Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Radial Arm Saw Hard to raise and lower

My father gave me a 1980's model Craftsman radial arm saw model 113.198611 and it is very difficult, almost imposible, to raise and lower the arm by the crank. I lubed the shafts and post but it did not help. This saw hardly has any use on it. Anyone have any idea what the problem may be? Assistance would be appreciated. Thanks. :)

Look around behind. There may be a set screw that is too tight. Loosen it slightly to the point of easy movement. Also, make sure you lube the gearing as well as the shafts and posts. It could be crudded up with sawdust.

I have a older radial by sears. Take the table off clean and lube all the bearing points between the front crank and the rear hoist of the saw. Its probably just needs a good cleaning,lube job and some back and forth use. Things develop rust,crud from none use.
I bought my saw second hand years ago. I just found 2 more bolts for alignment of the moving motor and its overhead. Cuts really square and clean now.

I know.....mine won't break, so I can't justify buying a nice new shiny one. It's only 35 years old, why won't it break like a car just out of warranty?

My father gave me a 1980's model Craftsman radial arm saw model 113.198611


While you weren't asking about this, you'll probably be interested. Go to Radial Arm Saw Recall (http://www.radialarmsawrecall.com/) and you will find that your RAS was involved in a recall, and that you can get for FREE a new table top, blade guard, and lots of other goodies that will make your older saw look like the new ones, and make it a lot safer to use. Enjoy! RAS' are great tools, if you are VERY careful. I love mine, but I am scared enough of it that I use it carefully (much more so now than the time I shot a piece of wood across the garage with it).

I just got an old (113.29402 - '60s era) RAS at a garage sale, and it has the same problem. I removed the Radial Arm Cap -- on top of the column with an oil hole to oil the elevation shaft (threaded vertical rod) -- and found the elevation shaft covered in sawdust. To raise the radial arm I essentially have to scrape that sawdust off the elevation shaft as the shaft turns. I can't see how to disassemble it to clean it, so I've taken the carriage off the arm to reduce weight and now I have to just crank through it.

Anyway, yours may have a sawdust buildup as well -- it's worth checking.