BASIC OPERATION OF THE RADIAL
ARM SAW
A radial arm saw can be used for straight-linecutting
operationssuch as crosscutting, ripping,mitering,
beveling, compoundcutting, and resawing. Itcan
make dado or moldingcuts withspecial attachments.
Thissaw is designedto cut wood and wood composi-
tion productsonly.
The three-prong plugmust be plugged into a match-
ingoutlet that is properlyinstalled and grounded
accordingto all local codes and ordinances. Improper
connectionof the equipment canresult in electric
shook.Check withan electricianor service personnel
ifyou are unsureabout propergrounding. Do not
modify the plug;if itwill notfit the outlet,have the
correctoutlet installed by a qualifiedelectrician. Refer
to the Electricalpage of this manual.
TYPES OF CUTS
See Figure 35.
The radial saw makes cross cuts parallel withthe arm
(acrossthe grain), and rip cuts square to the arm (with
the grain). Each can be made withthe blade vertical
orbeveled, instructionsfor making each kind of cut
aregiven later inthis section.
_lb WARNING: All blades and cutting accessories
mustbe rated for at least5,000 rpm to prevent
possible injury.
CROSS CUTS
Crosscuts are made parallel to the arm. The blade is
pulled alongthe length ofthe radial arm withthe wood
secured.
There are several typosof cross cuts. A crossout
showsO"on the miter scale (arm straight) and O"on
thebevel scale (blade straight). A mitercutis made
withthe radial armangled and the bladestraight. A
bevel cutis produced with the arm straightand the
bladeangled.
Afinaltype of cross cut isthe compound cross cut,
Both the arm and the blade are angled. Be thoroughly
familiarwith making cross cuts, bevel cuts, and miter
cutsbefore trying a compound miter cut.
Note: Incross cuts, the blade teeth point down as
they strikethe wood. In ripcuts, the teeth point
upas they strikethe wood.
_&, WARNING: NEVER make a cross cutwith the
shortedge of the wood parallel to the fence. Kick
backis likelyto occur, causing the workpieca to
be thrownback at you. Treat such a workpiece
as a ripcut.
RIP CUTS
Inrip cuts, the yoke isrotated 90" leftor rightand
lockedin place. The wood mustride firmly against the
ripfence. There are two orientationsof ripcuts - the
in-ripand the out-rip.The in-ripposition provides
bettervisibility.Out-rip cuts can also be made with the
bladebeveled,
Inan in-rip cut, the yokeis rotatedto the left,which
putsthe blade in between the column and the motor.
The wood isfed from the right hand side.
Inan out-rip cut, the bladeis infront of the motor, and
thewood isfed from the left.Out-rip cutting isrecom-
mendedonly when the blade is set 12 in. or more
from thefence.
,_. WARNING: Always make surethe blade guard
and anti-kickbackpawls are in place and working
properlywhen making rip cutsto avoid possible
injury.
_lb WARNING: Always use a pushstickwithsmall
piecesof wood,and also to finishthe cut when
rippinga long narrow piece ofwood, to prevent
yourhands from getting close to the blade.
CROSSCUT
Q _'__BEVEL CUT
COMPOUNDCROSSCUT
Q __ RiPCUT
@s v,,R,PCuT
Fig.35
43 DIAFTSMIIIFRADIALSAW315.220381