1) Select a blade size
Saw blades are very expensive, the less saw blades you buy, the better off you will be. If you are planning on getting a miter saw, table saw, a radial arm saw, or some assemblage of these, pick a size and stay with it. While there are several sizes available, the usual sizes are 12″ and 10″. If you stick with the same size blade for all of your different types of saws, you’ll be able to use the same blades with all your saw. Over time, this will save you a lot of money.
2) Corded or cordless?
Cordless tool battery technology has made noteworthy advances over the last several years. Tools that you would typically not think of being cordless, such as circular saws and miter saws, now offering cordless models. If you are thinking about purchasing a cordless saw and you have, or may someday have, other cordless tools, consider staying with a single manufacturer/battery system — that way you can share batteries amongst your tools. Extra batteries are often extremely expensive — it is usually cheaper to get a new tool than to buy replacement batteries. If you purchase several tools from the same...