Radial Arm Saw

A radial arm saw is a versatile woodworking machine where a circular saw blade is mounted on a sliding arm suspended above the table, allowing you to pull the spinning blade across a stationary piece of wood.

Yes, heavy-duty industrial radial arm saws are still manufactured by companies like the Original Saw Company and OMGA, though they have largely been replaced in home workshops by sliding compound miter saws.

A miter saw has a motor and blade that pivot down from a fixed arm above a stationary workpiece, whereas a radial arm saw features a motor and blade suspended on an overhead sliding arm that you pull across a stationary board.

Never attempt to cut freehand curves, extremely short or thin pieces that place your fingers dangerously close to the spinning blade, metal stock unless using a specialized non-ferrous carbide blade, or unstable warped stock that can bind the blade and trigger violent kickback.

Yes, a miter saw is specifically designed to perform fast, highly accurate straight crosscuts (90-degree cuts) across boards and dimensional lumber.