Posted by Tom on November 17, 1997 at 10:43:59:
In Reply to: Radial Arm or Table Saw posted by Bill Slifko on November 03, 1997 at 16:36:44:
: I would like to buy a good saw for all around home
: use. Problem is I don't know whether a Radial Arm
: Saw or a Table Saw would be the best choice. Could
: anyone who has worked with both advise me? I was
: under the impression that pulling the saw over the
: work would be safer than pushing the work over the
: saw. Also if possible please advise me regarding
: a good brand name of saw.
: Thanks, wslifko@imap.pitt.edu
I would recommend a good quality table saw first
and a sliding compound miter
saw second and avoid buying the radial
arm saw. I used a radial arm saw for many years
before I purchased a table saw and now I seldom use
my radial are saw. The table saw is safer than the
radial for ripping and crosscutting small pieces.
The sliding compound miter saw is one of the best
tool investments that I have made. Can be used for
angled cuts for moldings and for simple cross cuting.
Recommendation would be for a Jet or Delta table saw
I have a 3hp Jet cabinet saw with at 50" fence system
that I am very pleased with. The Jet is also a few
hundred less than the Delta and has been rated higher
in the magazine surveys. Hitachi makes a great
sliding compound miter saw, I have the 10" model.
Avoid Dewalt unless you can afford the downtime of
constant repairs. I still have the radial are saw
in my shop but it is now the least used tool.
Tom