Some time after the first of the year I want to replace my old CMS with a new model. I will keep the old one just because it was my dad's but it has about seen it better days.

So as I am looking around I am trying to decide which way to go, either a standard CMS or a SCMS. I currently have a RAS that was also my dad's. I don't used it much and pretty much to just square up wide boards. It really takes up a lot of space in the shop for no more than it is used. It is a Craftsman and I have put the new replacement guard and table top on it.

I just got my copy of Wood and they did a review of SCMS and they rated the Makita LS1016L as the Top Tool.

Do any of you have ideas on what you have or like best and why you like what you have.

Would I be better off retiring the RAS and the old CMS and getting the SCMS or just picking up a CMS?

If I get just a CMS would you get the 10" model or the 12" model?

I have so many questions and not enough answers. HELP!!!

I've got a SCMS that I really like, but I never see any like it. It's an 8" DeWalt, a little smaller than most, but I can cut a 2 x 12 so it's big enough for anything I've had to do. It's light and easy to move around or stick in the truck if I want to. I got it a few years ago at Lowes, they had it marked at $395, then marked it down several times, I got it for $250. I watched for the matching stand to go on sale and picked that up for $99. I see blades are a little harder to find for it, but I've got a couple stuck away somewhere, after moving twice last year I'm not sure where much of anything is anymore.

Gene, that is an interesting thought about the dados on the RAS. I have not cut that many dados, but I have used the dado blade on mine and cut some half laps with it.

Thanks

I did the same thing the first time around. As a matter of fact, it broke the back of the old blade card off as it ran forward. I only take small and very small passes now if I do that.