The sawstop is 4x the price of the ridgid, so it makes sense it is much better. Your video did a good job showing what you get for the price difference besides the safety brake which everyone always mentions. Enjoy the new addition to your workshop!
I had the same Rigid saw for a few years before upgrading to the saw stop. It is an excellent entry level saw. You can add jigs and put a sleeve on the fence for added height. If I recall the arbor length was shorter than most saws and it would not accommodate a full 3/4in dado stack. I added plywood between the legs to encase the motor and the dust collection was not too shabby.
We have a Ridgid TS3650 saw in our shop. It is 15 years old. It is used ever day 5 days a week. In the 15 years it has been in our shop, with the exception of blades and belts, it has never needed 1 replacement part. The saw has an all cast iron top, not stamped steel. Weights in at 290 lbs. It is powered by 220 VAC. It has an excellent fence, we don't the the original miter gauge. Instead we use an Incra Miter Sled. It has the Herc-U-Lift 4 wheel truck that allows it to be moved around. Although I can't remember the last time it was moved. The Ridgid 4512 is a toy next to the Ridgid TS 3650. The Sawstop is a great saw. You can't cut your finger off with it. We don't have that problem in our shop. Unlike most of the crazy people on RU-vid that use saws without blade guards, No one in our shop is allowed it use the saw without the blade guard. To quote Ron White " You can't fix stupid"
I’m a DIY not professional woodworker and looked at this saw when i wanted to upgrade a few years but after seeing the price difference i couldn’t justify spending that much. Maybe if i was a pro i would have thought differently but the Rigid has been a fantastic decision for me. I really didn’t need to spend much time dialing it in and couldn’t agree more that i wish it had a better fence but mine makes accurate repeatable cuts. You nailed the dust build up issue with the Rigid but my fix was take off blade plate then with dust collection on use my compressed air blow gun to hit sides with some air, build up no more. Would i like a SS yes but for the amount i use them couldn’t justify the cost. Just went on website to price SS with mobile base @ $4,500 +delivery vs $750 for the Rigid…that’s a huge difference and if I was going to spend that kind of money I would consider a Powermatic
Agreed... quality new saw prices are way out of my range/budget. I've got a vintage 1969 Craftsman 113 I inherited and spent about $500 to make it my dream saw. Three additional cast iron extensions (eBay), a Peachtree cast router table extension (with its own fence) & Jessem router lift, Delta 36-T30 T3 fence system, Jessem Stock Guides, custom plywood mobile base and some other minor updates. The Delta fence and Jessem stock guides were the best investment I made. It now easily does 36.5" rips to the right, 10" to the left and is rock solid, probably weighs 400+ lbs! It lacks better dust collection the newer saws have, but I'm working on that. Next step is to upgrade the motor to a 2-3 HP 220V. Sometimes an older saw, in decent shape to begin with, is a much more cost effective option.
That was my issue as well. I have no problem paying for quality tools and as a mechanic I had a Snap On tool box full of snap on tools but as a hobby woodworker that saw where I live has a price tag of about $4800 Canadian. No way I can justify that. Even the 1.75 PCS is around $4000.
When you cut through that maple, I actually said "holy shit!" out loud! That was incredible! I've got a Ridgid job site saw, and I'm looking forward to an even bigger difference when I upgrade.
Congratulations, man! I received a SawStop 3HP PCS with 52" T-Glide fence and the industrial mobile base as a gift from my wife a few weeks ago. Until then I'd been using a mid-90's Grizzly contractor saw with no riving knife or dust collection of any kind, and only a 1.5HP motor. Quite an upgrade! I'm quite lucky to have found myself an awesome wife!
Great video comparison, I have the same Ridgid table saw. As I DIYer and hobby woodworker I have found the Ridgid saw to be sufficient. Obviously, I'd love the Saw Stop or any number of other table saws. In my case does the cost justify the purchase. For anyone who uses it to make a living I totally agree. For the average guy, if you can afford it, I say get the saw and whatever other tools you like. Plus, the safety features are priceless.
I learned on the 4512 and loved it for 12 years. Great saw. Actually put sawstop wings on it lol(wasn't easy) but when my business picked up I knew I needed more and ended up buying the same sawstop as you have in the video and no regrets. Does everything I need with ease and after 3 years of owning it not one hardwood has bogged it down and I did set off the brake. Thats a very surreal feeling and not a good one lol. Sold my ridgid to a friend but its kinda funny how you can miss a tool when its gone.
Haha yep I can relate! Just not in this case since it’s been such a drastic upgrade. Inflation worked out for me in this case though and I was actually able sell it for more than I bought it for. So that made it easy too! Haha
@@JohnBuildsIt Oh yea I made $250 more than I bought it for including the wings. I was surprised how many messages I got within an hour on marketplace for it. The guy who bought became my good friend after he bought the machines so it turned out to be a pretty good thing. :)
For the price and quality that Ridgid table saw is a great deal for a hobby woodworker. I bought mine at Home Depot over a decade ago and it's still the same price now as it was then. Which means it's an even better deal today than when I got mine. It's not perfect but I've made fine furniture using it that came out great. Like John says, you just need a little more setup time when cutting.
@@JohnBuildsIt They must have increased the price to $750 recently then. I paid $600 back in 2010. Last I looked it was still $600. But maybe it was longer ago that I looked than I remember.
Going from that Rigid saw to a sawstop is definitely in my plans for the future. Once I get my student loans paid off then maybe I can go into debt for a nice table saw.
I have a Ridgid contractor with the folding, rolling stand. Paid about $200 6 or so years ago. There were many issues with it; some are not correctable like the table top not being completely flat and the fence is not perpendicular (vertically) to the top. Just a couple of months ago is when found out about the fence; never thought about checking that. Made some corrections to the fence to get it close to 90* and went over the saw again. While not perfect, it has never cut this good. I was going thru saw blades. Now I have an 24 tooth bland on it instead of a 40 and it cuts fast. A cabinet saw is something I plan to get at some point.
Ive got the Craftsman model of the same Ridgid saw but its got an aftermarket ShopFox fence instead of the stock fence. I bought it for $200 used and its been a pretty good saw. I couldnt even put a SawStop in my current shop, but once I have a new shop, a new saw will soon follow.
I've had the Rigid RG4512 for about 3 years and for my hobbyist level of work, its a great saw especially for the price. I've cut 8 quarter hard maple and never had it bog down or leave burns. Is yours 120v or 220v? Also mine does not have the issue with the cast iron top that yours does, mine is dead on flat! I got lucky!
Nice man! Yea I’ve always had to cut most 8/4 hardwoods in 2 passes ever since it got it. The cast iron being so wonky is definitely annoying, the blade was never square to the top on both sides 😂
Love your comparison video. I've got the R4512 as well and saving for the SawStop in the Spring, hopefully. Question. Did you stand up the cabinet by yourself? I've heard that this is the hardest (heaviest) part of the setup.
I have always been impressed by the results you've gotten from all your projects using the Ridgid saw. I have the same model, R4512, and while it's not the Cadillac of table saws, I'm glad I got it over a contractor saw when I finally had the money to buy a table saw. It was a sad day when I learned that you had gone over to the dark side, lol. It's a given that the PCS is a superior saw when compared to the R4512, but you have proven that you don't need a $3000 saw to get good results.
Exactly! It’s just a matter of I no longer have to live with its flaws while trying to be efficient and run a business haha but that’s not to say it still can’t get the job done, and done well. 👍🏽
I own the same Ridgid table saw for over 8 years I have build many kitchen cabinets with it, I haven’t have any problems with the saw. It is obvious that the Ridgid table saw it’s a entry level saw but you can still make any type of wood working job of project with the Ridgid table saw.
Nice review, so much so that I subscribed. I'm building a workshop in my new home 16'x32' and plan on putting a sawstop in the shop. Why did you decide to go with the 3 hp 220 v saw? Also, where would you suggest I put the plug in for the saw, on the wall or in the floor?
Thank you! I have a basement under part of my shop, so I’m planning on moving an outlet down in the floor. Can’t beat not tripping over cords. I have plenty of 220 outlets in my shop so any time I get a new big tool I always opt for the 220. 3hp is just big enough for my needs, didn’t feel I needed to go any bigger and spend even more money haha
sawstop is not the only one with flash sensing technology. Few European brands have them but they are priced even higher than sawstop. They also work much better and don't destroy your blade
Awesome, congrats on the new SS! I have the exact same one and love it. I'm still thinking about your jointer and planer. Those machines are so sexy! The shop is looking awesome. Keep the content coming. More shots of the jointer and planer would be welcomed 😅
Haha will do! I haven’t gave em too much screen time just to avoid all the hater comments. People think they can’t make the stuff if they don’t have the same big machines. Absolutely loving them though man!
Nice comparison. I have a 5hp delta unisaw and it’s a great saw. I have used the sawstop good saw but the unisaw is as good or better the only thing missing is the safety feature. I use the guards so the safety feature is nice but not needed in my situation.
Congrats on the upgrade bud. I've got a small wood shop as a side gig. I've got the porter cable saw that looks similar to your ridgid. It does fine for what I use it for. But if I had the need to upgrade to something bigger it would definately be a saw stop. Great comparison video. Nice to see someone not belittling the non pro saw.
Thanks man! For the price, they shouldn’t compare. Just wanted to actually show some differences instead of the typical sawstop video that there’s already a ton of on here haha
Nice review. I have the Harvey Alpha table saw and the sawstop and Alpha seem eerily related. Almost like they are made in the same factory. How's that Laguna JX8 working for you? I am looking for a jointer, but am finding no front runners.
Congratulations on the new saw! Hope it gives you many years of good and safe service! I would like to see more comparisons to other saws like a Saw Stop vs Laguna, Grizzly or Harvey Cabinet Table Saws. Love the Saw Stop, but when you compare to other professional Cabinet Saws, barring the safety or the blade retracting Of the Saw Stop, it doesn’t fair out as well in a cost comparison with other top quality saws. In this case you have a $3,000-$3,500 Saw vs a $600 Saw from Home Depot. With such a difference in cost it’s really not a fair comparison.
Ive had that rigid for about 6 years and I make it work, like you did. The thing that drives me nuts is the cast iron being so un flat. I dont have a climate controlled shop or I would upgrade and anytime I see someone else doing so, im all for it.
Here is my question , If the Orange saw was soooooo bad , Why did you not return it to where you bought it from ? It must have been good enough at some point ? Just wondering .
I don't think that this is a fair comparison between these two saws. The Ridgid is a contractor type saw and the Saw Stop is a professional cabinet saw. Of course everything's going to be better on the Saw Stop, it's a 3k dollar Saw with double the hp motor vs a $700 Saw with a 1 1/2 hp motor. No comparison. This should be compared to a Saw of its equal, both saws actually. Also I think Bosch was the first to come out with the blade brake system. For some reason they didn't stick with it. Maybe because it was crazy expensive at the time. Anyway I like your videos. Keep up the good work.
That’s the whole point, to show the upgrades and differences you get by spending the more money. Not putting the 2 together in a head to head competition lol
you can buy a powermatic 66 or older delta unisaw for around $1000, they are American made, far better built and more accurate than anything made today overseas. I see no advantage in a saw stop, if you use the machine properly and safely you shouldn't have an issue and need the brake, which Btw does trigger sometimes unexpectedly with various materials and will cost you a new cartridge and a new blade. and if you use good blades that could be $150 right there
I agree with his point about using the saw safely. I’ve been using a table saw for 50 yrs. Use it right and you won’t need the “safety” features. I am bugged by the fact that the sawstop was developed by an attorney who only had $$ in his eyes. Beyond that it’s a free world. Looks like you have a winner table saw to work with. Congrats.
@@bigbob9702 for sure! I plan to never set it off haha and continue proper safety techniques. It’s just a matter of when I was wanting a better saw, I might as well fork out the little extra for the piece of mind. Freak accidents happen, other people can use the saw, as my kids grow up and maybe want to use it etc..
Cabinet saw: motor and saw is attached to cabinet. Table Saw: motor and saw are attached to table. Cabinet is far easier to adjust. When accuracy and adjustability are the top priority, its a no brainer.
Agreed, there are budget cabinet saws out there and budget jobsite saws. Imagine carting that Sawstop to job sites? The Rigid is intended for that and they don't build fine furniture on construction sites. It's like comparing apples to oranges.
I'm sure it's a good saw but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay that much ....there are great cabinet saws that are affordable... I've spent over 70 years without cutting off appendages so I will continue using my contractor type saw of many years of service with no problems. The newer tools with their little gimmicks aren't for me..,like the sawstop saw, woodpeckers tools that are outrageous prices.,. absolutely not worth the money....
I wouldn’t call the sawstop technology a gimmick haha but yea I get what you’re saying. I wanted a better saw and when comparing those versus a sawstop, it just made sense to me to spend the bit extra for the safety feature
Prices have already changed since I bought the sawstop and drastically changed since I bought the Ridgid. Makes no sense to state prices in a video. Can easily click the links in the bio to view current prices.
@@JohnBuildsIt great video and comparison. As best as I can tell the Sawstop cost 5x to 6x more. I guess the question is, is it worth the difference for a hobbyist?
@@PopsGG wouldn’t be for me if it wasn’t making money to pay for itself. But then again there are people with money to blow and just like good tools haha
You do have to spend some time setting the saw up... blade, fence, etc. But once done, the saw is great. Fairly compact which is Nice ru-vid.comUgkxXh-4_3-ZT1fFWP91ZV7iVqzElr0lEb-a I did get an Incra Miter Gauge which takes some setup as well. The stock miter gauge can be adjusted in the miter slot with a little painter's tape... this tightens up the side to side play a lot.
This is not apples to apples. A 3 1/2 HP vs maybe a 3/4 HP. I have a Sawstop PCS and a Delta contractor saw they don't even come close.!!!!!!!! I don't know why YTers put content like this on YT..
