Radial Arm

[SteveF]

are ras better than mitre saw or is personal preference?

I have both but never used ras

Steve

 

[marcros]

depends i guess. The radial is fixed in place and has an induction motor. The mitre saw is brush motored and mobile. I prefer the idea of the radial because i dont do site work, and would rather have something that is set up permanently. I wouldnt fancy buying a RAS new though.

 

[SteveF]

my ras is a dewalt (green)

my mitre is elektra kgs 301 with induction

have issue with fence on mitre saw
it is one piece but seems bowed ...it is 15 years old tbh

a straight edge shows it is pushed out\forward at the ends

 

[powertools]

Radial arm saw is best in a fixed workshop mitre saw best for mobile use.

 

[marcus]

Radial arm saw is best in a fixed workshop mitre saw best for mobile use.

+1, so long as it is a good quality radial arm saw. RASs can have much bigger capacity, quieter, more versatility. I wouldn't touch one that didn't have a cast iron arm. A good RAS is a brilliant tool, super accurate when set up properly: a bad or worn out one is a nightmare, you'll spend most of your time adjusting it....

 

[Dodge]

I swear by my Dewalt radial arm saw and it is probably one of the most used tools in my workshop - with that said though I mainly use it for right angle cross cutting and keep it set accurately at 90 degrees. I tend to use a rexon chop saw(Non sliding) for my mitre cutting and have it set with an 80 tooth tct blade solely for this purpose.

The set up works well for me

 

[Glynne]

Not only does Dodge swear by his RAS, he also talks other woodworkers into buying them!
Seriously it is brilliant for cross cutting and making tenons and, like Dodge, I keep mine at 90 degrees and using a Hitachi chop saw for mitres or mobile work.

 

[Dodge]

Not only does Dodge swear by his RAS, he also talks other woodworkers into buying them!
e]

Moi???

 

[MMUK]

I'd be tempted to pick a RAS but I'd need planning permission and another £20k for the extension first :lol:

 

[marcus]

Buy the RAS and the extension will follow....

 

[MMUK]

Buy the RAS and the extension will follow....

Not enough spare cash for a blade let alone the whole saw :lol:

 

[Glynne]

Ebay is the way - just ask Dodge!
I must admit that I did have to carry out a major reorganisation of the workshop after being persuaded I needed one (and a morticer) but I now have a workshop that doubles as a Tardis that Doctor Who would be proud of.

 

[Dodge]

No Glynne I didnt persuade you to buy one - you just experienced how versatile they were in my workshop and realised that you just couldn't live without one!!

For reference I have recently changed my DW110 with a long reach DW1251 that was absolutely mint and I piad just over £200 for it.

My new one in the foreground - Old DW110 on bench in background

 

[No skills]

Damn, not long got rid of the craving for a RAS and this thread pops up #-o

I know an old bloke that's got one of the small models just sat in his garage as well...

Must resist...

 

[Glynne]

Resistance is futile - once the seed is sown!

 

[Grahamshed]

I have a dw 720 that I am contemplating the future of now I have the axial glide mitre saw.

 

[mailee]

I also have two RAS and wouldn't be without them. i have the De Walt 718 for mitres and like the rest only use the RAS for 90 deg cuts. It is so much easier to cut a trench or tennon on a RAS as the blade sits completely behind the fence, to do this job on a SCMS you have to space the timber out from the fence to get the cut full depth. This in my mind makes the RAS invaluable in my shop. :wink:

 

[No skills]

You lot ain't helping (well not me anyways!).

8)