Only a few tools can match a radial arm saw when it comes to versatility.
It is one of the tools that every woodworking professional should have because it can do the jobs of different stationary tools.
If you’re still new to these tools, you might ask, what is a radial arm saw used for?
We will talk about the primary uses of a radial arm saw and a few safety tips on using it.
What Is a Radial Arm Saw Used For?
The radial arm saw can handle multiple tasks, as long as you set it right.
Hence, below are four of its top uses and what you can do to ensure your radial arm saw accomplishes each of the tasks properly.
1. Doing Crosscuts
A radial arm saw is made specifically for crosscuts.
If you plan to do some crosscuts and practice your skill, using a radial arm saw is not too difficult.
There are just a few things that you should do and keep in mind.
First, you need to position the blade depth below the base of the stock that you need to crosscut.
If it’s your first time doing it, you can expect that your tabletop will suffer from minor cuts since you will have difficulty controlling it.
Next, turn on the radial arm saw and make sure that you lower the blade to the stock once it’s already at full speed.
Make sure the stock is pushed against the fence for the blade to spin away from your body.
That way, the sawdust will get blown behind the machine and not to your face.
It will give you a clearer view of the stock. The issue with this, though, is the saw might snatch the stock from you while it moves forward.
The best thing to do is apply pressure on the material and prevent the saw from dictating the speed.
You should always be in control of the material and cutting speed.
One way to do this is to pull the saw to your side and push it from your body as it cuts through the stock.
2. Making Rip Cuts
A radial arm saw is not too popular for rip cuts, but this machine can still do it as long as you know how to set it up.
When it comes to ripping cuts, a table saw is always the best choice, but you can use a radial arm saw if it's the only one that you have.
Just keep in mind that there are limitations to its rip capacity width.
The key here is to use the pawls and riving knife to reduce the risk of kickback while cutting.
The riving knife will prevent the stock from binding, which is also why some people suffered from kickbacks.
On the other hand, the pawls will grab the stock firmly and prevent it from kicking back.
3. Creating Miter and Bevel Cuts
With the right setup, a radial arm saw can make miter and bevel cuts easily.
It can cut both right and left at around 60 degrees and do bevel cuts at 90 degrees in one direction.
4. Creating Dadoes and Rabbets
A radial arm saw is extremely efficient in making rabbets and dadoes.
To achieve this, the first thing to do is to check the depth of your saw blade by using scrap wood.
If you’re fine with the result, start stacking your dadoes to the height you prefer.
You must also make sure that they don't exceed the depth of your saw blade.
Once you’ve fully set up the saw, install the guard and start cutting.
Safety Tips in Using Radial Arm Saw
Like many other types of machinery, the radial arm saw is very dangerous to use.
Thus, if you have no idea how to use it properly, it’s best to learn from professionals.
The blade is spinning fast, and a wrong move can lead to serious injuries.
Below are a few safety tips that you can follow when using a radial arm saw.
1. Set It Up Properly
Make sure the saw leans away from your body by setting it up in a slightly inclined or angled position.
In this kind of setup, the saw will stop sliding to you because of its weight, ensuring safety.
2. Wait for the Blade’s Maximum Speed
It is very dangerous to bring the blade down to the wood if it hasn't reached its maximum speed yet.
The blade will bind, and a kickback will occur if you start cutting without the saw reaching the set speed.
3. Always Keep Your Hands Safe
Ensure both your hands are free before handling the machine.
You should also first bring it close to your body before moving it on the working table.
Also, never swing your hands or arms around while the blade is still spinning.
There is a chance that the blade would snag a piece of your clothing, and you will suffer heavy injuries.
4. Be Familiar With the Emergency Shut-Off
It is imperative for people using a radial arm saw to practice reaching for the shut-off button in case of an emergency.
You need to know where it is and how you can turn it off in different situations.
This way, if an emergency happens and you need to turn it off, you can easily reach that button even if you’re not looking.
5. Prepare a Big Table
The working table should always be spacious enough for the saw and the wood to fit in perfectly.
You have to ensure that the saw will not overhang on the table even when it’s fully extended.
6. Don’t Wear Loose Clothes
The blade of a radial arm saw spins away from you, so if you wear loose clothes, there is a chance that your clothing will get entangled with the blade, which is extremely dangerous.
What To Look for in a Radial Arm Saw
Buying a radial arm saw is not too complicated, even if hundreds of models and brands are available.
As long as you know the basic features that you need, it would be a breeze to buy a radial arm saw.
Below are the top features that you can look for when looking for one.
1. Blade
The blade is the most important part of the radial arm saw because it is the part that cuts the wood.
Most of the standard saws come with 10- or 12-inch blades.
The size of the blade will depend on the type of work that you’re going to do.
If you need deeper cuts, a 12-inch blade will do the trick.
If you are only working on smaller woods, you can opt for a 10-inch blade.
You should also make sure that the blade has guards to protect you from injuries.
2. Base
Radial arm saws are supposed to be stationary, so you need a heavy and spacious base.
It will make sure that the saw will be very stable while operating.
You need a heavy base so you can make more precise cuts with a radial arm saw.
However, this is not meant for portability as you will spend a lot of time moving the saw to another location.
You would need to move the working table as well.
3. Arm
The arm is the adjustable part of the saw, and it holds the blade.
The cutting area remains stationary, while you can shift the arm anywhere on the table.
You can shift the angle of the cutter if you use a bevel.
Since the arm can move around the table, it can perform versatile tasks.
4. Power
You should always choose the power of a motor that is sufficient for the type of work you’re going to do.
High-end options usually have 15-amp motors that can produce powerful rotations.
They are more expensive, so you can opt for a motor with lower power if you only deal with small projects.
5. Speed
Some radial arm saws can revolve at a speed of 800 revolutions per minute, while more expensive and high-end models can reach up to 4,000 turns per minute.
Basically, your saw will be more efficient if it can revolve faster.
6. Flexibility
Check the range of the radial arm saw as it would indicate how far you can adjust the arm.
Crosscuts need a wide range, so your radial arm saw should be capable of operating at 45- and 90-degree angles.
7. Accessories
There are a few accessories that you can use for a radial arm saw.
Although it is not a requirement, using special accessories makes the job a lot easier.
Some models even have vacuum technology that would prevent dust buildup.
Conclusion
So, what is a radial arm saw used for?
You can use it for a wide variety of tasks as it can perform different cutting techniques as long as you set it up properly.
Don’t forget to follow the safety precautions when using a radial arm saw because it is still a dangerous machine.
As long as you know how to use it, you will benefit greatly from its versatility.