Escapee from Knots here, hope y’all are fine! I’m helping a friend buy a jobsite saw to keep at her horse stables for myself to use when repair projects are underway. I’m thinking the Ridgid portable with the stand is the way to go. Any adamant opinions otherwise? and why??
Anyone have the new(ish) Bosch 4100 that has a riving knife? How durable/sturdy is it?
Thx!
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Edited 11/12/2008 11:07 pm by forestgirl
Edited 11/12/2008 11:38 pm by forestgirl
Replies
I was also interested in the Rigid but after seeing them on jobsites, I bought a DW. The DW is a solid saw and the fence is beautiful to use.
Nothing wrong with the newer Rigids but some saws that have seen jobsite use/abuse become (cover your ears)noisy.
The quietest saw on jobsites is the Bosch. I'm not crazy about the Bosch, I don't like the wobbly gravity stand and there is some issue with the the motor housing hitting the sliding table at 45 deg. Other than that, its a really nice powerful saw.
Thanks for the cautions on the Bosch, I'll look into those. Noise is a little bit of an issue, horses don't like power tools much. But durability and toughness trump noise control.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hey, I know you!
I don't know about the Rigid.
The Dewalt is a very nice saw. Best fence system in the
portables. That's about it thou. No whistles and bells.
I currently have the Bosch. Very nice also, with whistles and
bells. Soft start, electronic speed control bla bla bla.
The speed control does make for cleaner cuts but perhaps another
thing to break.
The stand is convenient once you have it on the job, but way to big
and heavy for transporting.
I think my next portable might be the little Dewalt. Same fence as it's big brother, and easy to carry around.
Hi, Henley, yep! I know you too!
I'm still leaning toward the Ridgid, but have questions about the Bosch. The saw would be stored in a small room, and taken outside for use (under cover). There may be times when I have to go up or down hill on a rather rough gravel drive. How awkward might this be with the Bosch and its stand? I'm strong in some ways, but have back problems that dictate I don't make any sudden forceful moves, like catching a saw that's running away downhill! or twisting against too much weight.
Also, looking back at gordsco's post, how well does the stand set up on uneven ground? Do you have trouble with the motor housing interfering with the sliding table at 45 degrees??
Also (again), how sturdy is the plastic housing? Will it stand up to some bumps and bruises??
Thx!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Well, the stand is actually a big dolly. So it handles
like one as far as gravel and rough terrain.
The whole thing ends up being rather heavy so going up and down hill
could be challenging, but that would be true of the Rigid too.
I haven't had any problems with the motor housing hitting anything.
But I have the last model maybe they goofed on the new one. The stand and saw are very rugged. Any of these saws once mounted
on the stand are protected (as far as the plastic casing).
There is only about an inch or so of adjustment in the feet, Don't think that will help on a serious slope, but works for moderate terrain.
Again I think that holds true for the Rigid also. To me they are just different versions of the same thing
I have the Rigid saw. Picked it up last year for $200 on Black Friday. You might want to see if they are offering that deal again this year.
I like it. The saw is solid. the fence is good and the top extends out to something like 26 inch cut on the right. The stand is well made and works. It folds up fairly compactly and rolls well. It is however heavy, so great for rolling but not so great for picking up.
I haven't had any problems with it. If you were going to fold it up and store it , then pull it out and use it someplace where you can roll it too, I'd say get it.
Top is aluminum, so no rust. but you won't be using any magnetic jigs on it either.
Ridgid has a fairly active forum.
http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/index.php
There is some talk on the 2400 series but frankly most of the traffic is on the bigger T3650 and T3660
Wow! Two hundred bucks?! Do they advertise that price? Hmmmm. Not that this gal's short on dough (the person who's paying for it), LOL. I take it Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving -- a day I avoid shopping for the most part -- but would definitely make an exception for that deal.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
forestgirl,
I bought the Rigid Saw about a year ago---- I would definitely do so again.
It took about 10-15 minutes out of the box to get everything zeroed in and dead on.
the fence is VERY nice---and the stand is excellent also.
It is a bit heavy---mine stays at my garage mostly--but I occasionally take it out to jobsites.Fold the saw& stand up--lean it against my f250 tailgate and slide it in the back quite easy.( to be fair, I am a bit over 6ft. and 230#-240# and used to that sort of work----probably be more challenging for someone smaller.-- Two laboreres that weigh about 150# each have loaded it quite easily as well--they pick it up like a coffin and slide it in.
Really--the only thing I dislike about it is the on/off switch is not well located----kind of awkward and I have to hunt for it EVERY time.
stephen
Chances are I won't have to haul it anywhere, but if I did, I could use the Kubota RTV (lower tailgate) and/or get help. Another option would be to dump it into the frontloader on the tractor, but that might not be wise. ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
We've got a trim carpentry crew from L.A. working with about six different other trim crews from around the country at our job right now. They pretty much use Ridgid all the way. I asked one of the lead men about them, and he wasn't overly impressed with their stuff, but he made it clear that it got the job done. And these guys are a production crew, I mean the really work! I suppose if its good enough for them, then its good enough for an electrician who moonlights as a carpenter/handyman. One thing I like about Ridgid is their warranty, but I've heard it can get a little difficult to get them to honor it sometimes. The only Ridgid tool I own is a drywall gun, but I'm happy with it. I bought it reconditioned and got a really good deal, but it isn't the smoothest gun I've ever used. It gets the job done!
It's a very good general purpose saw. Easy to set up and go. A smidge heavy, but managable. A couple of 2x6 ramps to help load and unload out of the truck are nice but not necessary for me. I was having trouble with the dust chute clogging so I snipped out the little vertical piece of plastic from the dust chute. I'd do it again if/when this one dies. Going on five years of pretty regular, but careful use, although I never leave it outside overnight and it's only been rained or snowed on a couple of times.
Just bought the DW745 $399 at the Depot, have only used it one day but know it's alot better than my other job site $l50-l80 saws and it's small too.
Our Habitat chapter has two. Want to see tool abuse at the hands of the clueless, come on down. They seem to take it.
Of course, when one cretin managed to power the saw up with 240v, the motor did not last. Cheap Chinese parts, no doubt. I an wondering: Moron, how did you manage to make the plug fit into a 30A/240 socket?
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
Ever consider Sawstop?
Note: I prefer more dangerous saws...but I been in Knots and know dey like to play safe.
GK
Edited to add: I own the Bosch4000 and find it to be a great machine. I don't know what the previous poster was talking about the motor and the fence problem....mine goes to 45 without issues. The pneumatic rubber tires of the gravity rise stand make it go over terrain much easier than any other stand. It is easier to set up also...about 3 seconds. I have a van and it is the simplest tool to load. I back it up to the back of the van and the "handle" is just the right height where I can pick up the lower bar and pivot it in. Nice that the saw sits level when the stand is folded and slides easily....cannot say the same for my HTC style miter saw s
Edited 11/14/2008 9:20 am ET by Dreamcatcher
Edited 11/14/2008 9:21 am ET by Dreamcatcher
Lost the pic........
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GK
OK, Dream, where'd ya get that?! I'm not seeing it on the SS web site. Any idea on price, date of availability? Since the saw I'm researching will be used by an employee (that would be moi) I might be able to talk the owner/boss into a SS.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
It's here. Go about halfway down the page.
Says "Fall 2008" delivery, so you might give them a call.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Thanks, I missed it when browsing SS website.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
PS: I found a mention of it on this web page (part of Tool King) but that's it. Pictures aren't loading for me, how 'bout you?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
http://www.mytoolstore.com/rousseau/tblstnds.html
I have had this set up for my Makita 2708 (no longetr made) for 11 years now. The saw is 22 years old and those models just will not die. They're a premium on E-bay if you ever see them. It has served me very well.
I've done my own reviews of saws and if I had my druthers I would have the DW 745 with the Rousseau set up. It sets up in about 30 seconds.
It's very reliable and cranks the work, making about any of the field saws into a real production center. It folds down to nothing & can come with wheels.
I go for portability, so the Ridgid would not do for me, although I have used it and found it to be a very solid saw.
Good luck & let us know what you get & how you like it.
+1 on the Rousseau setup, which is what I have with a Makita 2703. I love using it and have zero complaints. Very portable. Great fence. Jer, I see a Mak 2708 on Ebay right now- current bid is about $300 with 4 days still left to go, 5 bids. Geez, the 2703 is about $300 new. What's up with this model saw?
The 2708 was one (if not THE) of the most durable field table saws ever made. It does not bog down and sails through some material that causes some of the competitive bigger saws to do so. It has its drawbacks, like the fact that it's only an eight and a quarter inch blade, and the crank to raise and lower the blade takes forever. I have the one that I bought way back in '86 which is the one I use, and I have another that's virtually brand new tucked away in the crawl space.
I bought the Rousseau set up that fits that saw, like I said, about 11 years ago and have been using it ever since.
It's probably not the best portable saw for many reasons, but it was one of Makita's top selling tools for several years so a lot of people like me bought the Rousseau table for it. Now the saws are starting to give up their ghosts or are too banged up to continue, but the Rousseau table is still very good and the trouble is, only that saw fits that particular table.I've heard this same story time & again.
Folks that bid on E-bay just want that saw again and are willing to pay for it. I think it originally retailed for about $225. Now it sells for more than that used, one of the few power tools I've ever seen appreciate in value.The other thing about that saw is not just its power but its size. It's not very high, it's very light and slips very easily up or under a shelf for storage.
Jer-You just reminded me of something about the Makita that DOES miss the mark- the miter slot is NOT 3/4 x 3/8, it's an odd size and a bit shallow to boot. Oh, well. But I have had the sled that I made fly outta that slot a couple times and gut-check me. Painful and a nice bruise. Have to be very careful now.
Edited 11/15/2008 8:22 pm by kenhill3
Yeah, that's another one....the miter slots. I made a sled for it but use it very little. I've long since lost the original miter slide.A tool like that can have some drawbacks, but if you use it long enough, you know its foibles & capacities and it becomes an extension of your hands.
I may still get the 10" DW 745 because I would like the 10" capacity, and it doesn't have the drawbacks of the older Makita. Besides I'm already used to that type of saw since I have the big brother 744 that I use out of my garage. They're good reliable saws.
Jer and Ken, thanks for the info. I am so used to a cabinet saw now, I don't think I'd do well with the DeWalt. Would like to have a saw that will take my Inca 1000 miter gauge.
Am still on the fence between the Ridgid and the Bosch, especially since the newest Bosch has a riving knife. Will see if I can get a hands-on showing somewhere.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hey I was kickin the tires on the Rigid
today.
Very solid! The saw itself is built like a tank. The stand,
not so much.
All things considered-Get the cheaper of the two, just not
that much to set them apart IMHO.
Yeah, once you've had a cabinet saw, it's not so easy to settle for the smaller fied saws. I sold mine when I disbanded my wood shop 10 years ago and I do miss it.
I will get another when these years of being in tuition city are well over. That won't be for at least another 4 years.The Ridgid sounds like a safe bet for you.
I have the DW 745 and it's a great portable saw.
I'm curious especially since no one else has asked what you will you be doing with the saw. I read that you may be hauling it up hills and you asked how well it sets up on uneven ground.
Clue us in, it may affect the answers you get.
Hi, Eric. The would be mostly for repair tasks, fairly small stock. I'm riding and training at a local barn nowadays, and also doing some work for the owner of the property. She has a guy who does big projects for her that I don't have the time (or sometimes the skill) to do, but I'm taking on some of the smaller projects.
One of the horse-husbands had left his little benchtop junker out in the tool room, and a completely inexperienced gal fired it up a couple months ago to cross-cut a short 2x4. She's lucky she didn't hurt herself, free-handing the end of the 2x4 against the fence to do the cut! When I found out, I sat the owner down and had a heart-to-heart with her about who should, and should not, be using power tools, and suggested she get a decent saw.
I can tote my SCMS out there if I have lots of crosscuts, or crosscuts in long stock like I had a couple weeks ago, putting new boards in a shed floor. But need something to rip on, and perhaps cut some plywood now and again.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 11/15/2008 9:13 pm by forestgirl
"Would like to have a saw that will take my Inca 1000 miter gauge. you mean one of those "T" shaped metal pushsticks that usually come with table saws?I don't know any carpenters who use miter gauges on benchtop table saws. Nor do I know any who use sleds. If you have a SCMS then you should be all set. If you want more portability then get a small chop saw or for 2x4's just a circular saw and a speed square. My table saw doesn't usually come to the job until we start trimming and siding. Before that it's just the circular saw and wooden straight edge or chalk line. I have a unisaw in the shop for cabinetmaking. If you are looking for a portable table saw to compare with a cabinet saw you will only be disappointed. If you simply want to upgrade from the cheap saw your friend was using, then save some money and get the Rigid.
Yup, I save the fancy mitergages and stuff for the shop, too pricey to have floating around on the site, usually.
I went to HD last Black Friday trying to get that deal on the Ridgid drove 25 miles and it was all sold out at 0700!
Being as I was there, I grabbed the "Better" of the 2 Ryobi had to offer ( like I need another TS, I have 3 already) and actually have found that sliding table to be a plus for some things..and its self standing, rolls easy, and has lots of power to weight ratio with a good blade. I'd recomend anytime for a moneysaving yet decent saw.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Being as I was there, I grabbed the "Better" of the 2 Ryobi had to offer ( like I need another TS, I have 3 already)Yeah, HD got me last year also. The deals I went for either weren't there or weren't what i was expecting, but hey,I was there so I'm sure I bought something. The interesting thing was, I was apprehensive about going on Black Friday, but it wansn't any busier than any other day of the year.
The advantage of a boarding stable environment, this one in particular, is that it's a bunch of women, none of whom work with tools except me. If I set my stuff up to work, they have no interest whatsoever.
I'll try our new HD and see what kind of luck I have.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I went last year to get the 2400 and got up early to hit the Depot when they opened. I didn't feel like waiting in line in the cold. I get to the store and there's no line and plenty of cars in the lot. Oops. Seems the manager had opened at least an hour earlier than I was expecting.
I thought for sure that they would be gone. But there was a stack of four high up on the rack that they had just brought down and managed to snag one.
I tried my damndest to buy the floor display, almost cinched a deal ( it was missing something) and then they backed out.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The Inca is a quality aftermarket miter gauge that will fit a non-T or a T-type slot. I don't do particularly well with a circular saw, have tendinitis in my hands and those saws just aggravate it. Yes, for a project with a number of boards to be crosscut, I'd drag down my SCMS. But often it wouldn't be worth the hassle.
If this arrangement works out well, we'll probably add a small slider to the mix next year.
I don't have any expectations of the job-site saw feeling like a cabinet saw, but there are gradations on the other end of the spectrum. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)