need some insights on tool purchase...

[Rolf]

Table saw. And as Jeff said a good fence is important.
We cut aluminum all the time on the table saw in our shop.
We use a blade specificaly designed for doing that. BUT you need some real horsepower. We are using an old Rockwell saw that weighs a ton. We have cut up 1 inch thick aluminum. I would not reccomend doing that at home. use a band saw with metal cutting blades and a wax stick for lube..

[sgimbel]

You may want to look into a radial arm saw. It gives you the miter saw and table saw all in one.

[timber715]

There's no jet powermatic or delta over there? How about Laguna, they are from italy. What kind of power do you get over there anyhow?

Jeff,
unfortunately I haven't come across any of those, as the Makita saleperson said, there isn't much demand for such tool thats why they don't have other options, I pressume the same reason why hardwares and power tools stores don't carry much brands for this tool except the ones from china and taiwan.

Table saw. And as Jeff said a good fence is important.
We cut aluminum all the time on the table saw in our shop

thanks Rolf, I got the same feedback from the makita sales person regarding aluminum cuts.

You may want to look into a radial arm saw. It gives you the miter saw and table saw all in one.

sgimbel,
Thanks for the heads up, I will look into it. with good tool brand availability here, I doubt I can find one, but I will still try nonetheless.

[timber715]

You may want to look into a radial arm saw. It gives you the miter saw and table saw all in one.

I don't think I can afford to invest on that tool yet. Its very expensive for me... I'ld probably stick with a miter saw or a circular saw... perhaps the latter.

[workin for wood]

I still want to know what's for dinner over there.

[timber715]

I still want to know what's for dinner over there.

just got home from a chinese restaurant, had yang chow(fried rice), sweet and sour pork, fried chicken and spicy prawns... I enjoyed the prawns the most...

[workin for wood]

That's not too exciting. I was waiting for a "fear factor" menu.

[timber715]

That's not too exciting. I was waiting for a "fear factor" menu.

would you rather bbq chicken intestines(bituka), duck embryo(balut) and some roadside chicken feet(addidas)...?

[workin for wood]

lol, yes I would.

[Rolf]

Using a radial arm saw to rip wood scares the absolute ____ out of me.
I know lots of people do it, NOT me.