A rare DeWalt promotional film from 1955 — "A Complete Saw Shop in One Machine"

[David Walsh]

Hello gents. I keep meaning to get back on here and see what's being talked about — found something the other day and thought I'd post it here. (Do tell me if there's a better section/sub-forum here for this sort of thing.)

 

Something I've been hoping to unearth for a long time. Practical demonstration wrapped in pure nostalgia. Hope you guys enjoy watching it as much as I do.

 

 

Here's the notes I wrote over on YouTube:

 

Quote

 

I always knew something like this surely had to exist — an optimistic, long-form "education-style" film from our finest era in American machinery manufacturing. Just shy of 70 years from its production, I finally stumbled on it, waiting to be rediscovered, in the archives of the Hagley Museum.

Originally produced by the always-wonderful Jam Handy. I've restored and upscaled it (from 320x240, believe it or not) to bring a bit of detail back to the footage. At the end of the video, you'll see a quick before & after comparison.

—
Original description: "Promotional film for the DeWalt radial arm saw. A narrator describes the machine's innovative design, various radial blades, and safety features, while its numerous woodworking capabilities are demonstrated."

 

Link to the source, as found on Hagley: https://digital.hagley.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A2656818/datastream

 

 

... and I can't decide what's cooler — that "DeWalt Custom Cut Lumber" shop coat, or the teardrop RAS automobile trailer at the end.

 

— David

[Cal]

Thank you!

[kmealy]

When I started out, I read a book that talked about all the wonderful things you could do with a RAS.  I got a Craftsman.   It was scary to do crosscuts without jumping toward me, really scary to do rips, the deck of course, got all chewed up, was hard to stay in alignment, and had no dust control.  I finally gave it to my nephew who was remodeling when it was replaced by a table saw and became mostly a place to stack wood.  Jack of all trades, master of none.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Your experience is not unusual, and it's my opinion that the Craftsman saws are the ones who ruined the category. Their saws were terrible for staying aligned, and then Sears ordered a great number of attachments made for them that mostly worked poorly...or not at all. My first RAS was a Craftsman, and I sent it in for the recall. After that I went a few years without one, then bought an old Dewalt. Since then I've 4 other Dewalts before I got the one I really wanted. They, and the Delta/ Rockwell turret arm saws have none of the problems the Craftsman saws did. I love the RAS and won't be without one again. That said, I don't rip on them and they don't replace the table saw. The use has to be aware of the idiosyncrasies of the RAS for it to be a productive machine in a woodworking shop. For me, I don't have a miter saw in the shop while a large number of folks think they are (as Scott Phillips said once) a "foundation tool". Of course, as I said...all this is just my opinion.

[kmealy]

24 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

. For me, I don't have a miter saw in the shop while a large number of folks think they are (as Scott Phillips said once) a "foundation tool". Of course, as I said...all this is just my opinion.

I'm with you there.  I went many years without a miter saw and don't consider it a keystone tool.  I use it when I need to cut something to length and the table saw is set up for something else and for off-site construction work.

 

I don't get the people who recommend it as a tool for someone just starting out.

 

We have one at the furniture bank and use it to cut legs and aprons to length while the table saw is ripping to width.  We also have a couple at the theater shop, but that's mostly construction work cutting 2x4 and 2x6 to length.

[David Walsh]

For anyone curious, here's a bit of video where my grandfather (with a few of his sons) make the case for the "how and why" of the RAS in a workshop.

 

(Attempting to embed the video at the relevant time, but if it doesn't work, the topic starts around 14:50)

 

 

[HandyDan]

20 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Your experience is not unusual, and it's my opinion that the Craftsman saws are the ones who ruined the category.

 

I also had a Craftsman but quickly learned it was the base that was lacking.  Their saws did well if they were mounted to a sturdy base and bolted to the wall so the never moved.  Only then could they be tuned in and be expected to stay that way long term.  Craftsman sold a stand for their saws but it would contour to the floor when moved and throw the saw cut off. 

[HandyDan]

20 hours ago, kmealy said:

I went many years without a miter saw and don't consider it a keystone tool.

 

I can't remember the last time I used mine.  I use the table saw for everything.

[John Morris]

David, back to the original reason and spirit of you posting the videos, nostalgia, fun, and appreciation for the machine. I loved the videos! Thanks for sharing with us.

Most of the negative experiences regarding the use of an RAS are due to using it incorrectly. It's still a highly valuable machine in the shop for many, I love the saw myself.

Blade choice, machine tuning, proper safety, the machine is wonderful.

Thanks again David, and thank you Mr. Saw Dust!

[Gene Howe]

Had a Craftsman RAS. Sold it and bought a Bosch MS. Never looked back.

 

Edited August 26, 2024 by Gene Howe

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

38 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Had a Craftsman RAS. Sold it and bought a Bosch MS. Never looked back.

 

As did a majority of the Craftsman RAS owners.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I did really enjoy that video, it's the first time I'd seen one with Wally. Anyone who questioned his ability as a woodworker should see that low boy in the opening frames. Rather you agree with his love of the RAS ot not, he certainly knew how to use one.