Hey guys, I made this video a few months back but have been so busy with making other videos that I forgot to upload it. Hope you enjoy the restoration of this vintage Radial Arm saw. BTW I make some assumptions as to how the saw works at the beginning of the video which I correct myself later so be sure to watch all the way so you see the corrections on the saw features and functions.

Bought mine in 1982. Never a problem or repair needed. I'd take it over a table saw any day. I got rid of the legs and mounted in on a cabinet base unit. Good storage and remains clean inside. I love it.....and now it seems to be somewhat of a classic!

I just got a 1984 model on EBay two days ago. Needs some love, but I'm happy to provide that :) I found out about the recall after I bought it, of course, but I have every intention of using this saw going forward, and will not be dismantling it to get $50 from Emerson, lol. Thanks for this video, it's very informative.

It is amazing how low cost these saws are today. I found my first saw after my fathers Craftsman table saw motor shorted out after 68 years. Looking for a motor I found the Craftsman Radial Arm saw for $50. I love it, but sold it when I moved. Then I found one for $1 and it is in better condition than the one I sold. It is also completely different around the shaft with a sheet metal cover, which made it very easy to clean the shaft and lubricate it. I don't know if it is newer or older than the one here, but I prefer the ease of access. I hope you are enjoying your saw, as I do mine.

Own and sold Craftsman tools when working at Sears in the mid '70's. I still have and use the tools I bought when I worked there.

Found one on craigs list a few years ago $100.00 came with the original cart even a bunch of dado blades and others. This saw will do a lot of things. He is correct you must think before you move!!! Great saw.

We had that exact saw in the shop I worked in back in the 80's. Those were some of the best times of my life tho somehow I had forgotten about this saw. It was nostalgic for me watching this. Thanks.

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Very cool!

I have the exact same saw. The hard part is keeping it square. The arm can be adjusted as you pull the blade across the wood keeping it on the line all the way through the cut. also the blade itself needs to be square to the cutting line as well. I found out I couldn't get a straight cut, it was the blade it self being slightly warped. If you have a dial indicator you can check the blade . Next make sure the table is level both ways. hope it all works out good luck!!

Sears was a good read in our out house, first you read it then we used it.

@jameshoppersr.-beaver-retr215

3 жыл бұрын

Bob Ross the Painter on PBS lost a Finger from a saw just like the one you have.

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Ouch!!! I did not know that. I will certainly be very careful.

@jameshoppersr.-beaver-retr215

3 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects Yep he hid it well it was hid by the pallet his oil paints were on he was working with his father when it happened.

Great job buddy👍

I hope you've got to use that? I have a1954 DeWalt RAS. After having it for 17 years I'm finally learning how to do other work on it other than cross cutting. You need to pick up a shaper head and planer head from eBay. I built a little DVD stand just using the RAS. Thanks for sharing the video of your saw JW

@ModernDIYProjects

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip, I'll look into that.

Me: No way he can restore this Modern DIY Projects: Hold my tools

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣

yes it was a winner i would love to find one

nice work on the saw and paint job

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Someone may have already mentioned this. On some models (this looks very much like mine that was included in this) there is a recall. I'd picked mine up off Craigslist. I saw online (looking for a part) a number to call. In a very short time a new blade guard, a handle, a MDF table top, back stop and I don't remember what all. There wasn't even a shipping charge. The first package I got was missing some little something I needed. I called and they sent a WHOLE NEW package. Do a little search online. It's worth the time.

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

Blade covers are all over the place on internet. I just bought a safety cover for 145$ off eBay. Expensive? Cheaper than being scared

you may wont to check for a recall for that saw. thy give you a new blade cover and a new table.

@ModernDIYProjects

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the update but I already did that. They no longer give you anything. Now they want you to destroy the saw and they'll give you $50. Not a great solution but they want these saws gone from the world.

I have a 12 inch Radial Arm that needs restoration .. are these 110 or 220 bolts?

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

It can be set up as either 110V or 220V. It says on the case how to change the wiring.

Check out a book by Jon Eakes "Fine Tuning Your Radial Arm Saw". Also a book by Mr. Sawdust. Between the two books, you will be able to end up with a very accurate machine.

@ModernDIYProjects

2 жыл бұрын

Great ideas, thanks!

How many gallons of water should I use to clean my radial arm saw?

@ModernDIYProjects

2 жыл бұрын

I would say 10, maybe 15 if it's really bad. 🤪

So FYI if you can get ahold of Emerson Electric they will send you an updated blade guard assembly and table with the side rails. It’s part of a recall so you just give them the serial number and it’s free to you. It’s well worth the time.

@ModernDIYProjects

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info but they no longer do that. I looked into it previously and now they only give you a cash payment for you to destroy the saw. They don't want anyone to have these any more.

@makemyday1477

2 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects , too bad. They made the saw like new. I got mine right away and I was shocked to see what they sent. They gave me everything to restore my old saw. I bought it second hand and the guy didn’t take care of it at all. The price was right so I took a chance. It’s been a good addition to my shop. Well, take care and I wish you the best in the new year.

That was an interesting restoration. I noticed yo have a miter saw. It seems like the radial arm saw is bulky and kind of in inconvenient to use. Would you ever use the radial arm saw instead of your miter saw?

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Possibly depending on the type of cut or angle that I need at that time. Like I say, You can Never have too Many tools, because each tool has it's own benefits over another tool that may be very similar.

@seanseoltoir

Жыл бұрын

Depending upon the miter saw that you have, a radial arm saw (RAS) might be able to cross-cut a larger board. My compound miter saw cannot cut a 2x12 without turning it over and cutting the other end, which doesn't sound so bad, but the cuts are perfectly square, so it is noticeable. I have yet to figure out how to adjust the saw so that the preset 90 degree spots are truly at 90 degrees. I bought a RAS the other day because I sometimes need to cross-cut larger boards that are cumbersome on a table saw. Fine tuning the 90 degree mark is detailed in the manual that is downloadable as a PDF and even if that did not work, it should be just a matter of adjusting the angle on the back fence.

Someone used the bottom for dust. And the kick back shield is gone what ever you do put a kick back shield back on it.

Your so called winglets are for attaching the top which consist in 4 sections. The main and two others 2" and 3 or 4" plus a board for a fence. The last pieces are for adjusting location of the fence depending what you are cutting. The mail board should have 4 set screws to adjust and line up the saw. Looks like it is missing the clamping mechanism used to lock the fence location. FYI

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that was my uninformed guess at first. I figured that out later when I found the owners manual online. A lot of parts are missing on this puppy, including the blade wrench.

There is still an active rebate out for those saws. You send in the motor and they send you like $125. I grab one every time I see them at garage sales

@AGhostInTheMachine

3 жыл бұрын

the motor is dangerous somehow? I have the same saw in a garage mounted to a work bench at another house

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

No that's not it. It probably is like "Cash for Clunkers" where they pay you to scrap the saw because they don't want lawsuits from people getting hurt by the saw. Send in the motor and no more saw.

@AGhostInTheMachine

3 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects i see...thx. but I still use the saw and it seems to work fine/safe all these years. very smooth cutting saw

@Pdpawlak

3 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects that’s exactly right

Is that a 12" blade on it? Please do not let go of the handle until you've let the blade stop. When the saw is at "rest" and spooling down, it can hook onto a scrap piece of wood and go flying straight at your hand. Try to cut with your left hand, operating the material on the table with your right hand, and this allows you to keep your body and your arms entirely away from the blade, over to the right side (the motor side) of the saw. Also, these motors spool down fast, and the best thing to do is tighten down the slide lock before you take your left hand off the handle, or wait for the blade to stop. If you're going to keep the saw powered on, make sure the slide lock knob is tightened fully down, and there is absolutely no scrap wood by the blade. In rip cutting, just use a push stick, keep the pawls down just above the wood, and make sure the board does not twist at all, and make sure it doesn't "lift." You can buy "board buddies" which hold the board down, and you can mount a little slab of wood with a clamp onto your guard assembly to prevent the board from "lifting" during rip cutting.

@ModernDIYProjects

2 жыл бұрын

I have it stored away right now so I can't recall if it's a 10 or 12 inch blade. Thanks for the great advice. Will definitely keep all that in mind.

I have a 12 inch Radial Arm saw that needs restoration

RAS are safer than table saws and can do way more without building a buttload of jigs! 60,000+ injuries per year on table saws.

,what was the cart used for

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

I have no idea. It was placed on the curb on garbage day and I drove by and saw it. So I picked it up. A win for me!

Doesn't screwing the blade guard to the upper part above the yoke like you did eliminate the capability to use the yoke miter? The guard should actually screw onto the collar around the arbor, that way it's rotationally adjustable, you could add the pawls for safer use, and also retain the yoke miter use.

@odzhak

Жыл бұрын

Just came to the part in the video addressing this, thanks. I believe the recall had to do with the plastic body, I see the crack on this one as well. Similar to the Ryobi recall. Not sure about the Craftsman, but the Ryobi accessory end for routing was geared to provide 20,000 rpm. Earlier saws like my DeWalt and Delta RAS are too slow for routing at 2,000 RPM or so

I would see if Sears still offers a free guard for it.

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think they do. I looked up parts for a newer Table Saw that I restored before this one and there were no parts available for it. I had to fabricate everything myself.

@bobweiram6321

3 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects This is a completely different case. There was a settlement over its safety where Emerson, manufacturer of the Sears branded saw, offered the guard for free, no questions asked. The article below tells you how to get in touch with Emerson to get the free kit. www.fmlink.com/articles/recall-emersons-craftsman-radial-arm-saws-sold-by-sears-roebuck/ It may have expired or it may have not. It's worth trying at the very least.

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

WOW! Thank you so much Bob. I will be contacting them for sure. Just have to copy down the model number and will do!

@marcuspullan1142

11 ай бұрын

That offer has expired

I have this same Saw I found in a lady's gurage . She gave it to me about the same shape yours is in . I got on the internet looking for a manual on it it ask for the serial number next thing I knew Craftsman sent me a huge box containing the new deck , new handle with switch . new blade cover . I think at one time there was a big lawsuit them a recall I need to put all the new parts on now . I would check on this because you don't have the parts that I have now it doesn't cost me anything

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Doug, I'll look into it.

why didnt you cut the wood cover like theplasyic and on.the paint i been using rustoleum HAMMERITE PAINT I USED THE BLACK.GREEN GRAY BUT GIVES A TEXTURE LOOK

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Only silver hammered paint is available around here, so it was just too shiny and silvery. As for the wood, I used what I had lying around. I fit it the best I could with what I had. It can always be replaced later when it wears out.

@brucebonkowski3037

3 жыл бұрын

@@ModernDIYProjects where ypu at i can get it from. A.C.E. HARDWARE AND OUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS LOWES AND HOME DEPOT IF HAVE ISSUE I SEND YOU THERE WEBSITE I USED THE HAMMERITE I USED THE GREEN GRAY BLACK. here my email marinesniper1958@gmail.com i sent it to you comes spray and quart and gal

@ModernDIYProjects

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce but there is no need really. It will get beat up as I use it. For now this is fine, but thanks for being so helpful. BTW please edit your comment and remove your email so spammers don't start sending you garbage mail.

@seanseoltoir

Жыл бұрын

The Rustoleum hammer finish paint LOOKS good, but it is not tolerant to gasoline (and probably other petrochemical solvents)... I found this out after I painted an aux gas tank for a motorcycle with it... Didn't last past the first fill-up with a bit of gasoline dripping on it even though it had been curing at that point for a few weeks...

First, let me confess that I did not watch every minute of the video. I jumped around, and when I saw you making your first cuts I couldn't keep quiet any longer. Yikes! Is that a 10" blade? It looks large than that to me. If it is oversize that would explain the terrible and dangerous process of feeding the board into the blade to get it against the fence before you can draw the head and blade toward you. It would also explain why they removed the original blade guard, which of course was sized for a 10" blade. That home made blade guard may be adequate for crosscuts, but PLEASE do not EVERY try it with rips. With the original guard the proper way to rip involved rotating it down until it barely touches the stock on the in-feed side and the splitter adjusts on the out-feed side with its anti-backfeed teeth to protect you from kickback. All in all, a tool that can be dangerous enough from the factory is now downright scary.

@Ritalie

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't see the whole thing, I also commented about how dangerous this video is. The operator let his hands off the saw head without locking the slide down, and without letting the blade stop first. You have to remember that these saws are always trying to accelerate at high speed towards you, unless you are holding the handle firmly. Never let off your grip and stand directly in front of it with the blade turning. Also, cut on the right, hold the wood with your right hand, on the motor side of the saw, where the motor blocks your arm and hand from moving into the path of the blade, and your whole body is off to the right side, in line with the motor, and not in line with the blade. An "anti-kickback" blade or a "negative angle" blade needs to be used. Modern blades are all "anti-kickback" if they have the "non-cutting shoulders" behind each tooth. Don't use a pro blade which doesn't have the anti-kickback shoulders (or the non-cutting raker teeth). Non cutting raker teeth (fake teeth on the saw blade that look pretty but don't do anything except block the wood from entering) teeth prevent the blade from "jumping" and grabbing suddenly.

Did you buy this at Harbor Freight?

Ever hear of masking tape?