Are you trying to search for the best radial arm saw for your workshop? It is one of the tools preferred by professional woodworkers because it can perform all the tasks done by a band saw, or a table saw.
And now, you even have the sliding miter saw, which is versatile and the new king of cutting wood, lumber, and boards. This will be a great alternative to radial arm saw.
When buying a radial arm saw, it can be pretty confusing because of the large number of competing models and deceptive salespeople. And if you make a mistake and pick the wrong one, it could mean poor performance and huge losses.
To help you identify the right radial arm saw, we picked the best models from the market and analyzed them. So, no need to risk your money any more.
Read our reviews to understand these brands and pinpoint the ideal one for your situation:
The Best Radial Arm Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw |  Alternative Pick |
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| 3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw |  |
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| 4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw |  |
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| 5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw |  |
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| 6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw |  |
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| 7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw |  |
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1. Dayton Radial Arm Saw — Best Radial Arm Saw
It is true that the use of radial arm saws has gone down with the fast adoption of miter saws in the market.
But hold on, this Radial arm saw has refused to go away and it is very popular. It is a 378 pound, 1-HP tool that is powerful enough even for the most challenging ripping tasks.
Although heavy, there are two things that make this radial arm saw popular with most carpenters. One, the heavy construction makes it strong and firm.
Two, it helps to make the saw durable. Therefore, you can anticipate enjoying its top performance over a long time.
Another outstanding thing about this saw is that it allows you to make different types of angle cuts, which further allows you to work on different projects.
At 90 degrees, the saw allows you to make 1-1/2-inch deep cuts, or ¾-inch when cutting at 45 degrees.
This makes the saw a great option, especially for carpenters with projects such as designing cabinets, kitchen tops and doors.
Specs
- Weight: 378 pounds
- Saw blade diameter: 12 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum motor speed: 3400 RPM
Pros
- Comes with very effective safety features
- Made with heavy duty stand for enhanced stability and durability
- Designed with an efficient dust management system
- A great saw for making different types of cuts
Cons
- Expensive
2. Makita LS1019L Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw — Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
For decades, Makita has become a reliable brand, and every item it releases into the market wins huge popularity.
They did not disappoint with this LS1016L, which is a strong saw designed for strength and precision. Whether you are looking forward to making crosscuts, rip cuts, or angle cuts, this is the saw to go to.
The saw runs on a strong 15-AMP direct gearbox motor that allows you to work for a long time without losing power. When we tested the saw, it was remarkable.
Unlike the belt-driven saws, this Makita LS1019L is smooth when starting, does not bog down, and requires less maintenance. This is why it has become very popular for both professionals and do-it-yourself (DIY) persons.
Another outstanding attribute is its ergonomic construction. One, the saw is light and compact so that you can easily move it from the workshop to your work-site. It is also carefully balanced and comes with a see-through blade guard system for better visibility.
Specs
- Weight: 72.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 22.1 x 32.7 x 21.6 inches
- Power source: corded electric
Pros
- Light and easy to carry around
- A great piece for making both straight and angle cuts
- Uses an effective dust management system
- Easy to use
- Durable
Cons
- Not suitable for working with large boards
3. Festool 561287 Sliding Compound Miter Saw — Runner-Up Best Radial Arm Saw Alternative
For carpenters who are more interested in accurate and angle cuts, one of the top options is this 561287 saw from Festool. It is a revolutionary model that is designed to help make cutting not just easy, but fun and professional too.
The saw comes with finely tuned bevel adjustments that provide you with great bevel control. The adjustments allow you to make cuts to a fraction of a degree. Also, the saw uses dual lasers that help to define the material that will be cut from a workpiece.
When using most power tools, you have to anticipate generating a lot of sawdust. But this 561287 comes with a large dust bag that collects all the dust for a mess-free workplace. It also helps to reduce the risk of the dust damaging the moving parts.
Unlike other heavy-duty radial arm saws, this model is pretty light. It weighs only 47 pounds, which means you can easily move it from the workshop to an off-site workstation. However, you will need to get a separate working table to use with the saw both in the workshop and on-site.
Specs
- Weight: 47 pounds
- Dimension: 29.5 x 22.8 x 20 inches
- Power source: corded electric
Pros
- Comes with a highly efficient dust management system
- Great for making angle cuts on workpieces
- Light and compact
- Making adjustments is easy and fast
Cons
- Does not come with a stand
4. General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw
This General International 14-Inch Radial Arm Saw is another powerful cutting rig that is likely to outlive you. Weighing 550 pounds and rocking a powerful 5-AMP motor, this radial arm saw is a beast that will rip apart even the toughest workpieces as a hot knife does on cheese.
One of the most admirable attributes of this radial arm saw is that it is very firm and feels natural when working with it. The firmness is contributed by the high-density particle table made of cast iron and columns of steel. We also found the heavy construction very useful in dampening vibrations.
To enhance the performance of the saw, its blasé is designed with carbide tips that allows you to cut wood fast. Furthermore, the saw allows you to make angle cuts, and feature positive stops at 0º, 45º, and 90º for pivot and tilt.
You will also like the saw’s dust proof magnetic switch and overload protection that helps to reduce the risk of damage. Also, it features permanently lubricated and sealed industrial ball bearings that reduce tearing and wearing.
So, once you install this radial arm saw into your workshop, you can rest assured of enjoying smooth operations and low-cost on maintenance.
Specs
- Weight: 550 pounds
- Dimensions: 52 x 43 x 33 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
Pros
- Good for making both rip and crosscuts
- Comes with an ergonomic switch that makes controlling easy and safe
- Strong and long-lasting
- A great machine for making accurate angle cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Not portable
5. Craftsman 9-22010 Professional Radial Arm Saw
Most radial arm saws are heavy and difficult to carry around. To break this cycle, Craftsman made the 9-22010 Professional with two goals; to deliver top performance and occupy small space. When we tested this radial arm saw, the performance was beyond our expectations.
The radial arm saw is a powerful rig that runs on a powerful 3-AMP motor. Since it weighs only 78 pounds, we found it easy to move to the working site and complete the cutting tasks there instead of taking the workpieces to it. It is easier, faster, and more convenient.
One of the reasons why carpenters prefer using arm radial saws is that they are highly accurate. Craftsman took this notion a notch higher by incorporating Laser Trac Technology that makes it easy to align the blade with the workpiece for more accurate cuts.
To keep the radial arm saw safe, it comes with automatic brakes that allow you to stop the blade in seconds to reduce the risk of danger. It also comes with an automated control cut feed rate monitor that helps to avoid overloading.
Specs
- Weight: 78.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 56.1 x 101.9 x 71.1 cm
- Power source: Corded electric
- Crosscut capacity: 14 inches
Pros
- Light, compact, and easy to move around
- The radial arm saw comes with a large working table
- Can be used for making many types of cuts
- Uses a strong motor that makes cutting easy and fast
Cons
- Can only handle 14-inch wide blocks
6. DELTA RS830 Radial Arm Saw
Delta makes our list again with this RS830 high-performance, yet light radial arm saw. In line with DELTA’s commitment to quality, this radial arm saw comes with a heavy base and outstanding features that makes cutting easy and professional.
Like other radial arm saws from DELTA, the RS830 model is designed to give users full control when cutting their workpieces.
The rig comes with easy-to-use handles that allow you to easily control the depth of the cut. Even if you are new to using radial arm saws, learning how to use RS830 and make cuts like a pro will be easy.
With most radial arm saws, the primary focus is using the saw blade to make different cuts, both rip and crosscuts. But you can do more with this saw because it has a dual-threaded shaft that allows you to attach a wide range of accessories.
Specs
- Weight: 181 pounds
- Dimensions: 45 x 27 x 28.5 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum crosscut: 16 inches
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction helps to make the saw study
- High-quality stainless steel construction makes the saw sturdy and long-lasting
- Can be used to make angle cuts of up to 45-degrees
- Pretty easy to control and make smooth cuts
Cons
- The legs and the metal frame gets shaky when not bolted
7. DELTA 33-400 Radial Arm Saw
The DELTA 33-400 saw is a powerful cutting rig that no carpenter wants to miss in his workshop. Its unique design makes it easy to cut workpieces fast and at different angles. If you are looking for a strong, tough and durable radial arm saw, this is one option that you should consider.
When you first set your eyes on this radial arm saw, the most notable thing is the exclusive, turret arm-inch construction that firmly attaches on one end of the table.
The arm rotates at 360 degrees above the workstation, giving you greater flexibility to make different types of cuts on your workpiece.
When working with radial arm saws, especially when making angle cuts, it is important to ensure that the worktable is level or inclined at the preferred angle. This saw comes with six convenient table levelling jacks that help to sustain the saw table for high accuracy.
We also liked the extensive table of 44-inch by 36-1/2-inch, which allows you to work on most workpieces. With this radial arm saw, you can make crosscuts up to 29 inches and rip up to 41 inches.
Specs
- Weight: 749 pounds
- Dimensions: 46 x 44 x 43 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Saw table size: 44 x 36.5 inches
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Comes with a large working table for handing diverse projects
- Sold with a two-year limited warranty
- Can be used for making both cross and rip cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Buying Guide
Purchasing a radial arm saw is a major investment, and you should go for the best model that will articulately meet your needs.
Remember that if you think of an alternative to radial saw that would best fit your needs, the best choice would be a sliding miter saw.
So, to help you pinpoint the ideal radial arm saw for your facility, here are some important things to consider.
Power
Just like other power tools, the most important feature that defines how effectively you will make your cuts is power. If you will be handling a lot of cutting tasks, especially thick workpieces, it is important to go for a radial arm saw that has a strong motor.
Consider anything between around 15-AMP motor. But if you only have minor cutting tasks around your home or workshop, a saw with the 10- to 12-AMP motor should be enough.
Blade
When deciding the power of the radial arm saw if choice, it is important to also think about the blade. The motor of the saw moves the blade to deliver the cutting action. There are two things that you need to think about when working on the blade.
First, the blade should have the right teeth configuration. If you want to use the blade for making smooth cuts on your workpieces, consider the one with many teeth per inch (TPI).
Ease of Use
A great radial arm saw should be easy to use. So how do you know about this? Look for features such as a big working table, and well-positioned switches.
The saw should also be carefully mounted on an arm that allows you to easily change position when making angle cuts.
Brand
If you take a closer look at the number of radial arm saws on the market today, the large collections can easily make one to get confused. But it is the manufacturers who make the process more difficult by providing wrong information to their clients.
To be sure of selecting the best one, you should consider buying from the best brands in the market.
Some of the best brands out there include DeWalt, DELTA, Festool, and Craftsman.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a radial arm saw, there is no doubt it is a major investment. Therefore, you should go for the model that is strong, durable, and capable of handling the nature of cutting tasks in your workshop.
We’ve given you 5 radial arm saw reviews which captured the best that the market has to offer. They were produced by top brands with a focus on quality and customer value. But the Dayton Radial Arm Saw stood out among these greats.
But if buying a radial arm saw is not feasible — because it is a pricey piece of equipment — we will tell you one fact here: a compound sliding miter saw is a great alternative and will deliver higher value for money. Do check out the best alternative, the Makita LS1019L, to make the cuts that radial arm saws can deliver.
