Been contemplating the Dewalt tile saw. Checked one out for the first time a couple of days ago. Looks REAL nice. Head plunges and pivots up to 45 deg. Nice smooth tray and I’ve read lots of good reviews.
Looked at the Rigid today and I was impressed.
Any thoughts or reviews to offer?
Eric
Replies
I just saw that the other day - damn it looked like a nice saw.
JT
Dewalt or the Rigid?
I can find recon Dewalt for about the same as the Rigid new.[email protected]
With the stand?Looks like the Ridgid saw comes with the stand and it's a doozy. Folds up with the saw mounted and rolls around like a handcart with the saw attached.I've seen the Dewalt and it looks great too, but the Ridgid has some crazy features.Sheet - they're both made in China I bet anyways.JT
I bought that saw 2 bathrooms ago, very pleased.
Everything was lined up and cutting straight right out of the box.
Only minor complaint I have is the tray could be bigger.
For $700 I think it is a graet value.
ridgid might have a better warranty... probably would have gone for the ridgid if it was out at the time. I own the Dewalt... it is nice.... no complaints (other than price).
I just finished another bathroom with my old Workforce tile saw. It still works great, yet when I saw the Ridgid, I wanted it. If my wife gets the new job in Colorado and I build the house I have been designing for ten years, it will have a lot of tile. Also, there is no sense in moving my current saw to another state when my big yard sale could take care of the problem.
For those who wish to compare:
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=10235
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/WTS2000L-Tile-Saw/EN/index.htm
The rigid is 50lbs heavier than the deWalt. Most of that is probably the stand but still that is a big differance.
Thanks re.
I'm sure the Dewalt is the better tool, and I'm pretty sure that I don't need the stand.
I'm curious too why Rigid includes an extra set of brushes for the motor?? Something going on here they aren't telling us?
My old Felker has no brushes and the motor itself takes water well. Induction motor?
I cannot discern what type of motor the Dewalt has.[email protected]
Eric,Your old Felker has an induction motor, totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) so it won't get killed by dust or by water spray. The Dewalt and Ridgid saws have universal motors, which use brushes. The induction motor weighs a lot but will last essentially forever. The bearings and the centrifugal starter are the only wear items, and they are servicable.Universal motors wear out brushes and also (more slowly) the commutator that the brushes contact. However, universal motors are compact and lightweight for the power they put out. These things are always tradeoffs between competing objectives.Bill
the ridgid inclues a stand w. wheels. the dewalt does not (an extra 99). the ridgid also has a laser the dewalt does not. i think those are two nices pluses.
I had a Husky with a laser...hated it. It was difficult to calibrate and had a tendency to vibrate out of position. Granted it was a Husky and had other problems besides the laser that caused us to take it back after a day.Maybe the Ridgid's is better. But give a straight line and my Felker any day of the week.That being said...the Ridgid looks nice. I've taken a few looks at it in passing, but don't know anything else.
That does look like a very nice saw. I just bought a tile saw from Harbor Freight. Normally, I don't think I could recommend one of their tools, but my small MK wasn't big enough for the 20" Travertine I had to install, and I found this saw on sale for only $200. It seems to be pretty heavily constructed with a lot of cast iron, and tile saws are fairly simple looking machines, so I thought I would give it a try. So far, it has performed well, and for the price (less than my small MK) I'm pretty pleased. We'll see how it holds up long term!
Jamie
Eric,
Saw you got the Dewalt. What made you decide on that over the Ridgid?
Best,
Steve
I needed a saw that would cut straight!!
Probably brand loyalty. I see a few guys here and there dis Dewalt, but I have only had good experience with the brand.
I saw the Dewalt set up in a store. I got to play with it. The Rigid was up on a display shelf in Depot where I actually had to stand on something to have limited access to it. They did not display the stand.
I have read reviews on the Dewalt and they all seem quite posotive especially when it comes to water containment which for me is a value added feature.
The recon DW I bought was less $ than the Rigid. I don't need a stand, I use the plastic fold up horses.
The Rigid looks like a well built and designed tool. I was a bit put off by the fact that they include an extra set of motor contact brushes with the tool. WHAT??
To me that is like buying a new car and the include a couple of extra tie rod ends, or a bike that comes with extra extra derailuer pulleys. The question is WHY?
I would rather have an induction motor (no brushes) and a bit more power.
I'llbe sure to review it when I get the chance to use it.
Eric
[email protected]
Edited 11/28/2007 9:41 pm ET by EricPaulson
What didn't you like about your Felker?I've had the 150 (I think TM-150?) for several years. Saw and stand for about $500.Flawless cutting action.Mongo
I've had mine for just a couple more years than you. This saw is close to 35 yo or there about.
Tray is sloppy now; they were when brand new.
It is about as heavy as a small block Chevy engine and loads of fun to carry around. It sprays water all over EVERYTHING!.
If you wish to 45 the edge of a tile you must lay the tile on a jig and slice away until you get to your mark.
Give me a few more minutes.........
On the up side it is indestructible. I paid 100 for it 25 years ago.[email protected]
If you do a lot of custom tile, consider picking up a set of profile wheels.Pricey, but you can do some snazzy stuff with them. Makes it easier and faster when you can make what you want repeatedly instead of having to work with what the tile manufacturers offer, or hoping for the best with a grinder. They can pay for themselves on the first job.
That was one thing I meant to add on the + side of the saw is that you can do profiling.
I never have. I have done a lot of tile work only because I can, and often better than many of the "tile guys" can.
I meant to post a pic of the saw also.
[email protected]
Edited 11/29/2007 6:34 pm ET by EricPaulson
Now that's a machine.
Here's my 150, good enough for what I do.
View Image
That saw has an accurate carriage and guides. You would laugh if you saw how my saw was done.[email protected]
I have the Felker TM-150, too. It's a very solid saw for $500. I think it may cost a little more now. The motor will last forever and their support is great and based here in the U.S. Some of the roller guides were damaged in shipping and they sent new ones to me ASAP.
I've never tried the profiling wheels with it.
Billy
Bought the ridgid about two weeks ago. Have used it only once on a small job but was pleased with it so far. The stand looks complicated but is easy to use and works great. The saw does have some nice features like the bevel indicator lights and surprisingly the LED light. I thought I would never use the light but on the first day I had it set up outside and it was getting dark and that LED came in handy. The cutting was quick and smooth. The pan seemed a bit shallow but the pump worked fine. Didn't bother with the laser. The table slid real nice, locks, and comes off if needed, which I did when I carried the saw to lighten the load.