Basic Radial Arm Saw Guide
Having worked with a radial arm saw over the past years, I would like to give you a quick overview on what to look for when purchasing a saw for your workshop. This is by no means a complete radial arm saw guide, nor will it cover every radial arm saw on the market. I would simply give you my experience on some of the saws I came across over the past times. Following some key points will help you find your favorite radial arm saw:
- cutting capacity of the radial arm saw
- motor power
- mobility of the radial arm saw
- and accessories available.
Portable And Light Stationary Radial Arm Saw
Delta’s Radial Saw RS830
Amongst the light stationary radial arm saw category – the Delta Shopmaster RS830 is my first choice. It’s 1.5 HP Motor for the 10″ saw blade give enough power for heavy woodworking applications. With a cutting depth of 2 3/4″ at 90° it comes close to the cutting depth of a similar table saw. This Delta radial arm saw is equipped with a automatic blade brake which stops the blade very fast.
The crosscut capacity of 16″ make the Delta radial arm saw very handy including for panel cross cutting. With a table size of 44″ by 27″ it still fits in every workshop with ease.
Radial Arm Saw Tip: Make sure you attach a vacuum cleaner or dust extraction to your radial arm saw. Dust extraction is important for your health and gives you an additional advantage: a clear view to the actual cut of the radial arm saw.
Heavy Duty Radial Arm Saw
Looking into the right radial arm saw for heavy us, it all comes down to horse power and cross cutting capabilities. The new Delta 33-890 radial arm saw combines both. It allows a depth of cut at 90° of 3 3/4″.
At a 45° cut this radial arm saw still cuts 2 1/1″. Its heavy arm allows rip cuts with up to 14 3/8″ widths. This delta radial arm saw comes with a automatic electro magnetic blade brake as additional safety feature.
For miter cuts at 45° and for 90° cuts the Delta radial arm saw got indexing position giving you an extra precision when changing angles.