More old arn!

[Kudzu]

I just have  thing for cast iron I guess.    I have been looking for a old 12" DeWalt Radial Arm saw for a while now. I have watched several on EBay but always to far away. One that was close enough but it went for more than I would pay sight unseen.

I had inquired about one I saw posted and never heard back from it. After several weeks I get a call from the gentleman. He has saved my number from the email and finally called me. We made arrangements and we drove down to pick it up.



It was his fathers, who was a cabinet maker. He had a stroke and told his son to keep the machines. Unfortunately he was never able to work again and machines have been stored for many years. This saw appears to be in very good condition. I am going to tear it down and give it a going through mechanically and also repaint it. I am so excited to finally have one of these beasts!

He made me a deal on the other equipment I just couldn't pass up. I also picked up a 1948 Delta Unisaw. I never tested it but he said it runs perfectly. Still has the original 'bullet' motor. Unfortunately it doesn't have the 'goose egg' motor cover but it is otherwise complete right down the the original start switch.





It will have to be stripped to the bare bones to ever get the cabinet stripped and cleaned.  But I am looking forward it. I enjoy projects like this and then I will enjoy using them once I am finished with them.

[Charlie Jones]

KEWL!! I gave away my radial arm saw when I moved into my new shop. Just didn't have space for it.

That old Unisaw is 2 years YOUNGER than mine!!! Mine still has the original switch too, but the motor has been changed out for a 3 HP 220V Baldor, with triple belts. Hell for heavy machines . Mine is mounted on a plywood base with rollers under that.

Be careful with that old rip fence- it doesn't always set up square. Mine works like a champ as long as I keep the rails well waxed- otherwise it drags. And don't tighten the adjustment screw too tight- you can break the lever in the rear end- had to have mine welded.

Here's a pic of mine. The electrical box and conduit under the switch  is where I picked off one leg of the 220 and ran that around to an outlet on the side of the saw to plug in my jointer. That sits right beside the saw, sorta 'under" the table.

[Kudzu]

I am fortunate to have a very large shop space in my basement. Of course I built it that way too. I have a couple of Craftsman RAS I would give away! They are why I have been looking for a DeWalt. The newest one is just short of junk! You can not adjust all the play in the head out. Well you can but then it binds long before you get to the end of the arm.

This is my first Unisaw, so tell me about the fence. I hear that they are not popular with most folks. Of course I sometimes think some of these guy just look for an excuse to put something else on their credit cards.  I am debating if I am going to keep the fence or buy something better. But the rails on this one are not good and it is a bit short (or is that narrow) for my tastes. At this point I really am not sure what I want to do.

My Delta contractors saw has a 30" Delta fence and I like it for the most part. I do find it a bit short sometimes, mostly for crosscut work. The DeWalt will used for cross cuts once it is going, so this fence may be big enough. At the same time,  I have very little money in this saw so I can buy a new fence and still be it it cheap.

PS I meant to tell you Charlie, I got the mating shaper with that Uni-saw too. You can just see it in the photo. 1947 or 1948 vintage by the cabinet design. Serial number seems to be 1948. It even has the two cast iron extension tables too.

[Charlie Jones]

The fence can be a tad cantankerous. Probably the newer ones are way better, but I still use the original. There's a small bell crank in the rear of the fence that actuates the rear clamp when you push down the lever. That can break one arm off if to much pressure is applied. Also the thing won't slide easily if the rails are the least sticky- then it sets up crookedly.

I just make sure that I keep a good coat of wax on those rails and never let any rust get on them. Then the thing slides easily and almost never sets crooked. But I still double check

I figure that folks in the past have cut millions of feet of rip using those fences. Sure I could spend the bucks for a Besemeyer, but this one works if you check it, so I'll spend the money on the boat