A buddy of mine at work is about to pull the trigger on a $529 Ridgid table saw at HD, Model#  R4512, for his son.  My friend is not, himself, a woodworker.  He was asking my opinion on this saw, and I told him I would ask the smartest people I know about it.  So, how about it?  Anybody have any experience with this saw?  And, just for the record, I am asking about the saw's performance and reliability, not about the Lifetime Service Agreement offered by Ridgid.  I know some people swear by it, and some swear at it.  Any thoughts?

A bit under powered...

At 2 hp, it would be able power through 8/4 oak. Sharp, thin kerf blade and don't rush it. 

Cast iron table is a plus. It would make a decent hobbiest saw. 

That's a fairly good price, too.

Edited October 19, 20169 yr by Gene Howe

Might find a better saw for the same money on Craigslist or similar venue.

I have its predecessor, the TS3650, which I believe is quite similar, but with a 1 1/2 HP motor. It has handled everything I've ever asked it to do, and I LOVE it! Of course, my previous saw was a late-50's 8" model with rather a small table and a 1/2 HP motor, so it WAS a big step up! Guess it all depends on what you want a saw to do.

John

 

Besides what you'll no doubt get from TPW, there is quite a bit available with a Google for "Ridgid 4512"...try also more specific searches like "dado on R4512", etc... or "R4512 problems"...

My only concern would be whether or not the saw will continue to be manufactured, and will parts be available for it. Rigid did make a pretty decent band saw but it was discontinues a couple of years ago without any warning. Guys who have that BS are now unable to get parts for their saw. I did ask a HD manager about the situation but he knew nothing about it. Actually, he didn't even know the band saw had been discontinued. I'd personally step up to a hybrid TS, though they are somewhat more pricey. Check out Jet, Grizzly. Powermatic.

add the 4100 Bosch to the list...

everything in the yesteryear threads was done using a 4100....

I second the 4100, great saw especially with the TS2100 Gravity Rise Stand if space is limited and it is moved a llot.

 

 

I looked at it when I was looking to buy a new one. For the same money I got a DeWalt 10". on a folding table. The fence has rack and pinion adjustments, a fine knob adjustment, removes in in flash and will extend out to cut as wide as 40"

It has very clever places to store push sticks (provided) and blade height is easy and quick.  There is a very good video on youtube.  I looked at all brands, this one is the best all around saw I encountered and has VERY good accuracy.

19 minutes ago, Old Coasty said:

especially with the TS2100 Gravity Rise Stand

or build it into a large table....

9 hours ago, It Was Al B said:

Rigid did make a pretty decent band saw but it was discontinues a couple of years ago without any warning. Guys who have that BS are now unable to get parts for their saw.

I'm pretty sure the same thing occurred with their jointer line too.

I've seen a few of late on CL in my general area priced from $275-375...the one @$375 had several accessories + an upgraded 50" Biesemeyer fence.

For what it is worth, I see a Ridgid table saw in WOOD magazine's Idea Shop #6

With no hands on experience, I think it would serve him well. I went several years with a 1.5 HP contractors saw, and while in some cases it labored to do the job it did well as long as I slowed down the feed rate.

I bought an older Powermatic 65 a couple of years ago, and the $350.00 I paid at auction has been great for me, a semi-serious hobbiest. In fact, the 3 other ones I have were bought at auction, come to think of it, the 4 bandsaws were too. Actually, my wood planes were, along with most other tools other than mechanic's hand tools.

Edited October 20, 20169 yr by oldwoodie

Like John, I have the TS3650 and have had zero problems with it. I'm a hobbyist woodworker so don't work it really hard. But, I have put 8/4 cherry through it with a WWII blade and it had no problem. For a part time wodwrker, I'm happy with the saw. 

Gary

 

buying someone a tool is fraught with problems.  he'd be better to give the money and let the recipient buy his own table saw.  that way, he can make the compromises that having a fixed/low budget will entail.  i'd suggest getting the best TS / tool you can afford.  buy quality once and be done with it.

 

i have a dewalt TS, and i've used a $200 ryobi TS.  you pay less, you get less.

have more fun...

go pick it out together..

I've had mine for almost 4 years. Cuts everything I put thru it. Have a thin kerf blade on it and no problems .

The only thing I've had to do was readjust the fence. Out of the box it was way off!

Thanks everyone for all the input.  Since apparently no one had any negative experiences with this saw, my friend went ahead and bought the saw for his son, as planned.  Only problem so far is the hardware, at least some of it, was metric, and the son didn't have a set of metric tools.  Back to dad's and borrowed his.  Last I heard, the assembly is still in progress.  Anyway, thanking you all on my friend's behalf.