Excaliber Sliding table Vs Radial Arm Saw.

[Lou]

OK I have been woodworking for 30 years, have a two car garage shop with no room for cars. I have posted lots of answers on this board. Now I have a question that I am debating.

I have a reasonable Table Saw, Jointer/Planner, Bandsaw, Drill Press, Shapper, Lathe, and lots of small power tools and hand tools. I am looking at a choice between adding a RAS or adding and Excaliber sliding table to my table saw. I am looking for input from those that have the sliding table. I know the kinds of cuts that the RAS would make easier for me in. The Sliding table helps with some of the same kind of cuts. I really want to have both and will someday. Any help in which is first. I have waited 30 years for a RAS and can wait longer, but not much.

thanks.

[Dave Lehnert]

Most woodworkers I talk to purchase a sliding compound miter saw over a radial arm saw. The SCMS is safer to use and much easier to keep in line.

[Burt]

I've owned rockwell, dewalt,sears and Inca Radial Arm Saws. I ditched them in favor of an Excaliber Sliding Table. I've had the 49" model for about 3 years and no problems with it. Setup takes a little while but it isn"t difficult. I have a Delta Unisaw with a 52" unifense. I have this along with the excaliber table on a shop built rolling stand. Works great. The ability to crosscut a 48" sheet is nice. I also added a roller stand so that I can a very small cut off a full sheet of plywood with no problems. The only time I miss the radials is when I am Making Dado's for Bookshelves. Buy the Excaliber and forget the radial. Also consider adding a compound sliding miter.