What I wouldn’t do for a tool review in a magazine that wasn’t a love-in.
I know, I know, check the archives. Well I did and I can’t find the review I’m looking for. Here’s the situation, I have a 12″ PC with the dual lasers, love it…but it’s a brute and stays in the shop. I sold my 10″ to buy the 12″ and now wish I had the 10″ back so I could lug it around.
Skip forward a month or two.
I’m looking at the new line of Ridgid saws at the HD and they look like damn near exact rip offs of the DeWalt (had some yellow issues lately), and after the 12″ PC I’m sort of adicted to the laser. About the same price, but until the end of the month they have a lifetime warranty.
I’ve seen the opinions based on all sorts of FEELINGS…any one got one of these saws? I need a real opinion.
If PC made a 10″ like the 12, I’d buy it in a flash. I’d consider a Delta, or a Makita (can’t find one locally), or the DeWalt.
CC
Replies
I have an older Delta that has held up for me real nicely that I would get again, however I have heard excellent things about the Hitachi, and the Makita. Have you tried looking on the Makita page for dealers in your area?
I would also suggest http://www.toolseeker.com, you can compare tools and find online dealers for them.
Cheers
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=36744.31
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I have a Ridgid 10", (miter saw that is ;) but it's an older model. Mine is I think MS1060; I just looked at the Ridgid site and they now offer a MS1065LZ, which I think is what you're looking at. I have looked briefly at the newer model at HD, and feel mine is a better model than the one they are now offering. However, the one I have is just barely adequate. I am a DIY, not using it for anywhere near the amount a pro would. If I were pro, I'd look at the Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita, or DeWalt.
Read on for a modern power tool history lesson, and more reason to shy away from Ridgid tools in general now (long)...
I don't know if you're aware, but Ridgid no longer makes these power tools. Ridgid is a trademark of Ridge Tool company, who for many many years made (and still makes) plumbing tools that are a standard of the plumbing industry. They are a subsidiary of Emerson. Emerson also had a subsidiary, "Emerson Electric". (Had before a reorg - now split among the "Emerson Professional Tools" and "Emerson Motor Technologies" divisions) Emerson Electric made many of the Sears/Craftsman power tools, esp. table saws, until about ten years ago. Sears wanted a cheaper vendor/more profit, and gave the contract to mainly Ryobi, with a marked downturn in performance/quality/reputation of Craftsman tools. Emerson wanted to keep the money flowing, and Home Depot was looking for a 'house brand' of power tools. So, they created a partnership to sell tools exclusively at HD. "Emerson Electric" tools wouldn't cut it marketing wise, so they looked for an established brand of tools under their corporate umbrella, and Ridgid woodworking power tools were born.
Last year Emerson/Ridge Tool/Ridgid announced they are no longer going to make their woodworking power tools, but rather have an outside vendor make them under the Ridgid nameplate. (They will continue to make hand tools, shop vacs, plumbing tools, etc.) They also announced a plan to diversify their product line. Before they made just larger tools - table saws, band saw, drill press, lathe, etc. Now they are selling all manner of tools, cordless, portable power tools, etc. The third component of the Ridgid announcement is that they would no longer be exclusively sold at HD. It has been widely rumored that Ryobi will be the new maker, under the Ridgid name. There is evidence to support this. Ridgid made the deal with "One World Technologies" (OWT), a wholly owned subsidiary of TechTronic Industries (TTI). TTI is just a holding company. TTI also owns Ryobi. Their website (http://www.tti.com.hk) is down, so I couldn't find what else they own/make. At or near the same time as the Ridgid announcement, Home Depot also started to push (market/advertise) the Ryobi tool line much harder than it had previously. But, I now think of the Ryobi name to be consumer level, and Ridgid to be "Ryobi Pro", similar to Black and Decker vs. DeWalt. The problem is, DeWalt's been around a while, and has a track record (good or bad, depending on who you talk to), but Ridgid as made by Ryobi is too new for me. And given Ryobi's track record both in their own brand tools, and in taking over the Sears/Craftsman brand, I'll stay away until I know more.
If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Thanks Mr. Pita.
I was wondering about that coporate transformation. The Ridgid stuff is going off a lifetime warranty to a 3-year and the small print indicates that One World International is the maker of the tool. Didn't know they made Ryobi...but that's nasty stuff. I think I ponder this one for a while longer.
CC
According to the tool department manager at my local HD (a helpful and fairly knowledgeable guy), most of the Ridgid line is indeed supplied by Ryobi. A few of the tools are from other suppliers - for example, I think the jigsaw is made by Metabo in Switzerland, and it looks pretty good. On the other hand, I don't recall that it was substantially cheaper than a Bosch, so what's the point?
Dave
FWIW - I recently returned a Ridgid Cordless Drill as I got tired of swaping batteries... No Ridgid cordless tools for me!
I have a 10 inch Hitachi SCMS with a laser that I like. The fence is kind of small but the saw is solid and smooth.
Billy
Miwaukee and Bosch both offer 10" saws... give them a look...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
CC
i just got a new 10 inch rigid compound with lazer.i love it. it was true out of the box.really smooth nice controls and plenty of power.also i got there 14 volt cordless really impressed with both tools .good tools and price and warrantry . really like the twenty min charge.the blade with the saw is not high qualtiy .i changed it for high end trim work.give it a try i dont think you will be sorry
framer
Thanks, I'm going to have another look tonight.
CC
I love my Hitachi 10" dual compound.
Found this in another thread. Might be a good idea not to let the DW near the miter saw....
I've used our compound miter saw to cut beef leg bones into manageable pieces.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....