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From: ell@faron.UUCP (Edward L. Lafferty)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: Advice wanted: table vs. radial arm saws
Message-ID: <119@faron.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Sep-84 20:30:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: faron.119
Posted: Thu Sep  6 20:30:03 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Sep-84 07:26:21 EDT
References: <277@mako.UUCP>
Organization: The MITRE Corp., Bedford, Ma.
Lines: 31

I use both a radial and a table saw (both 10" for blade compatibility
and No, I don't think the extra 2" is worth the $, trouble getting
blades, etc.)

The radial say does a great job of crosscutting, especially long boards
which are a devil to hold square on a table. In addition, miter x-cuts
are much easier on radial. For certain shaping , dadoing, and the like
the radial is safer (you can see the blade, cutter).

For ripping, the table saw is nearly always a better choice. Long
pieces tend to jamb on the radial unless it is perfectly adjusted. Tiny
pieces are a real hazard on the radial because your hands are
underneath all that hardware (use pushsticks). For large plywood rip
cuts, the table saw is probably the only solution, although I also use
a portable handsaw (skilsaw) and horses. I sure hate trying to push a
sheet of 3/4 " ply around any saw table. Cut it to almost the right
size and then true up on your other tool. 

I don't agree that you can get more attachments for a radial than a
table saw unless you mean the strange things like jigsaws, lathes, etc.
I think those really AREN'T WORTH the money (rather have a 12").

Yes, the table saw should really be in the center of your shop and thus
take up room. Since the radial can't be setup any other way than
against a wall, it does take less, except you really have to have sid
extensions to make it useable.

Well, that's enough for now. 

The newsgroup isn't dead, just busy making things.

--Ed