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BASIC OPERATION OF THE RADIAL
ARM SAW
A radial arm saw can be used for straight-line cutting
operations such as cross cutting, ripping, mitering,
beveling, compound cutting, and resawing. It can
make dado or molding cuts with special attachments.
This saw is designed to cut wood and wood composi-
tion products only.
The three-prong plug must be plugged into a match-
ing outlet that is properly installed and grounded
according to all local codes and ordinances. Improper
connection of the equipment can result in electric
shock. Check with an electrician or service personnel
if you are unsure about proper grounding. Do not
modify the plug; if it will not fit the outlet, have the
correct outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Refer
to the Electrical page of this manual.
TYPES OF CUTS
See Figure 34.
The radial saw makes cross cuts parallel with the arm
(across the grain), and rip cuts square to the arm (with
the grain). Each can be made with the blade vertical
or beveled. Instructions for making each kind of cut
are given later in this section.
,_ WARNING: All blades and cutting accessories
must be rated for at least 5,000 rpm to prevent
possible injury.
RIP CUTS
In rip cuts, the yoke is rotated 90 °left or right and
locked in place. The wood must ride firmly against the
rip fence. There are two orientations of rip cuts - the
in-rip and the out-rip. The in-rip position provides
better visibility. Out-rip cuts can also be made with the
blade beveled.
In an in-rip cut, the yoke is rotated to the left, which
puts the blade in between the column and the motor.
The wood is fed from the right hand side.
In an out-rip cut, the blade is in front of the motor, and
the wood is fed from the left. Out-rip cutting is recom-
mended only when the blade is set 12 in. or more
from the fence.
,_ WARNING: Always make sure the blade guard
and anti-kickback pawls are in place and working
properly when making rip cuts to avoid possible
injury.
,_iL WARNING: Always use a pushstick with small
pieces of wood, and also to finish the cut when
ripping a long narrow piece of wood, to prevent
your hands from getting close to the blade.
Q _ _CROSS CUT
CROSS CUTS
Cross cuts are made parallel to the arm. The blade is
pulled along the length of the radial arm with the wood
secured.
There are several types of cross cuts. A cross cut
shows 0° on the miter scale (arm straight) and 0° on
the bevel scale (blade straight). A miter cut is made
with the radial arm angled and the blade straight. A
bevel cut is produced with the arm straight and the
blade angled.
A final type of cross cut is the compound cross cut. 4_
Both the arm and the blade are angled. Be thoroughly
familiar with making cross cuts, bevel cuts, and miter
cuts before trying a compound miter cut.
Note: In cross cuts, the blade teeth point down as t_
they strike the wood. In rip cuts, the teeth point
up as they strike the wood.
,_k WARNING: NEVER make a cross cut with the
short edge of the wood parallel to the fence. Kick
back is likely to occur, causing the workpiece to
be thrown back at you. Treat such a workpiece
as a rip cut.
__ MITERCUT
®
BEVELCUT
_ COMPOUNDCROSSCUT
RIPCUT
____BEVEL RIPCUT
Fig. 34
41 CR_I:TSHRN°RADIALSAW315.273731