radial arm saws

.Do You Really Need a Radial-Arm Saw?


Saturday August 28, 2010

One of the most versatile, yet commonly-overlooked woodworking machines is the radial-arm saw. With this one machine, a woodworker can make straight cross-cuts, bevels, miters, dadoes and rabbets, form moldings, and more. A radial-arm saw can even be used as a horizontal drill press or serve as a guide for a router. And yet, even with all of that versatility, a minority of woodworkers have one, and increasingly fewer manufacturers are building them.



Why?



In a single word: cost. A quality radial-arm saw is not cheap. Additionally, they often aren't available in 110v power. On top of all that, they take up quite a bit of space in the shop, and aren't very portable. All of those factors often preclude the average woodworker from adding a radial-arm saw to their shop.



However, I don't know too many woodworkers who have a radial-arm saw that would want to be without it. While they may be considered a luxury to some, to experienced woodworkers, they're invaluable.



Learn about the versatility and ways to incorporate this most useful of woodworking tools into your shop in Radial-Arm Saws. You may begin to think that a radial-arm saw is a luxury you really can afford!



(c) 2010 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.