The Ultimate Sawsmith Radial Arm Saw Thread

[JPG]

Watch for PMs.

[Kidsmoke]

I'm watching...

[rpd]

Hi, new to the forum just bought a sawsmith that has virtually been un used. The coil cord up in the arm, going from the switch to motor has hardened over the years and lost it's elasticity. Anyone know where I could find one?

Regards Doug

I just found this Instructable http://www.instructables.com/id/Coiling ... ower-cord/
which lead to this video
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTmzg6WMnf0[/youtube]
It looks like it should be possible to make a new coiled power cord from straight one.

[Sinjem]

If anyone is interested there is one for sale on CL in Southgate CA

Doug

[Sinjem]

If anyone is interested there is one for sale on CL in Southgate CA

Doug

[stephen_a._draper]

I recently ordered a replacement power cord for my Sawsmith. I ordered the part numbers using the Sawsmith Spare Parts List. It shows up on the Shopsmith site as 503099 Wire-Main with plug and 503101 Strain Relief. Both parts have been replaced by 515652 Cord Power Station which comes with the strain relief already on the cord. I received it today and it is an exact replacement cord and strain relief for the Sawsmith. It even has the connections on the wires so you can just plug them into the Sawsmith On/off switch! Price is $22.41 plus shipping.

Sawsmith Power Cord

Sawsmith Power Cord.JPG (670.82 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

I am in the process of restoring a Sawsmith to new condition. I am just starting the re-assembly process and will provide pictures as I go. I am just waiting for the base cabinet parts to come back from the paint shop. They are sandblasting the six base cabinet pieces to bare metal and then powder coating everything in a color close to the original Magna American gray color.

Sawsmith Arm

Sawsmith Arm.JPG (630.27 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Base & Column

Sawsmith Base & Column.JPG (584.76 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Carriage Top

Sawsmith Carriage Top.JPG (564.55 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Carriage Front

Sawsmith Carriage Front.JPG (503.24 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Carriage Back

Sawsmith Carriage Back.JPG (505.66 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Carriage Left Side

Sawsmith Carriage Left Side.JPG (559.98 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

Sawsmith Carriage Right Side

Sawsmith Carriage Right Side.JPG (514.27 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

I had a locksmith shop make me keys for the lock on top of the radial arm and the lock on the cabinet.

Sawsmith Switch & Lock in Locked Position

Sawsmith switch & lock.JPG (670.83 KiB) Viewed 18144 times

I am replacing all hardware with stainless steel hardware if available.

Some of the parts are soaking in potatoe water for two weeks to remove rust.

Also finding 2" replacement casters that have a swivel radius of only 1.25" is proving to be impossible.

[stephen_a._draper]

I cleaned and oiled the motor shaft and sheaves as well as replacing the belt. It purrs just great and moves through all the speeds smoothly. The original belt was still on it and it was a Yuba belt. I used a Shopsmith belt which was a much better design with many more ribs on it than the original Yuba Belt. I still have one more genuine Shopsmith belt left in case this new one ever needs replacement. I found my belts from other Sawsmith owners. They cannot be found any other way.

[JPG]

Looking really really good!!!!

[BuckeyeDennis]

Sweet!

The castings look nice and beefy. In the early 60's, after Black and Decker acquired Dewalt, they quickly started changing the saw designs to reduce manufacturing costs, and sacrificed rigidity and repeatability in the process. Which ultimately led to a huge decline in RAS popularity. I'm curious as to how the Sawsmith's rigidity compares to the Dewalt's of the period.

BTW, you probably already know this, but for the sake of anyone else who might read this thread, DO NOT use a standard table saw blade on a RAS. That can be very dangerous.

[dusty]

Sweet!

The castings look nice and beefy. In the early 60's, after Black and Decker acquired Dewalt, they quickly started changing the saw designs to reduce manufacturing costs, and sacrificed rigidity and repeatability in the process. Which ultimately led to a huge decline in RAS popularity. I'm curious as to how the Sawsmith's rigidity compares to the Dewalt's of the period.

BTW, you probably already know this, but for the sake of anyone else who might read this thread, DO NOT use a standard table saw blade on a RAS. That can be very dangerous.

NO, I did not know that and though I have now been properly warned - please explain what makes this hazardous? How does a RAS blade differ from a regular saw blade?