10ER Restoration Detour

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:30 pm

The weather finally cooperated this weekend and I made progress on the 10ER I am returning to service. After I pick up a couple fasteners at the hardware store I will have a completed base and tubes in place. Parts stripped, painted Rustoleum hammered dark bronze, planks for the base sanded clean.

However I've run into a problem. When I moved my garage was a fraction of the size of my old one. I posted a thread on here a while back about needing to build heavy duty shelving so I had room to operate and that would be my first SS project once its completed. I'm finding that lack of space is seriously slowing down progress on the SS (and everything else) so I need to get the shelving done first.

I'm going to be cutting dado and half lap joints, 90 degree cuts only. Would a radial arm saw be sufficient? There are a few old Crafstman RAS for sale on my local CL in the $125 range which seems reasonable vs. anything new.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:55 pm

I see no reason a radial arm saw that is suitably adjusted and accurate couldn't cut these joints fine (assuming the width of your shelving is less than the reach of the saw, or else you'll have to cut part way through and then turn things around to finish cut...not ideal for such cuts). I would not, however, personally pay $125 for a radial arm saw - they are a bit of a dinosaur in the era of compound miter saws and I would think <=$50 would be a more reasonable price. Seems like radial arm saws are one of those things that sit forever on Craigslist unless they are priced right...just not much interest out there for them anymore. Also, if space is limited in your new shop, would you really want a radial arm saw or are you just buying it for this shelving project? They take up a lot more real estate than a miter saw and wouldn't seem ideal for a space-limited shop. Do you have any friends with a table saw? If you just need to get some wood cut for shelving and eventually you'll have your SS for such duties, I'd look for a temporary solution rather than drop $100+ on something I otherwise don't need.

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:33 pm

Whatever I get is temporary but can be stored in the basement until I resell. That's the selling point of the SS to me - space.

Would a table saw be better? I found someone with an 8" Craftsman for $40. All I'm cutting is 2x4 and 1x4's, running planks rather than plywood.

Also, found a guy selling a Crafstman 8 1/2" sliding compound mitre saw (which I've never used) and a Ryobi RAS both for $50 obo.

Opinions would be great. Like I said, just using temporarily for this one job and then storing or selling.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:05 pm

How about a router and straight edge?

Or maybe rent a tool from a local big-box store? Or maybe find a local woodworking shop which will rent you space? One of our local senior centers has a fully equipped wood shop, and it only costs $5/day to use any or all of their equipment.

Gary

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:49 pm

You could even use a cross cut hand saw and bench chisel if you're so inclined.

Half laps are among the easiest joints to make.

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 4:18 pm

terrydowning wrote:You could even use a cross cut hand saw and bench chisel if you're so inclined.

Half laps are among the easiest joints to make.

This is tempting, if only for the challenge of working with hand tools. All it would take is a little egging on in the next two hours and I'll hit Lowes on the way home from work to pick up some lumber.

skou · Post by **skou** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:44 am

Frank, I'm thinking. You only need a relatively small table saw that will do 90 degree cuts.

Well, you've GOT one. Just put the ER together. It's got a small footprint, and will also be a decent (or the best you can find) drill-press.

Or, is it a museum piece?

You got it. Hans didn't make it to be looked at!

steve

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:45 am

skou wrote:Frank, I'm thinking. You only need a relatively small table saw that will do 90 degree cuts.

Well, you've GOT one. Just put the ER together. It's got a small footprint, and will also be a decent (or the best you can find) drill-press.

Or, is it a museum piece?

You got it. Hans didn't make it to be looked at!

steve

I'm restoring the 10ER. I can't restore it because I don't have enough space to move in my shop. I moved to this house a couple years ago from across country and the garage is about half the size so its been a struggle.

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:56 am

This project is now half pregnant so no turning back. Bought a Crafstman sliding compound mitre saw and an older, heavier B&D belt sander for $65 at a divorce sale. Bought a truck load of lumber. Got everything set up, dialed in, and about 10% of my cuts done before calling it a night.

I'm hoping to have all cuts finished tonight and start assembling. Will upload pics tomorrow.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:53 am

Sliding compound saw(assuming some dado capability), and plan to keep it.