Roof Cuts / Radial Arm Saw

JimmyZimmier

Anyone have an opinion on the use and practicality of a radial arm saw for use in cutting roof rafters. I have 6 houses on schedule for 2006, all with multiple intersecting hips and anticipate plenty of compound cuts. In the past I have only used circular or worm saws for this purpose, but recently I read that a radial arm may be useful. I am going over tool needs for the upcoming year now and am wondering if I should get one for my framers (ie ME, as the cutter). I have never used a radial arm saw for anything else.

Thank you

Cole

Never used one for cutting rafters and wondering how it would save you time?

Seems to me it would take longer.

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jmic

Personaly I think it would be a hinderence.
Joe

JimmyZimmier

This was my first reaction also, but as I said I never really used one before for anything. I guess the idea would be to set up a more substantial cutting station and completing the cuts more quickly or accurately. Who knows, but I think I've got my answer. Thanks.

NHCharger

I agree with Cole. The time to place the rafter on the cut table and get it lined up will chew up a lot more time than just cutting off the pile.

JustaFramer

A saw that cuts over a 45 degree bevel would be what I would want if there are bastard hip/val rafters. Also if you want to save time stack cut with a bigfoot on all non-beveled rafters.

reveivl

Why would you use a radial arm instead of a compound mitre? Granted, you can get a used radial for next to nothing, but the chop saw is way more versatile and less dangerous. IMHO. Rich.

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jmic

Are you serious? You mean to tell me humping around 16' 2x10's or whatever out of a pile and putting them up on a table of a radial saw or chop box is more versatile , safer or quicker than just cutting them off the pile or on a set of horses adjacent to the pile of materials with a circular saw. It seems obvious that this advice doesn't come from anyone who has done any kind of production framing. Not a good idea.
Joe

JimmyZimmier

Again, it seems I have my answer and will continue cutting off the stack. Did I mention I'm 6'3"?

Thanks

jmic

LOL,
Might want to cut off of a set of saw horses built for your height, but seriously a circ.saw will be much quicker.
Joe

jmic

But the School of Hard Knocks doesn't come cheap, the only way to really decide would be for you to try each way and make the final decision.
Joe

Tom R

You might wanna dig a hole where you're gonna stand!!

Seriously though, - - if it's accuracy you're concerned with you could make yourself a quick 'pattern-cleat' as an edge-guide for your saw to follow.

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jmic

Glad to be an Alumni member of the" School of Hardknocks"

Tom R

Yeah, I'm aluminum too!!

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reveivl

"It seems obvious that this advice doesn't come from anyone who has done any kind of production framing. Not a good idea."

Calm down, jmic, I didn't say it was more versatile than a circ. saw, I said a chop was more versatile than a radial arm. But if you've decided that I've never done production framing then there you are.

__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

jmic

Hey Rev,
I don't know you and there's nothing personal, all I have to go on is what's in your biography. Personally I thought one scenario was worse than the next, to me if your talking framing the radial arm saw is more of a workhorse than a compound mitre box but they all have their place on construction sites I just don't think cutting Hip or Valley or any rafters would be of anyones best interest, Maybe if someone was mass producing dog houses, but then one wouldn't be using 2x10's or would theyyy? hmmm Oh well have a Happy New Year! I hope I'm not pulling this out of my a$$ , in my past 70's - 90's owned framing co., 3 - 4 (5) man crews doing res. s/f, res. multi. family and condo's, commercial condo's and chain fast food( Mex.) Would you believe all this with no cell phones, back then we used Motorola 2- ways, on a community shared repeater, talk about a hassle getting through sometimes and that co. thought they made up the phrase CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Take care!
Joe

jmic

Oh yeah, I know things have changed in the past 10+ yrs. since I've phased framing out and these younger guys out there face more challenging house plans with more complex designs, if I'm wrong I stand corrected, I feel there's still so much to learn and am very interested still in learning other peoples techniques.Thanks,
Joe