Adjustable Angle Docking Saw

Radial Arm Docking Saw

Unlike the circular saw which is pushed through the work, the adjustable-angle docking saw remains fixed in place and the saw blade is lowered onto the work. Timber up to 200mm wide can be cut at any angle up to 45 degrees making the fixing of architraves and skirtings a simple job.

If you are restoring a house which has deep skirting boards and wide architraves, buy the biggest size saw you can afford, because you will then be able to stand the boards on edges and still mitre them – an otherwise difficult operation. A 300mm saw will cut 150mm skirting boards on edges and 200mm boards on the flat.

The radial-arm saw operates on an overhead arm which is only capable of cutting material at right angles. The width of material to be cut depends on the length of the arm.

If you have a lot of shelving and kitchen cupboards to make, a radial-arm saw with 600mm of travel would be a useful investment. However, this is generally a machine for the professional rather than the do-it-yourself home owner.