Wow, I am very impressed by your video! Your discussion of the blade deflection and the scientific way you measured it is incredibly helpful! I have been agonizing over choosing a slide miter saw forever now, due to concerns about accuracy. I can afford a Kapex, but I can't live with it's undersized capacity. I just sold my Dewalt DHS790 because it takes up too much room. This sounds like just what I need!
Great review and video. Thanks! I noticed the latest issue of Fine Woodworking has a review of sliding miter saws and labeled the Ridgid R4251 “Best Buy”. They said all 9 of the saws they reviewed were sufficiently accurate but indicated the right technique was important when cutting. I’m guessing that may be consistent with your comment about being careful to not apply lateral pressure when cutting and your cuts will be accurate. Is that right? I’m considering this saw because of the current Home Depot price of $379. I realize it’s not Festool quality but it’s not Festool price either. Would you agree with FWW that it’s an accurate saw and a Best Buy?
I picked up this saw a couple of days ago at HD for $219. So far it's been great. I haven't gotten any deflection and have gotten accurate cuts and miters. Haven't messed with bevels yet. Surprisingly I'm also getting very good dust collection just using my shop vac -- I don't know a percentage of efficiency, but it's leaving very little dust so far. This saw was on clearance, so I'm not sure if it's being discontinued totally, or if a new model is coming out, or if Delta is doing away with the Ridgid branding. Anyway, great saw if you can still get your hands on one.
These saws will be out of stock for months , and when they get them, they will mark them almost 50% off. It happens every 6 months to a year. I don't know why, but it is a great deal when you can get it.
My Delta didn’t come with the LED module. The housing is there but it’s empty. There are no parts available to retrofit it. So I opened it up, installed a switch and LED driver in the handle, and hot glued an LED in the empty factory housing. GTG.
Excellent. thx.. Looking to get a miter saw.. I much prefer the short and to the point review. Others spend 10-15 minutes taking it out of the box.. good grief..
Could any of the torolence cutting have anything to do with the quality of the blade? My older Ridgid has a part that has failed and is obsolete, making it now a boat anchor.. I've been watching and reading reviews for a few weeks, and yours is the kindest towards these models.
I did put a Freud Sliding Miter blade on from the beginning. I have seen some reviews showing the deflection, but not any where they cut, and the cut is off. Have they used the saw? Did they just buy the saw for a review and are saying this could hypothetically happen.?
Quick question, would you pick the 12 or the 10 if you had to choose only one? I actually just ordered the 10 because I found it at a depot for $229... Couldn't beat it. 12 was on sale too but it was still $389 so I jumped on the best deal
I wanted the 10in. At the time when they dropped the price I could only find the 12in. Before it was delivered the 10in came back in stock so I got it. That is why I had both. I had been using a Bauer 10in for the previous few years. I was disappointed in both that neither had the cut capacity of the Bauer. Both are for the most part identical. The arms are the same so they have the same amount of movement but with the smaller blade you get a little less overall reach. Both are a great deal at those prices. I forget the amount of difference but I think it is in the video. So it is only a question of if it is worth the extra amount for the extra reach.
@@ShopRamblings I actually just ordered the 10" at a specific HD for $229 before tax. That's why I was curious about your opinion on the 10. For some reason the one location I found it at $229 and at the one local to me it was $429 still. The 12 was actually cheaper at $389 but still out of my range at the moment and the price difference of $229 to $389 I just couldn't justify even trying to find the funds to grab that 12 so 10 it was. Still don't have it in hand but I'm looking forward to. Is the capacity the issue when you're cutting angles because of the style of the arms? Hate to think a baur is more capable but at the price I'm paying I don't even care.
Nice review with points that others have left off. Look up another YouToober Shop Nation, he's done the research and has created a much better solution for dust collection on this saw. - Chris
I have his dust chute on my saw. It is worth the money. I printed mine at high resolution and looks as good as the original but just works better. A lot of the dust still goes through the kerf and comes up in back. I added a zero clearance plate with Shop Nations chute and get over 90% effectiveness. I had shot over 2 hours of video and had to cut out a lot I wanted to say. 90% of all miter saws are the same. I try to figure out the 10% that is different than the rest. I am glad you found something different in my video. Thanks for the comment.
I like the detailed reviews. I have a Metabo HPT C12RSH2 and absolutely love it…I’ve always loved Hitachi miter saws. This is on sale at Home Depot right now for Black Friday though and I couldn’t pass it up. Obviously don’t need it but I’m excited to try it out. Have been wanting a Delta Cruzer since they were first announced. It’s basically the only way to get a 12in Bosch Glide with a laser or LED without voiding your warranty.
I was also wanting the Delta Cruzer. I could not see paying the $800 they were going for. I bought the Bauer, and it was a great saw. When I seen the Ridgid on sale I figured it was time. I have not owned the Bosch but it look as if it would have a greater bevel capacity to the left and less to the right due to the arms being rotated 45⁰ from the Ridgid.
any preference between the 10 or 12" models? The crosscut capacity on the 12 is slightly bigger but not much and otherwise they seem pretty much the same.
Good review, donr currently have a miter saw and im googling over these ridgid and deltas. Reallt cant make up my mind to settle for the 10 or just jump to the 12. If you could only have one of the other what would you grab? Also I'm by no means in the trades. Just some guy that wants a quality saw to use when needed.
Honestly, I have kept my Bauer 10" Sliding Miter Saw. The issue I had with it was that it stuck out from the wall too far. My shop is narrow and I needed the space in front of the saw. The Ridgid it a good saw, but you have to make sure to pull the handle straight down, or you will get deflection.
@@ShopRamblings I wonder.if they've made any updates on later models to tighten up that side to side play. Sounds like every saw has some level of it. I love the design for that extra space on the backside. I just have a garage so any time I can save space I will. Also I'm far from doing any fine woodwork. I'd like to start and I wonder if this would be good enough for general good woodworking until I can see what my potential is as a hobby, passion.
@PDillz It is definitely a great saw. Until you get to where you split a mechanical pencil line, it will work for you. This is the second version. They have not made a 3rd yet. I just bought the Bosch Glide. When pulling lateral, it has 1/2 the deflection. It does not have the shadow line that Ridgid does. The miter saw is the best saw starting out. It is only second to a table saw. As your skills get better, you can upgrade the blade.
I am thinking of getting one of these. Do you know the height of these saws in the folded down and locked position? All websites I've looked at only list the overall height which I assume is in the normal operating position. Thanks
You can lock them all the way in. I have been using the Ridgid for about a year. The articulating arms reduce the bevel capacity. I bought a Bosch glide arm miter saw. It is still in the box. I hope to do a comparison some.
Thanks for this video ~ very well done! Is there much difference in the footprint between the two saws? I'm sure the height is different, bit I'm thinking more width. I think you said the depth was an inch different? Would you say the 10" with the smaller blade might be more accurate due to less blade flex?
I tested both. The deflection was exactly the same to 3 decimal places when measured the same distance from the fence. The width was the same. The 12" came out from the wall 1" more. I didn't measure the height. I cut 95 candle holders last night on the 12". All came out perfect. I made a zero clearance insert and got the dust chute from @shopnation. That and a good blade. I have not had any issues with the exception of trying to do a 2" bevel.
@@ShopRamblings Thank you for the reply! The 12" was is on a Black Friday sale. Combined with my military discount, I grabbed it for $341.00. For that price, I couldn't resist. Home Depot and Rigid owe you a sale! Subbed btw. Happy Holidays!
@@crashcopter6000 I am not sure why but they have been selling them for that price when they can get them in stock. When they would get them they would sell every one in the country within days. I highly recommend getting a Sliding Miter Saw blade for it. I don't know why they don't include one. It should have a negative tooth angle. This is the one I bought. It make end grain cuts so smooth they are ready to be glued. Freud LU91R012: 12" Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade amzn.to/3ATwkgq
@@crashcopter6000 after using the blade let me know what you think. I have the 10" and 12" blade. It is the only blade I use on sliding miter saws. I am interested if other people think it is as good as I do.
I have only been using this saw for a few months. So far the only problem I had was cutting a bevel on a thick wide board. My shop is not real big. The 12" difference is huge. In my opinion there would be two factors in making the decision based on what is more important to you. The Ridgid can go 12" closer to the wall. The Dewalt has less lateral movement. So far I have not had an issue with the Ridgid make cuts off of 90 but I am aware of the possibility and make sure not to pull from the side.
Get the 780. Dead on accurate and never had any deflection. This saw is HORRIBLE. I couldn't return it fast enough. But the arms are unreal smooth I must say.
The Dewalt takes a MASSIVE amount of space. Measuring with a ruler doesn't tell you the truth until you actually have it in place. It's ridiculous how much space that thing takes. I have a 500 square foot shop and after moving it three times, I sold it. Now I'm looking at either the Makita or Bosch. The Kapex lacks capacity.
I know a lot of people use use a table saw and sled. I use my miter saw almost as much as my table saw. I just wish they had the reach of a radial arm saw.
The head of this saw flexes terribly. I couldn't return it fast enough. Shame but there is NOTHING you can do to correct this except to use it as a boat anchor.
It does flex more than others. Using it 3-4 days a week, I have not yet had an issue with it cutting out of square. I mill most of my own wood. I will cut a straight edge on my table saw. Then place that against the fence of the miter saw. I was checking every board in the beginning, and they all came out 90⁰.
