Charlie Morgan wrote:

My father was one of the original DIY authors in the 1950's. He wrote tons of
books and magazine articles on topics ranging from how to do your own concrete
and masonry, to furniture projects, how to install a swimming pool, and even a
book on how to fix your own television. Companies were always sending him tools
and materials to feature in his books and magazine articles. DeWalt sent him a
really nice radial arm saw for a photo shoot. For many years afterwards, they
would offer to send him a new model, in exchange for the old one. He always
declined, and the old saw continued to appear in print for many, many years.
DeWalt would have MUCH preferred that newer models got some coverage. The
problem was that the newer models were not cast iron like the original, and
lacked that same feel and precision. My father was no dope! I have that saw now,
and it is still going strong after 50 years. It's a little light in the "safety
features" department, but it's a very good saw.

Hmmm. Friend of mine gave me an old DeWalt RAS when he moved
interstate. It's cast iron and I'd describe it as solid, all right. It
most certainly is lacking in safety features. The main difficulty I
have with it is the motor is relatively gutless compared with my (new)
12" DeWalt sliding compound mitre saw, tho I might well be comparing
apples with oranges. For certain jobs, it's a superior choice however;
I trenched out all the top & bottom plates on my barn frame and housed
all the studs. The RAS was a lot better (more precise) than the
compound mitre saw for that job. It can also rip of course whereas the
mitre saw can't, tho I never use it for that. When I have some time
I'll give it a thorough overhaul.

PDW