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3K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  toolie 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey everyone!

I am new to lumberjocks, long time reader first time poster. I live up in ontario and am looking to set up my own shop and am looking for a decent table saw that is reliable and wont blow out on me after a few uses. I am looking for something preferably mobile with accurate cuts. I am not a cabinet maker and dont require something that is accurate to mm but i want consistent cuts. I am more of a hobbiest/ DIY kinda guy

I have been looking into the ridgid cast iron table saw https://www.ridgid.com/ca/en/10-inch-cast-iron-table-saw

and

A more portable worksite saw like the bosch GTS1031 and build a mobile cabinet/ table around it with a router attachment.

Can anyone help me out here i keep hearing mixed reviews from different people on both saws. As soon as one sounds great a bad review pops up. The Rigid is at the limit of my budget so it anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Any and all are welcome.

Cheers
 
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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
As a contractor I have quite a bit of experience with portable tablesaws. I can't speak for the cast iron ridgid saw. I do however have the portable ridgid on the mobile base. It has a 15 amp motor and I think it's a great saw. In my shop I have a 3 hp unisaw which is great. But for the money I think ridgid makes a great product. With the cast iron table unit I would imagine you get a better fence system but maybe other ljs can weigh in on that. If the fence is good on that ridgid and you don't plan on moving it to job sites, I think it's a nice option. If you go portable though I would recommend the ridgid over the bosch. It can rip a full 4×4 in one pass. The bosch can't. Don't get to wrapped up in reviews. There's always gonna be someone with a bad experience. Good luck on your decision
 
#3 ·
I'd avoid both.

The ridgid has a well known alignment problem where blade to miter slot alignment changes when raising or lowering the blade. That saw needs a recall.

The bosch is a jobsite saw, and I have the 4100, and built a base for it like you mentioned. I could only use it for a few months before I got fed up with the small table size, fence that won't lock parallel to the blade reliably, table warping when the motor warms up from use, etc. It's just not a good saw for anything other than jobsite use. I gave mine to my pop and have a nice steel city hybrid with cabinet mounted trunnions arriving next week.

I'd buy the best you can afford. As for mobility, any saw can be mobile with a mobile base.
 
#4 ·
Jason- I was in your shoes 6 months ago. I went to home depot and lowes multiple times looking at portable saws vs contractor saws. The general thought is, purchase a portable job site saw if your going to be mobile and working "on the job." The stationary contractor saws have the following advantages:

- heavy, solid cast iron top
- better fence
- more accurate cuts
- quieter operation

For the home DIY, hobbiest, or professional woodworker, look for a contractor or unisaw. The direct drive saws are good don't get me wrong, but for ripping 4×8 sheets of plywood its going to be tough. I have the ridgid 3250. Solid saw and have been completely satisfied with it. DO your homework and research the major differences. The table saw by far is a huge key to any woodworking project.
 
#5 ·
I do have a Ridgid 4512 saw. Once well tune this saw is fantastic. I am a hobbyist, not in a production environment.
The fence problem can easily be fixed.
The blade alignment is something I do not have on my machine. I always lock the lock height know and the blade is dead on.
If I angle the blade I do the same and I do not have that problem.
I regularly check with a dial indicator and in the worst case scenario I do have 1-2 th of misalignment.
IMHO this is a good saw for the price.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Are you in Ontario, Canada or Ontario California? If you're in Canada, I'd check out the Craftex CT-146 ...it's essentially the same saw as the former Ridgid TS3650 (minus the Herculift). You give up the inboard motor and modern riving knife, but gain solid cast wings, better fence with more rip capacity, and a much better reputation.

Wood Asphalt Composite material Gas Automotive exterior




As mentioned, buy a portable saw for portability, not price. A stationary saw has several advantages.
 

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#8 ·
First time poster and visitor here. I've always heard about this place, but never came to visit. Anyways, I actually just bought my Table saw yesterday from "Blue" store. I did the research on the Ridgid 4512 and have to agree that you should really know what you're getting into if you pick that saw. If price is a concern, I was able to get the Delta table saw from "Blue" with a 25% off coupon from HF, if you're familiar with them. Each store is different, but it's a consideration if you have those stores in Canada that could save you a bunch if the store is willing. My 2 cents worth. :)
 
#10 ·
Welcometo Ljs
I had always recommended the Ridgid 4512 but after finding out about the blade alignment problem I would tell my students about the 4512 but warned them of the possibility of the blade alignment problem. Now there seems to a 4512 out there that the alignment problem has been solved. Since Knottscott is our resident table saw expert among other tools . I would strongly urge you to pay attention to his advise.
There must be a hundred threads one Ljs now about which table saw to buy,you might do a search on Ljs and read through all of those post to gain even more info.
 
#11 ·
knotscott, I never realized the Craftex was a clone of the Ridgid 3650. Actually, I never heard of it. I have the 3650, and once tuned and dialed in, it is a fantastic table saw. Although it does not have the riving knife, you can make zero clearance inserts with a splitter attached.

I just added a cast iron router wing extension from General International with a Mast-R Lift II, and this saw is outstanding.

I strongly urge you to check out the Craftex, you can always get a used Herc-u-Lift for it.

Jimmy
 
#12 ·
Herc-u-lifts are no longer produced by ridgid, except when part of a TS purchase( like on a 3650 or 4511). I have one I found on CL and I' m holding on to it for the future. I don't believe they are readily available.
 
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