Are Radial Arm Saws Dangerous?

[@terrydanks]

Have had this very same saw since 1976. Every time I think about replacing it, my mind asks "why?" It works fine for me and I have learned how to use it well.

[@c.blakerockhart1128]

I have a model 113 just like that one. Mine was made in 1975. My table saw ( DeWalt 745 ) kicked a 27.5 inch piece of 2x4 into my forehead and almost knocked me out. I had the old R.A.S. sitting in the corner, so the next day I sold the table saw and that funded the set up of the radial. A radial arm saw can do so much more than a table saw, or compound miter saw. Good to see your gonna be using this one. Have a BLESSED DAY.😎🇺🇸

[@GregsGarage]

I think I was in 4th grade when my grandfather's radial arm saw got it's second life in my dad's garage... I was using that tool LONG before I started using the table saw. I would agree, there are things you can do with it that you can't do with any other saw. It's also a good thing the commenters tell you that you're going to die when you turn it on.

[@Benham_Design]

Truth, the comments keep us on our toes.

[@charliemiller6401]

I've had that exact saw for almost 50 years and it looks like it's only a few years old. I learned early on to only use it for cross cuts and it's great for that.and I use it all of the time. This model was not eligible for the safety shield upgrades so I made my own. The only caution is that it does not have an electrical blade brake so the blade spins for quite a while if you don't use the mechanical brake.

[@SteveMcNally]

I just picked up this same model off the side of the road for free. Still runs like new and still has the original blade on it. The person who owned it must’ve covered it up and stored it for over 40 years. When I fired it up it brought back memories of using them in shop class in high school.

[@EvanDunville]

Awesome, I have a really old Dewalt 12" radial arm saw that I'm adding into my miter station. It will be great for straight cuts and for cutting dados

[@boatsbeats]

Thats what I see used at every old school lumber yard to break down materials. I always wondered why they didn't change it out. Thanks for the insight on its qualities!

[@bowerscustomwoodworkingllc]

I am putting my RAS back in use too, and sharing my miter saw space also!

[@ericwilliams538]

Radial arm saws are an awesome addition to the work shop. In a lot of cases, I've thought some "jobs" I was on or doing would have been easier to do, if I had a radial arm saw. I know a lot of cabinet makers use them, have them in their shops.

[@leohorishny9561]

I love the Australia wildlife warning!! So valid though!

[@bradleymasson1777]

Part of the issue with safety in a workshop environment, is they don't have shop class in schools anymore. My generation developed a good foundation in junior and senior High School. I recall in 9th grade wood shop, before using any of the machines, we had to pass a 100 question test on safety, and we needed a score of 100 per cent. No exceptions.

[@extremewoodworker]

The RAS was my first stationary tool purchase made in 1980 and was similar to the saw you have. I sold that saw 30 years ago and do not miss it at all since it would not hold any settings and the saw was of overall poor quality. The biggest mistake people make with the RAS is blade selection and what came on those Craftsman saws was a rip blade designed for table saw use (Sears has absolutely no excuse for that). Do yourself a favor and ditch that high angle rip blade currently installed on your RAS and replace it with a low or negative rake blade. It will be much safer and will not have as much tendency to propel itself toward you during a cut. Steve

[@Dimythios]

I agree with you 100%

[@nickd5943]

I’m very interested in seeing your final set up. I’m thinking about switching to a radial arm saw instead of the miter saw. What is you opinion using a radial arm saw to cut dadoes across the width not length. I’m not asking about how safe it is. I’m interested in accuracy and set up.

[@Benham_Design]

I have found it to not be as accurate as I'd like. Since the table and fence are wood, even though I used plywood. It still moves, which means the saw is only dead square when the humidity is the same as when I set it up. I primarily use the RAS to break down rough lumber quickly.

[@sgsax]

Notes on safety here had me cracking up. We had one of these, probably similar vintage to yours, in my high school theater scene shop. Used it pretty much unsupervised for years and still have all my digits even 30 years later. To this day, the smell of burned pine from a dull saw blade brings me right back to that shop. Probably the most foolish thing I did with one of these was to use a wobble dado blade on my father-in-law's. Never did that again. Your lineup is looking pretty pretty good with this addition. Thanks for sharing!

[@Benham_Design]

It's amazing how smells trigger such memories. And I totally understand that wobble blade. A friend gave me one when I was first starting out. I put it in my little bench top saw, and the vibration walked the whole saw and bench across the room. Lol scared the 💩 out of me.

[@bobweiram6321]

If you own a Sears/Craftsman radial arm saw, you are entitled to a free blade guard kit from the manufacturer which dramatically lowers the possibility of sustaining an injury. Jointer injuries are almost always caused by the removal of the blade guard. Injuries from a typical American table saw, however, are impossible to prevent even with a riving knife, blade guard and flesh detection technologies as found on the SawStop. Their design makes them prone to kickbacks. Many European table saws feature a sliding carriage for securing the workpiece as it slides into the blade to eliminate the possibility of a kickback and to keep the hands far away from the blade.

[@Benham_Design]

Here is a link to the recall if anyone is interested www.radialarmsawrecall.com/

[@tomlagatol4448]

“apparently there’s one more screw…”. I hate it when that happpens!!!🤭😁

[@Benham_Design]

😂 right?!!!

[@DanHPerry]

I use my radial arm saw regularly. With all tools, I try to always thing safety. Many of the injuries with a radial arm saw is when you are doing things they are not good at.

[@Benham_Design]

So true, many injuries with most tools is because it's not the right tool for the job. Unfortunately not everyone has every tool so they are forced to improvise and something goes wrong.

[@hakmahmed4462]

Good luck my friend

[@garycollins7688]

I agree with you , I have used power tools for 40 years , they are all dangerous if you don’t know to use them safely

[@Mitrasmit]

I never had a radial arm saw, but I'm struggling to think of a reason why they're particularly dangerous. I'd think when considering spinning blade power tools, the miter saws and radial arm saws are the safest.

[@hdwoodshop]

Multiply your saws rating in watts by 0.00134102 to convert to HP. Prob around 2 or so.

[@OldManPugh]

I think the radial arm saw is safer than a table saw, at least you see the blade.

[@bobbg9041]

To answer your question, are you dangerous in the shop?

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

moving the saw was more dangerous than using it. Always take the blade off and crank it down to its lowest position before moving it.

[@titus142]

I think the issues with the RAS are from ripping more than crosscutting. Ripping on a RAS is... just no...

[@Benham_Design]

For sure, lots of room for error when setting up for a rip cut on those things.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

its designed for ripping. Works great when you follow the instructions.

[@cobberpete1]

I can think of no better place than Oz to live. And just with other shop tools... You just got to be careful where you put your hands and feet. I must have at least a dozen Black widow spiders that I know about in my shop. Not bitten yet. LOL.

[@Benham_Design]

For whatever reason, this year has been a prolific year for black widow spiders in my area

[@scalpingdaytrader]

They dont measure it in horse power, they measure it in "I think I can's " 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Benham_Design]

😜

[@JeremyCarnahan]

This is saw isn’t more dangerous than the tool. (Proceeds to board up all the windows). 😂

[@Benham_Design]

😂 That's just a proper safety procedure.

[@Kudzucraft]

Replace your blade with one with negative rake teeth and you will stop that tendency to pull through the work. A table saw blade is a bad idea.

[@bobbg9041]

No tools are safe they are all dangrous including the saw stop It depends on the operator to use them in a safe manor. Every one including a hand plane or chisel can take your finger right off.

[@chrisstearns10]

Hey saftey police, if you see something you don't like make sure you don't do it then and leave the real work to the professionals. Keep your saftey police comments to yourself.

[@Benham_Design]

I credit most of my good shop safety habits for having good mentors at a young age.

[@chrisstearns10]

@@Benham_Design my grandfather and wood shop teachers tough me saftey also, to understand the dangers of woodworking and always error on the side of caution. I still have all my body parts despite having many saws that can take a finger or a limb in the blink of an eye. Great video Brian👍

[@bobbg9041]

Holy snikies that is the very wrong blade on that saw, yes it will grab Its a extremely aggressive positive rake saw blade you should only use saw blades ment foe miter saws on a RAS not that big ripping blade.

[@Benham_Design]

It's totally fine if you know what to expect when using it.

[@petersnow5726]

քʀօʍօֆʍ 😡

[@Benham_Design]

I'm sorry this made you angry