I am planning on purchasing a new portable table saw. I can not decide whether to buy the bosch of the ridgid. I have seen great reviews on both of them. Which one should I buy? I did notice the nicer stand on the Ridgid.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
See thread http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=35527.1
Same song, first verse.
Whatya eventually get?Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
Bosch on order. Eagerly awaiting arrival. Just in time to rip about 80 2x4s into 2x2s. Gonna put it right to the test.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I have the Rigid. Great unit. Only complaint is that the on/off switch is hard to reach. Hardly a good feature in an emergency.
The ridgid sounds nice. Can anyone name some things that they particularly like about it? What are some of its best features? Does it come with a decent blade? Does it have a full size miter gauge and slot? Is the fence good and accurate even after hard use?
Tom, I've been waiting to brag about the Rigid. First off, cart/stand is great...very stable, built sturdy, unfolds simply and the wheels are big enough to cross the jobsite without dumping the saw. The fence is super high quality for a jobsite saw. Very accurate and dead-nuts parallel to the blade right out of the box. A little over a year of medium/heavy use and haven't had to make an adjustment yet.
Came with a very decent blade (not a thin kerf either) that was more suitable to ripping than cross cuts which was fine by me as I make most cross cuts with my SCMS. The blade is probably even worth resharpening although I haven't. Just replaced mine with a Freud ripping blade.
Full size miter guage and slot so my Bench Dog feather boards work nicely. 24" + rip capacity. On board cord storage is another nice feature. Rear dust collection port fits most shop-vac hoses. Nice big fat knee level on off switch. Smooth action, good fit and finish.
I've used the Bosch and almost bought one, but I got the Rigid as a recon with the cart for $379, have to say I like my Rigid better. Only drawbacks I can think of are (1) no out feed support and (2) it's a fairly heavy unit when mounted on the stand.
The Rigid is definately worth serious consideration. Can't vouch for any of their new tools. Incidently, the model of table saw they are selling now is at least second generation. Usually means that some of the kinks and quirks (if it ever had any I couldn't tell you what they were) have been engineered out by now.
I, too, bought a recon RIGID and am a happy camper. Did have to adjust the fence. A shop vac attached and running is a big face saver because the chute will sometimes back up and blow a big spurt of sawdust in your face just about the time you are pushing the work throught the final inches. A little distracting.
Really like the attached stand with the wheels. Can have the saw set up in 5 seconds after bringing it out of the van.
My van has a full length platform about 14" above the floor, which would make a hernia producing lift if it weren't for the wheels on the frame. I attached a pair of old 3 1/2" door hinges to the back of the platform and to the ends of 2 2x4's and have an instant ramp by just reinserting the pins. The 2x4's are also used across 2 sawhorses as a work platform or an outfeed table for sheet goods when necessary. I also figure that if I'm ever short a stud or some blocking on a job I'm never without supplies I can replace later.
theres one recon Ridgid at my local HD for $379 as well and another for $300 as is with the stand.....its missing the wheel for the saw blade adjustment and the lil yellow switch for the on off saftety feature and who knows what else...really tempted...I'll go back Sunday and see if its still there and if I can talk em' down either further
Be Jewish : )
andyMy life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Where can I buy the reconditioned Ridgid? Does it have the same warranty as new? Is it just as good as new?
Sorry I hve been spelling RIGID incorrectly.
I'm not 100% postive, but I think you just have to hit it lucky at Home Depot (of all places) to find a reconditioned Rigid. I don't know of any place off-hand that sells Rigid recon tools as a regular thing. Same warranty though...lifetime. Mine looked like someone had ripped a handful of boards and returned it. A few superficial wear marks running parallel to the blade is all. Blade was brand new. Home Depot is notorious for allowing people to purchase a tool they need for one job and then letting them return it when they are finished. Fine by me...just more deals for me on perfectly fine tools.
Even if you can't find a reconditioned saw, it's still a great saw for the money.