Hi Bob, Table saws are indispensable for ripping wood (cutting it lengthwise). You may not need this capability very often, though. Plus, table saws can get VERY expensive (and better ones are almost always worth the higher prices).

There are also about 10,000 tricks you can do with a table saw! If you get one, take a class and you'll be amazed what you can do with it.

Table saws also need lots of room. A miter saw can just be along the wall.

From what you mention, I'd get a miter saw first. You can get a good one for under $200. Plus if you find you need the table saw later on, the miter saw will always be useful! (Table saws can be used for crosscutting, but miter saws sure make this task easy. And keep in mind that ripping may need a different blade than crosscutting. On a table saw you don't want to be changing blades all the time.)

Oh, and, by the way....be careful with that crown molding!!! Some of this needs to be cut by hand (yes, the old fashioned way!) with a coping saw. You don't want to go ruining that stuff on a miter saw or table saw.

Good luck and have fun,
-k2

[This message has been edited by k2 (edited November 25, 2003).]

Good selection and good advise from K2.
Wont express views either way. click on my website www.tool-central.com Delms250 compound 10 in miter or Delts200 . choice $99.99 each. Then you can have a table saw and a compound miter.

Yep, I agree too. Get the mitre saw first. I gutted out a house my mother bought and rebuilt everything inside the house, I used my mitre saw exclusively. If you were asking about outfitting a woodworking shop, then I would say get the table saw first.

Thanks k2,toolcen2,mustang,

Your time and responses are greatly appreciated and your advise I'll take.
Truckin' Bob

Hi trucker:
Say I bought a cheaper line of saws,got a skil-saw table saw for $168.00 with a dust collector,with a 3 hrs motor my father does alot of work and has a $2800.00 table saw their isn't anything he does that I can't either.
His weighs over 400 lbs easily mine is about 80 lbs I rip anyboard he does execpt really thick ones not because his is more powerful just that my blade does not go as high as his.I have ripped cedar half log siding with no problems.Honestly for the price it is great.
I also have a porter cable miter saw great for quick cuts and angles and such lots better than a hand saw or even a powered hand saw.
My table saw is not bulky and have had it for about 8 months and use it for alot of things.Resided my garage,had to rip boards.
I love it because just for ripping I needed lots of 1x4's for installing my ceiling so I just ripped sown some old lumber in back in the junk pile saved loads of money this way.
If all you are using it for is around the house it was a great buy.

I've got a table saw, power miter box along with a Radial Arm Saw, among others. If you can afford a 12" miter box, go for that over a 10". Although pricey, if you can afford a sliding arm miter box, it's a lot more capable than a plain miter box. I had a chance to try one out recently and if I hadn't already had a RAS, I would get that instead of the RAS and miterbox.