can someone give me a link to a tutorial site for cutting objects from pictures to then place on a white background?
using the mask tool or i dunno what it is?
thanks

For cutting objects you can either use the Polygonal Lasso tool or the Magnetic Lasso tool.
There should be alot of tutorials here:
http://www.goodtutorials.com
http://www.pixel2life.com

Magic wand is a pretty good tool too, as long as you use the tolerance levels right. That along with the various selection options.

Simply use the eraser tool.. that's what I do, and my cuts are accurate

You can use any of the three tools...it depends which one you're best at using.
Like for example you can't just take the Eraser tool and start cutting pictures perfectly...you know to practice on different pictures and also zoom in to get a better view and cut the egdes easier.

I use the extract Window tool coz it is the only way to keep the details from the borders like hairs for example.
it's easy to use and you get the best result believe me.
here some tutorials :
http://creativebits.org/photoshop/the_extract_tool
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/restore/restore.htm