In article , "m II" wrote:

Never used a RAS but wonder how they compare with a good sliding miter saw.
I couldn't live without one, even a cheap one.
Advantages or disadvantages?

There are at least two things you can do with a RAS that you can't do with a
SCMS:

Most radial arm saws allow the saw carriage to be turned at 90 degrees to the
rails, and locked in place, so you can make rip cuts.

Radial arm saws also have long enough arbors to accomodate a dado set.