Shopsmith Forums

My wife woke me up in middle of night saying she thought she heard a tornado. After assuring her it was not a tornado I walked around house trying to figure out what the roaring was. Went into the basement and discovered the radial arm saw was running. Switch would not shut it off, had to unplug it. Plugged it back in and it starting running again. Unplugged it, plugged it again and it clicked and did not run until I pulled the trigger. But would not stop running when I let off the trigger. From then on it runs when plugged in. Trigger and safety feel fine.

2 questions... Should I start looking at the motor for broken wire , etc? And why can't Montgomery Ward make a product that lasts more than 43 years without a problem? That does it... That'll be the last power tool I buy from Montgomery Wards ! Lol

Bad Switch, easy fix if you can find a switch that fits.

Even if it was sold by Montgomery Wards I'd bet that it was not made in some foreign country.

Well, I'm trying to convince myself that I need a compound miter chop saw to replace my radial arm saw ... What can I not do with a chop saw that I am doing now... What I do with my radial arm saw is cross cut... At 90 degrees... Just hate to get rid of an antique piece of equipment... But it takes up a lot of room... But I have it set up to cut EXACT 90 degree cuts ... Which is what a chop saw would do plus 45degree without messing up the 90degree setting... Maybe I should switch to quilting... Or gardening... Or bird watching... Or ....

or you can do what I had been doing while on "restricted activity". Watch TV and Sleep. So thankful that is over.

I actually picked up a sawsmith because it's cool, not because I'll use it daily. Sure I need to build it drawers, but once they are built the sawsmith becomes storage and a bench. It just so happens to have a cool saw mounted over it. A saw that conveniently moves out of the way. Just my thoughts.

Billdit

I think that is a very good question. I too have a Dewalt radial arm saw purchased in 1963 to build a work bench in my garage. I have used it since basically like 98% for cross cutting. I too have thought over and over why not get a Miter saw (Chop saw) and sell the old faithful Dewalt. It takes up a lot of room also.

The question is, what exactly are the Pros and Cons??? What can you do with a chop saw that you can't do with a radial arm saw?

Don G

dgreen810 wrote:Billdit

I think that is a very good question. I too have a Dewalt radial arm saw purchased in 1963 to build a work bench in my garage. I have used it since basically like 98% for cross cutting. I too have thought over and over why not get a Miter saw (Chop saw) and sell the old faithful Dewalt. It takes up a lot of room also.

The question is, what exactly are the Pros and Cons??? What can you do with a chop saw that you can't do with a radial arm saw?

Don G

Width of cut capacity.

Ripping with a chop saw?

Replacable 'table'.

Storage shelf(temporary between actual use ).

Constant reminder to keepa youse hands offa the blade when it is running.



I will leave it for thee to determine pro/con for each one.

I have replaceable inserts in the table top now. Never had a reason to replace it. If I need to use the miter functions, I simply lay a Birch piece of plywood on the existing table top, clamp it down and have at it.

Can't remember when I had a need for a wider cross cut than the capacity of the Dewalt. I don't believe I have ever ripped a board on it. If so I sure don't remember it. I have used it as an over pin router years ago but have long since lost track of the mounting concept other than the bracket to mount the router. I still have it somewhere.

The storage thing would be a plus, however after looking at several machines at Lowes, storage would be about the same as the cabinet under my Dewalt.

Not trying to start an argument, just trying to get opinions on whether to make a change or not.

Don G

I use my radial arm saw when cutting half-lap joints on longer boards (with a stacked dado cutter)