When it comes to woodworking, one of the most useful and versatile tools you can buy is a radial arm saw. Often used to crosscut, radial type saws can also be used to rip apart lumber, as well as create various sorts of joints such as dadoes and rabbets.

If you are shopping around for a new radial arm saw, you could use some direction; especially if you are new to the scroll saw world. Continue reading to learn more about radial arm saws, and which options you have to choose from when shopping around.

Radial Arm Saws

Radial arm saws are similar to circular mounted sliding arm saws in terms of operation; except that the user pulls the saw by a handle across the stock rather than pushing it away to cut. For this reason, it is very well-suited for crosscutting wood, and requires little effort to operate and hold stock in place at the same time.

Your Options

There are not any radial arm saws on the market that come in a bench-top version. Rather, all radial arm saws are installed in a fixed position, as they are floor-standing, non-portable, and weigh at least 200 pounds or heavier. Furthermore, there are very few radial-style saw manufacturers, of which, do not make very many models. So be prepared to find a limited selection of machines to choose from when shopping retailers. On the upside, this does cut down on time in the decision-making process.

In terms of blade size, your common choices will include 10 inch and 12 inch diameters. The blade size you choose will depend mostly on your woodworking needs. For instance, if you intend on cutting thick pieces of stock, you will require a higher cutting capacity, which a 12 inch blade can offer. Keep in mind that the bigger the diameter saw blade, the pricier.

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