Dewalt Radial Arm Saws

Radial Arm Saws

DeWalt Radial Arm Saws were created in the 1920s and were targeted at the home builder.  Over the next few decades, the radial arm saw became a popular saw for the military.  After World War II, these versatile saws became a mainstay of the home shop.

The DeWalt name continues to be synonymous with American-made, long-lasting cutting equipment.

On customer service calls, we frequently hear from people that have purchased an old radial arm saw at an auction or inherited their grandfather’s saw.

“How old is my saw?” is a frequent question that is asked.

Use the reference chart to find out approximately when your saw was manufactured.

SERIAL NUMBER YEARS MANUFACTURED
53204 - 80154 1947 - 1949
80155 - 101536 1950 - 1951
101537 - 125847 1952 - 1953
125848 - 181592 1954 - 1955
181593 - 250904 1956 - 1957
250905 - 307754 1958 - 1959
307755 - 354183 1960 - 1961
354184 - 399652 1962 - 1963
399652 - 494442 1964 - 1965
494443 - 563489 1966 - 1967
563490 - 636290 1968 - 1969
636291 - 332030 1970 ONLY

In 1971 a new serial number system was started to identify the date of manufacturing. The first digit signified the year. The second and third digit was the week of the calendar year. The last four numbers were the number of saws manufactured in that week.

SERIAL NUMBER YEARS MANUFACTURED
1010001 - 1510001 1971
2010001 - 2510001 1972
3010001 - 3520001 1973
4010001 - 4520001 1974

Again in 1975, DeWalt revised the serial number system. The first digit signified the year. The second and third digit was the week of the calendar year. The next digit represented the Lancaster plant number. The last four numbers were the number of saws manufactured in that week.

SERIAL NUMBER YEARS MANUFACTURED
50170001 1975
60170001 1976
70170001 1977

Replacement Parts

Over time, with years of use, parts of your vintage radial arm saws many need to be replaced.  There is some compatibility between Original Saw parts and older DeWalt parts.

Lower Guard Kits

Replacement 12" Lower Guard Kit for Original Saw Company Radial Arm Saws and some DeWalt Radial Arm Saw. Includes rings and applicable hardware.
All current radial arm saws are manufactured with lower guards. The lower guard is the piece that covers the lower half of the blade that is visible during cutting. Depending on the model, the lower guard could be a laser cut aluminum ring or aluminum links.

Return Reels and Kits

Return Reel Kit for Heavy Duty Radial Arm Saw

The return reel is mounted on the top of the arm in a mounting bracket. When the return reel retracts, the steel cable returns the motor and carriage to the home position behind the fence.

Return reels can be purchased individually. They can also be bought as a kit that includes the return reel, mounting bracket and hardware.

Rollerhead Bearings

Four replacement Rollerhead Bearings for a 12" Contractor Duty Radial Arm Saw
Rollerhead bearings provide the smooth arm travel for the radial arm saw. They are found in the arm of the saw and slide the carriage back and forth through the arm. Rollerhead bearings can be purchased alone or in a kit. The kit includes rollerhead bearings, eccentric shafts and concentric shafts. Washers are also included, depending on the model.

Switch Kits

Switch Kit with green and red start/stop buttons

The switch kit contains a square green “go” button and a red “stop” button.

Older saws are usually equipped with round buttons. Our standard switch kit will not replace round buttons. If your Radial Arm Saw has round buttons, contact customer service for assistance.

The Original Saw Company’s Heavy Duty Series contains 14″ and 16″ saws. These saw models are the most similar to the DeWalt GA model and has the most interchangeable parts. There are some variations in switch placement and several of the tables are different.

The most important information on the GA models is the machine number, not the model number. Newer DeWalts have a riveted tag under the front of the table on the frame, like the current Original Saw Company models. Older DeWalts have a tag riveted on the left side of the column near the arm.

The DeWalt GE models contain lots of variations. Most of these models were built in the 1930s and 1940s and are distinguished by a round bottom motor. Look for the serial number on a riveted tag on the post.

Vintage De Walt Radial Arm Saw