radial arm

[Errol Goodman]

can anyone one tell me how to ensure a clean cut on the underside when using a raial arm. I currently find the cut tends to splinter and not be clean.

[HayZee518]

the radial arm cuts with the blade rotating towards you, the user. if you put wide masking tape along the line of cut, splintering would be reduced. put the tape on both sides.

[rk_king2004]

Flip the board over when you cut

[mrcaptainbob]

Same thing happened to mine. Found two things: it was imperative to use the best quality cabinet quality blade possible. Something that's thin, heat controlled and SHARP. THe second was to square away the saw blade angles. Found the kerf was fuzzy to one side. THat got me to thinkin'...Tape helped, but only to a point. Found the blade was not exactly parallel with the arm. It was almost to the micro adjustment stage, but kept at it to align and square the arm with the fence, the table perpendicular to the post travel, and most importantly to keep the blade parallel with the arm travel. Finally got it dialed in and was pleased with it. Also had to use a VERY slow feed rate when cutting bevels as the blade had a tendancy to climb and consequently alter the otherwise straight line. This was using a vintage Ward's 10" from about the late 60's.

[HayZee518]

Gentlemen, a radial arm saw was never meant to be a precision piece of equipment when it comes to cabinet making. Tablesaw, yes, but not the radial arm. It is the most hazardous piece of equipment when it comes to ripping a board. With the head almost to its outward travel and adjusted at right angles to the ripfence, the blade has a tendency to ride up on top of the work, not cutting it! [and taking your fingers with it!] Take a look in any lumber yard and you'll ssee the radial arm doing nothing but cross cutting. A very sharp carbide blade will lessen the amount of splintering but even after two cuts the blade starts to get dull. wood with little or no moisture splinters greatly.

[mrcaptainbob]

Yep. Hayzee, I couldn't agree more. I inherited a SHopsmith a few years ago. A later issue 510. Am very impressed with it's accuracy and fine cut. Had expected less. That adjustable quill is great!!