Ridgid R4511 Table saw owners, you may want to keep an eye on this.

Too bad, I often wondered how those granite tops would hold up.

That narrow section must not be strong enough.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Me too. The narrow portion seems to be the weak link.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Man that sucks and the all of the work that you have to do to install and align the new table top. To bad that’s not covered under warranty.

Let us know how it turns out!

-- Chunk

Until the crack gets worse or has a negative effect on performance, I probably will leave the original top on.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

@ChunkyC

It appears to me that he’s saying that it IS covered under the warranty.

I’ve had my doubts about this table saw. I’m a fan of the Ridgid TS3650 and I seriously considered buying this saw but that table top and a few other factors convinced me to pass on it.

@Timbo

That may be a good idea if they don’t require the old top to be returned..

I’m pretty sure that top can be repaired with the same epoxy that is used in joining granite counter tops.

The top and installation are warranty, installation does not include lining up the top/blade/fence/miter. Don’t see them wanting to pay freight charges to get the top back.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

So are you saying that they are going to deliver the new top to your shop, pull the damaged top off and install the new one for you? If so, now that’s service! I’m certain that the place were I purchased my saw wouldn’t do all of that. “Here’s you new top Chuck, have a ball getting the old top off and the new one on all by yourself.”

cc

-- Chunk

Yes ChunkyC that is what Ridgid will do, pull the damaged top off and install the new one. I am electing to pick up the top and do it myself at a later time.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Timbo, sorry to hear about the crack in your top. As Rick suggested, epoxy can be used on granite for repair, however I think it would only cover the surface of the crack and so it would only be a cosmetic repair.

I’m kinda thinking that if the crack relieved whatever stress was on the top, then that may be all you ever see
from it but it sure will be nice to have the extra top on hand just in case!!!

I may test that theory Cato, if the crack doesn’t change I probably won’t change the top. I picked up the new top this evening.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

I haven’t seen what the support looks like under that granite. Is it good enough? Seems like you’d need as much steel as a regular table saw to support the granite on top of them? I don’t know about these granite tops seems a little counter intuative. If the crack formed there that would tell me that it wasn’t supported well enough to keep it from doing so? Which would mean that now your table might have an upside down v shape to it ( very subtle though). Just my thoughts, I’d love to look up her skirt and see how she’s built…hehe

-- LAS

I would guess that ther was some torque pressure from the frame through the top. Does a straight edge sit flat across the cracked top

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

First, let me say I love Ridgid tools. I have a TS3660 table saw, their 13” planer, and a miter saw. And it sounds like they really stepped up to the plate in taking care of this problem.

I’ve got to say,though, I’ve been very skeptical about the whole idea of granite-top tools for this very reason.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Sorry the top cracked, Timbo. I am off to pick up a 4511 tomorrow, and this scares me a little (Okay, maybe a lot!). The most important question here, I think, is Why did it crack?

I certainly wouldn’t do any replacement until I had an answer.

Was it torque, lack of support, too little material (granite) to support the table, did some debris or tiny object create a pivot point between the frame and the top, or was it some defect in the material?

As I said, Scary!

Please let us know if you learn anything.

Thanks for sharing,

Matt

-- You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture; just get people to stop reading them. -- Ray Bradbury

Karson, I just put a straight edge on the top, it is flat and can’t see any daylight on either side of the crack. I’m not sure where any stress could be coming from. The saw has not been moved except for around the shop (a few feet) I know it has not been abused or even used much.

Charlie, I own other Ridgid tools as well and like them too. I was on the fence also when purchasing this saw, the deciding factor was a screaming deal I found on craigslist. Now I have my feet hanging on the cast iron top side of the fence, I am very pleased with Ridgid warranty they did not hesitate and did the right thing. The new top was here in a week.

Dadzor, skywalker01, The top is held on by four bolts which get tightened during alignment of the top to the blade, any flexing of the saw body would be directed to the top but the body seems pretty solid so I don’t think that is the problem and the rear fence guide is bolted to the top. Cato did mention above there could have been some internal stresses going on. I’m just not sure what caused the top to crack, one fact I know is it cracked at the weakest point. Ridgid has demonstrated they will stand behind there product, this is a good thing but if I was looking for a new saw I would be looking at alternatives also.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Timbo Thanks for the info on the top. It might have flexed in movement before or after you got it. But nice to hear about the warrenty.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Hey Timbo,

It is a mystery. Let’s hope it was caused by a defect in that particular slab of granite.

Good luck!

-- You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture; just get people to stop reading them. -- Ray Bradbury

Well, whatever the cause i’m glad to have a replacement top.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Not to rub salt in your wounds but I’ve always been concerned about granite tops and how they will hold up.
HeyTim
I’m sorry about the crack but I’m glad the are taking of they problem for you.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

saw is being discontinued… just bought one myself. fingers are crossed

-- There is a fine line between eroticism and nausea...

Well that was a short lived run for the R4511 wasn’t it. Now i’m curious to see if the new model is the same with a new cast iron top.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Good suspence, I had to see the close up to figure it out!!!!Oh if that would of been mine the swerar words would still be circling the earth today. Glad you got your replacment. Good luck with your saw.

-- Bob Kenosha Wi.

iamwelty

Where did you read/hear that the R4511 is being discontinued? I just can’t find anything on the Ridgid forum?

-- Norwalk, CA 90650

When I bought mine… I had to call three HD’s to find one in stock. I asked the manager why they weren’t listed on the website anymore and why they were being marked down to $499.00. He said that they weren’t going to be getting any more and that they were to be discontinued. Not that it was a bad saw, but the shipping cost were too high. Seeing how much they weigh and how the are packed (steel crate) I can kinda understand. I hope that he was wrong…

-- There is a fine line between eroticism and nausea...

We have 3 HD’s in relative close proximity and all 3 had several in stock last weekend when I went to buy mine….

Just got mine put together… directions sucked but was able to proceed without problems due to the advice from this site… Thanks Everyone!! I hope you’re right MarkwithaK and the HD guy was making it up, seems like a great saw!!!

-- There is a fine line between eroticism and nausea...

I actually fired mine up yesterday for the first time….I was kind of giddy. Going from a cheap benchtop Craftsman to this was a definite upgrade. No regrets here at all.

It is a HUGE step up from my previous saw… also a cheap craftsman, but I had the deluxe model with a stand! Was at Sears yesterday and checked out their saws at the same price… no comparison, not even close.

-- There is a fine line between eroticism and nausea...

Glad to hear about the new saw’s, hope all goes well. FYI the riving knife from steel city saw will work on this saw if you thin the base of the knife to fit, I did this and can recommend it.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Hey Timbo,

You might want to think about keeping the OLD table saw top. Put a good set of sturdy legs under it and you’d have a helluva absolutely flat surface assembly table. The hole where the blade came up through makes a good place to slip a clamp through to hold something down if you can’t clamp from the edges of the table. And you could make a pop out insert to cover the hole when it’s not needed.

Just a thought. Glad everything worked out to your satisfaction with the warranty!

-- Dave; Lansing, Kansas