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A Radial Arm Saw is a heavy-duty cutting
machine that is used to cut through wood, concrete, plastics, and
metals. It is primarily made up of a circular tooth edged blade
enclosed within a metal body and powered by a motor. These tools are
extensively used by skilled laborers such as builders, carpenters, and
masons. They are also popular amongst ‘garage workshop’ aficionados.
Most radial arm saws come equipped with a cutting table and a cutting
guide with a Fence. This increases the overall stability and
effectiveness of the cutting process. The tool is designed with safety
features, to keep the operator safe from any damage that could be
caused by a hi-speed cutting device. A specialized clamping device is
built-into the tool to hold the work-piece in place whilst it is being
cut.
Features and working of radial arm saws
The radial arm saw is primarily made up of
the handle, foot, motor, power cord, bevel adjustment, cutting blade
and the blade guard. The handle has an ergonomically designed grip that
allows the user to apply sufficient pressure without spending too much
energy. In most cases the on/off switch is located on the inner side of
the handle. The motor used is a totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) one,
which keeps the motor cool and dust at bay. These motors have power
ratings ranging from 2 horsepower to 5 horsepower. These tools are so
powerful that at 90o, a 2HP motor is enough to cut work-pieces that
measure 3-3/4-inch-by-14-3/8-inch. Radial arm saws have a specialized
turret arm that increases flexibility by allowing the saw to perform
360o rotation and also reaches till the center of the table, this
provides greater support surface for the work-piece. The saw carriage
moves on lifetime track-ways, which are hardened and smooth to ensure
minimal roller friction. These saws have a one-of-a-kind micro-set
miter stop that gives the user the freedom of adjusting the device
between 90 and 45 right and left stops, thus increasing security. Most
tools feature an extended table to accommodate larger work-pieces. Six
table leveling jacks keep the table, trackarm, and the cutter parallel
to each other. A cutterhead retraction mechanism gets the saw behind
the fence after every cut; this not only makes the tool safer for the
operator but also ensures accuracy when cutting. These tools also
feature a low-voltage magnetic starter that prevents automatic
startups. An electromechanical braking system almost instantaneously
stops the blade from spinning. An anti-kickback mechanism ensures
smooth and comfortable working. The controls situated in the front and
large locking knobs make the device easy to operate whilst providing
maximum safety. Radial arm saws are heavy-duty machines, which is why
they aren’t supplied with a power cable, and all wiring must be
permanently connected to the central electrical system. Radial arm saws
have a starter key, which can be removed once the work is done on the
machine, so that it becomes childproof. Generally a saw with greater
number of teeth ensures a smoother and neater cut. The most commonly
used blades used have 40-60 teeth, with the diameter of the arbor
measuring nearly 1” and are available in sizes ranging between 12” to
18”. Specialized brackets are supplied to accommodate Wrenches when
they are not in use. Radial arm saws have three basic cutting styles;
cross-cutting, miter cutting, and ripping. Cross-cutting uses a Square
that is placed over the cutting surface, and this works as a guide
along which the saw slides. Accurate rip cuts are obtained by screwing
a rip fence onto the foot of the saw. Miter cutting works in almost the
same way as cross-cutting, except that the work-piece is cut at an
angle.
What to look for in a radial arm saw:
The sawing process emits a lot of sawdust and
other particulate matter, from which the tool should be well protected,
as dirt will clog the machine. Radial arm saws are driven by powerful
motors that cause a lot of noise. Overexposure to loud sounds can cause
extensive damage to the operator’s ear drums; thus saws with low
decibel Levels are recommended. Saws are potentially very dangerous;
tools that feature mandatory safety features should only be used. The
job for which the tool is to be used for should be assessed properly as
a low powered machine used for heavy-duty work would result in
overheating and excessive wear and tear, thus reducing the lifespan of
the device.
Delta is one of the leading manufacturers of radial arm
saws.
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