Ridgid Table Saw Preview

The Ridgid table saw has been popular among those looking for a tool offering a tremendous bang for their buck. While they have two currently shipping models (and likely no more until the ridiculous table saw lawsuits stop) this review deals largely with their portable jobsite table saw. This saw has a strong, best-in-class 15-amp motor with soft-start, so it is sure to last a very long time while reducing motor wear and those annoying breaker trips. A single height and bevel adjustment handwheel allows for quick setting of blade height and bevel, but of course, doesn’t offer the control of a dual wheel system found in larger cabinet saws.

Ridgid Table Saw Preview

The Ridgid table saw has been popular among those looking for a tool offering a tremendous bang for their buck. While they have two currently shipping models (and likely no more until the ridiculous table saw lawsuits stop) this review deals largely with their portable jobsite table saw. This saw has a strong, best-in-class 15-amp motor with soft-start, so it is sure to last a very long time while reducing motor wear and those annoying breaker trips. A single height and bevel adjustment handwheel allows for quick setting of blade height and bevel, but of course, doesn’t offer the control of a dual wheel system found in larger cabinet saws. A blade height lock ensures that even tough cuts don’t drop the blade and ruin your cuts.


Ridgid Table Saw

Ridgid’s jobsite saw offers a tool-less blade guard for quick and easy installation or replacement with a single action lever. This is one of the newer split guards, so it adheres to the new 2010 UL standards and includes a riving knife that moves along with the blade. Anti-kickback pawls allow for effortless removal and installation independent of the blade guard and give you greater difficulty when making specific cuts that require their removal. Even the on/off switch is easy to use and oversized so you can simply bump it when the cut is completed.

Our favorite feature has got to be the included TSUV, or table saw utility vehicel which has been updated to include a single point
release. In our opinion, the inclusion of this stand and the low price make this one of the best deals on the market.

A “T” slot miter gauge provides additional capacity for cross-cutting and a writable surface is available to accurately align your cut line with the blade. The locking fence on this saw is extremely accurate ad we found it to move smoothly and with little effort. While it will, like nearly all fences we’ve used, gum up over time, if you keep the saw clean by blowing it down periodically you should get a lot of use out of it.

We really liked using the extendable rail and table system as it gave us just over 2 feet of ripping capacity – phenomenal in a portable jobsite saw. Other convenience features include a standard 2-1/2″ dust port for collection and ejection. It connects to most standard shop vacuums or dust collection systems. There is even on-board storage for the removable rip fence, miter gauge, blade guard assembly and anti-kickback pawls. Beyond that, you can store additional blades and the blade removal tools thanks to a side-mounted wing nut bolting system. Even the power cord can be easily wrapped on the tool itself and there is accessory storage for a tape measure, pencil or other marking tools.

This is one of the most popular jobsite saws due to its excellent balance between price and performance. From what we’ve seen it of, it’s hard not to pass it up and take a closer look when you are shopping for a solid, flexible jobsite tool. At just under $450, this has got to be one of the best deals around.

Related articles