Thread: DeWalt DW1251 Radial Arm Saw

I have the Elu version of this saw (same thing) I can take the measurements you want tomorrow when I am back in my shop. What exactly do you require measuring?

The saw table is made up of 5 parts.
The fixed table, 3 moveable parts and the fence.
It is the width of these that I need.

Sorry it has taken a while but I have been a bit busy. Anyway I measured the table on mine and the dimensions are as follows:
Main front table is 48" wide as are the rest of the table parts. Next is the fence on mine which is 3/4" thick and 2 3/4" high this includes the portion gripped by the table.
Next is a short section behind the fence that is 2" deep and behind that is a 6" deep section. I believe there should have been a small side table but I have replaced mine making the whole table width 48" as it is built in to a long bench. I hope this helps. If you need it I also have a copy of the manual for the De Walt 1251 on the computer in PDF format. If you need it drop me a line or your e-mail address and I can send it to you. I am not sure if it has the dimensions of the tables in it though. HTH.

Thanks for the dimensions.
A copy of the manual in pdf form would be great.
My email is [email protected]

Thanks again

Ced

Copy sent Ced. All the best

I have the same problem, having just bought a second hand 1251 saw ie no table, no table support bars, and no rear knobs. I am told by De Walt Australia that the table support brackets are no longer available for the 1251 saw. Could someone (mailee perhaps) measure the two side bars and the centre bar (and the location of the holes) for me so that I can have exact copies fabricated? DeWalt do not have dimensioned drawings available and there are no dimensions in the 125 manual I downloaded courtesy of mailee. Thanks for the help.

Leebold

the table support brackets are basically angle iron, and not heavy gauge at that. The table and fence etc are/should be straight and true.

As for knobs, you may have to improvise. You can get knobs from Timbecon and others. More effort now better later.

I replaced my table recently and made it larger..as long as everything is true, you are good to go.

If you want anymore info let me know, I think I still have the original table with the factory holes.

cheers,
conwood

Hi,
I too have just bought a 1251.
A copy of the manual would be really great to have.
Anyone have any tips on using this saw for ripping?
i've tried to set it up but it looks dodgy - the riving knife is in the wrong place!
Alanb2

I might be barking up the wrong tree, but what does the Riving knife look like Alanb2.
I have a 7740 (740) unit complete as it left the factory, the setup and instruction manual for it, a parts manual for it, a 1250 parts manual, a downloaded 1250 user manual, and an accessory manual for all models current while the 1250 was on sale. The 7740 was released about 15 years after the 1250 and is essentually the same in most aspects. I figure that the 1251 is a local market variation of the 1250, or an upgrade pre 7740.
There is not a riving blade on the 7740, nor any indication of one in any manual I have seen.
There is an anti-kickback system on all saws that I have seen or read about. This consists of a height adjustable round or square bar with a number of pressed steel pawls pinned to it and free to rotate. This mounts on the outfeed end of the blade guard. I have included a sketch of the setup for this as it is easier to see that way than explain. The support is G5 in the parts drawing and the pawls or fingers are G6.
Would be interested to hear about a true riving knife setup.

Mal

Hi mal,
You may know it as a splitter - its purpose is to stop the saw kerf from closing behind the saw and binding on the blade.
There's a label on the arm of the saw showing the rip position but I can't seem to get the blade rotation and work feed direction this label shows. Maybe I'm just having a senior moment and everything will fall into place soon.
It's fine in the cross cut mode - provided you pull the saw towards you.
Alan.

Alan, I know them by either name, but have never come accross one on a RA saw or in the documentation for them.

This DeWalt 1251 seems very popular! I've just been given one by my accountant, I know, lucky old me, I'm sure he'll get his money back somewhere!

I read that you, Mailee, have a copy of the manual on pdf, if I could have a copy it would be fantastic. I have never used a RA saw and what I have is in bits. So being able to set it up and use it properly would be really useful.

Thanks in advance

My DeWalt 7740 (740) has a riving knife for ripping that came with it - and they have been around much longer than 15 years (I bought mine in the '80s and it was second hand then).

The riving knife blade fits onto the cast alumimium blade cover, is slotted so that it can be adjusted with the rise and fall, and held in place by the screw fitting with the rounded black plastic knob shown in your exploded parts pic as part G11.

I use it occasionally if I qoing to rip a bit of timber that is likely to close to after the cut, but as I have other more suitable saws for ripping I use the radial arm saw rarely for that purpose.

Note that with these saws timber to be ripped can only be fed from one direction - past the end with the anti-kickback safety claws and the dust tube - ie: the opposite direction to the way the saw cuts while cross cutting. It has an in-rip and out-rip position - fully 180 degrees one from the other. When set in the out-rip position when facing the saw bench from the front you feed the timber from the left. When on the in-rip you feed the timber from the right side. It is important that when you are setting up for ripping you lower the anti-kick back claws to just touch the workpiece so that if the blade jams or catches the timber is held in place.

Originally Posted by Bloss

My DeWalt 7740 (740) has a riving knife for ripping that came with it - and they have been around much longer than 15 years (I bought mine in the '80s and it was second hand then).

Bloss, the point I was making was the 7740 was released about 15 years after the 1250. The manuals and parts lists for the 1250 that I have are revision coded 1962, and the equivalent 7740 ones are rev dated 1977. THe 7740 dates tally with the recollection of the original purchaser who bought it new through B&D factory staff member friend in 1978. Mine came from orig purchaser 2 years ago, having known him 25 years.