Festool Saw & MFT = Radial Arm Saw Now Pointless?

[LaserGecko]

Awhile back, I picked up a Sears Radial Arm Saw from craigslist for $50. It was in decent shape, but the main reason that I bought it was that it was the same model from the early '70s that my Dad owns: black with the knob with the silver inlay and yellow circle. I'm sure a lot of you know exactly of what I speak.

Of course, it's never been setup due to the state of the garage, but I'm wondering if there's any real point to keeping it around when I get a Festool saw and MFT combo. It was great to learn on when I was younger and of course, for making a quick 90° cut, what's quicker than a radial arm saw?

However, I do remember the perpetual giant pile of sawdust behind it, too...and the ease of which a nine year old boy could turn it on. (This was about the time when safety switches first started appearing on power tools.)

So, what do you ya'll think? Should I save myself the time and trouble of setting it up and try to recoup my $50?

Thanks!

 

[ejantny]

Here is an article you may be interested in before selling it.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01031.html

Emerson sent me the upgrade free of charge. This was a few years ago but they gave a basic rebuild kit which included a new table. I got rid of the saw shortly afterward.

 

[ejantny]

Here is another article
http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com/

 

[LaserGecko]

Thanks for the info! I'm sure mine does not have that guard, so it looks like I may at least get $100 from Emerson for its return.

 

[Corwin]

I had a 12" version that I bought new back in 1978.  It was not a safe machine.  Didn't have any problems in that regard, but the saw was not a favorite for most other reasons.  Interesting to read this...  My dad also had one of the affected 10" saws.  Hope the current owners of these tools are aware of this.

Corwin

 

[ejantny]

Whenever I see or read of one of these saws I've always made the users aware of the hazards and told them of the upgrade.

My biggest fear was when ripping with it. I had the saw 20+ years before I bought a table saw.

 

[Corwin]

Ripping was a distare.  And without any dust control... Horrible.

Never could/would go for the TS for a home shop.  I had thought along the bigger is better line, but bigger wouldn't go at home.  The TS55 changed my thinking.  And I am sure it needed changing.

Corwin

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I have always had and continue to use a RAS.  In fact I have two, a lightweight aluminum arm 9 inch Craftsman on a collapsible Ridgid stand and a 12 inch Delta.

Yes, they do cross cut with less fuss than rip.  But by using a blade with a low hook angle and setting the saw up correctly for ripping including a push stick made for a RAS, I produce smooth, clean rips safely.

Also yes, the Festool TS saws could replace the radial arm saw for most cutting and certainly would collect sawdust better. 

However when I get involved in a project like building a custom deck where there are many cross cuts and need for notching posts, etc., without any need for dust pickup, my 9 inch RAS is the tool of choice.

Now that I have a TS55, MFT, vac and guide rails I am using them more and more.  But not outside building a deck where there is a forecast for rain.

Right now I am doing a remodel at my own house; new floors and trim so far.  I actually set up my Festooling in each room as I go.  I would think twice before using a RAS inside again.

So, I would say your decision depends on where you plan to go in your woodworking, what you think about the merits of one type of tooling over another, etc.  Whichever way you go, I'm sure it will be right for you.

Loren

 

[Ted Miller]

My pops gave me his old Craftsman 10" RAS when I was 16 and I learned with that and my skill saw for almost 14 years. I retired the craftsman and bought the Delta 12" RAS 13 years ago and I use it daily. I just received the TS 75 and CT 22 with 118" guide rail and its great ripping full sheets down now to move around my one man shop. But nothing will replace any of my tools and I use them all at different times for different jobs. The newer Festools will fit into my shop as do all other tools and used as needed with each project or job I do in my shop. On site will be a different story for the main reason of dust control. You will run into clients who will fire you even if you leave dust in their driveway. Some people will pay you more if you are clean as you work and you will get more jobs from one clean freak to another. I know it sounds crazy but true it is...

 

[Tech]

When real 12" miter saws gained popularity, my old Sears RAS went into hibernation. Festool ATF and TS made that situation worse. The sears is a little finicky to set up but does an ok job. Note that many of the early 70's saws did not have a fix and Emerson would give $100 to those folks if the turned in the carriage motor with the serial # plate. It was never worth the $100 for me to bother with it.