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Best Radial Arm Saw to Keep Your Cuts Clean

Last updated: 4 Jun 2024
By: Woodsmith Review Team
highest-rated radial arm saws

Our Top Picks

  • Best Overall: DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw Shop Now ➔
  • Runner Up: Metabo HPT 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw Shop Now ➔
  • Most Compact: PowerSmart Cordless Circular Saw Shop Now ➔
  • Most Notable: BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD Shop Now ➔
  • Contender: SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw Shop Now ➔
  • Also Consider: CRAFTSMAN V20 Sliding Miter Saw Shop Now ➔
View all Contents
  • Best Radial Arm Saws Buying Guide
    • Buying Considerations for Best Radial Arm Saw
    • Key Features To Consider When Choosing a Radial Arm Saw
    • Conclusion
  • People Also Asked
    • Are Radial Arm Saws Obsolete?
    • Is Radial Arm Saw dangerous?
    • Can you rip wood using a Radial Arm Saw?
    • What is a radial arm saw good for?
    • What is better about a radial arm saw versus miter saw?
  • Related Reviews

Top Radial Arm Saws on Amazon in 2024

Best Overall

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DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Starting our list with an all-rounder and best radial arm saw by DEWALT. This radial saw features a powerful 15 amp engine to provide you with the utmost efficiency and convenience. Moreover, the saw comes with a sliding carbide blade of 17 x 24.75 inches that can cut even the thickest of woods.

The thing we love about this radial arm saw is that it comes with a dust collection system that captures more than 75% of the dust. Not only this, but the unit comes with a back fence design, an integrated blade, and 3 years of money-back and repairing warranty as well! So, if you are looking for the best radial arm saw, we do vouch for this one!

Pros

  • Powerful and Durable
  • Dust Collection System
  • Precision Cutting

Cons

  • It is a bit too heavy to move around
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Runner Up

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Metabo HPT 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw

Metabo produces excellent machinery and tools, and this HPT radial saw is proof of that! This 10 inches best radial arm saw features a powerful and robust 15 amps motor that can perform even the most complex of tasks. Also, it comes with a huge and robust table to help you perform your tasks conveniently.

Moreover, the wide sliding fence of this radial saw allows you to work from different angles and provides you with the best precision cuts. It also comes with a laser market to help you achieve more accurate and fine-tuned work. From light to medium work, this versatile, lightweight, and best radial arm saw will do it all for you! Not to forget, it comes with a 5 years warranty as well!

Pros

  • Provides precision cutting
  • Powerful 15 amps motor
  • 5 years warranty

Cons

  • Its electric cord is quite short which may restrict movement
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Most Compact

radial arm saw review

PowerSmart Cordless Circular Saw

The PowerSmart Cordless Miniature Circular Saw is a game-changer in the world of DIY home improvement. Designed with precision and convenience in mind, this compact circular saw can offer impressive cutting power. Plus, it comes in a portable and cordless package. Now, whether you’re working on a woodworking project, home renovations, or outdoor jobs, this saw delivers the performance and maneuverability you need.

Its lightweight design and ergonomic handle provide a comfortable grip. In turn, you are able to use this saw to effortlessly make precise cuts. With a long-lasting battery and versatile cutting abilities, this circular saw is an indispensable tool for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Pros

  • Compact size and cordless operation  
  • Powerful cutting performance 
  • Efficient battery life

Cons

  • Limited cutting depth
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Most Notable

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BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD

This Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw is a radial saw that everyone wishes to have in their garage – yes, it is that powerful and high-end. It is a corded electric unit with a robust motor of 15 amps and an expandable blade of 12 inches. This best radial arm saw works with an axial glide system to provide you with accurate, smooth, and precise cuts you wish for.

Moreover, this radial arm saw by BOSCH has an ergonomic design and features to provide you with the utmost comfort while working. Also, it features an efficient dust collection system to save your eyes and your surroundings from the wrath of the sawdust. In short, this unit should be surely on your top considerations for the best radial arm saw.

Pros

  • Precise and accurate work
  • Ergonomic design
  • Dust collection system

Cons

  • It is a bit too expensive
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Contender

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SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw

Next, we have another powerful and best radial arm saw by SKIL with a Laser Guide! This circular saw has a super powerful motor of 15 amps, along with a sharp saw blade that has a total of 24 teeth! Moreover, the unit comes with a dust blower as well to save you and the engine from dust saw particles!

The key feature of this saw is its laser guide that helps you make precise and accurate cuts without any mistakes. Also, there is a small indicator light as well that tells you if the unit is on or off. The best part, the whole unit is extremely lightweight and very comfortable, and ergonomic to use.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Powerful 15 amps motor
  • Features a dust blower

Cons

  • It does not have an electric brake
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Also Consider

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CRAFTSMAN V20 Sliding Miter Saw

Craftsman has been producing a lot of incredible tools since 2018, and this 7-1/4 inches radial arm saw is their newest addition! This saw runs on V20 battery technology and features a 4 Ah powerful battery to make accurate and precise cuts. The whole is approximately 12 inches tall and is surprisingly lightweight and portable.

Apart from the battery, this saw also features a 3800 RPM motor that can cut even the thickest of woods, along with an efficient electric brake that stops the unit as soon as you release it. The best part, there is an LED cut line as well to help you make your work more accurate. Lastly, we love its ergonomic design and the dust bag attached to make this radial saw worth buying!

Pros

  • Runs on V20 battery technology
  • Lightweight and robust
  • Powerful motor

Cons

  • Only suitable for home use
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Best Radial Arm Saws Buying Guide

Now that we are done reviewing the top 5 radial arm saws available in the market, it is time to learn to identify which one is the right one for you. Yes, you can just buy any radial arm saw people say is best – you need to find which is truly the suitable one for you. There are numerous key factors you need to consider before making the purchase, depending on your own needs and requirements. Want to know what those factors are? Let’s move forward!

Buying Considerations for Best Radial Arm Saw

Here are a few things you should always consider before buying the best radial arm saw. There is nothing too technical or difficult, just some basic stuff related to your preferences and requirements.

Power

Just like every other table saw, power is the most important factor of a radial arm saw as well. Also, power is the only thing that determines how efficient your radial saw is going to be. Now, how to determine the right one? Well, if you are using small blades, then a motor with 7 amps of power would work. However, if you are using large blades, the ideal power should be 10 to 12 amps.

Speed

Speed can be determined by telling how many turns the blades of your radial arm saw will turn in a minute. The faster the speed and revolution time, the good your cutting would be. If you are working with hardwood, you will need high speed. If not, then any speed would work for you!

Working table

The attached working table is what makes a radial arm saw different from other table saws, right? That is why the working table should be comfortable, sturdy, and of high quality. Radial arm saws come with different sizes of working tables – some large and some small. So make sure to choose the right one according to your needs and requirements.

Accessories

A radial arm saw itself is magic, but still, you will need some additional accessories to perform varieties of cuts. So make sure to look for those. Not only this but some high-end units also come with a dust collection system to wipe off all the sawdust from the atmosphere. So, if you have a flexible budget, try to get those too!

Ease of use

This is the most basic, important, and easy-to-find factor out of them all. Always make sure that the unit you are going to buy has an ergonomic design and is utterly easy to use, even if you have to pay a few extra bucks for that. Trust me, you should never compromise on your comfort and convenience.

Price

The price of radial arm saws starts from $100 and ends at $500 or more, depending on their functionality and features. However, keep in mind that they all perform the same tasks, the only difference would be the weight capacities and high-end features. So, don’t let the high price tags confuse you, and make sure to identify your need first and then purchase such power tools.

Key Features To Consider When Choosing a Radial Arm Saw

Now that we have gone through the considerations, here are the top 3 features you should never compromise upon when evaluating radial arm saws:

Blade

A blade is undoubtedly the most important part of a radial arm saw since it will be doing all the cutting solely. So, make sure that the blade has a high-speed motor to make it spin quickly for the perfect cuts. Also, the blades should be wide enough (ideally 10 to 12 inches in diameter). Also, the blade should be covered by safeguards to protect yourself from accidents and injuries.

Base

The base of a radial arm saw is also an essential part you should never compromise on. It keeps your radial arm saw stable and sturdy while you are working to ensure there is no interruption. Hence, make sure that the power tools you are going to buy have a stable, high-quality, and stationery base.

Arm

The arm is an adjustable component of a radial arm saw as it does the most to move the circular blade around the surface. Also, the circular area stays constant while the arm does most of the work and shifts the angle. In short, the arm of a radial arm saw is a multitasker, and you shouldn’t compromise on its quality and efficiency.

Safety requirements

Proper safety precautions are of paramount importance when working with any type of table saws. Founder of WoodWorking Clarity, Goodell David, says, “There is no amount of precaution that can protect you from freak accidents, so it’s great when your saw looks out for you.” If you are a woodworker and want to learn risks associated with radial arm saws, check the video from Stumpy Nubs.

YouTube video

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through every teeny tiny information you need while buying the best radial arm saw, what is stopping you? Run to the market and get your desired unit right now. However, just keep one thing in mind, always make sure to get a high-quality radial arm saw to ensure your safety. Also, we promise that all the power tools we mentioned above are reliable, trustworthy, and efficient!

Do not forget to share your experience with us in the comments below! You know we always love to hear back from you. Happy Shopping!

People Also Asked

Are Radial Arm Saws Obsolete?

No, radial arms saws are not at all obsolete and are still very useful in the world. In fact, the usefulness and functionality of radial arm saws are irreplaceable. Not just cutting, they also help you to achieve your cuts accurately.

Is Radial Arm Saw dangerous?

The answer to this is both Yes and No. If you are using the radial arm saw correctly, with proper safety measures then it is not dangerous at all. However, if you are just a noob and using the radial arm saw without proper safety gear, then it can be dangerous for you.

Can you rip wood using a Radial Arm Saw?

As we have repeatedly mentioned, a radial arm saw is the most versatile tool and can perform any sort of wood cutting task. So yes, you can definitely rip wood using this functional radial arm saw.

What is a radial arm saw good for?

Radial arm saws can be used to rip, cut bevels or miters, dadoes and rabbets, form moldings, and more.

What is better about a radial arm saw versus miter saw?

The primary advantage of the radial arm saw is the higher cutting depth.

Article Contributors

Woodsmith Review Team

The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Large language models (like Artificial Intelligence) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.

Inquiries regarding specific articles or product testing should be sent to aimperiapt@gmail.com

Read More About Woodsmith Review Team Here
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