Type of machine
Miter and Radial Arm SawManufacturer
DeWaltDesigned in
United States
Production status
Vintage
User rating (2 votes)
 Blade Diameter: 254 mm |
 Power: 1250 W |
 Max cutting height (90°): 80 mm |
 Max crosscut depth: 415 mm |
The DeWalt DW125 Powershop Radial Arm Saw is a classic radial arm saw that is still popular on the second hand market. DeWalt stopped making them in 1988.
Raymond DeWalt is the original inventor of the radial arm saw, but while his original saw could only do crosscuts and miter cuts, this DW125 could do a whole lot more.
It is possible to turn the blade 90 degrees and put it in a fixed position, so that it works like an upside down table saw. This allows you to make rip cuts and even bevelled rip cuts, but it definitely doesn’t feel safe by today’s standards. Be sure to only use this when you know what you’re doing and all safety features are present.
Another feature is that you could mount a router and use it as an upside down router table, or just as a sort of milling machine where you pull the router through the wood from above. This can come in surprisingly handy, but again you need to know what you’re doing because it’s not an everyday task.
Some other attachments included a drill, which functioned among other things as a mortiser, and a sanding attachment. There was also a shaper head, which works like an upside down shaper / spindle moulder.
Most versions I have seen on the second hand market do not have any of these attachments and just have a normal saw blade. Quite a few of the DW125s that I’ve seen lacked the riving knife and blade guard. This is something to note, because they are quite essential safety features.
Although it has all the extra potential features, the DW125 is a very interesting saw without them anyway. It is very cheap compared to new miter saws of the same size, and because it was built to a high standard, it will work just as well.
Great machine if you know how to use it, very well built and versatile.
Know a useful link or video for the DeWalt DW125 Radial Arm Saw? Send me a message, and I'll update the page with your info.
Reviews and Videos
Showing all the different cuts on the DW125
youtube.com
Short video showing all the possible (not recommended) cuts on the DW125
![Restoring a DW125 [German] Youtube Thumbnail](http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/0rbr3QwDjws/hqdefault.jpg)
Restoring a DW125 [German]
youtube.com
German youtuber shows how he restored his DW125
How to make miter cuts on the DW125
youtube.com
Wallybois shows how to cut a miter on the DW125.
Detailed look at the DW125
youtube.com
Video showing all the components of the DW125 up close, can be helpful to see if your machine is missing anything as a reference.
How to repair the power switch
youtube.com
Guide on how to repair the power switch on the D125
How to use the DW125 (part one)
youtube.com
Detailed explanation on how the DW125 can be used.
How to use the DW125 (part two)
youtube.com
Detailed explanation on how the DW125 can be used (continued).
General
Forum Topic with detailed images [Dutch]
woodworking.nl
Topic on Dutch woodworking forum by L.N. showing a lot of nice and detailed images of the DW125.
Manuals
Official DW125 Manual [PDF]
f2s.com
Featured Resource
PDF of the official manual, with instructions for all kinds of cuts and attachments.
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Handpicked alternative machines for the DeWalt DW125 Radial Arm Saw
All the specs and options for the DeWalt DW125 Radial Arm Saw
| General | |
|---|---|
| Total height | 600 mm |
| Total width | 520 mm |
| Motor | |
| Motor Voltage | 3x 400V 1x 230V |
| Cutting Capacity | |
|---|---|
| Max cutting height (90°): | 80 mm |
| Max crosscut depth: | 415 mm |
| Saw blade | |
| Blade Diameter: | 254 mm |
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© Machine Atlas 2024
My DW125 was workig perfect,then the next day started tripping the electric. Off would. There be a reason for this , i have byepassed the switch to see if that was the problem,but still doing it any info would be appreciated
If you have bypassed the switch it could be the motor capacitor.
Hi does any one know the table sizes for the dw125 made in Italy it has an extra peice?
Hello my fellow 1251 owners, I’m in the uk but hope you can still help, I had my saw set up then had to move shops so was in storage for a long time, I’ve now got a new shop and have set up the saw but it isn’t working, I bypassed the switch and hit the motor, (I know a bit harsh) and she fired up, rewired the switch and again she isn’t working, any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance Adam
What do you mean “hit the motor”? Did you strike it with a hammer? Spin the blade with your fingers to start it? If so it could be a faulty capacitor. Otherwise, if it runs with the switch out of circuit, but won’t run when you wire the switch into the circuit, sounds to me like a faulty switch.
My does anyone know if the Dewalt DW125 has carbon brushes as mine suddenly stopped when I switched it on.This as been a excellent machine,have used it for nearly 40 years,so would be grateful for any advice
No, this is an induction motor, no brushes!
Hi I have the same question it sounds silly but I can’t find any brushes which are normally changed from each side of the motor and have started taking the motor to pieces. Please let me know if you get any information
Hi All
I am speaking to you all from Adelaide in South Australia.
I have had a DW 125 for over 30 years but unfortunately the motor has just burned out,(beyond repair) and I can’t seem to be able to find a replacement. I know you are in the USA but if you could possibly point me to anyone with spare parts or if you have any Australian contacts. I would very much love to repair this great Saw.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hi Dennis – like you I live In Adelaide – many years ago I bought one with a burnt out motor in a garage sale –
I had the motor re wound and was as good as new after
Hi. I’m currently rebuilding a DW 125. I am trying to remove the top height adjustment crank. I have watch the German U-tube clip and I can see he uses wedges. What I can’t tell is if there is a retaining screw or pin holding it in palace. Any help?
Hi does anyone know yolk bearin number on dw 125 radial arm saw please
SKF
6144.32A
£16.xx
£4.00 postage NDD
mtmc.co.uk Cat. pt no 19
my replacement arrived today
Note they have an ofset on the assembly
I’ve had mine for 40 years. it’s an excellent machine and very well built. I used it professionally for 30 of those years. The build quality is something you hardly see any more – excellent. I’ve replaced the table a few times , obviously. Last year the rubber suction hose adapter fell off and I discovered it had perished. Other than that it’s just as good as the day I bought it: 4th September 1981. We can get better blades these days though …
Very dangerous for ripping if not set carefully – DON’T STAND BEHIND THE INFEED SIDE – YOU COULD FIND YOUR HEART ON THE WALL BEHIND YOU!!
Hi BigDog That happened to me when I was younger and foolish.
Got the DW 125 from a fellow selling his tools from a joinery business.
Got it into my little shed, left the door wide open to accommodate long pieces of timber and decided to give the rip function a spin…before reading the manual.. I remember standing to one side (sheer luck) fed the timber into the blade and heard the ‘BANG’ whoosh, and felt something whizz past me face.
I searched the garden and even looked over the fence to see if I’d impaled any cats or foxes two streets away. The wood was gone forever.
So a valuable lesson in keeping yourself intact:
cross-cuts only
Hi, does anyone know the weight of this machine without the stand please? (it seems to be a secret…).
if anyone knows, I promise I won’t tell, and thenks in advance.
My DW125 trips the breaker every time I turn it on. Can any one advise me where I can get a new motor?
It would be wonderful if it was posssible. Thanks
Hi , can I get some advice on installing a Dado saw set on my DW125 saw. Do I need to purchase a different set of washers to secure the saw? It currently has the 30mm conversion collar on it
(over the 16mm shaft)