How to Replace the Bed on a Radial-Arm Saw

A radial arm saw is a large circular saw that glides on an adjustable arm. The piece of wood to be cut is placed on a table below the saw, and the saw is pulled across the wood to complete the cut. The table surface on which the wood is placed is sacrificial, as the saw blade will often cut into this surface. When this surface becomes damaged to the point of needing replacement, you can replace the bed on a radial-arm saw with a circular saw and drill.

4-foot by 8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch-thick medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
Pencil
Circular saw
Power drill with bits

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect the radial-arm saw's power cord from the electrical outlet. Raise the saw blade to the maximum height.
- 2
  Loosen the clamps that hold the rear table board and fence in place on the table bed. Lift these two boards off the bed and set aside.
- 3
  Loosen the screws that secure the wooden table to the bed, and lift off the table.
- 4
  Place the three removed sections onto a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Mark the outlines of the three pieces onto the sheet of MDF with a pencil. Also mark the hole locations for the mounting holes from the large table piece.
- 5
  Cut out the three pieces along the pencil lines using a circular saw. Then, pre-drill the holes for mounting the large piece with a power drill.
- 6
  Position the large piece of the table onto the bed, with the holes in the MDF matching the holes in the bed. Insert the screws through the holes and secure the MDF table top to the bed.
- 7
  Place the replacement fence piece vertically against the large table board, followed by the rear table piece along the back of the fence. Tighten the rear clamps of the radial-arm saw to hold the rear table piece and fence in place.

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Carpentry