PULL (long, forgive me)
My Dad first introduced me to the radial arm saw when I was about 12 years old in 1958. My job was to "help" him. I read a very good Sears book about the RAS and practiced under his watchful eye. We have always pulled the blade into the work.
The secret to the whole thing has been mentioned briefly. Use a blade with NEGATIVE HOOK ! It makes all the difference in the world. There has to be a reason that manufacturers say pull other than pure coincidence. It works better this way!
Having taught woodworking since 1969, I have read many texts and books on the subject. Never have I seen the push method advocated for general use. I am not scared to have a junior high student, with proper instruction and demonstration, use a RAS. The danger zone is the area directly in front of or behind the blade. Proper use of jigs and/or fixtures make the properly trained user a safe user.
Personally I would much rather see a properly trained teenager use any machine than an adult who choses to violate safety procedures because they "have a better idea". I have seen cabinet makers use the RAS and leave the saw extended to the end of the arm instead of returning it to the back of the table. Being a "professional" does not always mean doing things the correct way. How many pros have you seen not have a guard or splitter on their table saw?
Last edited by Ron Jones near Indy; 02-24-2005 at 6:37 PM.
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Ron
"Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
Vince Lombardi