***** Guitar Project Jigs, Tools & Techniques Online Resources Archives OLF Video Page Library of plans MP3 Library Inlay Class
Offical Luthiers Forum





And our community proudly sponsored by:

RC Tonewoods | Stewart MacDonald | LuthiersForum
TasmanianTonewoods | OLF | OLF MERCH
Luthier Suppliers | Pacific Coast Woods | ELEVATE
OLF X | Tasmanian Acoustic Tonewood | Luthiers Forum Store!
Luthiers Forum | OLF Facebook | AVAIL SPACE
OLF | Alaska Specialty Woods | A.Hix Tonewood
Duke of Pearl | Birkonium CNC | Space




Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:59 pm


Board index » Forum Archive

All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 22 posts ] 
  Print view Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
Sam Price
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:40 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 3:48 am
Posts: 2094
An old woodworking friend of mine has an old DeWalt radial arm saw he wants to offer to add to my workshop- I don't have much knowledge about wood powertools due to being a wood carver and rookie guitar builder, so I hope you don't mins me asking this question;

Can you resaw with a radial arm saw, and would it be a good tool to have in my arsenal?

Thanks.
Top
 Profile  
 
John Mayes
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:05 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:37 am
Posts: 2670
Location: United States
First name: John
Last Name: Mayes
City: Norman
State: OK
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
No a radial arm saw is not the proper, or practical tool to do any sort of re-
sawing. Think of it more as a sliding arm mitre/chop saw.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com
Top
 Profile  
 
John Mayes
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:07 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:37 am
Posts: 2670
Location: United States
First name: John
Last Name: Mayes
City: Norman
State: OK
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
forgot to add it may be a good tool for your arsenal. My step father has an
old craftsman radial arm saw and it's been very handy with general jobs,
although I've never used it for lutherie.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com
Top
 Profile  
 
Bob Long
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:10 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:46 am
Posts: 588
Location: Is this heaven? "No, it's Iowa."
A radial arm does makes a dandy fret-slotting saw!

long

_________________
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus
Top
 Profile  
 
Billy T
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:39 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2005 7:58 pm
Posts: 2946
Location: United States
   If you have the room Sam, take it! It's very handy!
Consider it more like a table saw, only better.

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)
Top
 Profile  
 
Kent Chasson
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:21 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:56 am
Posts: 1271

In my opinion, a radial arm saw is one of the least practical tools around.  It's best use is to crosscut rough boards to rough length.  Unless it's a really nice saw with little play in the arm, it isn't even very good at fine cross cutting to finish length.


Some people like the versatility of being able to crosscut, rip, and even rout (yes, some saws have the ability to rotate the motor and use it like an overarm router).  But it is impractical (possibly unsafe) for ripping and too slow for good routing.  If I had unlimited space and could find a good dedicated use for it (perhaps fret slotting, as mentioned), I'd consider it but only if it was a good saw.


_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com
Top
 Profile  
 
Dean
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:39 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:31 am
Posts: 174
Location: Leucadia, CA
First name: Dean
Last Name: Bayles
City: Leucadia
State: CA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Makes a GREAT platform for a safety planer. Turn the head 90 degrees and you can do a complete top or back !

Dean


_________________
Dean
Top
 Profile  
 
crazymanmichael
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:31 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:16 am
Posts: 2244
Location: United States
First name: michael
Last Name: mcclain
City: pendleton
State: sc
Zip/Postal Code: 29670
Status: Professional
i tend to generally agree with the above comments.

a ra saws accuracy is dependent upon its initial quality and how well it can be set up give the wear on the machine and the skill of the mechanic. for this reason i have doubts about its utility for a fret sawing operation.

ripping on one is dangerous at best and is not a recommended activity. and it makes a poor router because of its slow rotational speed as mentioned above.

the only one i ever bought was purchased at auction solely because a performax 22-44 drum sanding attachment was mounted on it. i wanted the drum. i gave the saw away to a friend who thought he could use it and even included a new blade to get it out of the shop.

but then you know what the say about gift horses...



Top
 Profile  
 
RobE
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:00 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:34 am
Posts: 121
Location: North Carolina
I dont mean to hijack this thread, but I too have a question regarding old tools, and I didn't want to clog up the forums with another tool thread.

I have the opportunity to purchase an older 12" craftman bandsaw or another old 14" craftman bandsaw. Is this even worth purchasing, or should I just stick it out and buy a new one?

And back to the thread, I think that radial arm saws are used more in basic construction/framing, not in lutherie. But if you have room, I would take it. You can never have to many tools.

_________________
-Rob Eckert
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Top
 Profile  
 
crazymanmichael
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:40 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:16 am
Posts: 2244
Location: United States
First name: michael
Last Name: mcclain
City: pendleton
State: sc
Zip/Postal Code: 29670
Status: Professional
what do "old" and "older" mean.

basically, it is fairly safe to say the good quality stationary tools, i.e., table saws, joiners, bandsaws, lathes, etc., have very long useful lives. my table saw is a delta built in 1953, my walker turner 16" band saw is older still, and my 10" delta band saw was built in 1944, same vintage as me. all do their jobs very well.

craftsman tools of an age were generally us built by reputable makers, and often were identical to the makers own brand tools.

if the price is right given their condition they can be very good buys. this still begs the question of whether you have the experience or have done the research to enable you to assess the condition and value of the saws.


Top
 Profile  
 
Rod True
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:01 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:03 am
Posts: 6680
Location: Abbotsford, BC Canada
Through all my scowering (is that a word?) on the net and looking extensivly over many guitar builders web sites, I've only ever come across one person using a radial arm saw for some part of guitar making.

Charlie Hoffman, making linings where he gangs up 4 blades to rip the kerfs for his linings.


_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson
Top
 Profile  
 
Todd Rose
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:32 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:32 am
Posts: 2683
Location: Ithaca, New York, United States
While some people still find uses for radial arms saws, they have essentially been replaced by sliding compound miter saws. I use my Makita sliding compound miter saw all the time, for lutherie and everything else, and can't imagine life without it. It's an extremely versatile, useful, accurate tool.

I realize this isn't directly addressing your question of whether to take this radial arm saw, but I thought it might be relevant nonetheless.

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/
Top
 Profile  
 
KenH
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:34 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:15 pm
Posts: 2302
Location: Florida
I never thought of using a RAS for kerfed ribbon linings....hummmm that gives me some ideas :)

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H
Top
 Profile  
 
Bruce Dickey
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:58 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:25 am
Posts: 3788
Location: Russellville, Arkansas
scour scouring, yep, it's a word.

Radial Arm saws. Great for crosscutting.

1. Get a Bandsaw
2. Get a Tablesaw
3. Get a good tabletop sander or floor model
4. Get a drum sander or wide belt if you can afford that.
5. You can never have too many routers.
6. PC Random orbital sanders or PC Speed Bloc sander, wow.
7. Build a Gobar deck, cheap.... but oh so handy.
8. Radial Arm saw, I'd take one if somone were giving it away, probably would not buy one.
9. Oh, I forgot clamps. You can never have too many clamps. Klemmsia, C type, bar clamps for neck glueups, closepins for linings, binder clips from Staples.

For Kerfed Linings, Triangular of course. I've used them successfully on Reverse Kerf too.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com
Top
 Profile  
 
WaddyThomson
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:46 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:05 am
Posts: 9191
Location: United States
First name: Waddy
Last Name: Thomson
City: Charlotte
State: NC
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I have had a Craftsman RA saw for about 35 years, and have done almost everything on it you can do on a table saw.  It is a problem to keep aligned and set up properly, but performs well and accurately with the proper set up, and consistent use of squares and jigs to assist with that process.  The one thing it will do, is create a smaller foot print than a table saw - the reason I bought it to begin with.  It will do all of it's processes bumped up against the wall, where a table saw requires space on all sides.  However, for doing long, accurate rips, etc, there is no substitute for a table saw.  If you decide to take it, make sure you read up on proper setup processes. Otherwise, I agree with Todd.  If I had the room, I'd go with a table saw.  I have one, a portable one, and have to clear out the carport to use it.  It mostly stays folded up tucked under a wing of a bench.


_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars
Top
 Profile  
 
Rick Turner
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:02 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 am
Posts: 1398
Location: United States
Is that blood I see on the finger and on the un-cut side of the kerfing in the picture?
Top
 Profile  
 
Rod True
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:15 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:03 am
Posts: 6680
Location: Abbotsford, BC Canada
[QUOTE=Rick Turner] Is that blood I see on the finger and on the un-cut side of the kerfing in the picture?[/QUOTE]

I have no idea Rick, you'd have to ask Charlie, it's his finger.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson
Top
 Profile  
 
TonyFrancis
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:15 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:22 pm
Posts: 766

That pic had me laughing...good thing we cant remember what PAIN feels like. Fancy kerfer' though!
Top
 Profile  
 
psl53
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:18 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:45 pm
Posts: 206
Location: United States

Good one Rick, he's using a radial arm saw, so it well could be. I have logged many hour on a radial arm saw in my shop and construction days in the early seventies. You have to be very careful as the rotation of the blade draws it towards your work and any fingers sitting in it's path. My Dad ran a cabinet shop and lost two fingers to this piece of equipment, so that also got me to pause before using and assess what I was attempting to do. Did I mention you have to be real careful using a radial arm saw.


I do like that kerfing jig, and if that's blood it's not from the radial arm saw, if so there be a lot more of it.


Peter
Top
 Profile  
 
Chris Oliver
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:23 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 567
Location: United States
Sam,
The RAS is wonderful for all day repeating cross cuts. I also use mine for dado'ing. In fact as mentioned above, with the right collet attachment, you can use them as over arm routers. I have three RAS's. A smaller delta super 9 from the 50's and a couple of the 14" Original Saws from DeWalt. All are great when set up properly. If you have the room, they are worth having. The big ones are great for cutting the uneven ends of rough cut lumber.
chris


_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 22 posts ] 

Board index » Forum Archive

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com