Classic DeWalt Radial Arm Saws
Joe Schaaf
saw at a decent price, put a little money into it (if necessary) to
refurbish it, I'd end up with a better saw than I could find today at double
or triple price. Assuming that this theory holds water, I have a few
questions for anyone who might be able to offer advice:
1. Which models and years' of manufacture should I be on the lookout for?
2. Assuming that the seller knows what they have, what would be a
reasonable price to pay?
3. If I find one, how easy/costly is it to find parts, should I need to
refurbish it?
Thanks in advance for the help...
Joe Schaaf
j...@schaaf.com
P.S. Many years ago when I was just a kid, a friend of my dad's died, and
his wife sold all of his tools (which included a very nice DeWalt radial arm
saw) for what had to be pennies on the dollar. If my dad had not already had
a bunch of his own tools, which included a Sears Craftsman 9" radial arm
saw, I think he may have bought the DeWalt from the widow. Sad. I wish I
knew then what I know now.... As for the "Crapsman" radial arm saw, to this
day, it continues to defy all attempts at proper adjustment, and in my
opinion, has yet to make a truly straight cut. If my dad ever tries to give
it to me, I'll have to think of a gracious way of declining the offer.
foxeye
others which I got for parts or just in case someday I get the urge to
rebuild them. I have a 10, 12 and 16" (3 phase) that are like
new......and a 12 and 10" that are useable but lack table top and
odds and ends. I would look for a DeWalt from late 40's to Mid 60's or
so, for the best built ones. Anything prior to when AMF or B&D got
into their works is fine.
There is enough cast iron in an old DeWalt to make 3 Deltas, and 20
Crapsman saws.....Lots of the items that woiuyld normally wear out on
other RAS are made on a DeWalt to be self adjusting or adjustable to
take up for wear. The column lock, the yoke, and guide rail bars etc
are examples of such About the biggest thing I ever had go bad on any
saw was the switch, which is easily replaceable by an after market
switch anyhow. The 10" saw had a key type switch on the side of the
arm but now sports a toggle type magneticx starter switch mounted on
the saws column mount at the side.
There are parts out there to be had, but most everyone knows what the
value of them are.
Only other changes I made to my saws other than switches are the way
the fence is adjusted or secured. I use the thumbscrew method on them
all instead of the traditional wedges DeWalt used on the older saws.
It was a simple modification and worthwhile. I bead blasted every
part, and repainted them except for the 10" incher. I used gray / blue
/ creme/ spatter paint such as is or was used at one time in the
trucnks of cars. Its very hard and durable. The 10" had a green /
white spatter paint finish from the factory anyhow.
Gwet a dewalt spend a little money and time and you will have a real
RAS. Something you will be proud of. No special tools are required in
any way for working on them and the motors are next to bullet proof if
kept clean and blown clear of sawdust.
BTW my neighbor just bought a used DeWalt from the local HQ that went
out of business. He gave around $1,000 for it. IIRC its a 14" saw.
Have not seen it yet but he said its in great condition.....but 3
phase which is not a problem for him anyhow. They had a Delta there as
well, but it was neverhooked up
On Thu, 30 Dec 1999 10:10:36 -0600, "Joe Schaaf" <j...@schaaf.com>
wrote:
ToolMiser
"Wood" magazine. I don't know the date, but it discussed how someone has made
a business of just these, and is a good source of parts and machines. Sorry I
can't be more help!
Jim Artherholt
http://www.wolfemachinery.com/
for parts of all kinds (and rebuilt saws of the large variety). Also, get
the book by Wally Kunkel on setting up, aligning, and using these old
DeWalts. The website for the book is:
http://www.maracorp.com/sawdust/
They are great saws!
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim Artherholt
J.Arth...@worldnet.att.net
"Joe Schaaf" <j...@schaaf.com> wrote in message
news:84fvuk$3le$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
Woodright1
you can find a 925 dewalt or a 990 delta you will have the cream of the radial
saw crase. the delta allowed a left hand mitre cut because of its double arm.
today they should sell for 600.00 or 700.00 dollars. if you buy the old
dewalts of which there are many, you can't get parts for them such as
capacitors and stops. also the wiring will by cracked and stripped. it should
be replaced
Dave Bennett
$150 two years ago out of the Kansas City Star (newspaper). I spent one
day cleaning it and checking the settings and have used it daily since
that time. It is the BEST tool I have ever purchased. It is the most
versatile tool I've ever purchased, too.
Three days ago my table saw (Fortune Machine Tools) of 21 years finally
died. (The shaft the blade attaches too wore out on the pulley end. I am
seriously debating whether to actually purchase another table saw or to
just use the radial arm saw; that's how handy and versatile it is.
Joe Schaaf wrote:
>
> I have this theory that if I were able to find an older DeWalt radial arm
> saw at a decent price, put a little money into it (if necessary) to
> refurbish it, I'd end up with a better saw than I could find today at double
> or triple price. Assuming that this theory holds water, I have a few
> questions for anyone who might be able to offer advice:
>
> 1. Which models and years' of manufacture should I be on the lookout for?
> 2. Assuming that the seller knows what they have, what would be a
> reasonable price to pay?
> 3. If I find one, how easy/costly is it to find parts, should I need to
> refurbish it?
>
> Thanks in advance for the help...
>
> Joe Schaaf
> j...@schaaf.com
>
> P.S. Many years ago when I was just a kid, a friend of my dad's died, and
> his wife sold all of his tools (which included a very nice DeWalt radial arm
> saw) for what had to be pennies on the dollar. If my dad had not already had
> a bunch of his own tools, which included a Sears Craftsman 9" radial arm
> saw, I think he may have bought the DeWalt from the widow. Sad. I wish I
> knew then what I know now.... As for the "Crapsman" radial arm saw, to this
> day, it continues to defy all attempts at proper adjustment, and in my
> opinion, has yet to make a truly straight cut. If my dad ever tries to give
> it to me, I'll have to think of a gracious way of declining the offer.
--
---
Dave Bennett