I Love Extreme Sports: Craftsman Radial Arm Saw 22010
Written: Nov 15 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: motor was strong & consistent, operations and markings were clear and logical
Cons: not "con" but...hey, do you really need a laser to cut straight?
The Bottom Line: Extremely pleased - perhaps suprisingly pleased. Nice saw.
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| GuisBuild's Full Review: Craftsman Professional 10 in. Radial Arm Saw 22010 |
I have a secret affection for radial arm saws. Yes, for the category as a whole - not just one specific saw. Perhaps its the knowledge that many woodworkers have that if there's one tool out there that could sever a limb it's a radial arm saw. It makes being a woodworkers seem like something extreme. Could it be that we sawdust-covered lot are similar to snow boarders - Survivor contestants - early explorers?
Craftsman 22010
Why this saw? Well, I've had recent experience thanks to a large residential project I and my guys are currently engaged in. One of those jobs where you can drop your tools and sort of 'set up shop' on site. A jack-of-all-trades proceeded to unload this saw and already his star shone a little brighter (and I immediately checked for scars and missing digits...everything appeared to be in its original place....).
This particular model from Craftsman is part of their Laser Trac line which I admit to being unfamiliar with in terms of regular use apart from this tool. In a nutshell, a laser beam emits from the saw to the piece of wood being cut. The theory being that this will help the user keep a nice straight cut from blade through wood. Like "buttah" I suppose only in an even straighter line.
My aforementioned colleague indicated that this piece of equipment came complete with one carbide blade.
Crafting With The Craftsman
Immediate impressions... This one really isn't meant to be portable. I guessed the weight to be about 190-200 pounds. The literature accompanying it indicates a weight of 203 pounds. It worked for our jobsite because we were staying in one place for at least six months.
The motor seemed to have some good heft to it. 3 hp per Craftsman. The operation was steady, power consistent. Adjusting the blade was smooth - I found it to be quite accurate. A built-in blade brake had good response time. Perhaps not as good as others I've used, but saying "good enough" would be appropriate.
All adjustments are accomplished from the front of the saw in logical positions. Markings are clear, easily read even for a guy with less than 20/20.
Work surface was adequate - typical. Nothing out of the ordinary but what one would expect with this type of saw. The stand was very standard issue Sears with legs on an angle (other tool manufacturers have gone with a straight leg design with their radial arm saws). I would associate the stand with a portable tool as opposed to a shop variety - I'd like to see my radial arm saw on more of a cabinet-type base.
Usage - do I need one? As alluded to in my introduction, some people avoid these saws using terms like "death trap" or at least "limb loser". It has an awful lot to do with the arm motion used in bring a blade toward your body while doing cut work (though there's nothing written that says this is the motion that you must use at all times). Like anything, it also has a lot to do with the tool's operator.
I have an ancient model in my own workshop (too old to review here) which I use for bevel cuts and occasional for some quick chopping when I don't feel like getting the circular saw out.
We used ours on site for repeated/multiple cuts including bevels. Could the work have been done by another saw? I suppose a table saw would be great but we already had that running different cuts at different angles. In addition, because your blade and motor are more at eye level, making small adjustments for more detailed cutting may feel a bit easier for some woodworkers. (This would be the place that I should once again insert the suggestion that protecting eyeware be in place at all times.)
Another good use to keep in mind is the fact that when cutting through stock, there's no need to move the lumber as in table saw usage. In this case your lumber stays put while the blade runs. Excellent for extra wide pieces which may be hard to maneuver with a table saw. (Here's where the other warning comes that "ripping" materials through this saw would also be a dangerous idea.)
How's that laser? I believe I've written somewhere along the line about my ADHD where lasers are concerned. Not laser levels mind you, but rather the lasers incorporated into various cutting tools. This writer finds them to be a distraction - more bane than blessing I suppose. Is it accurate. Yeah, I guess so. Is it a selling feature? I don't think so. I still subscribe to the "measure twice, cut once" theory in conjunction with practice makes perfect. Relying on a laser just isn't for me.
Concluding this one with a positive rating is relatively easy. I liked the saw. I don't always like everything that Craftsman produces. The adjustments were accurate and easily done. The motor was strong and consistent. Operations were logical.
Ripping wide pieces was easy.
An average rating would come about thanks to the stand which I prefer to be heftier and the presence of a laser. Again, personal preference shines through here and not something intrinsically wrong with this saw.
I'm going to give it four stars. In the perfect world I'd go with 3.75, but generosity prevails. Finally, my admonition to potential buyers is to not think of a radial arm saw as "extreme". Simply think when you actually use the saw you'll be well on your way.
Recommended:
Yes
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GuisBuild
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Location: USA
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to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail
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