4) In researching this, I found the darn thing has been recalled! It cannot
be fixed, so Emerson will take the saw part back and send me $100. That
would give me a $15 profit, but I kinda wanted the saw and it seems to work
fine. Since I don't plan on ever ripping with it(that is what the recall
was for) the defect doesn't seem to matter. Should I take the $15 and look
for another? Is whats left after sending the saw part back of any use, or
is it just scrap then?

Don't bother with the recall. That's a nice saw and it's as safe as any
RAS for crosscutting if it's used properly. I've ripped on this saw and
it's not a scary operation, but it's not nearly as easy as a tablesaw.
If you have the space, it's real damn handy to have the RAS always
waiting around for a perfect 90 degree crosscut. I even move mine for
miters and back to 90 with decent results, but I'll admit that my work
of late does not require absolute perfection. It just saves time if I
don't have to change a setup on the table saw for a simple crosscut.

==================
I agree aboiut Not taking advantage of the RECALL...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this RAS... The recall was to
IMPROVE the design of the blade guard (Saftey Issue ..in the eyes of
the Legal Boys at Emerson I guess...)...

I have not ripped anything with my RAS in over 30 years...just not as
easy as using my Tablesaw... and I have not moved the arm to cut a
miter in almost as long... I just made a few adjustable jigs that
attach to the fence to produce 45 and 22 1/2 degree cuts....my most
common miters...

I use my RAS 99 percent of the time as a cut off saw...and yes I do
have to adjust it every year or two to a perfect 90 degree cut but its
not a bid deal..

I topped my "stock" table with two pieces of " 1/4 in good looking
plywood...that I coated with semi gloss poly and insert a 2 inch wide
sacrificial piece of hardboard between these 2 pieces of plywood...
saves the table from getting cut up...and when it does I just slip in
another 2 inch wide piece of hardwood... Plywood was added to my saw
in the early 70's and still works and looks like new...

85 Bucks is not a great price BUT by no means a bad price since you
can always send it back under the recall for 100 bucks...

Now spend another 100 and buy a GREAT Blade ...

Enjoy
Bob G.