Hi, Takashi,

I possess both. I think it's probably fair to say that the RAS is more
verstaile than a table saw (although both can rip and cross-cut). However,
I would add that, at entry -level prices at least, the table saw is
inherently a more reliably accurate machine. If I had my purchasing time
again, I would drop the RAS, add some more money to get a better table saw,
and look to buying a decent CMS for dedicated crosscutting at a later date.

My tuppence worth, but I do feel that it's a fairly objective viewpoint. I
have the DW 720 RAS and a Record Maxi 26 universal, which is mostly used as
a table-saw. Neither are top of the line, but both are well above the
budget level.

Cheers

Frank



"takashi" wrote in message
...
Hi, I just started out woodworking. I am looking for a power tool which
is the most versitile of all. Some people recommended that I should buy
a table saw first, but others say that I can do more things, using a
radial arm saw. For example, a radial arm saw can be used to do both
cross-cutting and ripping. With some attachment, it can also be used as
a router. Since I can only buy one power tool at time, I am hoping that
somebody could give me a suggestion. Are the things that I said about a
radial arm saw correct?
Thank you in advance.