Overhead Pin Router fron a RAS

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Ed in Tampa
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Overhead Pin Router fron a RAS

Post by Ed in Tampa »

I have an old Sears Radial Arm saw that I use just enough to justify keeping it. For those that don't know there is a recall on Sears (Emerson) RAS. Mine is one where they don't offer an upgrade but instead offer a $100 in exchange for the motor assembly. That leads me to my question.

Some where someone mentioned an Overhead Pin Router being built from an old Radial Arm Saw. Just thinking about it I could see all that would be needed is putting something together that would secure the router to the old RAS motor yoke.

The height adjustment of the RAS would serve to be depth adjustment. And the whole carriage slides and locks in place so horizontal positioning would be very simple. Further thought included a cut out and router plate in the actual table which would allow a second router to be installed there for normal router table operations.

Anybody seen any thing like this mentioned anywhere? If so could you please tell me where.

The idea sounds feasible and if I return the saw head I get $100 refund which would more than pay for the conversion I think. I think the versatility of the such a marriage would be something since the RAS yoke swivels, slides forward and backward and tilts and the arm it is attached to swings left and right. I can picture having the router doing dado cuts, angled dado cuts, horizontal router table work and possibly even mortizing work.

Any thoughts on this? Of course I would use Shopsmith accessories! ( added to justify putting this question on the SS forum :D )
Ed
jimhart
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Router forum

Post by jimhart »

Ed,

I saw that discussed in a thread on routerforums.com

Jim
ldh
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Location: Phoenix, AZ

Post by ldh »

Ed,
I have an old 12" Craftsman RAS 1960s that used a router bracket clamped to the blade side of the saw and was a passable OPR. You might find one of the brackets used and try it. I have the owners manual for the one I have and will be happy to send you a copy. I use the old SS OPR and frankly it is just hard to beat.
ldh
charlese
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Location: Lancaster, CA

Post by charlese »

Ed in Tampa wrote:"...
The idea sounds feasible and if I return the saw head I get $100 refund which would more than pay for the conversion I think. I think the versatility... and possibly even mortising work.

Any thoughts on this? Of course I would use Shopsmith accessories! ( added to justify putting this question on the SS forum :D )
Ed
ED take the $100 for the motor, add to it whatever you can get ($) from taking the metal scrap to a junk yard - add about $200 out of you pocket and you can buy a real OPR.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
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