The Best Radial Arm Saws: Reviews & Guide
Contents
- The Best Radial Arm Saws Are:
- 1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw: Best Radial Arm Saw
- 2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
- 3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Runner-Up Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
- 4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw
- 5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw
- 6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw
- 7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw
- Buying Guide
- Power
- Blade
- Ease of Use
- Brand
- Safety
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
A radial arm saw hangs the blade and motor from an overhead arm. You pull the blade across the work for crosscuts and dadoes, and you can rotate the head for rips, though ripping on a radial arm saw takes extra care.
For most crosscutting, a sliding compound miter saw now does the job in less space. Below we review five radial arm saws and two sliding miter saw alternatives.
OUR TOP PICK
The Dayton Radial Arm Saw is probably the best option you have. It is a heavy, 12-inch industrial saw built for daily shop use.
OUR TOP PICK
Check out the Makita LS1019L as a tool that can do what a radial arm saw does. It is cheaper than a radial arm saw and takes up less space. It crosscuts and miters, but it cannot rip.
The Best Radial Arm Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw | 1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw Top Pick | - Weight: 378 pounds - Saw blade diameter: 12 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Maximum motor speed: 3400 RPM | Check Current Price |
| 2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw | 2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw Alternative Pick | - Weight: 57.9 pounds - Dimensions: 22.1 x 32.7 x 21.6 inches - Power source: corded electric | Check Current Price |
| 3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw | 3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw | - Weight: 47 pounds - Dimension: 29.5 x 22.8 x 20 inches - Power source: corded electric | Check Current Price |
| 4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw | 4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw | - Weight: 550 pounds - Dimensions: 52 x 43 x 33 inches - Power source: Corded electric | Check Current Price |
| 5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw | 5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw | - Weight: 78.9 pounds - Dimensions: 56.1 x 101.9 x 71.1 cm - Power source: Corded electric - Crosscut capacity: 14 inches | Check Current Price |
| 6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw | 6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw | - Weight: 181 pounds - Dimensions: 45 x 27 x 28.5 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Maximum crosscut: 16 inches | Check Current Price |
| 7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw | 7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw | - Weight: 749 pounds - Dimensions: 46 x 44 x 43 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Saw table size: 44 x 36.5 inches | Check Current Price |
1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw: Best Radial Arm Saw
It is true that the use of radial arm saws has gone down with the fast adoption of miter saws in the market.
The Dayton is a 378-pound radial arm saw with a 12-inch blade. Its heavy construction keeps it stable and durable.
The arm swings and the head tilts for miter and bevel cuts, which suits cabinet and door work.
Specs
- Weight: 378 pounds
- Saw blade diameter: 12 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum motor speed: 3400 RPM
Pros
- Made with heavy duty stand for enhanced stability and durability
- A great saw for making different types of cuts
Cons
- Expensive
2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
The Makita LS1019L is a 10-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw. It crosscuts boards up to 12 inches wide at 90 degrees and handles miters, bevels and crown molding. Like any miter saw, it is not made for rip cuts.
Per Makita's LS1019L page, it has a 15-amp direct-drive motor with soft start and an electric brake.
Direct drive means no belts to slip or replace. Electronic speed control holds speed under load.
Its 2-steel-rail sliding system lets it sit flush against a wall. It weighs 57.9 pounds, has a built-in laser and a see-through blade guard.
Specs
- Weight: 57.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 22.1 x 32.7 x 21.6 inches
- Power source: corded electric
Pros
- Light and easy to carry around
- A great piece for crosscuts, miters and bevels
- Uses an effective dust management system
- Easy to use
- Durable
Cons
- Cannot rip boards
3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Runner-Up Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
The Festool 561287 (the Kapex sliding compound miter saw) is aimed at carpenters who need precise miters and bevels.
Fine bevel adjustment lets you dial in angles precisely, and dual lasers mark both sides of the kerf.
It includes a dust bag, but it collects dust best when connected to a dust extractor.
At about 47 pounds, it is far lighter than any radial arm saw. You will need a separate stand or bench.
Specs
- Weight: 47 pounds
- Dimension: 29.5 x 22.8 x 20 inches
- Power source: corded electric
Pros
- Works with a dust extractor
- Great for making angle cuts on workpieces
- Light and compact
- Making adjustments is easy and fast
Cons
- Does not come with a stand
4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw
The General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw is an industrial machine weighing about 550 pounds.
Its heavy cast iron and steel construction keeps it rigid and damps vibration.
It uses a 14-inch carbide-tipped blade and has positive stops at 0, 45 and 90 degrees for pivot and tilt.
A magnetic switch keeps the saw from restarting by itself after a power cut, and overload protection guards the motor. Sealed, permanently lubricated bearings keep maintenance low.
Specs
- Weight: 550 pounds
- Dimensions: 52 x 43 x 33 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
Pros
- Good for making both rip and crosscuts
- Comes with an ergonomic switch that makes controlling easy and safe
- Strong and long-lasting
- A great machine for making accurate angle cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Not portable
5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw
The Craftsman 9-22010 Professional is a 10-inch radial arm saw for home shops. Craftsman no longer makes radial arm saws, so you will mostly find it used.
Its Laser Trac system marks the cut line, and a cut-feed rate monitor warns you when you are feeding too fast.
An automatic blade brake stops the blade within seconds of switching off. Before buying any used Craftsman radial arm saw, check that its blade guard is complete and in working order.
Specs
- Weight: 78.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 56.1 x 101.9 x 71.1 cm
- Power source: Corded electric
- Crosscut capacity: 14 inches
Pros
- Laser cut-line guide
- Blade brake and feed rate monitor
- Can be used for making many types of cuts
Cons
- Can only crosscut boards up to 14 inches wide
- Discontinued; mostly sold used
6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw
The DELTA RS830 is a 10-inch radial arm saw with a 16-inch crosscut capacity. Its handles make depth adjustments simple, so it is a reasonable choice for a first radial arm saw.
With most radial arm saws, the primary focus is using the saw blade to make different cuts, both rip and crosscuts. But you can do more with this saw because it has a dual-threaded shaft that allows you to attach a wide range of accessories.
Specs
- Weight: 181 pounds
- Dimensions: 45 x 27 x 28.5 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum crosscut: 16 inches
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction helps to make the saw sturdy
- Accessory shaft for other attachments
- Can be used to make angle cuts of up to 45-degrees
- Pretty easy to control and make smooth cuts
Cons
- The legs and the metal frame gets shaky when not bolted
7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw
The DELTA 33-400 is a large industrial radial arm saw with a turret arm design.
The arm rotates at 360 degrees above the workstation, giving you greater flexibility to make different types of cuts on your workpiece.
Six table leveling jacks help you set the table accurately.
The table measures 44 x 36 1/2 inches. With this radial arm saw, you can make crosscuts up to 29 inches and rip up to 41 inches.
Specs
- Weight: 749 pounds
- Dimensions: 46 x 44 x 43 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Saw table size: 44 x 36.5 inches
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Comes with a large working table for handing diverse projects
- Sold with a two-year limited warranty
- Can be used for making both cross and rip cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Buying Guide
A radial arm saw is a major investment. If you mainly crosscut, a sliding miter saw is often the better choice. If you still want a radial arm saw, consider the following.
Power
For heavy daily use and thick stock, choose a saw with a strong motor; industrial models often need a 240-volt circuit. For lighter home use, a 10-inch saw with a 120-volt motor is usually enough.
Blade
Use a blade made for radial arm saws or sliding miter saws, with a negative or low hook angle. Blades with an aggressive positive hook angle tend to climb toward you during a crosscut.
More teeth give smoother crosscuts. Carbide-tipped blades hold their edge far longer than plain steel blades.
Ease of Use
A great radial arm saw should be easy to use. So how do you know about this? Look for features such as a big working table, and well-positioned switches.
The saw should also be carefully mounted on an arm that allows you to easily change position when making angle cuts.
Brand
Buy from established brands with parts and service support, especially if you buy used. Brands with a long radial arm saw history include DeWalt, DELTA and Craftsman.
Safety
OSHA's woodworking machinery standard requires radial saws to have an upper hood and a lower blade guard, and to be installed so the head returns to the rear when released.
It also says ripping must be done against the direction the blade turns, with anti-kickback fingers on both sides of the blade. Never rip from the outfeed end, and keep your hands well clear of the blade's path.
Final Thoughts
Pick a saw that is strong, well guarded and sized for the work in your shop. Of the five radial arm saws we reviewed, the Dayton Radial Arm Saw stood out among these greats.
If a radial arm saw is not practical for you, a sliding compound miter saw is a good alternative for crosscuts and miters. Do check out the best alternative, the Makita LS1019L, to make the cuts that radial arm saws can deliver.
