Thread: Bilda docking bridge saw info

Radial arm saw. Be careful, know what you are doing if you are going to operate this. Looks like a well built machine though.

gees, how long is that arm?

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Radial arm saw.

That was my first reaction as well, but then I noticed that the arm is actually fixed between 2 posts, so bridge saw is probably more accurate. They're usually used for breaking down stone, I've never seen one for timber before...maybe a custom job for edging slabs?

Yeah, but how the hell do you operate that thing safely? As Sawdust Maker said, how long is that arm? Imagine having that head self driving toward you!!!!

Not much different to a large SCM except a lot heavier.
I did my apprenticeship using an old Sawmaster, shorter arm (twin rails, no ball bearings only liberal use of oil for the phosphor bronze sliding sleeves) still able to count to 10 with both hands.
Get them to slide consistently parallel to the bench was the real challenge especially when using the old trenching blades, 2 teeth per blade

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Yeah, but how the hell do you operate that thing safely? As Sawdust Maker said, how long is that arm? Imagine having that head self driving toward you!!!!

Been a long time since I've seen one, from memory you push them through the cut like a SCMS, rather than pull towards you like an RAS. Never seen one with an arm as long as this though, just a 3 foot radial saw arm, usually with a trenching head for gang cutting bird mouth in rafters. I believe they made the two post ones in 8ft cut, but I have no idea what it was intended to be used for.

Im not the safest worker but if it was me, I think I'd build a guard all around the blade out of heavy duty perspex that can slide or rotate up and down vertically. Something like on a SCMS.

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8ft cut, wow, I dunno how I would do that. I'm 5' 6''. Like I said " How would you operate that safely?" I'm curious. Even if it was set up a floor level I would have to walk over the workpiece to complete the cut. Scary!

You have it set up so that the saw runs along the edge of the worktable and you walk with it.