As for radial arm saws...I've had one for a few decades. I feel very comfortable using it for cross cutting. Radial arm is a bit of a pain setting miters...and even more so setting bevels. Have to raise the blade, set the miter/bevel, and than lower the blade.

As for ripping, I've never been comfortable with the radial arm saw. It does the cut...but scares the heck out of me.

I will be getting a table saw...with a sliding table if I can possibly afford it. As for the radial arm saw...I'll keep it for ever and use it for cross cuts. If I did not already have the radial arm, I'd seriuosly consider the table saw combned with a compound miter saw...mabe sliding if I needed it for wide boards.

Joel