Thread: Been doing this one up

The next thing was to get this puppy mobile. My shed is about 20' x 20', and while it is where I keep my tools, I work under the carport.

I built a cupboard with a decent size base for stability, put it on wheels & mounted the RAS on top. I made a new split table out of some 25mm MDF with maline on top. I sealed that with some polly & cut up some strips of 18mm MDH to laminate together for the fence.

I machined the new fence flat & paralel & sealed it with polly.

The blade is square to the fence, square to the table & the table is now flat & level. I also added a couple of gussets to ensure the table stays flat

I still have a bit of work to do, but the old RAS is now a machine that can be used for cabinet making rather than cutting fire wood.

Steve

Nice work Steve. I have a very old RAS that I couldn't do without. It's a beast but is great to use. I had to build a new table as well but I went the welded steel route. It is definately not portable.

Is that a negative rake blade, for non ferrous metal, you have on there?

Hey NCArcher,

Yep, I selected this Aliminium Cutting blade for it 's square cut teath. Every second tooth is still square cut, but with mitred corners. I thought it would be good for cutting trenches & getting a nice flat bottom of the trench. I havent used it jor a job yet, but just to test my theory, it works a treat. It also leaves a nice clean end when docking boards.

I don't really know that much about RAS's, so it's a bit of a learning curve for me, but I getting there.


Steve

Originally Posted by Ticky

Yep, I selected this Aliminium Cutting blade for it 's square cut teath. Every second tooth is still square cut, but with mitred corners.

Hi Steve,
When I first started hanging around my FIL's cabinet shop, that was exactly the type of blade on both his TS and RAS.
It was referred to as a triple chip negative rake blade, perfect for cutting melamine with no scribing blade.
It was some years later I learnt it was also good for cutting aluminium.

So, I'm still at a loss as to what it really is.
A wood blade also good for aluminium? or an aluminium blade that also does a good job on timber.

I need a new blade for my Durden and a triple chip was top of my list to find.

Hey there Grandad, I am so glad you told me that, I kinda went with this blade with a good gut feeling & bugger all else.

They made it easy for me, it says on the blade that it is for cutting Ally, so I dont have your prob of what to call it.

I haven't done any work on this project, or for that matter, any other project for about 3 1/2 weeks now as I kinda blew myself up & spent nearly a week in hospital & still recovering. Prolly won't get anything done this week, but Friday next week, I'll be back into it.

I still want to build a couple of folding wings & make 2 large drawers for the bottom & some false drawer fronts, so I still got a bit to do yet. Hopefully, I'll get her finished before Christmas, but it's no big deal if I don't.

I'll post some more pics soon.

Steve

Originally Posted by Ticky

Hopefully, I'll get her finished before Christmas, but it's no big deal if I don't.

Steve

Yeh, well..... Here we are in February already & still not finished. What can I say, dreams & reality don't always hold hands.

Anyway, I have done a bit more to my RAS, & I have even used it on a real job, AND, that was before Christmas. I used it for cutting trenches in ply wood & was very happy with the results from my Triple Chip Negitive Rake Blade & new RAS table.

For more on that job......https://www.woodworkforums.com/f40/using-space-145398/

Since Christmas, I have done more to the table and I am pretty happy with the results. Fully extended, it is just over 3m long and folded, 1.3m. I have the top drawer made & installed, & I just have to make the bottom 2 drawers, install them & give the whole lot a coat of varnish.

Few more pics.


Steve