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Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:00 pm
by bob84
I have an old Sawsmith RAS model 700000.
The motor will run and speed control dial will turn but, nothing will happen in the way of the speed changing.
Any suggestions or ideas?
It is still too cold where my shop is to take it apart but next weeks weather looks better.
Thanks again!
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 7:11 pm
by dstensland
There's a small set screw on the speed control knob. Tighten yours and see if that helps. You may need to readjust it a second time to get your speed indicator positioned correctly.
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 8:50 pm
by bob84
Thanks very much for your suggestion.
That fixed the problem! The speed control works like it is supposed to work.
Next question, now what should I do with three working Sawsmith RAS 70000 models?
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:15 pm
by JPG
bob84 wrote:Thanks very much for your suggestion.
That fixed the problem! The speed control works like it is supposed to work.
Next question, now what should I do with three working Sawsmith RAS 70000 models?
'Price' them.

But not here!
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:37 am
by delong94
I know this is an old thread, but what would cause the speed control to not stay in position at the lowest speed? I am still in the process of cleaning and restoring my SawSmith RAS and it started to do this. Basically, it jumps up a speed on its own after placed in lowest speed setting.
Thanks.
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:44 am
by JPG
I am not familiar with the RAS, but with a reeves drive some means must be provided to either detent or clamp the control 'knob'. The belt tension will cause the speed shift. FWIW the power station drifts to slow. Perhaps due to different tension in/out?
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:30 am
by delong94
JPG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:44 am
I am not familiar with the RAS, but with a reeves drive some means must be provided to either detent or clamp the control 'knob'. The belt tension will cause the speed shift. FWIW the power station drifts to slow. Perhaps due to different tension in/out?
Thanks. I will tinker with it with some more. It holds on the speed for doing regular cross cut sawing but I was thinking about using the drum sander at lower speeds.
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:10 pm
by edma194
Have you looked at
The Ultimate Sawsmith Radial Arm Saw Thread? You can download a manual and exploded parts document for your model and there is a boatload of info about the machine scattered through the thread. Maybe a good idea to post your question in that thread. There is a spring putting pressure on the speed dial to hold it in position. The speed dial is more directly connected to the variable sheave than with a Shopsmith speed control so the pressure from the variable drive will feedback to the speed dial. I'd have to go over the mechanism again but it may just be the dial spring has weakened or broken.
ETA: I see you have been in that thread. Your restoration must be going well since you're using the saw.
Re: Sawsmith RAS speed control question
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:41 pm
by delong94
edma194 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:10 pm
Have you looked at
The Ultimate Sawsmith Radial Arm Saw Thread? You can download a manual and exploded parts document for your model and there is a boatload of info about the machine scattered through the thread. Maybe a good idea to post your question in that thread. There is a spring putting pressure on the speed dial to hold it in position. The speed dial is more directly connected to the variable sheave than with a Shopsmith speed control so the pressure from the variable drive will feedback to the speed dial. I'd have to go over the mechanism again but it may just be the dial spring has weakened or broken.
ETA: I see you have been in that thread. Your restoration must be going well since you're using the saw.
Thanks for responding... I need to remove the knob and check the spring. More to follow.