Ryobi Radial Arm Saw: Getting to Know a Different Kind of Saw

A Ryobi radial arm saw is probably the most versatile saw of all. You can angle cut as in a miter, you can miter both the thickness of the board or the width of the board. The angles are adjustable and easy to move. There is a feed control device. There is control cut for radial arm versatility with mire saw accuracy. Ryobi has a patented Control Cut Power Feed System for precision cutting control. You can dial the constant cutting speed for precise, clean, accurate cuts in all types of lumber. There is a variable speed control that allows you to select the correct cutting speed to eliminate creeping and sudden saw head advance. They are proudly made in the USA.

Ryobi radial arm saws have a good price. They got a bad reputation from users having accidents with them . They are starting to have a comeback. You can find parts easily also. They are really heavy and built like a tank.

There is nothing like a Ryobi radial arm saw for cutting up large pieces of wood. You can often find good ones secondhand at a good bargain. There are still good quality. Shop for them at your fine hardware stores.

A Ryobi radial arm saw basically consists of a motor suspended from a long arm, in a yoke, which allows multiple degrees of rotation for the motor assembly. The motor assembly connects to the overhead arm by a carriage assembly that traverses the arm's length when manually pulled by the operator. All parts of this assembly may be locked into particular positions as desired by the user. To achieve a simple 90 degree cross cut the saw is pulled from back to front, through a slot in the fence. To make a rip cut, the motor head is rotated 90 degrees and positioned outside the fence parallel to it. Radial arm saws were first developed by Raymond Dewalt in 1922. He continued to manufacture radial arm saws until 1989 when they sold the rights to the American Saw Company.

The versatile Ryobi radial arm saws offer the capability of ripping and cross cutting as well as miter, dado and rabbet cuts. With attachments they will also work as a shaper or router in a pinch. Most home shops will have a 10 inch model, the larger models are usually found in industrial settings. The 10 inch model will cut up to 2-3/4 inches deep at 90 degrees, 2-1/2 inches at a 45-degree bevel, and crosscuts 16 inches at 90 degrees. The 16 inch model will crosscut up to 29 inches and rip up to 41 inches with the saw in the outboard position.

A few things to remember when using Ryobi radial arm saws are to wear safely glasses for safety. Wear hearing protection. Keep the area clear around the saw. Only use saw blades rated at or above the speed of the saw arbour. Use only the accessories designed for that specific saw. Ensure the guard is on the saw. Stand on the handle side when cross cutting. Make sure the hand holding the saw is never in line with the blade. Do not cut free hand. Don't ever leave a running saw unattended.