Si, This has always been my feeling about radial arm saws. I don't much like backing the blade into the work and I would certainly be uncomfortable using it to rip. Like you I too have cut wide boards by turning the board over and when I was putting the vertical siding on my gable ends and could not complete the length of diagonal cut needed I just finished the cut, last three inches or so with a hand saw, following the inside of the cut started by the miter saw.
One really nice application for a radial arm saw is cutting dados, the orientation is as you would use the material so dummies like me don't hop from foot-to-foot in front of the saw making sure that when I turn it over the piece will be correctly oriented and after several simulations getting it backward anyway. Of course the table saw can be a similarly dangerous tool but at least only the required amount of blade is exposed and I trust it to stay just where it is. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cy Selfridge" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:29 PM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > Dale, > I once had a radial arm saw because I thought it would just be the > berries. > It could cross cut a 2 foot wide board just like my miter saw. The way in > which the head was transported, the height of the saw blade and the > possibility, although remote, that I could encounter the blade in an > unwanted manner made me feel uncomfortable any time I used it so I just > gave > it to a friend who could safely use it. > I have cut a 2 foot wide board with my miter saw by simply turning the > board > over and lining up the cut with the blade. > If you take a little time it works very well. > Somehow I really do not want to loose a hand or arm so I will just stay > with > the miter saw for now. > Cy, the cautious Ancient Okie.. > > -----Original Message----- > From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > On Behalf Of Dale Leavens > Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 7:49 PM > To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > > You know, oddly enough the larger blade doesn't gain you much. I had not > known of these new belt drive machines, mine and all I have seen to date > are > direct drive units. > > A nice big panel saw would be a treat. > > Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Skype DaleLeavens > Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cy Selfridge" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 7:44 PM > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? > > >> Well Dale, >> It sure sounds like you and I do much the same thing with the miter saw. >> My saw is only an 8 inch blade but it has served me well over the past 14 >> or >> so years. >> It also is a sliding head so it can cut a 1x12 on a 45 degree angle. Mine >> also tilts to the left up to 45 degrees as well. >> I, as you, make a "template" piece of wood if I am cutting a number of >> boards the same length and always measure from the first one. >> I also lay the template on top of the board I am going to cut. I do use >> the >> clamp most of the time. >> Now, as for the extensions, I built a little table which is the same >> height >> as the bed on the miter saw so I can rest the boards on the table and >> they >> will not "drop" as I cut them. >> I also check the square of the blade at 90 degrees with a small square. I >> just can not get accurate enough by feeling of the blamed little raised >> lines and I do not always trust the 90 degree detent. >> A 12 or 14 inch miter would just be the absolute berries..... Know anyone >> who has one? If so we might pay them a visit. (LOL) >> Cy, the Ancient Okie... >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> On Behalf Of Dale Leavens >> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5:46 PM >> To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? >> >> Hi Andy, >> >> I have never had much luck cutting to a mark although there are some here >> who do apparently use an awl or other scratch tool to mark and cut, I >> find >> that even using a finger nail to locate the mark against a tool or jig is >> too inaccurate for me. I don't know how they make it work for them >> however > >> I >> will tell you how I work. >> >> My advice on buying a compound miter saw is first to buy the best you >> possibly can. They are getting better all the time of course, mine is a >> 10 >> inch Makita sliding compound miter saw, these days they are as much as 14 >> inches and with a slide they can cut a very wide board. New ones will >> tilt >> left or right for a bevel cut each way, this is not essential but if you >> get >> one be sure it has a positive stop at 90 degrees vertical and preferably >> at >> least one stop at 45 degrees to one or other side, preferably both. >> >> My saw has a raised scale and pointer for setting the miter left and >> right >> but I find it difficult to use this exclusively to set precise angles, >> the >> pointer must line up very directly with the raised mark on the scale, a >> sighted person will stand in line with the two but my fingers, though >> they >> can get me close are usually off a degree or two when I actually make the >> cut. My saw though does have detent stops at 15, 30 and 45 degrees in >> both >> directions and of course at 0 degrees so those are very easy and >> convenient. >> >> Some now have other detent stops, you want as many as is reasonable or >> practical, stops will save you loads of time locating very accurately the >> most commonly using angles. >> >> You will prefer a fairly high fence. It is very helpful to be able to lay >> one 2 by 4 of a known and desired length on top of another to duplicate >> it >> and it will be much easier to line them both up if the fence is high >> enough. >> >> Because of the depth available it is often very helpful to lay out two >> boards and cut them simultaneously by cutting through the double >> thickness >> which makes it easy to get two very exactly the same length and a fence >> high >> enough to do this will be satisfying. >> >> The last thing that occurs to me is to get as long a bed as you can. This >> makes it easier to use. If you can get a purpose built stand with >> extensions >> to hold long pieces you may be able to attach blocks against which you >> can >> push a series of boards to cut many of exact length. >> >> I have built a cabinet to hold my saw with a dust hutch behind to catch >> as >> much as I can. I had a pair of extensions but they were not to my >> satisfaction, I will try again some day to have extensions which I can >> raise >> into place with a back fence and block I can run out and lock into place >> for >> making several pieces of precise length. The old table I had built for >> house >> building is way too big, it now rests in the back lane where it may >> disappear any day but where I can still use it if I again need to cut >> lengths up to about 20 feet. >> >> Most of these saws have at least one hold-down clamp, mine does, it can >> be >> located on either side of the saw, I should have had two, it gets a bit >> frustrating to move it though I don't often want it on the right side of >> the >> saw. >> >> As for measuring, I lower the saw to the work and measure that way. >> Usually >> I am in a hurry so I find myself using my chin or forehead to hold the >> saw >> down while I measure with both hands. Pushing the saw down retracts the >> blade guard. The start requires a button to be held while the trigger is >> squeezed but probably one should take the additional safety measure of >> unplugging the saw when doing this. >> >> Because I have this cabinet with three drawers for storing tools I also >> have >> an 18 inch or so bungie cord which I loop around the handle and hook to >> one >> of the drawer handles. This only just balances the spring which raises >> the >> saw so I can pull it down to the work and it pretty well stays where I >> leave >> it. I can then slide my measure to the end of the board and then slide >> the >> board until the blade just touches the measure. Double check that the >> work >> is snug against the fence then clamp the work down and remove the >> measure, >> release the cord so the saw rises then grab the trigger and make your >> cut. >> >> Remember that the teeth of a carbide blade are a little thicker than the >> blade and the pitch of a conventional blade too is a little wider. This >> is >> only millimeters but it can make a difference. >> >> If using a single piece as a measure for multiple pieces keep the first >> one >> as a master and use it as your standard. Small errors can compound and >> become significant. This is not just true for blind folk, I notice that >> the >> television cabinet makers do precisely the same thing for the same >> reason. >> >> I am not as careful as probably I should be, I don't always clamp my work >> but hold it with my free left hand much of the time however if you clamp >> your work and put your left hand in your pocket before you grasp that >> handle >> you and you listen for that saw to spin fully down before you let go, you >> will be hard pressed to find a way of getting hurt. Take the additional >> step >> of unplugging the machine before you bring the blade to measure the work >> and >> I don't see how you could ever get hurt. Even my way would be tough >> enough. >> >> I hope this is helpful to you. In my mind, a miter saw is about the most >> useful tool a blind wood worker can own even if all you do is some >> framing >> or decking. You will soon want a table saw, I don't know which is more >> desirable, I got the table saw first and did a lot of pretty >> sophisticated >> work with it but that miter saw is also pretty darn helpful. >> >> >> Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Skype DaleLeavens >> Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "wd1q" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 6:00 AM >> Subject: [BlindHandyMan] compound miter say? >> >> >>> Hi, I am sorry if this has or will be coming along as a message again, >>> but I can't seem to get my messages out for some reason..... >>> Well, for my question, I am interested in purchasing a table compound >>> miter saw and have never used one. Can someone give some wisdom in >>> looking for a good model for someone like us being blind.? I would >>> like to know how I would go about to setting the saw blade that is >>> under the safety guard to cut at the correct location which I have >>> marked. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Andy. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> To listen to the show archives go to link >>> http://acbradio.org/handyman.html >>> or >>> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >>> >>> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >>> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >>> >>> The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. >>> http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml >>> >>> Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From >>> Various List Members At The Following Address: >>> http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ >>> Visit the new archives page at the following address >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >>> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >>> list just send a blank message to: >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: >>> 22/08/2006 >>> >>> >> >> >> >> To listen to the show archives go to link >> http://acbradio.org/handyman.html >> or >> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. >> http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml >> >> Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From >> Various List Members At The Following Address: >> http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ >> Visit the new archives page at the following address >> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >> list >> just send a blank message to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 8/22/2006 >> >> >> >> >> To listen to the show archives go to link >> http://acbradio.org/handyman.html >> or >> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. >> http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml >> >> Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From >> Various List Members At The Following Address: >> http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ >> Visit the new archives page at the following address >> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >> list just send a blank message to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: >> 22/08/2006 >> > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. > http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml > > Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From > Various List Members At The Following Address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > Visit the new archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list > just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 8/22/2006 > > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. > http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml > > Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From > Various List Members At The Following Address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > Visit the new archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 22/08/2006 > To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! 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