Radial arm ripping blade

[Bvas]

Just acquired a new to me, but older than Roy(it might not be that old lol), 10" radial arm saw. The price was perfect....FREE!!!
I'm wanting to use it to square up the walnut chunks that I rough sawed with the chainsaw this spring. It currently has a 28 tooth combo blade that burns the wood about as much as it cuts it.
Just wandering if anybody had any blade suggestions for ripping hardwood???

And before it is said. I know a table saw or band saw would probably be better and/or safer. But the saw does have the proper guards and kickback devices and actually operates pretty smooth.

[kennym]

I run a 24 on tablesaw. Shouldn't be any different. Stand to the side! Those scare me to rip with, have one in back to crosscut to length and love it for that

[bamboo]

these guys will know---

http://people.delphiforums.com/snotzalot/sawdust/

[JamesV]

Ripping with a radial arm saw is dangerous. It can shoot wood faster then your bow shoots arrows. I only use mine for cross cut.

[Roy from Pa]

Sure is dangerous. I've had pieces of wood go flying while ripping boards on the table saw.

Go carbide blade for sure...  You don't want a high number of teeth...  It usually says on the package what the blade is used for...

[rmorris]

You won't see a lot of radial arm saws in small shops. They have too big of a footprint for their usefulness. The best part about the one I had was it's large tabletop area, the saw part just got in the way...

[LittleBen]

I would not cut a small chunk on a table saw or radial arm saw.

I'd probably flatten it on a belt sander or disc sander.

[Bvas]

Thanks guys.
I picked up a 24T diablo today. It is waaaay better than the blade it had. Cuts aren't super smooth, but that's probably mostly due to the operator not maintaining a nice steady feed. At least now I'm making saw dust instead of smoke. Lol
Having to constantly adjust the blade and kickback guard are kind of a pain in the you know what, but I know it's necessary to safely rip with a RAS.

[Bvas]

Originally posted by LittleBen:
I would not cut a small chunk on a table saw or radial arm saw.

I'd probably flatten it on a belt sander or disc sander.

Guess I shoulda clarified "chunks". These are 2.5-3" thick slabs that are 8-12" wide and 2' long. I cut the tree this spring and have had the slabs in my garage attic all summer.
I'm just trying to get them squared up and cut down to near usable size so that I can move them into the basement with the dehumidifier before winter.

[wood carver 2]

Sharpening is the key to good cutting. I used to hate using my 10 inch combo blade, until I took it to a guy who did a great job of sharpening it. It used to scream and tear up wood, but then it ran quiet and cut clean.
I have been using radial arm saws since I was 10. My Dad sold ours for the reasons given above, but I still use one daily at work. Enjoy your new saw, but keep in mind that it is a monster that wants to bite you.      
Dave.

[wood carver 2]

BTW, those Diablos are nice, inexpensive and clean cutting. They can even be sharpened a couple of times.
Dave.