On 21 May, 10:37, DM wrote:

It does that which a non-sliding chop saw doesn't, and thus makes it
almost useless.

A non-sliding chop saw chops. It doesn't do anything else. As a
result, they're of little practical use for anything - butt joints and
that's about it.

Stick a slide on there, with a depth stop, and the assumption is that
you get wider cuts. This is true, but not really that useful either.
Unless you pay several hundred quid you don't get _enough_ width to
cut more than a narrow skirting. If you do pay the full whack for a
big one, you've still only bought a flimsy unbalanaced radial arm saw.

What the really useful benefit on a sliding mitre saw with a depth
stop is, is its ability to cut halved joints quickly. _Now_ you've got
a useful tool for simpler carpentry, particularly chicken coops and
shopfitting or stud walls.


Incidentally, if you want a cheap radial arm saw, just find someone
who's got one and wait. After they've scared themselves ****less when
ripping went wrong on it, offer them a fiver to take it away. While
they're still shaking, they'll be only too glad to see it go. Then
went you get it home, lock the head so that it can't be swivelled for
ripping any more.


30mm bore on the blade too (unusual), so you can easily find blades for it.

Cheap chop saws have a habit of using funny spindle diameters so you
can't replace the blade, either for a better one, a new sharp one, or
for a more appropriate choice of tooth. 30mm is standard though and
there's a big range.