mdreed

The four most use full power tools I find most use full are the band saw, table saw, sliding miter saw, and the drill press. Of these I have found most useful. Once it is tuned up I find it easier to setup and safer then the table saw. I use the band saw for ripping, cutting small parts, and I have found I cut many more start cuts than curves. I found it very use full for ripping. I found out this when I was trying to rip some 4in hard maple. It would bog down the table saw, 220v 1¾ HP, and produce as much smoke as saw dust.
I was considered a radial arm saw until I saw the price and used one for a couple of cuts and found it very awkward. So I decided to get a sliding miter saw and this was a worthwhile purchase. I find it makes very square cross cuts.