Radial Arm Saw Problem. HELP PLEASE

[Ron Cooksey]

I have recently became the owner of my fathers Sears Craftsman Radial Arm Saw model #113.197150. I believe he purchased it in the late 1980s. I have taken the clamps off the stainless steel arm for cleaning and adjustments. After reinstalling the clamps I can no longer get the arm to swing out for miter cuts. I took the top 2 off again to see what was catching and found that the arm swings freely without the clamps but when the clamps are installed it freezes again. I tried putting only the top clamp of the top 2 on and still the freeze. I have cleaned the arm with steel wool and used white lithium grease (per instruction manual) for lubrication. I have tried loosening the clamps untill they almost fell out and still it catches. What could possibly be catching?

Any and all helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

[Don]

Hey, Ron. Welcome to the forum and sorry you are having a problem. My problem is trying to envision what is causing the binding. You mention the top two clamps seem to be causing the problem. I'm at a loss without a picture. Is it possible for you to post a picture of the parts involved.

Are you sure that the mitre arm lock mechanism isn't coming into play somehow?

All the best, Don

[bogydave]

Welcome
Sounds like the saw I have.
There is a "dog" that engages at 90 deg & 45 deg.
Sounds like this dog is engaged. Pull the locking lever toward you, (black "T" handle on top, front of the arm)
this releases the dog & then swing the arm right or left while holding the lever.
The lever is spring loaded & will lock into the detent if you release it.
Could be the dog mechanism is not connected to the lock/release lever & the spring is keeping the dog engaged into the detent. A rod goes from the "T" to the back on the arm to release the dog, this is where I'd look first. Pull on the "T" & watch to see if the rod is moving. (you can see the rod looking up at the underside of the arm) My guess is, dog not dis-engaging all the way.
There is a knob adjustment, to adjust the lock (brake tension), about 3" back from the "T" handle on the under side of the arm, this is another area to look for a problem.
One my saw, when the arm is where you want it, you push the lever away from you to lock it in any position. I lock it even when it's in the 90 or 45 deg position.
A picture would help to see if is same as my saw.
Hope this helps. Here pic of mine
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/RAScrftmn.jpg
Dave

[Ron Cooksey]

Well, here is what happened. I took both replies and started looking where you guys said and found my dumb mistake. Inadverntantly reinstalling the clamps upside down will cause the top clamp to hit the stop block that sets the miter at 45 degrees. That was a rookie mistake on my part. But, I am gaining a better appreciation of the workmanshio of this machine. I also went as far as to take the arm and barrel completely off so I could insure that I have a clean and basically rebuilt RAS that I know will work well. I found that the gibs where totally gummed up and not really working effeciantly as they should.

Thanks for the replies. They did help!

[Don]

Glad you got it figured out. Get it working and show us your projects.

[Ron Cooksey]

Thanks again for the help and creating this forum. I love it. Know I have another problem but I think I know what the deal is. The carriage is loose. I tightened the roller as much as possible and still loose. But, after reading some other posts about RAS's I believe the roller bearings need replaced. I have totally rehauled this machine from the ground up. I will send pics later and probably will send pics of every project that I do.

PS: My first project will be some of the jigs that I have seen posted here. Keep up the good work guys!

[bogydave]

New track & bearings on ebay:
Type this on Ebay.
CRAFTSMAN RADIAL SAW CARRIAGE TRACK& BEARING KIT NEW
This guy has 9 (8, I bought a set) if the PN#
is right for your saw. $18.00 + ship
PS: The track wears more than the bearings.
Your going to have a new saw soon.

[Ron Cooksey]

Just finished tearing down the carriage assembly and found the bearings to be in good condition. My next post was going to be "What possibly could be the problem now" but you just answered it. Thanks bogydave. I would have been scratching my head for a few more days.
What exactly do you mean by- I will need a new saw soon? Isn't all this rebuild worth it?

Ron

[Ron Cooksey]

bogydave,
I see now that I misquoted you. SORRY! (I will have a new saw soon)
I looked up the carriage and track you said was on ebay and no that is not what mine is. My track is one piece heavy gauge steel. So I still have a problem and now I am not sure what to do. It seems as though if I push up on the carriage when it is mounted the play disappears. So I am not really sure if the track is the problem or if there is still another problem that I can;t find. There must be some kind of adjustment to compensate for the difference in the tracking of the two types of bearings.

[Terry Mac]

Hey guys, I have the same RAS as you'se guys do.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/sh20w/200027.jpg


Also have the manual. This is the machine that Emerson Tool Co. made and you can get the updated anti kickback guard and table. If you want a copy of the manuals let me know on the pm to get an address and I'll send it to you.

[bogydave]

Ron. Did it work OK before you took it apart?
On my saw, the 2 left carriage bearings are the ones that are adjusted to tighten the carriage to the yoke assembly, Thay have 9/16" heads & 1/2" nuts & are eccentric cam type bolts. Make sure the yoke clamp lever is tight then just lossen the nuts & turn the bolt till just snug on the track. If they turn more than 1 full revolution, something else is wrong or it's different than my saw.
Look in the manual (pg 28 in mine) under "ajustments to compesate for wear" : Yoke lock handle adj or adj. carriage bearings.

Sears is usually pretty good getting parts & manuls. They have on-line parts, part #s & they even take your money online.
My track rails are solid 3/8" round steel. As Don mentioned, you may be able to flip them over.
Lets us know how it turns out.

Terry Mac , Your saw has a nice new table.
Is the blade cover & plastic blade guard, the upgrade. That & the handle look different than mine but all else looks the same. 2.5hp?
Did Emerson make them for sears?
I'd like to look into the new blade guard if you have a email or web site I'll check it out. My grandaughter likes to help in the shop so that is 1000% safer than what I have now.
Plus the anti kick back on mine is a real pain sometimes.

edited: Recall on Craftsman RAS, Emerson send repair kit & saw guard free!!! Made new thread for recall info. Thanks Terry Mac
Dave

[Don]

I used to have the saw you guys have in my business during the early days. I liked it too.

dawjr