While the radial-arm saw may often be overlooked as a necessary tool to complete a woodworker’s arsenal (likely due to a relatively high price tag when compared to other tools) it is an incredibly versatile and worthwhile machine, especially when one considers the number of operations it can perform.

A radial arm saw is a cutting machine that consists of a circular saw blade directly driven by an electric motor, held in a yoke sliding along a horizontal arm – this allows for the motor assembly to have multiple degrees of rotation. The motor assembly connects to the overhead arm by a carriage assembly. All parts of this assembly may be locked into specific positions as desired by user.

Primarily used for crosscutting, this type of saw does wonders with bevel mitering, mitering, bevel ripping, ripping, and bevel crosscutting. Laser-guided cuts allow the radial arm saw to cut efficiently and precisely. By attaching various accessories, a radial arm saw can become a router, shaper, disc or drum sander, buffer, surface planer, polisher, and a horizontal boring machine. It can also be configured with a dado blade to create cuts for dado, rabbet or half lap joints. Lastly, some radial arm saws allow the blade to be turned parallel to the back fence, allowing a rip cut to be performed.

Unlike most woodworking machinery, the radial arm saw has a clear genesis: invented in 1922 by Raymond De Walt of Bridgeton, New Jersey. De Walt applied for patents in 1923, which were issued in 1925. The original design was marketed under the moniker "Wonder-Worker". The Dewalt Company continued to manufacture radial arm saws until 1990 when they sold the rights to The Original Saw Company.

Prior to the advent of the radial arm saw, hand and table saws were most commonly used for crosscutting lumber. While table saws can easily rip stock, it can be awkward pushing a long piece of stock widthwise through a table saw blade. However, when a radial arm saw is used for crosscutting, the stock remains stationary on the saw's table, and the blade is pulled through the stock. It is important to acknowledge that the radial arm saw can be less safe when used by an inexperienced or untrained operator.

As with all woodworking tools, safety is paramount. When using a radial-arm saw, special attention should be given to the blade guard. The saw should never be turned on without the blade guard securely in place, nor should the lower section of the guard be permanently altered so as to keep it above the base of the table. Some reviews and guides recommend installing the entire unit with a slight backward slope, preventing the saw from sliding toward the user under it's own weight.

In addition to the items mentioned above, the following guidelines help keep you, and others, out of harm’s way:

1. Check for recalls.

2. Always keep the area around the saw clear and free of debris.

3. Ensure the guard is on the saw.

4. Wear safety glasses or a face shield, and hearing protection suitable for the level and frequency of the noise you to which are exposed.

5. Use only the accessories designed for that specific saw and application.

6. Never begin a cut until the saw blade has reached its maximum speed.

7. Stand on the handle side when cross cutting. Pull the cutting head with the hand nearest the handle.

8.Make sure the hand holding the stock is never in line with the blade.

9. Return the cutting head completely to the back of the saw table after each cut. The saw should be set up so that the blade will not move forward under its own weight or if the machine is vibrating.

10. When ripping, make sure the overall length of the saw table is twice the length of the longest pieces of lumber (both infeed and outfeed).

11. When ripping, make sure the stock is fed against the direction of the blade. The blade should extend slightly into the table, and the motor head must be locked at the correct height and angle.

12. Do not use radial arm saws for ripping unless the spreader (riving knife) and anti-kickback devices are provided and properly adjusted.

13. Do not take your hand away from the operating handle unless the cutting head is behind the fence.

14. Do not remove the stock from a saw table until the blade has been returned to its "testing" position at the back of the saw table. Use a stick or brush to remove scrap from the saw table.

15. ALWAYS use the back guide or fence, or other device to keep the workpiece from moving. NEVER cut “free-hand.”

16. Do not leave a running saw unattended. Be adamant about turning the machine off and waiting until it has come to a complete stop before walking away. Good news is that many of the quality radial arm saw currently manufactured come with automatic blade brakes that slow and stop the saw once the motor is shut down.

The size of a radial arm saw refers to the size of the blade that the saw will house. The most common size is the 10-inch radial arm saw model. Also available are 12-inch machines, but professional woodworkers who require a larger tool should consider the 14-18 inch "chop saws.” These will handle any heavy-duty work sent its way. The blade size decides how deep the saw will cut. For example, a 10-inch blade can cut to a 3-inch depth.

Radial-arm saws are bulky, heavy, and not typically portable. The number of different operations that can be easily performed with these saws are amazing, and gives considerable value to its sometimes hefty purchase price.

Types of Radial Arm Saws

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