Thread: OMGA RN 450 Radial Arm Saw - Should I?

RA saws are a very nice and versatile unit that can do a range of tasks, including ripping if they are set up properly for each task.
Issues I anticipate for you for ripping would be ripping width is limited, so check what the limit for this particular unit is and compare with your requirements, and the blade rises through the upper skin of sheetgoods when exiting the cut and can cause considerable chipout on that surface as it cannot effectively be supported as it can with a table saw and zero clearance insert.
For safety sake, it is usual to use negative rake blades rather than the more conventional and aggresive hooked blades used in circular and table saws, but negative raked timber blades are harder to find.

Thanks for the feedback Mal. I have a nice Makita sliding compound mitre saw but it is only ever used for carpetry - not really for wood projects or furniture. The way I see it is that the RAS boom / arm can be swung to the side, giving me a table when the saw is not in use. Even if I set up the Makita, I woould need a table or station for it and it would take up the same amount of room as the RAS.

Given what the OMGA cost new, I am getting it for a real bargain as I am certain that when cleaned up, it will look new. It comes with a good blade already and I can get negative rake blades from Sweden for about $80.

I still have not decided yet but I think for the money it's a good purchase. New the OMGA RN-450 runs about $3800 and even though they are not popular anymore, I can see some functions that they can do better than my SCMS.

Paul.

They're great saws (have the RN 600 at work) and a steal at that price, but I wouldn't try ripping without a power feed and featherboards/hold downs; no riving knife and a blade that cuts away from the table is asking for trouble.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

They're great saws (have the RN 600 at work) and a steal at that price, but I wouldn't try ripping without a power feed and featherboards/hold downs; no riving knife and a blade that cuts away from the table is asking for trouble.

The owner renegged on the price and wants $520. I am not willing to pay so much even though it is in great shape. I have some really nice machines that I would rather use the space for rather than the RAS. I was going to sell my Wadkin BGS 10 to make room for the OMGA but don't think I'll do it now as the price is a little too high than I wanted to spend.

Paul.

I left the owner alone at the final price of $350 and she just rang me today asking if I was still interested so I will be picking it up this weekend. It has a makeshift stand which I will be removing.

I need to extend my garage as I have accumulated a few too many machines to make any decent sized projects.

Paul.

I would have bought it if I have the space.

I have a fetish about Italian machines lol

Albert - I did pick it up. It's an older model and lacks a dust port but for $350, I can't complain. Pictures to follow once I get home.

Paul.

Paul...Can you do me a big favour if it's not too much trouble. I picked up one of these (same model) a couple on months ago for about the same price but it didn't have a table or fence as the previou owner removed it because it was very cut up. I would a=have been happy to see it with the old table so I could replicate it.

This week end I started to put a new Table & Fence on it but am flying blind as to correct size table and how the fence fits at the back. When I bought it I got the machine and a box of leveling bolts & screws.

Here's the favour.....can you send some pics of the table & fence setup....maybe one at table level from the side & front.

Thanking you in advance if you could do this.

Cheers

Scott

G'day Scott. Here are some pictures. Let me know if you need more detail.

You are a true champion...thanks for those. They are just what I am looking for.

As I suspected, I either didn't get all the components or the previous owner didn't have them...but mine is missing the 3 rectangular steel sections under the table but I can source them locally.

Cheers
and thanks again

Thanks to samethedog...finally got the new table & fence completed. All squared up and works a treat.

I made the table as 2 pieces thick......when the top gets cut around too much, I unscrew it off the sub base and screw a new one on.

Had to reduce the height of the stand that came with the unit so that it is the same height of my 5.4m long bench

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Great job mate. I am still scratching my head trying to figure out how to sort out the dust collection. Our models are a bit old so no dust port on the guard.

What is your impression of the saw so far?

Paul.

Pretty good...I did a few test cuts and its perfectly square. It does create a lot of sawdust so I might have to set up some sort of dust extraction. I will have to have a closer look at mine again but I am not sure whether the saw guard is pressed steel or cast iron...if cast iron I don't think I can cut into it to create a dust port.

Mine is a different model to yours...mine is a 350...I think you said you had a 450. I can still get approx 390mm width cut.

I have to look for a smaller arbor plate....the piece that holds the saw on & the nut presses against. Arrowed in the pic below....what is the size of the one on your machine?. Mine is so large (120mm diameter) that although the blade is 250mm, the depth cutting capacity is only about 65mm. Mind you most boards today are smaller than 390x60 so it could still cope with most of my needs.

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