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From: dkatz@zaphod.UUCP (Dave Katz)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: Questions re: table/radial arm saws, routers, magazines, etc.
Message-ID: <398@zaphod.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29-Jan-86 18:07:28 EST
Article-I.D.: zaphod.398
Posted: Wed Jan 29 18:07:28 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 01:34:20 EST
References: <192@octopus.UUCP>
Reply-To: dkatz@zaphod.UUCP (Dave Katz)
Organization: Develcon Electronics, Saskatoon, SK
Lines: 39

In article <192@octopus.UUCP> pete@octopus.UUCP (Pete Holzmann) writes:
>....
>
>1) A power saw and router seem like a good starting place. Would anyone place
>higher priority on {drill press, scroll saw, jointer/planer, ???} ?
>

No

>
>2) ...
>    Would anyone out there recommend a radial arm saw for doing quality
>	work? I'm inclined at this point to go with a table saw.
>

I generally prefer a table saw.  Make sure it is a tilting arbor (as
opposed to tilting table) saw.  Working with a large project on a table
tilted at 45 degrees is DANGEROUS.  One problem that other woodworkers
have related to me regarding radial arm saws is that as the saw is
brought out the length of the arm, the arm deflects (in some form of
parabolic fn of the distance).  The result is that you can't use it
reliably for dadoes, etc. and you can't correct the error to get an
accurate cut.  I would suggest a table saw plus a medium duty circular
saw and good straight edge guide for making initial cut on full sheets
of plywood.

>3) ...
>    sucker for things like the digital table saw (accurate to .005 inch, .1
>    degree) on sale for $399. But...
>...

I won't recommend any brand in response to the question (I have a
Taiwanese saw that is excellent) but will pass on a comment.  I recently
was talking with a person whose business is power tool repairs.  He
suggested that the digital ones be avoided.  They keep showing up at his
shop with problems in the electronics - apparently they are not built
rugged enough for the vibrations.

Dave Katz