Woodworkers' opinions please

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Preyhunter

Preyhunter

Golden Member
Nov 9, 1999
1,774
12
81
Ryobi
Ridgid

I'm trying to decide between these two saws. I want to know which of these two you would get if you were buying one and why. Are either of these rebadged brands from another manufacturer? They are almost identical in specs as far as I can tell, but maybe one brand has a better reputation for longevity and build quality that I don't know about.

Please limit suggestions to these two saws. I'm not interested in going up to another model.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
Personally, I'd get a 12" compound miter saw. I bought a DeWalt but it's a 10" and I have had times when I wish I bought the 12" saw.

If I had to choose I'd probably go with the Rigid. I haven't had the best luck with Ryobi tools in the past.
 
BillGates

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
7,388
2
81
Here's the thing....Ryobi makes tools that are one step away from toys....made for homeowners. I don't know a lot about Rigid but they might not be much better. I think you should spend a bit more and get a 12" DeWalt or Makita and be set for life.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
i would get a good table saw first and other tools if you already got a table saw.
 
amdskip

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
I've used a couple dewalts and them seem to be built well. As soon as I buy a house I will be buying one myself.
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
keep it simple and get a DeWalt...despite what Home Depot Promises (crazy Rigid warranties..)


Diablo blades impressed us...btw
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Preyhunter

Preyhunter

Golden Member
Nov 9, 1999
1,774
12
81
This saw would be used for smaller homeowner projects. I already have a table saw. I like the DeWalt saws, but I can't justify the expense for one of those for the amount of use it will see. Even though I won't be using it all the time, I don't want something that's going to fall apart on me. I'm restricted to purchasing from Home Depot because I'm trying to burn through some gift cards, or I could sell them and go a different route. The refurb DeWalt linked by Winchester does look tempting, but I think I'm leaning toward the Ridgid between the two I posted.
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Preyhunter
This saw would be used for smaller homeowner projects. I already have a table saw. I like the DeWalt saws, but I can't justify the expense for one of those for the amount of use it will see. Even though I won't be using it all the time, I don't want something that's going to fall apart on me. I'm restricted to purchasing from Home Depot because I'm trying to burn through some gift cards, or I could sell them and go a different route. The refurb DeWalt linked by Winchester does look tempting, but I think I'm leaning toward the Ridgid between the two I posted.
Click to expand...

Then just focus on the blades more so than the saw then:)


Just get a rigid with the crazy warranty and then spend the $$ on good steel:cool:
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,351
6,493
136
Get a DeWalt. I have a 12" thats at least 16 years old, gets very heavy use, and still makes perfect cuts. A few months back I picked up a DeWalt 12" slide miter saw (had to miter some 4x10's), just under $700 and worth every penny. Ryobi is very low end, you would be much better off renting a DeWalt than buying a Ryobi.
I've never used a Ridgid chop saw, they look ok, but I've had some bad luck with other ridgid tools.

Here is a Dewalt referb for $229, not a bad deal.
http://www.toolking.com/Category.aspx?categoryID=957

Edit: Almost forgot, the laser is of no value at all. Its not as accurate as sighting down the blade.
 
N

NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
0
0
Depends on what kind of work you are going to put it through. Any miter saw will do if you only use as a cut off saw, but you will need a compound version if you are going to cut large boards. And, you will definitely need 12" blade with both left/right tilt if you are going to use it on crown molding. IMHO, the Makita 12" compound miter saw is the best miter saw & Dewalt come in at a close second.

I own a crappy 10" Delta miter saw for my home use because I have a table saw. The first thing I did is thrown out the saw blades that came with the miter & table saw then replace them with middle of the road Freud saw blades. The 80T Freud saw blade did have a bit of a left score on the first 20-30 cuts, but it cleared up after and give a smooth glued ready finish, however it does tears 1-3 fine bamboo strands on the back end (clean on the bottom), and will burn if I cut too slowly (bamboo flooring planks are very hard to get clean cross cuts). The Freud 50T combo blade that I got for my table saw make perfectly clean ripping cuts on all woods, ply, and laminates that I have tested it on, but it does tears more one the bottom of cross cuts than the 80T. Gets better blades than the included kit blade.

[add] Compressor & fasteners tools are the next thing on the list once you get a table saw & miter saw ;)

 
N

NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
0
0
Originally posted by: Aquaman
isn't ridgid the home depot house brand that is made by someone else?

Cheers,
Aquaman
Click to expand...
I think TekTronics International own Ryobi, One World Technologies (Ridgid), and Atlas Copco (Milwaukee).

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom