table saw or radial arm ?
 

This past weekend I built a workbench in my garage. For many years my trusty Makita table top saw has served me well but it's time to get something bigger. There are plenty of used table saws and radial arm saws for sale locally but which is more useful for a DIY shop ? For the most part I cut 2x's and plwood/OSB board but could possibly build some furniture in the future. The ability to run a dado blade is a possibility . So if you only could have one which would it be ? I already have a 10 inch power mitre box. And to switch gears what about a Shop Smith ? I see them occasionally for sale locally. My dad had one when I was a kid if I remember correctly it was quite versatile. So what are you home shop guys using and why ?

I had the Radial a long time ago but now find the table saw more useful. Since you have the power miter I don't see why the Radial would add alot to your shop. But I'm no craftsman.

I have table, mitre and radial.

Rarely use the radial.

Definitely a tool you can do without.

I like the versatility of a good table saw over any radial arm. I turned my radial arm saw in on the Emerson recall. I have a JET table saw and a 12" compound miter saw. I haven't run into anything I can't do with them, and am very comfortable using both. The radial arm always scared me.

Radial saws became more of a specialty tool when the various chop saws came out. Now, with a sliding one, you really wouldn't have a lot of use for a radial, unless you have a special set up.

I would definitely looking into a good quality table saw. I have used that Makita you have on jobs for years, but I work mostly with trim. The heavier ones with a good fence are the ones to have in the shop.

I would not buy a Shop Smith. I wouldn't take one if given to me. Well, maybe, but I'd be using the disc sander and that's about all.

Keep the old Makita. It's really handy when you get a project started to have one saw set up with the dado blade so you don't have to change back and forth.

Table saw. SawStop FTW!

I read that radial arm saws were becoming a safety problem and manufactuers were not making them any longer.

12" table saw.

And when you decide to do furniture, add an Excalibur sliding table so you can rip or cross cut a 4'x8' by yourself with no problem.

Table saw..

I sold my Radial Arm Saw a few years ago... to the guy I bought it from..

When I owned it.. I went through those "new tool learn all you can" exercises... then it became a place to store things ..

Get a good sliding mitre (chop saw) and a table saw

Agreed! After a close call a few weeks ago, I'm buying a SawStop. I just wish they sold a table top saw too.

I was ripping a piece of trim for a door casing, and it jammed a bit and then yanked forward, jerking my thumb into the blade. Happened so fast.

When I finally worked up the courage to look at my thumb, I had just peeled the tip of my thumb enough for it to be pink but not bleed, and had cut off the end of my thumbnail right to the quick. It hurt, but not a drop of blood.

Lucky once, but I'm not going to bank on lucky twice. $1700 for a SawStop seems cheap compared to the cost of me losing a day at the hospital, with my wife sitting beside me clutching a baggie with 2-3 digits on ice. No thanks

We have a radial arm saw... Wish we had a table saw.

We have a panel saw, its not quite as useful, but it will do in a pinch.

"Before we use any power tools, let's take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these — safety glasses." [He points at his aviator-style prescription glasses.]

Norm!!!

My personal hero.
When I grow up, I want to be just like Norm.

Say's Norm Abrams. Life was much better when 'This Old House' was the only home improvement show on TV.

They can be very dangerous, and it is not very apparent unless you have used them.

Stay away from them.

You guys have reinforced what I thought the table saw is the way to go. I appreciate everyone's feedback. Around here it seems like Craftsman and Delta are available used. Of those two I think I would prefer Delta. I know I want one with the separate motor hanging off the back vs. the integral design. Seems like 150.00 - 200.00 is the going price. As long as the bearings are good and the fence/work top are in good shape any reason not to go used ? Anything else to look for ? I know to look for the best quality fence as that is where the precision comes from. Any other advice ? And I'll want it on wheels.

Accuracy is a combination of fence and mandrel precision, but a well made fence is usually an indicator of the quality you might expect.
Regarding wheels: if the saw stand has wheels, I don't think I would be comfortable with using the saw unless the wheels could be fully retracted so the weight of the saw is firmly on four legs.

Saw safe!
Les

Integral is great for dust control, noise (not much diff) and safety.

As for the fence, you can always up-grade later.

Check the table(s) flatness with a straight edge.

I have an old, cast iron Craftsman with an Delta Unifence in the basement.... Bought a Ryobi BT3000 (integral motor) as a portable saw, has a built in router table, I end up using the Ryobi 90% of the time.

I have both, and use both pretty much equally. They each have their own pros and cons and better applications.