Ridgid or delta

+1 for Ridgid.

I’ve only used Delta 36-735 and I’m satisfied enough to offer a +1 vote for it. I believe the Ridgid (R4512) came out several years prior to the Delta so you are likely to get more feedback from owners of it.

Also +1 for Delta 36-725.

No question – Delta.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Delta. The Ridgid/Craftsman saw has been plagued with alignment problems. Shame really.

-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

Delta

I have a Craftsman 21833, same saw as the Ridgid R4512.
This is the worst POS I have ever owned. I regret this purchase almost daily.

Another vote for the 36-725. Extremely happy with it.

-- Joe | Spartanburg, SC | "To give anything less than your best is to sacrafice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

I have a Craftsman and I love it as I have for over 45 years …. probably/definitely not the same as the newer models.
I my humble opinion, get the best you can afford as it is the mainstay of your shop!

-- "It's fine in practise but it will never work in theory"

My Ridgid R4512 is very well aligned. I think most people claiming blade shift aren’t measuring properly. The R4512 fence is the weak part of the saw. Workable if you take the play out with some tape.

That said, I just ordered a SawStop PCS.

A thread here stated lowes was discontinuing the 36-725 if that’s what you are looking at.

It is also not in their new catalog (Delta). It can be found on the website but only by typing in the model number.

I’d get a solid confirmation from delta before a bought a saw that maybe discontinued.

The Ridgid seems 50:50 on whether or not you get one with fence issues.

I really, really wanted the 4512 but couldn’t get past the overwhelming amount of reviews citing the same problems.

Good luck with the decision.

A thread here stated lowes was discontinuing the 36-725 if that’s what you are looking at.
It is also not in their new catalog (Delta). It can be found on the website but only by typing in the model number.
- BillyDoubleU

The thread you mention was a question (based on lack of availability at a local Lowes store), not a statement of fact, and was asked over a year ago. A day later, the same poster answered his own question stating that his local Lowes got two in, so he bought one and the other one was sold within 30 minutes.

And it is listed in the 2017 catalog... For some reason, the ‘view online’ version is a 2015 catalog, not the 2017 catalog. And the catalog says that you need to ‘contact customer care for selective retailers’. It may well be that some stores are not restocking them due to lack of sales, but apparently many are having trouble keeping any in stock and they sell as fast as they get them. All the Lowes in my area either have one in stock, or can have it delivered within a few days. I also believe that Scott has basically determined that, other than the fence and motor, it is essentially the same saw as the 36-5xxx series (See here).

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

A thread here stated lowes was discontinuing the 36-725 if that’s what you are looking at.
It is also not in their new catalog (Delta). It can be found on the website but only by typing in the model number.
- BillyDoubleU

The thread you mention was a question (based on lack of availability at a local Lowes store), not a statement of fact, and was asked over a year ago. A day later, the same poster answered his own question stating that his local Lowes got two in, so he bought one and the other one was sold within 30 minutes.

And it is listed in the 2017 catalog... For some reason, the view online version is a 2015 catalog, not the 2017 catalog. And the catalog says that you need to contact customer care for selective retailers . It may well be that some stores are not restocking them due to lack of sales, but apparently many are having trouble keeping any in stock and they sell as fast as they get them. All the Lowes in my area either have one in stock, or can have it delivered within a few days. I also believe that Scott has basically determined that, other than the fence and motor, it is essentially the same saw as the 36-5xxx series (See here).

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

Well that’s odd. Think they’d keep the online up to date.

I couldn’t find it looking at the products and had to type in the model number.

If that’s the case then the Delta seems to be a better option than the Ridgid.

My Ridgid R4512 is very well aligned. I think most people claiming blade shift aren t measuring properly. T

- ppg677

Doubtful for a few reasons. 1) Buyers of that saws are essentially the same level of buyer who bought the 3650, R4511, PC270TS, Cman 22114, etc., prior to the existence of the R4512 and didn’t measure the alignment correctly on those. 2) The alignment problem effected the G0715P and 21833, which shared the same trunnion design. 3) Those issues have largely gone away on more recent models, but the buying population remains roughly the same. 4) Some of the owners of the saws that plagued by the alignment issues jumped through hoops to get it aligned….it’s a no go when the back of the blade shifts everytime the blade is raised or lowered.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Really

-- Google first, search forums second, ask questions later.