Menu
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 |
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.
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.
Don’t miss out on valuable company updates from us!
