Photo Index - Red Star Products, Inc. - Multiplex 30-A

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Red Star Products, Inc.
Norwalk, OH; Cleveland, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Radial Arm Saw
Machine Size:	10"
Submitted By:	William Pierce

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Multiplex 30-A
Date of Manufacturer:	Late 1940s
Serial Number:	30-A - A143
Last Updated	9/18/2006 8:40:28 AM

Comments:

Here are photos of a Multiplex 30-A which I believe is the first to appear in OWWMs Index of Red Star saws. This saw was in good condition when I purchased it a few months ago. It needed a new line cord, a good cleaning, a number of adjustments, and new paint. A pulley, rope, and window weight arrangement which someone had installed to return the arm to starting position had to go. The elevation crank is not original and appears to consist of parts of two different cranks welded together. Of course the lower guard is not original (but it is functional), and I do not have the splitter/AKB attachment.

As shown in the first photo, I have the RAS mounted on a bench beside my sliding compound miter saw with both saw tables at the same height. The miter saw is attached to a sliding platform which allows it to be moved backward and out of the way of the RAS or removed completely when necessary. The RAS table serves as a work support for the miter saw. Unfortunately I neglected to photograph the saw while it was mounted on the original cabinet, so the cabinet is shown separately in its current place in the attic.

I used a "modern" 10" radial arm saw for more than 20 years, primarily for gross sizing of material but occasionally for finish work. Settings on that machine did not hold especially well, and slight flexing of the arm contributed to inaccuracy. Although the Red Star has no detents for commonly-used angles as modern machines do, once set it holds beautifully. The Red Star combination of the "overarm" and the "elbow" allows for much longer angle cuts than possible on single arm saws of the same size (See 90- and opposing 45-degree cut lines on table). Delta, which acquired Red Star around 1950, has continued the overarm/elbow feature on most of its radial saws but with some modifications over the years.

Interestingly, the large base of this saw and the overarm are made of cast aluminum, while the elbow, column, yoke, and motor housing are of cast iron. I guess the use of aluminum, which itself is very stiff, helps to support the manufacturer's claim that the 30-A was light enough to be taken to the jobsite. Of course it was built in an era when even small stationary tools such as 8" table saws were made with plenty of cast iron and steel, so portability is a relative thing. Nonetheless the saw is very heavy and requires two people and/or a hand truck to move it.

With a good blade, this saw handles 8/4 white oak quite easily, but the 3/4 hp motor does necessitate a moderate feed rate. The huge motor housing, albeit flat on the bottom, limits the depth of cut to about 2 1/2".

Accompanying the saw were some partial sales brochures picturing the 30-A set in various cutting positions and with the optional drill press attachment. No one I've contacted has an operators manual for the 30-A; however, I found the details needed in manuals for the 20-A and 40-A which are available from OWWM.

Photo 1:

Comments: view from front left
Source:

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IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: view from front right
Source:

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Photo 3:

Comments: cabinet , currently stored
Source:

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