Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

[Woodnaut]

I've had a radial arm saw for the past 21 years and I've done a lot of work with it (including building my boat). It's perfect for cross-cuts as well as compound angles. What I don't like about it however, is ripping boards. I've ripped plenty of boards on it, but have never liked doing it because of the exposure of the blade and the potential for kickbacks.

It seems that a table saw would be inherently better and safer for ripping. I'm seriously thinking about purchasing a table saw for this reason and wanted to hear some comments about it. Again, the radial arm saw has been a good machine, but I just don't like it for ripping.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I've never used a radial arm saw{fwiw} But I do have the scars from a table saw to prove kickbacks can happen on any machine...my stupidity as is always the case{can't blame the machine}, wasn't using a push stick, and as quick as a wink...disaster...luckily I didn't lose them, only a partial tip of my index finger and into the bone of my thumb, causing a loss of feeling in it, along with 12 stitches to two other fingers...ah the joys of reminiscing

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

Many years ago I was ripping a piece of wood on a Radial arm saw and just when my buddy was perfectly lined up at the other end of the shop the blade grabbed and shot the board across the room and hit him in the side. He dropped to the floor instantly, it knocked the wind out of him and left a large bruise, I received many dirty looks the rest of the day. That saw has sat in my shop unused for almost 20 years now.

 

[petermarcus]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I love radial arm saws, but personally I'd rather use a table saw for long rips. But as mentioned above, there's no real safe electric saw. I shaved off the pad of my left thumb with a table saw. Surprisingly, grew back fine, feeling and everything. Thought I'd lose a fingerprint

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I've done many rips on my radial in the past but wouldn't consider it again. Buy the table saw and keep the radial. They both have their own purpose and both are priceless when woodworking.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

In my opinion, the table saw is better for ripping boards. I think that it is safer and also provides a more accurate cut on the rips. My radial arm saw has just enough flex to make some rips have a little wave to the cut. Between the arm flexing, the motor mount and the blade, it tends to all flex a little.

FWIW, I don't know if you can even buy consumer level radial arm saws anymore. Mine is an old craftsman, and I know that Emerson Electric was offering $100 if you would send in the powerhead so that it is not used. Too many people losing arms and fingers to a RAS. I still have mine and use it occasionally but I try to be VERY aware of where my limbs are

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

From my point of view as a construction instructor, the radial is dead and has been replaced with the SCMS. Any good shop should be equipped with a quality table saw (riving knife) and a good SCMS. A panel saw ias also a worthy investment as is a drop foot rail type saw for long rips. Festool make some excellent tools and has a fairly comprehensive line. There are many other brands that I like as well and even a few of the european combo machines that are of good quality and can save space in smaller shops.

The real key to straight rips is the length and quality of the rip fence. Mine is a little over 8 feet long and I tend to rip away the top of the crown first, then flip the board and run the width. After, that it usually only needs one or two light passes on the jointer to be ready to go.

If you plan to do much resawing then a quality bandsaw is a must. One of the handiest tools I have added lately in my boat work is the RotoZip. Just be very careful as like a side grinder it can get away very quickly. If you get it in a bind and drop it - you will think there is a crazed squirrel loose in the boat eating it's way to freedom.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I been making sawdust for 40 years. I have both RAS and TS. They both have their place in the shop. RAS for Cross Cuts and Tenoning and Dados. Table Saw for me is a much better all around tool.

I'm just sayin...

 

[BF]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I had an old dewalt RAS for a few years. It was great in how flexible it was and how much you could do with it. Yes, I also ripped on quite a few times. And no, I never enjoyed doing that. I would set it up with featherboards and long arms that I could slide the boards down, and use push sticks etc... but when push comes to shove (LOL..) it was never a very appealing thing to do. I never had a piece fly out of it, but I was keenly aware of the possibility.

For me, I think the perfect replacement for a RAS is 1) a table saw (for ripping and cutting sheets) AND 2) a 10" sliding compound miter saw. I got a fairly cheap version of #2 given to me and it's been great. With it being sliding, I can easily do precise cross cuts on 2x8 or even laminate flooring pieces. I use the table saw less, so it tends to end up with stuff piled on it which further discourages it occasional use. But nonetheless, sometimes it's definitely the right tool.

So, I think a RAS can only really be replaced by 2 tools. BTW, another advantage of going with a mitre saw is that it is much more compact/ligher and mobile... easier to move to smaller projects at friends' or cottage or wherever. I think that it would be a pain to lose the RAS and only replace it with a table saw. I'd really miss the precision for the cross cuts and for finish work etc. If you've got the space, adding a table saw and keeping the RAS would be great.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I been making sawdust for 40 years. I have both RAS and TS. They both have their place in the shop. RAS for Cross Cuts and Tenoning and Dados. Table Saw for me is a much better all around tool.

I'm just sayin...

We still have a 14" Rockwell that sounds like a 747 is landing beside you. I can mitre cut a countertop with that thing. It is built like a solid chunk of iron too. This one on Ebay looks like it's little brother. We had a pair mounted almost 40' apart we used to cut the bottom chords for roof trusses. It has the front mounted levers for locking and the mitre reads directly through a window on the end of the slide. The current one I'm referring too isn't a turret model like the one pictured. That is the model we used for the trusses.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I've had both and gave up the radial for the table. If I was to consider another saw in addition it would be a sliding compound model.

 

[Itsalonestar]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

My preference for crosscuts would be the radial arm, definitely table saw for ripping. Both are safer with appropriate tables to support the work.
The nicest setup I had as a homeowner was a saw I put plastic laminate on, and a catch table of the same. Slides like crazy and no rust. If you really want to go deluxe you can build an air table without much trouble....similar to air hockey. That'll slide those boards.
For a high end homeowner saw or small production shop you can't beat a rolling carriage saw with a scoring blade like an Altendorf for convenience, accuracy, and safety.

I've had a radial arm saw for the past 21 years and I've done a lot of work with it (including building my boat). It's perfect for cross-cuts as well as compound angles. What I don't like about it however, is ripping boards. I've ripped plenty of boards on it, but have never liked doing it because of the exposure of the blade and the potential for kickbacks.

It seems that a table saw would be inherently better and safer for ripping. I'm seriously thinking about purchasing a table saw for this reason and wanted to hear some comments about it. Again, the radial arm saw has been a good machine, but I just don't like it for ripping.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

Hello m8s

The thing with power saws ( radial, table, band etc ) is the Proper blade for the machine.

Table saws have a " hooked or raked " blade for normal use..

Radial arm should be fitted with a minimal hook or no hook at all ( you have a fence behind the material being cut you dont need the saw blade trying to grab and pull the material to the fence ).

I would recommend looking up your local " blade sharpener " for the best price and blades available.

Also you should slightly wax your tables from time to time. ( my opinion makes them safer/smoother ).

YD.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

Thanks, guys, for all of the excellent and professional replies. Looks like I'll be shopping around for a table saw during the next few weeks. WooHoo! Shopping for tools!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

Keep the radial and buy yourself a quality table saw, you'll be pumped! I have a table saw and really wish I had a radial. I had one for a while but ended up selling it to fund the table saw. I miss it but would never go back to only having the radial saw.

 

[bob844]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I have a table saw as well as a RAS I bought in 1968, which they can have when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

I really like my Table saw and I haven't used a RAS in years but I still think they are a very useful tool. For ripping sheet stock I prefer the Track saw. I bought a couple years ago. I wouldn't trade it for any. Tabe Saw quality but I can take it any place and set it up in seconds. Greatest power saw I've had. You can find them made by Festool, Dewalt, and Makita.
Bob

 

[phillyg]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

A good table saw is the primary tool in most cabinet shops and in furniture making, and the RAS is usually a secondary tool. They're notoriously difficult to adjust and keep in adjustment. Having said that, I had one for many years in my home shop before I bought a good table saw. RAS do a lot of things well and I built a lot of furniture with mine, but ripping with one is not easy. I sold mine and use the table saw for nearly everything, but I did buy a good quality sliding miter saw solely for cross-cutting, and because it's portable.

 

[matthewp]

Re: Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw

yup. what everyone else said. My table saw is the heart of my woodworking shop. It was the first stationary tool I acquired - and I did a lot with just that. Adding the miter saw, jointer, etc. has made many jobs easier. For ripping, the table saw is the way to go.