I am brand new to woodworking. Several people have told me a table saw or a radial arm saw is the backbone of a shop. Anyone have a suggestion as to which one is preferable for a "newbie"? I am hoping to do "house" type work (deck, gazebo, improvements, etc.) and furniture (end tables, etc.) - Thanks.

Choward Get yourself a good table saw so you can do a lot of ripping wood to finished size and then do your cross cutting.Better yet if money is no object get a table saw to do the ripping and a radial saw to cross cut(this is my favorite).Now you start talking about makeing furniture the saw you will find the most versatile and useful to have is a bandsaw.If you have a good bandsaw and a good how to book ,your in Wood worker Heaven. Get one saw and learn how to use it well and before you know you will want to have the next kind etc. etc. All depends on how much money you want to spend but most of all how much effort you want to put into woodworking. I started out years ago with a radial saw and today have most all of them. Good Luck and good cutting...Mitc@BellAtlanticNet