Belated Table Saw Mini-Gloat

[Vaughn McMillan]

Time for my first SMC gloat...the new table saw.

I've debated replacing my old benchtop cheapie Skil TS for some time now, and a recent bonus check from work was all the additional convincing I needed to actually buy one. Due to space constraints in my crowded garage, I needed something mobile, so a contractor's saw seemed to fit the bill. With a self-imposed spending limit of about $500-600, I researched a number of products and settled on the Ridgid TS3650 (even though it meant dealing with my local HD). There are a number of better saws, but this one fit within my budget and has more features than anything else I found in this price range. It was also favorably reviewed in several articles I've read. A few key points:


36" rip capacity (right side)
Cast iron table extensions
Poly-V drive belt with cast pully wheels
Smooth and accurate fence (it's not a Bies, but it has comparable specs in regards to deflection and repeatability)
Integrated mobile base (no additional expense)
Pretty decent dust collection shroud around the blade - and it fits my shop vac without any adaptors

The Grizzly G0444 looked very tempting, but by the time I got it comparably equipped and shipped, it would have been about the same amount or a bit more. (Plus, I read enough comments about shipping damage that I was a bit hesitant to go that way.) I also looked hard at the Craftsman 22114, but by the time I got it equipped with wheels and such, it'd cost more than I wanted to spend.

I feel a bit outclassed by the many Creekers here who have tools I can only dream about, but after using the Ridgid for a few weeks now, I'm very happy with my decision. Here's a pic of the new saw, fully assembled and including the home made right-hand table extension. I put a more detailed pictorial of the assembly on my web site here (http://tg3k.com/tablesaw.htm) if you're interested.

http://tg3k.com/images/Ridgid%20Table%20Saw%208%20400.jpg

And yes, that's a loose piece of OSB underneath the saw. The saw's easier to move on the hard surface, and it keeps the carpet in the garage clean. :p

- Vaughn

[Mark Aho]

I'm glad you are happy with that saw, and I really appreciate the info on your website. I have been researching a good starter saw and I have decided to go with the Ridgid. Your site has answered some questions I had, and your decision to get one makes me feel better about wanting to get one too!

-Mark

[Vaughn McMillan]

Mark, feel free to drop me a PM if you have any specific questions or would like higher resolution pictures. If your Home Depot is anything like mine, the display model is no indication of what the saw really feels like. (The "associates" at my local store knew absolutely nothing about it, and the display model was only half-assembled.)

As you said, the Ridgid is a starter saw, especially compared to the sweet hardware some of the other Creekers own, but it sure beats the little saw it replaced. I've read a few negative things about the TS3650, but as far as I can tell they've been corrected. My only "problem" has been the fact that it's quite a bit bigger in my cramped garage/shop than it was in the 900,000 square foot store. It's a problem I'm dealing with just fine. ;)

- Vaughn

[Mike Tempel]

Congrats on the new saw. I have a C'Man contractors saw that is about 6 or 7 years old. One of my friends has a Jet cabinet saw that makes my mouth water when I am around it. But, I have made some nice stuff with my little C'man and although I would love to have a cabinet saw someday it is just not in the immediate future for me.

By the way, I think it might be against the law to have carpet in your shop;) . As if I don't have enough to be envious of with all the wonderful gloats here in the Creek I thought I was doing good with those rubber antifatigue mats and you have carpet:confused: :o :confused: . I really can't complain though as my entire garage is my shop - equipped with cable TV, a small fridge, and enough outlets to run just about everything I own at once. Life is good.

[Dan Forman]

Vaughn---Congrat's on your new saw. I have heard good things about that one recently. I'm sure you will put it to good use.

Dan

[John Lannon]

Vaughn, seems like you and I went through the same woods hunting for a decent saw.
I also looked at the Ridgid and the Jet. I ended up getting the Craftsman 22114 because of the sale they had last month, and I also liked the enclosed motor. Time will tell if Craftsman finally gets it right with these new saws. I took the chance on one.

I read in some recent WW mag that the Ridgid fence is equal to most any out there for accuracy, and repeatability.

Good luck with the saw, and have fun

[John Hart]

.....I feel a bit outclassed by the many Creekers here who have tools I can only dream about, but after using the Ridgid for a few weeks now, I'm very happy with my decision. ...

First off Vaughn, congratulations on what will prove to be a long happy relationship!:) Secondly, I wouldn't feel outclassed if I were you...SMC, in my humble opinion, gets it's class from it's diversity and education based on the many facets and levels of experience. I look forward to the inevitable creations you'll share.

[scott spencer]

Congrats Vaughn! You listed plenty of good reasons why that's the saw for you, no need to feel upstaged. The right side table extension looks great! (r u gonna drop a router in it?)

p.s.: carpet? ;)

[Tim Morton]

Time for my first SMC gloat...the new table saw.

I've debated replacing my old benchtop cheapie Skil TS for some time now, and a recent bonus check from work was all the additional convincing I needed to actually buy one. Due to space constraints in my crowded garage, I needed something mobile, so a contractor's saw seemed to fit the bill. With a self-imposed spending limit of about $500-600, I researched a number of products and settled on the Ridgid TS3650 (even though it meant dealing with my local HD). There are a number of better saws, but this one fit within my budget and has more features than anything else I found in this price range. It was also favorably reviewed in several articles I've read. A few key points:



36" rip capacity (right side)
Cast iron table extensions
Poly-V drive belt with cast pully wheels
Smooth and accurate fence (it's not a Bies, but it has comparable specs in regards to deflection and repeatability)
Integrated mobile base (no additional expense)
Pretty decent dust collection shroud around the blade - and it fits my shop vac without any adaptors
The Grizzly G0444 looked very tempting, but by the time I got it comparably equipped and shipped, it would have been about the same amount or a bit more. (Plus, I read enough comments about shipping damage that I was a bit hesitant to go that way.) I also looked hard at the Craftsman 22114, but by the time I got it equipped with wheels and such, it'd cost more than I wanted to spend.

I feel a bit outclassed by the many Creekers here who have tools I can only dream about, but after using the Ridgid for a few weeks now, I'm very happy with my decision. Here's a pic of the new saw, fully assembled and including the home made right-hand table extension. I put a more detailed pictorial of the assembly on my web site here (http://tg3k.com/tablesaw.htm) if you're interested.

http://tg3k.com/images/Ridgid%20Table%20Saw%208%20400.jpg

And yes, that's a loose piece of OSB underneath the saw. The saw's easier to move on the hard surface, and it keeps the carpet in the garage clean. :p

- Vaughn

Great looking saw, and i just spent an hour on your website, sure wish i could get that hour back:D:D j/k..:cool:

[John Miliunas]

Might I add my congrats Vaughn! :) As was already said, absolutely NO reason to feel "outclassed"! You improved your equipment with something much better than you had and something you could afford and justify. There are a LOT of folks doing a LOT of wonderful work on equivalent or lesser machines than your new TS! Enjoy it and most importantly, work safely!:) :cool:

[Gary Max]

Congrats on the new saw---you know that there are members of SCM that would love to have a new tablesaw. You might want to look at adding a Forrest Woodworker II saw blade to your saw as a upgrade. Most new saws do not come with a great blade.
Enjoy your saw and be safe.

[Corey Hallagan]

Congrats on the saw Vaughn, it is a very nice one and I hope you enjoy it! Have fun, be safe!
Corey

[John Shuk]

Vaughn,
Congrats on the new saw. I've heard alot of good things about it and I like the Rigid tool line. I feel pretty outclassed by the people here who don't have alot of the tools I have and turn out awesome work.
John

[Jim Becker]

Congrats on your new saw! You'll enjoy the heavier machine as you work on your projects as compared to the Skil.

BTW, I'm a bit confused about your need for the OSB under the saw...or is your garage carpeted? :o :p

[Mark Aho]

Mark, feel free to drop me a PM if you have any specific questions or would like higher resolution pictures. If your Home Depot is anything like mine, the display model is no indication of what the saw really feels like. (The "associates" at my local store knew absolutely nothing about it, and the display model was only half-assembled.)

As you said, the Ridgid is a starter saw, especially compared to the sweet hardware some of the other Creekers own, but it sure beats the little saw it replaced. I've read a few negative things about the TS3650, but as far as I can tell they've been corrected. My only "problem" has been the fact that it's quite a bit bigger in my cramped garage/shop than it was in the 900,000 square foot store. It's a problem I'm dealing with just fine. http://sawmillcreek.org/images/smilies/wink.gif

- Vaughn

Thanks Vaughn, and I will let you know if I come up with any more questions. As far as a starter saw, I meant a first saw for me, I've never owned a TS before and it seems to be the best saw for quality, features and cost (most bang for the buck). It seems to be a great all-around saw and may very well be the only one I ever purchase (unless I get really carried away with this woodworking stuff http://sawmillcreek.org/images/smilies/wink.gif ) I can only dream about some of the awesome tools some of these fellers have around here, but unfortunately a man's gotta live within his means.

As far as negatives, over at the RIDGID forum there was talk of a bad arbor. Some stacked dadoes were causing issues, was this problem resolved by the time your saw was made?

Well, congrats on a great saw!

-Mark

[Vaughn McMillan]

Thanks much for all the encouraging comments. I agree with the consensus that it's not so much the tools, but what you do with them. One of the great things about the SMC gang is the wide range of experience, skills, and equipment, as well as everyone's willingness to both learn and teach. To answer a few questions:

Yes, the garage is carpeted, and it probably should be illegal -- it just seems wrong somehow, but it's comfortable. It came that way when the LOML and I bought the place last fall. The previous owner ran a data cable fabrication shop out of the garage, and in addition to a boatload of built-in cabinets and drawers, he installed some pretty decent used carpet. I don't know if it'll stay for the long term, but for now the sawdust vaccuums up pretty well, and it helps keep the noise down a bit. The OSB was leftovers from a little carpentry project we did to turn a breezeway into a laundry room, and it was already on the floor when I assembled the new saw. It proved to be handy for rolling the saw on (albeit only in a 4' x 8' space), so I kept it in place. LOML even suggested getting more OSB, but I'll wait until I get more space cleared out before I decide on the final floor treatment. (Currently, a good portion of the garage is being used to store tons o' junk. LOML and I consolidated our two separate households into this one, and we each had a full house's worth of stuff. We're negotiating on storage solutions, but eventually I'll be able to reclain the space for my workshop.)

The Forrest WWII blade sounds nice from everything I've read about it here, and when the Freud blade I'm using now gets tired, that's probably what I'll replace it with. The Ridgid blade that came with the saw is a pretty decent 40-tooth thin kerf carbide blade, but it doesn't quite compare to the Freud.

I am considering dropping a router into the table extension. I also have a little tabletop router table from Sears that I've considered removing the legs from and figuring out how to build it into the extension. That approach seems like it may cause more problems than it cures, so I'm also considering either buying a pre-made insert or modifying my extension to accept a router.

Mark asked about the arbor problem that's been discussed in depth on the Ridgid forum, and as far as I can see, my saw doesn't have it. I've cut perfect dados with a stacked blade set, and visual inspection doesn't reveal any irregularities in the arbor itself. Best I can tell, Ridgid did handle the problem, although there still may be some saws in stock at HD that have the old arbors. Mark, I think you'll be very happy with this saw. As your first TS, it should serve you well for a long time.

Thanks again you all, and I'll be sure to post pics when I get something built that's worth showing to the group.

- Vaughn