DeWALT DW1201 advice

[simPLY]

Hello I'm new here...thinking of getting one of the above for my workshop, which I'm setting up now, anyone have any opinions or advice?? My workshop is 16'x12' is it maybe too big for that sort of space or will it fit and be useable...I'm thinking of placing it centrally on the longer wall with benches running off either way...Thanks in advance!!

Chris

 

[Bodgers]

Hello I'm new here...thinking of getting one of the above for my workshop, which I'm setting up now, anyone have any opinions or advice?? My workshop is 16'x12' is it maybe too big for that sort of space or will it fit and be useable...I'm thinking of placing it centrally on the longer wall with benches running off either way...Thanks in advance!!

Chris

I had to Google it, to find out what the DW1201 was. Apparently it is a radial arm saw - the classic Dewalt one.

If you are asking for an opinion, over actual cast iron facts, if you aren't completely au fait with the use of a radial, I would give it a miss. Maybe a newer sliding mitre saw with some more safety features and bandsaw would be better...

 

[acewoodturner]

Radial arm saws are perfectly safe to use if you read the manual and practice on smaller bits of timber/board to gain some experience. I have a 1600s and wouldnt be without it. Get hold of Wally Kunkels book, which is the most useful and there are another 2 or 3 out there as well. A RAS is far more use that a sliding mitre saw and also quieter.

Mike

 

[Bodgers]

Radial arm saws are perfectly safe to use if you read the manual and practice on smaller bits of timber/board to gain some experience. I have a 1600s and wouldnt be without it. Get hold of Wally Kunkels book, which is the most useful and there are another 2 or 3 out there as well. A RAS is far more use that a sliding mitre saw and also quieter.

Mike

Don't disagree with what you are saying re: utility etc, Is it really something you would recommend to someone setting up for the first time?

 

[acewoodturner]

Its no more scarier than someone learning to use a table say. As with all machinery, following the guide book and making sure guards are in place etc, not using it if you are tired or having consuming alcohol, these machines are safe. I also said to practice on smaller bits of timber and panels which is good advice for a beginner. If radial arm saws are as dangerous as a few people on this forum make out, the HSE would have banned them a long time ago. The modification that Dewalt made to their latest KN machines, in that they cant be used for ripping or used as a spindle moulder is ok with me. I dont use mine for that anyway and its not because they are unsafe, its because it takes a long time to set up for that and I have alternative means of carrying out the operations.

 

[simPLY]

Whoops I seemed to have opened a can of worms...sorry...I've used one in the past and like any big spinny sharp thing it deserves a bit of respect and using in the correct manner that it was designed for...it's just been a while and I always used machines like a RAS or tablesaw or thicknesser or planer under someone else's instruction and I've still got all my fingers...so I was just asking if people think it's a good idea as you can get a good deal 2nd hand for an old RAS...thanks guys for all your input so far
Chris