GregCW

I sincerely hope that the RAS is not gone away. I have had a Montgomery Ward Signature 10" RAS for 30+ years. The major plus for me is that it does NOT TAKE UP floor space but UTILIZES wall space. With it I am able to rip a 4' by 12' (if necessary) sheet of plywood into 2' widths.

Using some jigs (very similar to those used on table saws) I'm able to, 1)cut pieces to uniform widths, 2)cut Dadoes, 3)consistently, cut 45 degree angles and I am also able cut 15, 60, 35, 55 or any other degree angle necessary for the project. These are things you can't do with the chop saw which will only cut a 1"X12" and either 45 or 90 degree angles, 4)With the RAS I can cut a 2' wide board and larger with some creativity.

I disagree that the RAS is "dangerous". I've never had the saw get out of my control and I've never been injured using it.

Using the extended table, which I constructed, and by turning the saw out of the way, I am able to use my DeWalt router/shaper to route edges on nice moldings.

This leaves the entire center of my shop free for assembly. Something that the table saw, even a small portable saw, does not do easily. You have to at least move it out of your way, sometimes before you have finished using it.