Paulpaulmcohen wrote:My SCMS does dado cuts using its normal blade, not optimal but possible. I used a RAS in High School but they always scared me doing anything but a crosscut.
I have heard these comments many many times, "I used a RAS in High School but they always scared me..." and i frankly don't know why.
On a RAS I can see the blade, I can see my hands, I can what I'm cutting there are no surprizes. Unlike a table saw where you can't always see the blade, you can't always see the cut and often times through inattentiveness can put your hand in harms way.
I agree Ripping on a RAS is probably more scarey but again if your using a splitter, blade guard and proper procedures feed direction and such there really isn't a problem. I will admit I never rip on my RAS since I have my SS but I did before. To me the two machines complement each other. One is super for certain things and the other is super for others. If I could only afford one tool and that not being a Shopsmith I know I would buy a Radial Arm Saw. It can saw, drill, rout, shape, plane, mould, dado, and sand.
I think since Alec already has one, and he probably isn't going to be able to sell it for a whole lot it might be smarter to mount it on wheels also and use it in his shop.
Ed