Posted by John Zottoli on August 04, 19102 at 18:31:44:
In Reply to: Radial Arm or Table Saw posted by Bill Slifko on November 03, 1997 at 16:36:44:
If you could only have one tool in your shop, make it the table saw. I'll tell you why. A table saw in addition to sawing operations, can be used as a jointer, a shaper, a sander, and a router. There is no other tool as versital. The accessories can either be bought or made for almost any operation. A radial saw is also very versital. Those of us who bought a radial saw in additon to a table saw, did so because we wanted to save time, and have more control in certain operations. For example, crosscutting and dadoing can be done easier on a radial saw, because you can see what you're doing. Raised panels can be done on a radial saw. To me it's easier to make raised panels on my radial saw than on my shaper anyway. But all these operations and more can be done on a table saw. Plus you're limited on wood size on a radial saw. And let us not forget that the radial saw is the most unforgiving and dangerous tool of all. In the final analisis, I think the question is how much time do you have. There are tools that are designed to do specific operations that save time. Example, a dovetail machine. Dove tails can be done fast and easy with one of these. But they can also be done on a table saw, it just takes longer. If time is not a factor, then get a table saw. If you have no experience, then enroll in a class, or get a professional to teach you. Be careful and good luck.