Help me pick a portable table saw

[mugs]

I spent some time today in Lowe's, Home Depot and Sears, played with the saws, looked at specs and whatnot and narrowed it down to two that I like:

DeWalt
Pros:
I really like the rip fence
Sufficient rip capacity
Cons:
$50 more


Rigid
Pros:
The rip fence feels really smooth, but I'm not sure how smooth it'll be with sawdust in there. Anyone have any experience with this saw?
Slightly larger rip capacity
$50 less
Cons:
The indicator line on the bevel guage sits almost an inch from the marks on the saw, so there's some room for inaccuracy. Probably won't be much of a problem though.

Any input from people with experience with either of these two specific saws is greatly appreciated. Other suggestions are also appreciated.

 

[chiwawa626]

I'm a big fan of dewalt

dewalt++

 

[Ornery]

Where's the wheels on that DeWalt? WTF, how "portable" is that? I've used the RIDGID, but not the DeWalt, so I can't compare, but it's worth what they're asking for it. If it's actually a better unit, $50.00 ain't squat over the life of the tool.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Where's the wheels on that DeWalt? WTF, how "portable" is that? I've used the RIDGID, but not the DeWalt, so I can't compare, but it's worth what they're asking for it. If it's actually a better unit, $50.00 ain't squat over the life of the tool.

You're right about the $50 not being a big deal, especially at that price range. I think my main issue is that I like the RIDGID saw a tad more (having not actually used either), but the bevel guage is bugging me. That and I don't like how the bevel and height adjustments are integrated into the same wheel. And on the display model, when I unlocked the bevel adjustment when I had it at 0 it moved 5 degrees on its own. I really like the other DeWalt tools I own, and I plan to buy a DeWalt miter saw as well.

As for portability on the DeWalt... well it's a bit more portable than their non-portable unit. I won't actually be moving it around much, but I'm not sure how much room I'll have for it in my next house.

 

[Ornery]

The thing I was concerned about on these "portables", is the fence adjustment. They've come a long way over the decades. My dad bought the Ridgid, which I only used a couple times. Fence worked great. Locked in quickly, perfectly square to the table and that's all I remember.

When I think of stationary woodworking tools, the top of my list is Delta. I'm not sure when DeWalt became so popular, but they seem like johnny-come-latelys in the overall history of tools around here. Their first portable power tools didn't exist until 1992. Skil, Porter Cable, Black & Decker, Delta, and even Milwaukee have been icons for eons.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Ornery
The thing I was concerned about on these "portables", is the fence adjustment. They've come a long way over the decades. My dad bought the Ridgid, which I only used a couple times. Fence worked great. Locked in quickly, perfectly square to the table and that's all I remember.

Thanks, I think you just made up my mind.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

I've only used the Ridgid, didn't have any problems.

 

[dartworth]

What are you using it for? How often will it be used?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dartworth
What are you using it for? How often will it be used?

Just small projects around the house. I'm no Norm Abrams, nor am I a contractor. First project I'll be using it for is to convert the shelves in my bottom kitchen cabinets into slide out drawers.

 

[AlienCraft]

I would buy the Ryobi uhhh sorry the Rigid.
RIGID = Re-branded RYOBI

 

[Ornery]

Yeah, that's another thing. I have know idea what business RIDGID has selling anything but plumbing tools, but there they are.