RAS Deal or No Deal

[bobbavet]

Picked this up on the flea bay. $160

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10914803_935691823117494_3089735142210427919_o.jpg

Felt a RAS would be handier for me rather than a table saw. Realise the safety implications.

Was looking around on Gumtree and for worse condition Dewalts, Ryobis etc were asking 300 - 450 :/.

Then this popped up on the Flea.

Only thing that seems to be missing is a locking lever beneath the handle to tilt the head.
Can still be operated with a ring spanner.

The model is eligible for the recall update pack (gaurd and table), but from what I can gather they have ceased to send and only offer the $100 to ditch it.
Will keep an eye on the Flea for spare parts.

Everything seems to operate as it should. When locked there is no play. No noticeable play in the carriage left of right even when unlocked and rolling.
Goin to chase up some dimension for making a new bench for it, then go through all the alignment checking procedures.
Looking to mount it on batons between my bench so will be at bench height.

Would like some ideas for material to make the bench top out of.
Have seen MDF and Plywood. Was thinking of using this 40mm old wood desk material I have laying around.
It pretty solid, I might not need batons between my benches. Just bolt to top my bench tops, with the base hanging down in between.
Will post some pics whe I get around to it.

I thought it strange a USA model in OZ. The back story is he bought it from a "Missionary Man" who was based in New Guinea.
From the manual it would be around 1984ish. If so, it seems to be in great nick.

"Deal or No Deal"?

[bobbavet]

Bit of an update.

All is proceeding well. Have made and attached new table.
Downloaded the manual.

I have tuned it and made all the squaring adjusments, there's so many. All were out from 1-3mm, so glad I went through it all and a great way to learn the ins an outs of it.

The blade that was on it was totally inappropriate. A 40T positive rake rip blade. I have a 80T negative rake that came with a second hand Compound saw but it is terribly blunt. I think 80T will be a little to fine. Picking up a 60T negative rake angle from Masters tommorow.

Have also found the missing lock lever on flebay and is on its way from US. Not entirely needed as a spanner can be used, but eill make the unit complete.
The vendor says he may have the new type of handle and guard sent out on recall. He says a lot of people come back looking for the old type again. Probably because it cuts down visability, despite the safer design.

I think it will be sweet to use, but I can totally understand why these can get a bad rep. I'd hate to think how crook this thing would run as I found it.

[NCArcher]

I think you got a bargain.
Would like to see some photos of the finished saw.
I have an old Super Saw which gets a lot of use. I've set it up to cut accurately at 90º and just leave it there.
Really handy for cutting multiple items to length (at the same time)

[bobbavet]

Gday NCArcher

That looks a solid bit of gear.

Yeh it's not half bad. Got it up and running. Gives a really clean cut. Better than my cheapo compound for sure.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s2048x2048/10854330_937271892959487_8622271167979626882_o.jpg

I won't mitre cut unless framing. Once the 90 was set the 45 was pretty accurate though.
I want to do some segmented turning so have to make some angle cut jigs to cut the pieces.

I did have it jump out at me on a first cut, not right out just a quick 50mm grab. I put that down to not knowing a proper pull speed.

Did some ripping. Not to bad at all, though a thin strip spits back once fully cut.
I hade 500mm x 30 dowels at push stick. lols It was nowhere as hairy as I thought it might be.
In saying that, it is a Beastie and requires due respect.

I am undecided about chasing up a new guard. Also have seen a laser guide you can ad to the arbor for guide cut.
Can't do either as I am out of work and tight on funds atm.

Next on the list is to mount it between my benches.

[Bob38S]

Great buy.

I also tend to set and leave mine to cut square. It can be a pain to reset 90 degrees perfectly especially if you only need to cut a few other angles. You might consider making a jig like mine in the link which makes it much easier.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=31182

The other thing you may find useful, over time the saw channel in the table will become a little ragged. Raise the blade, fill with Plastibond, trim flat before fully hardened, when hard start saw, lower the blade slowly and pull through to cut a new channel. This keeps the top in perfect order and improves the cut as it works like a perfect zero clearance plate.

Hope it helps, enjoy your saw. They have a hyped up rep re being unsafe but I have not had any issues using mine for 30+ years. Read the manual and if you pm me I can send you some extras re using a RAS.

[bobbavet]

if you pm me I can send you some extras re using a RAS.

Thanks Bob will do. great idea about the slot.

I also have one of those angle dohickies laying around. ;)

[Bob38S]

Emails sent.

[BobL]

We have one of these RAS at the Mens shed. It seems to cut OK but it is very noisy when not cutting especially when compared to the Italian 3 phase unit we have at the milling yard.

[bobbavet]

Gday Guys

Most likely the last post.

I got the lever from the States and it installed no worries. You can see it just beneath the handle.
Still contemplating finding the new style guard.

I had a stand under the house that came with a jointer I bought on the forums. Fits between my benches fine and at right height.

I cut a board on all 4 sides and turns out square, so thats good enough for me. :2tsup:

https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1932755_942029545817055_2689387621926158498_o.jpg

cheers Bob