What saw to choose??? Delta Vs Ridgis Vs Craftsman #1: Delta model 36-655C 10" hybrid table saw w tennoing jig OR Ridgid R4511 Granit top

To me all Craftsman tools are cheap the ones I had did not last too long ,router,sander,drill etc

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

when I was in that boat, I considered safety devices as requirements on top of the list… I believe that only one of those 3 has riving knives, and quick-change blade guard mechanism. another point to consider is trunnions – the delta is mounted to the table, whereas the other 2 are mounted to the cabinet, which makes things easier. of the 3 choices, I think the Ridgid trunnions is the beefiest one. otherwise, all 3 saws will give you similar performance, give or take.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I have the Ridgid contractor’s saw and it’s a pretty decent saw considering it’s a mobile saw. Based on my experience Ridgid tools are pretty solid & basic tools priced nicely. Nothing fancy, but they’ve lasted well under my bumbling.

One thought on that tablesaw is that it has a granite top. I’ve got a Steel City granite top bandsaw and that granite top is the one thing I don’t care for. You cannot use magnetic guides and jigs on a stone surface. :) These tend to be popular right now and any tablesaw I got would have to be iron for that reason.

Just my $0.02. Take it for what it’s worth.

-- Kansas City, KS "Nothing is as permanent as a temporary solution"

don’t forget to get the “move in 10% discount”. go to your local post office or go online to homedepot.com and register a “new” address as if you just moved in. they will send you a 10% discount coupon.

himcules, I’ve never heard of this “move in” discount. Anyone know if this is offered in Canada too?

Thanks for the input, I’m leaning towards the Ridgid more now, But I am a little unsure about the Granite top. I’ve never used magnetic jigs, so that’s not a big deal to me. I wonder what maintenance is like on a granite vs iron top. I’ve also heard of granite tops being more uneven, an iron or aluminum top could be sanded easy enough, is there any way to level out a granite top? Also I’m worried about chipping or cracking the top, is this completely unfounded or would I have to be paranoid ever time a hammer or bar clamp comes near the saw?

Also those with the ridgid, once it’s unpacked How heavy are the largest pieces, specifically do you think one or two people could manage them down and steep and narrow flight of stairs?

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

BeachedBones

I will recomend to get the Ridgid (since its the same TS I have, its also the only one out of those 3 I have try) Its a great saw, you will never regret picking that one. Of course the Delta its pretty good deal but after reading this review of a Delta Hybrid 36-655C from HD I will prefer to stick with the Ridgid. This guy had it to grind the arbor flat with a grind stone because the saw’s arbour flange had a bit of a wobble to it, the saw’s alignment was also not entirely on, he end up disassembling the saw to align the arbor. This is something I never did on my Ridgid since out of the box the blade is dead on accurate.

One thing that is not standard on the Ridgid is the insert throat plate, so if you need to buy any zero clearance inserts you need to buy the one for the SC model 35831 for about $50/ each. or just like myself and PurpLev make your one insert plates

I hope this can help you take the best choice that fits your needs.

Alonso

-- Norwalk, CA 90650

BeachedBones

I think if I’m not mistaken that the heaviest part on the ridgid is about +250 lbs. (I need to check that just to make sure) But I think that PurpLev end up removing the main top out of the cabinet the make that assembly lighter. That could take off somewhere around +100lbs of weight (However if this TS next home is going to be on the basement of your home I will suggest get at least another person just to make it safer, for you and your new TS.

Alonso

-- Norwalk, CA 90650

While I have upgraded to a new Cabinet saw…..I had a older Ridgid table saw for years (Back before they went orange…was all gray) It was a GREAT saw that gave me YEARS of trouble free daily service…just my two cents.And the mobile base on it is still basically the one they still have…it was also a great design.

Plus they have a great warranty

-- Don S.E. OK

Although it is true that over the last years many a Craftsman tools suffered from decaying quality I have searched every site where the hibrid 22124 table saw has been reviewed and have yet to find a negative comment.
The saw is well constructed, balanced and quiet.
It comes with a nice Biesemeyer Fence standard, sturdy and precise.
I have used 8” dado blades without any issues and the throat plate 0 clearence is a standard in fact it uses the same as the Unisaw.
Because it has a Cast Iron top I can use feather boards with the magnetic holders, nice and easy to place and position, also rust is not a problem for me because I placed a Zerust cartridge on the table and that gives me 2 years protection, it is a non issue for me now…
I am very pleased with this saw.
Whatever choice you make I hope you get to enjoy to it’s fullest potential.
Have fun

Beachedbones- I have the granite topped Ridgid and I like it.

I am mindful of what I put on the top, but I probably would be of a new cast topped saw as well. If I did not have the space that I do, I would probably put some covering on the top if I needed it to put clamps or such on it when the saw was not in use.

The Craftsman saw with the Biesemeyer fence, also looks to be a nice saw and gets great reviews from its owners.

I don’t know anything on the Delta.

i’m not sure about canada home depots, but for sure in the US, they offer the discount.

you can register for it here: http://homedepotmoving.com/moving/web/registration

i just checked and it seems they have wisen up a bit and now have a limit to $200 max (discount 10% off from $2000).

I know for sure HD and Lowes will honor each other’s coupons as well (and possibly other competitor’s coupons). I do believe Lowe’s also have a Move In discount coupon.

Best of Luck with whichever saw you get, they are all very nice!

i own a a uni saw but if i had to make this choice it would be the ridgid for the simple fact that it has a riving knife and other cool safety features the other two lack

-- I buy tools so i can make more money,so ican buy more tools so I can work more, to make more money, so I can buy more tool, so I can work more

Beachedbones, just checked my email and had an offer from Home Depot for $120 off of a $600 purchase. I believe that is what the Ridgid R4511 retails for here. Not sure about Canada, but when PurpLev and I got our saws I think we got $150 off, so close enough for a good buy. Deal ends 7/29

I just got the Ridgid R4511. The price you mentioned seems quite high, mine was $599 + tax regular price. Also use the home depot delivery service my delivery charge was about $65 or $70 , that way if it gets dropped or damaged in anyway they will replace or repair it. Just be sure and let them know it will be going downstairs so they can bring enough hands because it is heavy. Whichever saw you get enjoy.

-- Measure three times, cut twice.

Yeah, we get screwed alot up in Canada. The old iron top contractor Ridgid retailed for 600$, Granite IS 900$ And as far as I can tell so far, none of those incentives offers are good up here. Our currency exchange is 1.08 to your 1.00 but they seem to mark up certain retail sales about 50%. Some things I can mail order from the U.S. to save $$, not so easy with this kind of thing.

Thanks for all the info, it was very helpful. I’ve decided on the Ridgid. Pretty much… I’m going to wait a bit and see if I can get a discount or sale on it.

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

just saw the new ridgid at our local home depot was not a good thing
1 miter track was chipped and there was a crack all the way across the top
would make me think twice before getting one
can not believe they would leave a tool on display in that condition
asked a sales guy, told me it had been like that for 3 weeks they don’t
know what happened

I finally saw the ridgid set up today. I wasn’t really thrilled with it. The mitre slots seemed pretty rough and the rip fence seemed kinda junky. Hrmmm

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

The Craftsman Hybrid, the Steel City Hybrid, and the Delta Hybrid are all the same saw manufactured by the same company that makes it and slaps whatever label their client, (In this case Steel City, Craftsman, or Delta) wants on it. (not true with all of delta’s offerings, but it is with this model.)

It’s not a bad saw for the money, (a little under powered I’d say) If you want to cut thick maple or white oak you’re going to want a rip blade. Mine has been a joy to use, flat top, quality fence, good dust collection, and the trunnions are mounted to the base. That would probably be the deal breaker for me on the Ridged.. does it have base mounted trunnions?

Good luck!

-- Craig, Springfield Ohio

One thing that gives me a bad feeling about the craftsman is that the motor shroud/hatch bit that swing open is plastic and flexes alot. I’m worried about it breaking,all other saws I’ve looked at have this bit made of metal.

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

go Grizzly free delivery plus great saw ask Don K

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Woot! she arrived today. It’s definitely the nicest table saw I’ve ever had to work with. My patience paid off, the saw price was lowered to 800$ Plus it went on sale for 20% off, so I picked it up for 639$

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.