Radial Arm Saw

[RobP]

I am an intermediate level but improving woodworker and home improvement buff. I am beginning to expand the benchtop tools in my shop. I have a quality table saw I'm happy with but am considering a radial arm saw. Seems like this would greatly simplify cross cuts and dadoes on longer length boards. Can anyone comment on the practicality and advantages over the table saw and portable electric tools. Thanks.

[baupaw]

I love my radial arm saw. I own about as many tools as good ol' NORM but I wouldn't be as versatile in the shop without one.
It can act as a sliding miter, a crosscut or it can rip. It can produce compound miters too. Few tools are as easy to use or understand.
The nice thing is they are worth the money, which is more than I can say for some of my tools!
I would always recomend a radial arm saw in the shop. If mine died tomorrow, I would replace it tomorrow.
Hope this helps.

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[PAUL ANSON]

If you are roofing barns with raw lumber and making 100s of joint cuts in my opinion I would go with R A S. As I have two of them and I will never treat my miter saw as rough as the R A S. The miter may work mop boards and trim more precice but for cutting board lengths TO keep ahead of 4-5 nailers I would always chose the R A S .