Opinions on Ward Powr-Kraft RAS

[jteneyck]

I saw this RAS on Marketplace.  It looks really clean.  My friend is looking for a RAS, and doesn't want spend much and at $40 this meets the not much criteria.  The elevation handle in the front makes me wonder if it was made by Delta.  I also wonder if there is a lump of cast iron underneath that aluminum cladding on the arm.  So, does anyone know anything about these?  I have a line on a Dewalt MBF, which are great little saws, but I'm concerned the 3/4 hp motor won't be up for what he likely will ask of it.  





Thanks,

John

[rgc]

I saw this RAS on Marketplace.  It looks really clean.  My friend is looking for a RAS, and doesn't want spend much and at $40 this meets the not much criteria.  The elevation handle in the front makes me wonder if it was made by Delta.  I also wonder if there is a lump of cast iron underneath that aluminum cladding on the arm.  So, does anyone know anything about these?  I have a line on a Dewalt MBF, which are great little saws, but I'm concerned the 3/4 hp motor won't be up for what he likely will ask of it.  





Thanks,

John

[rgc]

Check out www.vintagemachinery.org for information on that particular saw. According to the Manufactureres Index, that saw was produced by the Portable Electric Tools Inc.
There is a copy of the owners manual & parts list in the Publication Reprints section. Hope this helps.
Bob

[jteneyck]

Check out www.vintagemachinery.org for information on that particular saw. According to the Manufactureres Index, that saw was produced by the Portable Electric Tools Inc.
There is a copy of the owners manual & parts list in the Publication Reprints section. Hope this helps.
Bob

Thanks.  I did look at that.  In the meantime, I found another Dewalt MBF in what looks like even better shape than the first, and for a great price, so I decided to go with that.  I have two Dewalt RAS's, so I've very comfortable bringing them into good tuning.  I'm a little concerned with the power, but if my friend uses it within its limits it will serve him well.  If he wants something larger down the road, then that's on him.  

John

[fredhargis]

I looked the OWWM stuf over and it looks like most folks that use that saw are happy with it, but I still think the MBF would be a better choice. MW was like Sears, they used a lot of companies to make their tools. I did find some reference to the comp[anies that did so, and it looks like Delta-Rockwell did some...but not that saw.

[jteneyck]

I looked the OWWM stuf over and it looks like most folks that use that saw are happy with it, but I still think the MBF would be a better choice. MW was like Sears, they used a lot of companies to make their tools. I did find some reference to the comp[anies that did so, and it looks like Delta-Rockwell did some...but not that saw.

Thanks Fred.  I'm picking up the MBF this evening.  I'll bring it home and clean and tune it, probably make a proper Mr. Sawdust table for it, too, before taking it to my friend's house.  I really enjoy saving these classics from the rust pile.  I'm going to need to do some training, too, as my friend has never used a RAS, but wants one.  

.... and remember, NEVER cross your arms!

John

[Tapper]

Thanks Fred.  I'm picking up the MBF this evening.  I'll bring it home and clean and tune it, probably make a proper Mr. Sawdust table for it, too, before taking it to my friend's house.  I really enjoy saving these classics from the rust pile.  I'm going to need to do some training, too, as my friend has never used a RAS, but wants one.  

.... and remember, NEVER cross your arms!

John

"Good on ya" John for helping out a friend AND providing some training! Post some pics if you have time. Always great to see photos of these great old Dewalt classics!

Doug

[6270_Productions]

I had one and used it for years.

That top "high speed" accessory spindle really liked to go through the bearings.  The bearings were cheap enough, easy enough to change, and available at NAPA.  I just replaced them when I needed.  As an aside, I did not actually use the accessory spindle . . . although I did have the "cable" that was needed to actually do something with it.  I also had the router bit adapter, but did not use that either.

I replaced it with a Craftsman, because it seemed like a good idea at the time.  I would trade back in a heart beat.

[Bob Vaughan]

The MBF, a quality built saw, was made in the day when people sharpened their own steel blades.  It will be a little under powered for a modern carbide tipped blade, but it still will work.
A sharpened steel blade will cut much better than a carbide tipped blade and won't require the power, but like hand planes and wood chisels, it has to be kept sharp.

[jteneyck]

The MBF, a quality built saw, was made in the day when people sharpened their own steel blades.  It will be a little under powered for a modern carbide tipped blade, but it still will work.
A sharpened steel blade will cut much better than a carbide tipped blade and won't require the power, but like hand planes and wood chisels, it has to be kept sharp.

Thanks for that input, Bob.  I have an Oshlun 60 tooth 8-1/2" x 0.091" kerf ATB carbide blade on my Dewalt 926, and it cuts great.  I'm going to try the same blade on the MBF.  

I picked up the saw tonight.  Looks great.  All the adjustments are stiff and need lubrication.  The motor has a strange sound when I turn it off.  It starts up and runs fine.  I'm thinking the bearings need to be changed.  After all those years, that's probably a safe bet.  I've done it on my GWI.  Is the MBF any more challenging?  

John