BASIC OPERATION OF THE RADIAL
ARM SAW
A radial arm saw can be used for straight-line cutting
operations such as cross cutting,dpping, mitedng,
beveling, compound cutting,and resawing. It can
make dado or molding cuts with special attachments.
This saw is designed tocut wood and wood composi-
tion products only.
The three-prong plug must be pluggedinto a match-
ing outlet that is propedy installedand grounded
according to all local codes andordinances. Improper
connection of theequipment can result inelectric
shock. Check with an electrician or service personnel
ifyou are unsure about proper grounding. Do not
modifythe plug; if itwill not fitthe outlet, have the
correct outlet installedby a qualified electrician. Refer
to the Electrical page of this manual.
TYPES OF CUTS
See Figure 35.
The radial saw makes cross cutsparallel with the arm
(across the grain), and dp cuts square to the arm (with
the grain). Each can be made with the blade vertical
or beveled. Instructionsfor making each kind of cut
are given later in this section.
,_ WARNING: All blades and cutting accessodes
mustbe rated for at least 5,000 rpm to prevent
possibleinjury.
CROSSCUTS
Crosscuts are made parallelto the arm. The blade is
pulledalong the length of the radial arm with the wood
secured.
There are several types of cross cuts. A cross cut
shows 0" on themiter scale(arm straight) and 0"on
the bevel scale (blade straight). A miter cut is made
withthe radial arm angled and the blade straight. A
bevel cut is produced withthe arm straight and the
blade angled.
Afinal type of cross cut is the compound cross cut.
Both the arm andthe blade are angled. Be thoroughly
familiar with making crosscuts, bevel cuts, and miter
cutsbefore trying a compound mitercut.
Note: In cross cuts, the blade teeth point down as
they strike the wood. In dp cuts, the teeth point
up as they strike the wood.
AWARNING: NEVER make across cutwith the
shortedge ofthe wood parallel to the fence. Kick
back islikely to occur, causingthe workpiece to
bethrown back at you. Treat sucha workpiece
as a rip cut.
RIP CUTS
In ripcuts, the yoke is rotated 90 ° left or dght and
locked in place. The wood must dde firmly against the
ripfence. There are two orientations of dp cuts -the
in-ripand the out-rip. The in-ripposition provides
better visibility.Out-dp cuts can also be made with the
blade beveled.
In an in-dp cut, the yoke is rotated to the left, which
puts the blade inbetween the column and the motor.
The wood isfed from the dght hand side.
In an out-rip cut,the blade is infront of the motor,and
the wood isfed from the left. Out-dp cutting isrecom-
mended only when the blade is set 12 in. or more
from the fence.
AWARNING: Always make sure the blade guard
and anti-kickback pawlsare inplace and working
properly when making ripcuts to avoid possible
injury.
_1, WARNING: Always use a pushstick with small
pieces of wood,and also to finish the cut when
rippingalong narrow piece of wood, to prevent
yourhands from getting close to the blade.
CROSSCUT
Q __ MITERCUT
BEVELCUT
COMPOUNDCROSSCUT
__ RIPCUT
Q ___BEVEL RiPCUT
Fig. 35
43 CRIIF13HAIrRADIALSAW315_20380