Work(shop) in Progress #6: New Table Saw : Unpacking and Assembly of Ridgid R4511

That’s a nice looking saw.

They sure did a good job of packing it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a steel frame like that.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

Dang that’s a pretty saw! Serious tool envy here. So have you figured out what you are going to do with that steel frame? There has to be a tool stand or something that will come of it.

Look forward to you continued description of how this works for you.

-- gjd Southcentral Wisconsin

Looks like a nice saw, I have a TS3650 and really like it that there are improvements made to your saw that I would like to see on the 3650.
Improvements:
1. The power cord, switch, actually actually comes out front and left like it should.
2. The dust collection system looks excellent.
3. The blade adjustment wheels are bigger and easier to get to.
The thing I would not want is the “granite” table top.
I really like the Herc-U-Lift on mine and yours.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Thanks for the comments.

Gary – I know that Steel City ships their saws this way – in a steel frame.

That, the Granite Top, and the fact that almost the entire saw looks identical to the Steel City 35920 makes me think they are made on the same assembly line in the same factory, I think the only differences are the cabinet itself (steelcity being full cabinet, and Ridgid being 3/4 with the herc-u-lift) construction and color. actually the granite top on both machines looks slightly different (mainly the T-slot miter slot that is missing on the SC, and the finish seems a bit nicer on the ridgid as well) .

John – I’m not sure I’m a big fan of the Granite top myself, but thats what this saw comes with – I did ask for a cast iron option but it’s not gonna happen anytime soon if ever at all. I like the fact that it won’t rust – it is an issue where I’m at due to humidity in summer, and rain/snow blows in the winter – not too big of an issue, but it’s there, although I can live with it (heck , my bandsaw and drill press are still cast iron, so I’m not completely avoiding the overhead here). PS- all the rave reviews of the TS3650 and 3660 made a huge impact on my decision to go with this one (I think the motor is the same 1.5HP motor).

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

That looks like a pretty nice saw. I can’t believe the whole thing was in that box!

I am looking forward to seeing the projects that you build on that one!

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

purp,
i’m sitting here slobbering all over myself. pretty saw. good luck with it…..
mike

-- mrsawdust, pittsburgh,pa.

mrsawdust – you CAN actually slobber all over this saw – no rust ! finally some good use of that granite top.. lol. Thanks for the comment.

Todd, I guess now it’s all up to me to actually make stuff – no more excuses huh? it’s funny, when I was writing this blog, and looking at the series of pictures, I couldn’t believe all that came out of the box either.

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

The saw looks awesome and I like everything about it exept it looks like in the picture that the fence is kind of small. Maybe its just the picture though, but it looks like you might have a deflection problem with it. I guess I could also just be used to my Biessmeyer and the look of it. Still an awesome saw none the less.

-- Jed,Ala,jmwoodworks057.com

New saw, nice. Now to use it huh? BTW.. I asked at home depot once why the sudden in your face “can I help you” every time I pass someone in an isle with an orange apron. The answer from a regular worker there was; new management. From the top the ruling came.. more customer friendly. They used to have a reputation of “you can do it yourself, and we’ll help”. They sort of got away from that. Anyway, nice to see. Dunno if it will save them but nice to see. They’re closing some HD’s around this area. Lowe’s is building.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

This looks like a really nice saw and you did a good job of detailing the installation process. After you use it awhile why don’t you post a review of it?

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

Congrats… I saw this saw in the recent FW, then yesterday while picking up materials at HD, saw it in person… looks really nice, I was particularly impressed with the quality of the fence (all relative, of course…) and for the money, looks like a really nice tool.

I’m glad that someone I “know” has one now… I was thinking that this might be the best fit for me, and I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about it once you’ve had a chance to put it through it’s paces.

-- Ryno

nice new saw Purp. I have to say I have never been a fan of Rigid tools but I recently borrowed a friends Rigid planer and I really like it allot. It works great…. leaves a mirror smooth finish, the knives are a breeze to flip/change and its only $300 bucks! The saw looks great I really like the way they package it..I have never seen a metal frame like that for shipping. I personally like the granite tops but I don’t own one..would be nice to hear from somebody that has used a tool that has a granite top for a while and hear their feedback on it. The mobile base on that thing looks really nice and for a guy that has limited space (like you and me) a good mobile base is critical. The trunnions are cabinet mounted so that should make Woodchuck happy. The only criticism I have is the fence looks a little cheesy. I would have to see it in person and play around with it but for me thats the make-it or break it part of a saw..it has to have a good quality biesmeyer style fence..or I just wont buy it. But overall it looks like a great saw for the money..I will have to mosey over to the big orange box and take a look at it! Thanks for the review.

-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248

PurpLev,
How did you buy this saw from Home Depot (online or in the store)? All of the Home Depots around me only carry the Rigid job site saws and I can never find anyone in the store to ask how to order the TS3650 or the R4511. I’ve also never found these saws listed on HomeDepot.com when I search for them. Any guidance would be very much appreciated! Thanks for the review.

WOooOW Purplev! Thats a pretty machine!........Congartulations, I wish you hours of happy woodworking!!!

-- Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain" Frank Lloyd Wright

Thanks all for the comments. So far I’ve just completed aligning table, fence, and blade, and ran some test cuts – it works great. It did pass the nickel test, but not the dime test – I still have to replace the factory belt with a better quality one so that might help out some.

Brad – like yourself, I was never a fan of Ridgid – but apparently they did something write with their table saws (woodworking models at least) and their planers/jointers… (I heard bad reviews on their bandsaw though). I know what you mean about the fence- and that was the one thing that originally had disappointed me when I went to check out the steelcity version of this saw – it IS a slimmer, thinner, smaller fence then the Bissmeiyer/Industrial fences (and this one is a 2 piece as opposed to a 1 piece rail) BUT it does seem to be working pretty well, rides smoothly (1 finger) along the table. after I aligned it, there is mininal runout with a marginal low spot in the middle though – I will add a phenolic/UHWM faces to this fence later on, so that will take care of that (shimming comes to mind). if you compare the Steelcity model that comes with this fence, and the one that comes with the Bissmeyer type – it’s a $350 difference. I think I can live with this fence for the time being – mind you, this is still a top notch fence – no aluminum or plastic parts here, it’s just a smaller version of the bissmeyer system.

I’m not sure the trunnion being cabinet mounted will make woodchuck happy, but I know if I’ll call this a cabinet saw- that he’ll be chiming in ;o) (I ain’t gonna call it that though… so don’t hold your breath)

Will – I did some calling around, most local stores didn’t carry this one, and would not know anything about it unless I used the SKU (750 663… I already know it by heart). only 1 store had 2 of those, and even when I stopped by – the buy at the tool isle didn’t have a clue about this saw – it was still in the box on a top shelf in a different isle. my suggestion is to make a list of all HD in your area+ call them, and ask to check if this SKU is in stock – if their computer shows ‘1’ have them go and check to see where it’s at (could be already sold but not updated). this saw DOES NOT show on HD.com , nor does the 3660 … for some reason.

full reviews WILL be coming up as I gain more experience with the saw. so far it is super easy to align. the Fence DOES seem to be holding up to good performance, locks steady and is smooth to operate. blade controls are easy and smooth as well (large wheels and good locks). the table top does seem to have marginal valleys, but they do not seem to be in the way of performance. (although it’s kinda funny, since the granite was supposed to be this ‘perfect’ surface).... more will come.

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