How to Use a Radial Saw

The versatile radial arm saw cuts wood planks in a variety of ways.

A radial arm saw is a combination table saw, power miter box and circular saw. The saw motor hangs from an overhead arm with the blade facing toward the holding table. A variety of cutting and ripping operations can be done with a radial arm saw, including dado and rabbet cuts. As with any power saw, it's important that you maintain the safety functions of a radial arm saw to reduce the chances of injury.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Scrap wood

Instructions

Crosscutting

1. Inspect the safety guard on the radial saw blade. Make sure the guard is securely in place.

2. Adjust the cutting angle of the radial saw by turning counterclockwise the pivoting handle located where the saw motor mounts to the overhead arm. Turn the pivoting handle clockwise to lock the saw into position.

3. Put on your safety glasses. Start the radial saw, then move to the handle side of the saw. Release the safety switch to allow the saw to move forward.

4. Pull the saw slowly toward you to crosscut the piece of scrap wood. Push the saw away from you until the saw locks into position. Turn the saw off.

Ripping

1. Inspect the safety guard on the radial saw blade. Make sure the guard is securely in place.

2. Turn the pivoting arm located where the saw motor connects to the overhead arm counterclockwise to loosen the saw motor. Spin the motor 90 degrees. Make sure the blade spins in the direction in which you will feed the wood into the saw. Lock the saw motor in position.

3. Adjust the height of the saw blade with the height adjustment handle located on the front face of the saw bed. The blade should rest slightly below the top of the cutting bed table.

4. Adjust the height of the anti-kickback device to the thickness of the wood you will rip. Make sure the riving knife is installed.

5. Set the rip fence to the measurement you need to cut.

6. Put on your safety glasses, then turn on the radial arm saw.

7. Push one side of the wood against the rip fence. Slowly push the wood into the spinning saw blade. Do not take your hands off the wood until you finish making the cut.

8. Turn off the saw after you complete the cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses to avoid eye injuries when operating a radial arm saw.

References

• Sawdust Making 101: Radial Arm Saws