DavePanetta

I have built many fine things with the B&D RAS I bought back in the 70's. I built furniture with it for many years and until about 8 years ago it and a "skilsaw" were the only power saws I owned. I used the RAS to help build my workshop where it still is used for cross cutting long lumber. I now have a TS with a 52" top surface, but still prefer the RAS for cross cutting long parts. Several friends have chop saws, but other than portability I don't see any big advantage.

I don't think the RAS is any more dangerous than any other properly used cutting tool. Even hand tools can do you damage if not used properly. I know people who should not be in the same room as a power tool. As for space, I don't think a RAS takes up much more space than the now popular chop saw if the chop saw has a nice in/out feed table to properly support the work.

Chop saws are more portable, but I think the main advantage is to the manufactures - they can sell a smaller, fewer heavy parts, less costly (to them) saw for the same or more money as the RAS. from where I sit, most of the difference is HYPE.

I have owned a Fein MultiMaster for a few years and find it a very useful tool for fixit and remodel jobs. I do almost all of my own home repair since I am retired and on a fixed income.

My main problem is the cost of replacement blades. At such a high initial cost for the tool, I would expect the replacement blades to be more reasonable. I think I would not have bought the tool initially if I had looked at the cost of replacement blades first! I use the tool sparingly because of the blade cost.

I think the winner in the market will be the one which has a reliable tool, blades that can be used by other machines (the Fein in my case) AND the lowest blade cost.