Rick White I don't know if they're obsolete, but I know I wouldn't buy one. But if you understand their remarkable versatility, you just might wonder what you are doing without one'. So if you think of radial arm saws as a power miter box on steroids, you might feel that their days have passed. Paul offered the opinion that radial arm saws offer a woodworker more options than a table saw. Ridgid introduced a brand new radial arm saw this year and I asked him point blank why they did it. Paul Eckhoff of Ridgid Tools made the versatility point quite strongly when I posed the question to him. In fact he used it so often, I wonder if he could do woodworking at all without one. He routed, sanded and did horizontal boring in addition to actually cutting wood with it. DeCristoforo used the radial arm saw for so many operations it would simply amaze you. The main reason they remain a great option for woodworkers is their versatility. With the increasing popularity of power miter boxes and their slide-arm cousins, I can understand how the question could be asked, but my answer is they are in no way obsolete. Rob Johnstone 'Radial arm saws are great and a very useful power tool. Are radial arm saws obsolete, especially when you take into account the latest compound miter saws out there on the market? And are they safe? Here's our two cents: The blade you put on a radial arm saw - or any saw, for that matter - has a lot to do with how well it will perform and how safe it is to use. It's a perennially popular debate: With all of the great sliding compound miter saws out there these days, is there any point in owning a radial arm saw? Is a radial arm saw an inherently dangerous tool? There's no concensus among expert woodworkers, as you'll read below. Learn Woodworking Tips Expert Advice Project Ideas Classes & Events Free Plans Rockler Innovations New Products Gift Guide.Let's Build Sale Sell Down Sale Outlet Shop All Deals Workshop Guide.Wood Carving Draw Knives & Adzes Wood Files & Rasps Scrapers & Burnishers Tool Sharpening.All Wood Domestic Lumber Exotic Lumber Plywood Dowel Rods Inlays Slabs.

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