Thread: Suggested brands and models for RAS replacement

If your budget (and power supply) allows, look for Omga or an old Wadkin. Omga do make single phase, I think Wadkin are 3-phase only, but don't quote me on that.

I have two of the old DeWalts one circa 1972 vintage the other early 1980's but both the same model. One was in daily use with my father who was a house / light industrial builder for near 20 years then about 5 years in a truss plant & still going. The other came from a cabinet makers shop. Both well & truly earned their purchase prices which were quite exhorbitant at the time. Not the most precise saw for detail work when they are well & truly worn in though, but they can be adjusted.

Second hand Dewalts offer remarkable value for money in my opinion. They're designed for a 40 years plus lifespan in light commercial useage.

All day every day useage will of course shorten this life expectancy.

The benefits of a Radial Arm are many, but perhaps best expressed when used as a dedicated crosscutter: they don't rip anywhere near as efficiently as a tablesaw, let alone a bandsaw.

The most obvious benefit of buying second hand (apart from the savings) is that they are fully adjustable and rebuildable, allowing in fact for the wear and friction of years of useage. Often, all that is required is a thorough stripdown & clean with kerosene (many have been erroneously oiled) and dry, clean rags, and then a proper, by-the-book adjustment of all moving parts, a proper realignment, and a thorough lube with powdered graphite to get it running as smoothly or better than the day it left the showroom. The arm head bearings are washable, and easily adjusted. The motor bearings (sealed) are easily, but seldom need to be, replaced.

The 300mm machines are better, due to their greater capacities. An 8001 gives you about 500mm x 100mm, and an 8101 about 620mm x 100mm. Their chief advantage, however, is the ease of fitment of dado heads, which remarkably speeds up the process of trenching, rabbeting and tenoning. I think there's no better machine available for making traditional sash windows

Properly tuned and adjusted, an RAS will comprehensively outperform (in speed & accuracy) any commercial SCMS in all but basic "snip saw" duties.