Posts: 6,678
Threads: 1
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Southern California
Nice saw, Good Luck!
Thanks, Curt
-----------------
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
-- Soren Kierkegaard
Posts: 12,568
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Wapakoneta, OH
Once tuned you will wonder how you got along without it. Be sure to remove the blade, and then lower the motor firmly onto a wood block (scrap of 2x) for transport. The motor may need bearings (not really a big deal, and fairly cheap) and if you want some info on tuning it I have a couple of pdf files that have some really good info. Public domain, they are written by one of the Dewalt gurus over at the Dewalt RAS forum. He uses a 925 (much smaller saw) for the example, but most of it applies to all Dewalts...and he really has a killer tuning process. I can e mail them if you think you're interested.
I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.
Posts: 3,798
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
Thanks, Fred. I would like to have the pdfs and will send you a PM with my email address. I have removed the motor from the arm to take the strain off the arm during transport. My friend went through the saw a three decades ago when he got the saw from the school board. I don't recall that there was much wrong with it then. It has had light use since then. There is no play in the motor arbor bearings and none in the yoke to arm bearings. The races in the arm are smooth and the bearings on the yoke appear to be in perfect shape. It runs like a purring cat. I love the sound of big motors and the more I listen to them the more I hate the sound of routers. Ken
Posts: 146
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2006
I don't know the towing capacity of the Outback, but I would get the smallest trailer that will hold the saw. When you load the saw, put it as far forward as possible. You want to make sure you have 15 or 20% tongue weight. Light tongue weight will cause sway.
Posts: 3,798
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
The towing capacity is 2700 pounds but I wouldn't want to go anywhere near that for a long trip. I figure with the motor off the saw and in the car, the saw and maple table top will weigh about 500 pounds. A 4 X 8' open U-haul trailer weighs 600 pounds so combined that is about 1100 pounds which is well shy of the weight where I would be required to have breaks on the trailer. Ken
Posts: 13,412
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Texas
I've never liked radial arm saws for anything but cross cutting, but I do offer my respect for the preservation of old tools- and to your friend.
Posts: 16,505
Threads: 2
Joined: Oct 1999
Ken,
Congrats on your new acquisition! And best of luck to your friend who's obviously going through a challenging time.
That saw looks like a Dewalt GA, one of the more desireable models and heavy duty at that. There's lots of information about it over on the mothership at VintageMachinery. Do you plan on taking the motor assembly off of the arm before the trek? A few years ago I had my GA shipped over-the-road from Michigan to Montana with no damage whatsoever. Seller basically encased it in layers of bubble wrap and bolted it to a pallet. You should be fine with it in a trailer cinched down securely. Obviously, having John on the other end will be a huge help in unloading - master with the lifts, jacks, rigging, etc., he!
This one seems to be in great shape from your description and the pictures. The leg assembly looks good and it even has the original leveling bars on the table, a real plus!
Good luck on the trip and let us know how it goes!
Doug
Posts: 3,798
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
Hi Tapper, it is indeed a GA 50. I have already taken the motor yoke off the arm to diminish the stress on the arm during travel. As far as I can tell it is complete and original except the table. I have not checked any of the parameters here and won't until I get it back to Lewiston but I don't expect any problems tuning it up. Ken
Posts: 3,216
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2006
03-12-2017, 10:39 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2017, 10:40 AM by Dave Diaman.)
Ken, I may have a few new 14" crosscut blades I can send you.