Kulisan Woodworking

Charlie Kulisan's workshop with radial arm saw

About The Company

Charlie Kulisan, owner of Kulisan Woodworking, is an vanced hobbyist woodworker who began his woodworking journey at 16 in his mom’s basement on Long Island, NY. His first project was a simple pine cabinet to hold his stereo equipment, which he still owns today. With over 46 years of experience, Charlie primarily creates projects for himself, friends, and family, occasionally accepting commissions from friends of friends. Although he no longer sells his woodworking creations, his dedication to precision, craftsmanship, quality, and safety remains strong.

The Challenge

The Legacy of the Craftsman Radial Arm Saw

Charlie’s first tool was a Craftsman electronic radial arm saw, which served him well for 37 years. However, after years of heavy use, the bearings began to wear out, and the electronic sensors started to fail. After several unsuccessful attempts to buy used machines for parts, Charlie realized it was time for a new saw.

Specific Features Charlie Needed

In 2023, Charlie began looking for a replacement saw to match the capabilities of his old Craftsman, especially for crosscuts and dadoes. He also needed a saw capable of cutting half-lap joints on thick wood (2.5 to 3 inches). Safety and durability were important features for him to consider.

After finding limited options, Charlie discovered Original Saw Company’s Radial Arm Saw and was impressed. However, he was particularly interested in a front height adjustment feature that his old saw had, which the Original Saw Company’s 12″ Radial Arm Saw did not yet offer.

Charlie contacted Original Saw Company and learned that the lower elevation feature was in development and would be available soon. About a year later, he followed up and was pleased to find that Original Saw Company had introduced the lower elevation option as an optional upgrade. This feature was crucial for Charlie because he was used to it on his previous saw and because his shop layout made it difficult to access an adjustment mounted on top of the saw.

The Solution

Collaboration with Original Saw Company

Charlie reached out to Original Saw Company for a solution, looking for a saw that could meet and exceed his previous setup’s performance. Over two years, he worked closely with Original Saw Company to ensure the saw included specific features he wanted.

Customization and Add-Ons

Charlie selected the 12″ Contractor Duty Radial Arm Saw with an upgraded Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) from Original Saw Company. The saw provided the necessary cutting capacity, while the VFD offered a smoother start-up and lower amp draw, making it compatible with Charlie’s workshop power requirements. Charlie also added a Lower Elevation Kit to make raising and lowering the saw arm easier, along with a Dust Shroud to reduce airborne dust and wood chips when paired with a dust collector. Additionally, he purchased a 12″ Fine Crosscutting Carbide Blade for precise woodworking cuts.

After receiving his saw, Charlie spent several days building a custom wood base for it, ensuring it fit perfectly into the space where his old Craftsman saw had been.

The Results

With his new saw from Original Saw Company, Charlie replicated and even exceeded the capabilities of his previous saw. The new saw has become essential in his woodworking projects, allowing him to quickly complete crosscuts, dadoes, and half-lap joints on thick wood. The improved safety features, such as the spring-loaded carriage return, have provided peace of mind during use. Charlie rates the saw highly for its durability, accuracy, ease of use, and maintenance.

First Project with the New Saw

One of Charlie’s first projects with the new saw was modifying a large cedar double gate. The original gate used half-laps on 2.25″ thick cedar, with 6″ and 8″ wide pieces. After his friend added an extension to his garage, Charlie had to cut down the gates to fit the new opening. The Original Saw Radial Arm Saw made this process smooth, cutting through the cedar “like butter.” While the rails were too large to cut entirely on the Radial Arm Saw, Charlie used the saw for the stiles and completed the rest with a router. Using a dado blade, he could take ¾” wide by 1/2″ deep cuts on the Radial Arm Saw.

Impressions of the Radial Arm Saw

Charlie shared some insights about his experience using his new Radial Arm Saw:

  • The first time he turned the saw on, it was so quiet that he thought he had wired it incorrectly, though the blade was spinning. Because of the VFD, it takes about 10 seconds to ramp up to full speed.
  • While the saw is more expensive than a typical hobbyist might spend, Charlie considers it well worth the cost due to its rock-solid construction and precise miter adjustments.
  • If integrating this saw into an existing setup with a pre-existing fence, Charlie advises ensuring everything aligns properly. He left enough space behind the saw to access gears on the lift mechanism for greasing.

Overall, Charlie is impressed with the saw’s added crosscut capacity, safety features, and solid construction. He expects it will last for decades.

Original Saw Company provides EXCELLENT customer service. I traded dozens of emails to get my questions answered.  My interaction at that point was mainly with Dave and Andrew, who answered my endless electrical questions.  Both were great to deal with, and I had the pleasure of meeting both at IWF24 in Atlanta this past August.  Everyone else I worked with was fantastic as well.  While I have not needed any post-delivery support, I do not doubt that I would receive the same excellent support.

Conclusion

Customer Service Highlights

Charlie’s collaboration with Original Saw Company resulted in the perfect solution for his woodworking needs. The new Radial Arm Saw has enhanced his projects’ safety, performance, and precision. With its advanced features and excellent customer service from Original Saw Company, Charlie is confident this saw will serve him for many years to come.

Gallery

Other Case Studies

20" Metal Cutting Radial Arm Saw

Central Florida Lumber

Central Florida Lumber, a family-owned leader in commercial building materials, specializes in doors, hardware, and millwork. The company needed a more efficient method to cut custom doors for its steel door customers.

Read More »
Charlie Kulisan's workshop with radial arm saw

Kulisan Woodworking

Charlie Kulisan, the owner of Kulisan Woodworking, is an advanced hobbyist woodworker. When searching for a replacement saw to handle crosscuts and dadoes, he prioritized safety and durability.

Read More »