that stuff slowly, inaccuratly, and dangerously.. with alot of setup time.-->
measure once
scribble several lines
spend some time figuring out wich scribble
cut the wrong line
get mad
You've obviously never done dadoes with compound angles..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
you got me.. i havent-->
measure once
scribble several lines
spend some time figuring out wich scribble
cut the wrong line
get mad
You can also make a radial arm saw into a horizontal boring machine by adding a chuck to the outboard spindle..try that with a SCMS.I often also mount a 3 wing moulding head cutter and profile an edge, then go straight to the TS to rip it off..works sweet.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I have to say that separate tools for separate jobs are the way to go... The Shopsmith works but....RAS's work but are totatally unsafe for many things "hobbiest" use it for.
For those that try and "rip" on a RAS, they are absolutly nuts! Way too dangerous but thats just my opinion.Table saws do the brunt of most woodworking and with all the "safe" accessories now a days you can do "almost" anything.Drill presses arent all that expensive dependent on how much you need it.
If you need it a lot than you absolutly should buy that as a separate tool.I still contend...the right tool for the right job.I also remember tons of threads here about the Shopsmith which reminds me of the RAS and its abilities to do numorous tasks, yet to me some arent all that safe.
the only thing so far I heard of that the RAS can do is bevels w/ a dadoe blade but so can table saw w/ the proper fence such as a sliding homemade table fence....I beleive even FHB has shown several times how to build one.Also I've used the Sears profile maker that has dozens of profiles that attaches to your table saw (where the blade goes (duh), works great and is "real" inexpensive. Been using that for over 15+ years on occasion.Be safe
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means.. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us. http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 12/5/2004 12:01 pm ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)
Andy, I had a HO customer who had a shopsmith, and we used it drill Ipe rails for the pipe spindles, it worked, but my Delta is a LOT better.I agree that separate ,dedicated tools is the way to go..IF ya have the room,IF ya have the $, IF ya need em all the time, and IF ya know what you are doing with them (safly).The shopsmith just takes too much time to change over if say ya need one more rip, but ya now have it set up as lathe..ooops.I have many tools that just do one thing all the time..like a router that has had a 1/4" roundover in it since new..LOLMy RAS is still outside covered with a tarp AAARRGHHH...it just wouldn't fit in the house last yr when we moved in, and I figgured that of all the tools I could do without till the shop is built, that was it..so, I guess that shows how devoted I am to it. BTW it was a freebie from an incompetant DIY...an OLD B&D (like DWalt) 10" that works just fine..when I do uncloak it, I will use advantek for the table..the old table is shot from the weather.My first shop tool was a craftsman RAS, I used it for everything, till i got real tools..yup, it even spun a home made lathe with steppedd pullys..too funny what ya rig up when yer desparate.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
FWTWThis company overhauls and sells reconditions DW RAS.http://www.wolfemachinery.com/products.htmAnd this company make new RAS based on the DW designs.http://www.originalsaw.com/But in both cases the minum size or 12" aversions and they go up to 20".
"My first shop tool was a craftsman RAS, I used it for everything, till i got real tools."same here. Fondly remembering the first time, eh?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
it was almost everyones first saw which is why I still have one but I wouldnt buy one today...would you?The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I know you were asking Piffin, but I really like the Delta Turret head saw..If I had the room and the $ I'd buy one in a heart beat.In the production shops I worked in, everything from furniture , cabinets, pipeorgans and guitars we had a RAS..usually a 16" or 20" for lopping rough planks to size..indispensible for all day sessions.More power and the blade never having to come up to speed or slowdown was helpful.In a pallet shop we had a pendulum saw..a big azz blade the swung from an arm above..scary SOB it was. And an "UPCUT" block saw..set the billet step on a pedal and the blade came up through the table to a hold down arm..a bit safer but scary as hell too.With the exception of maybe the Bosch 12" SCMS, any other SCMS would never hold up to the rigures of daily hard use for long. Just the starting and stopping of the motor that much would tear them up.My 2 cents and then some.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Don't have to...
still own one...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I didn't show you mine while you were here.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I hope you were talking about a RAS...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
LMAO
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
If I were setting up a large shop, I would definitely make room for one as a cutoff saw, nestled in along one wall
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
they have there plac and are very usefull...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
back in trade school the RAS saved my a$$ ...
I had waited till the last minute to decide on a "final project" ...
had to be done in time ... or fail.
and that project was something like 75% of the entire grade ...
with a class full of students crowded around the chop saws and table saws .... time was speeding by ....
Then I noticed no one was using one of the good old RAS's along the back wall ...
everyone was scared of them after the instructors talked about how dangerous they were .... their loss was my gain. Has a whole slew of saws pretty much to myself.
Could set them all up for different cuts ... instant production line work .... no waiting in line ...
every now and then I'd throw a red stained rag on the bench top to keep the other kids away ....
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I have an old Craftsman RAS that was my dad's and a moulding cutter head and a couple of wobble dadoes. I would put those combinations in the same respect (bordering on fear) class with my ancient 10" Wallace jointer. While the dadoes and moulding cutters are very respect worthy on the table saw they just seem safer in that configuration. I guess it is sort of like comparing a pit bull to a Cocker spaniel ( I have heard that there are more Cocker spaniel bites than pit bull, they usually aren't as serious though).
All these can be used safely but they require some serious common sense and discipline.
Sometimes safe is in the hands and mind of the operator.RAS are inherently more dangerous than table saaws but it is all avoidable danger, just like keeping fingers out of a TS or avoiding kickback from a TS is. I have ripped miles of material on a RAS and built some decent cabinets with one. I have never hurt myself with one or even had a close call. I have cut off a fingertip with a miter sawe and have taken another with a tablesaw. It's all about learning to respect the machine and recognise it's dangers
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You can get a drum sander attachment for 'em too.
don't forget the planing cutter disc too..LOL
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
OK...fine...aint givin' it away for free anymore...I'll sell it to one of youz...its about a 20 year old Crapsman with the drill press attached already and that hokey planer attachment...Even have a book from Crapsman on all the things you can do with it besides being a boat anchor...if nothing else...its a relic : )
You can see IMERC using it in that thread I started about IMERC at Andy's house thread.
I set it up in my new shop but it needs about a 1/16 +" tweeking to keep the home made fence I put on....on the money
Be older'n dirt
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
LOL...tweak it and keep it. I'd tweak the fence not the saw.Coupla tricks I learnt..always use a scrap of luaun on the table..keeps it from getting all chewed up too much..make a few different fence spacers and backboards..make jigs..( I used to make raised panels with an angled table 15 degrees, blade horizontal)don't have higher expectataions than what it was engineered for..your jigs/technique produce accuracy and repeatability.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I meant the fence...didnt I say that? sorryThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
There are RAS, and then there are RAS. I think the 7740 was from the B&D era and was built to be price conpetitive, mostly with the Emerson/Sears. If you had one of the other models, even one of the other consumer models, then it would be worth the money IF you had a legitimate use for it. But for a 7740 ? Sounds expensive. Maybe you should check for used tools dealers on the web.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Steve,
I have that model, and I think I paid less than that (on sale) for new.(I think '76) But given that you would pay a lot more for a RAS now (limited selection), if it's in good shape, it still might be a good deal.
Tell them that it sold for less when new, and maybe they will come down on the price! It's a good, solid saw IMO.
Dez
We were selling ours off for around $50 - and you haul it away.
Had one mounted on a trailer - it was like a crew-served weapon. 30A/250V power, etc. Trailer mounted or at least on big wheels is the way to go on these. They are not light weight. The CMS sliders are where we are now.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
tool... i had a 12" trailer mounted RAS wired for 220 also.. it had 8' tables on each side when it was set up..
back in the day before carbide.. that sucker would cut anythingMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike,
Back when giants stalked the earth...
Saw an article (JLC?) - the company has a number of radial arm trailers that also have job boxes, lumber storage, power distribution center, etc.
That sort of combined usage makes a lot of sense. Did need a coffee pot.
Saw a work station trailer up in Canada - sail cloth cover for shade. CMS on one side, 10" table saw on the other, divided by a shelf of parts for both sides. Storage under. Lots of work table space. Took lots of pix.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a DeWalt 7770 I bought in 1981. I've used for just about everything from custom oak cabinets to cutting scrap to fireplace length. I 've used it without the legs on the tailgate of my truck! I still don't have a table saw( though I do use my friend's for small work. Yes it's a bit ornery but I wouldn't do without it. Sometimes it's a little too much fun ripping thinner pieces, but making sure you use the right sharp blade gives me no trouble. The only repairs have been a switch and the belt used for adjusting height-no problems getting parts either. Good luck on your decision.
Reed,
Did that too...before I got my first power miter saw! (The tailgate thing.) I like the RAS...a good tool.
Peace
Dez- thanks for the reply. Like all tools, they're just as good as the user! Peace to you brother. Reed