Replies

1. 
   THintz | Jan 13, 2007 10:19am | #1

   While obviously not a full-on table saw, the Bosch is a great peice for someone without space. The Gravity Rise stand is a nifty piece of engineering plus allows storing the saw in a surprsingly small footprint.

   I used one of these for a long time in my shop as a second TS and it worked great. i have also heard from lots of users who are impressed with its capabilities and accuracy. I think this is the best in its class.

   I have a review of the Bosch (and stand) at the link below if that would help.

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/bshts4000rvu.html

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

1. 
   justinh | Jan 13, 2007 05:53pm | #2

   I recently purchased one after my DeWalt 744 went up in a cloud of magic smoke.  It is a great jobsite saw.  It has plenty of power and is quiet in comparison to my old saw.  The gravity rise stand makes it easy to move, but it keeps the saw from easily being moved through a 30" door. I can load it in and out of my truck by myself without strain or breaking a sweat.  It will require table and fence adjustments out of the box to square everything up, but delivers a very clean cut once completed. 

   I run mine with a WWII and the cuts show almost no milling marks.  For larger jobs where the saw will be onsite for a couple weeks I purchased a Rousseau stand.  It is the closest thing I've ever had to a cabinet saw on a job.  I bought the outfeed support for the saw and had a 1 1/2" angle iron bracket welded up that allows me to hook the Rousseau out feed table to the saw even when on the gravity stand. 

   You'd probably be happy with any of the larger portable saws, but the cut quality and motor on the Bosch are better than the DeWalt and the Rigid is actually made by Ryobi and requires one to deal with the circus monkeys at Home Depot.

   Justin

2. 
   MatthewSchenker | Jan 13, 2007 09:32pm | #3

   Conrad74,
   I went through the same process as you about two years ago. I compared the Bosch 4000, Ridgid TS2400. I had both saws in my shop, and went over them very carefully. In the end, I chose the Ridgid.

   Here's a link to my review of the two saws:
   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=5830.1

3. 
   Pondfish | Jan 13, 2007 11:22pm | #4

   I don't have one, but the other carps I've worked with do.  The Bosch is fairly standard as a job site saw and, in my experience with it, it's a fine saw.  Most of my portable power tools are Bosch, but not always because I've selected them that way...the Bosch drill outlived others, the Bosch circ saw outlived others...

   I have the Rigid saw in my job shop, and it's fine, but a bit underpowered.  Good fence, though.  Wish my old Grizzly had as good of a fence.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
4. 
   chabber | Jan 14, 2007 08:29am | #5

   I bought this saw several months ago and absolutely love it. I have a small shop and the larger machines must be rotated in and out of use. The gravity rise stand is simply genius. The saw has plenty of power. I just got done cutting some 8/4 red oak and it had NO problems. I also have it equipped with a Forrest WWII and the cuts are VERY NICE.

   I have nothing but good things to say about this saw.

1. 
   Conrad74 | Jan 14, 2007 10:58pm | #7

   Thanks for for the input- The Forrest WWII  I am not familiar with what is it for

    

1. 
   joespehar | Jan 15, 2007 12:33am | #8

   The Forrest Woodworker II is a combination saw blade, one of the best there is. They are made in a 40-tooth, a 30-tooth, and a custom 20-tooth rip version. For the 40-tooth, the price varies between $90 and $120 depending on where and when you buy it. I think the WWII is the best general purpose blade I have used, although there are others who disagree. Do searches on the various woodworking forums on table saw blades. You will find a lot of discussion. Regarding the Bosch 4000, I had one for about two years. It is an excellent saw for a direct-drive portable. I did some really good work on it in my garage and even took it out on a couple jobs, with the gravity-rise stand. The fence can be set accurately, it has plenty of power, and it has a riving knife. I sold it only when I was able to afford a a Jet cabinet saw. The Ridgid 2400 also gets good reviews, sometimes better than the Bosch. It has a good fence and a convenient wheeled stand. If you need portability or have limited space, you couldn't go wrong with either one.

5. 
   jazzdogg | Jan 14, 2007 07:35pm | #6

   I've owned one of these saws for several years, and I'm very happy with it. Mine has the scissor-style stand (without wheels), which I like because it enables me to load the saw in and out of my truck very easily, or place it in an aftermarket table, like a Rousseau,  with no disassembly required. Mine has pull-out stock-support outriggers on the left and at the back.

   One of the things I like best is the fact that it has a true riving knife (I modified my blade guard following the tutorial at: http://www.garymkatz.com/ToolReviews/RivingKnife.htm

   The arbor on my Bosch is long enough to accommodate a dado set - something not all portable tablesaws can do. It also has a standard 3/4" x 3/8" miter gauge slot.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/14/2007 11:37 am by jazzdogg

6. 
   Joby | Jan 21, 2007 02:48am | #9

   I recently gave mine to my father in law because I upgraded to a hybrid. I loved it. For the size, it was powerful and accurate (for a benchtop saw). It was not as portable as some others tough.

7. 
   nikkiwood | Jan 21, 2007 03:11am | #10

   I've had a Bosch 4000 for years, and I would echo all the positive things said about it here.

   If you are considering a saw in this category, I would also look at the new Makita (link below), which they brought out a few months ago to compete directly against the Bosch. BTW, don't confuse this Makita with their other, smaller saws which have been around for years.

   http://www.tylertool.com/makita72.html

   Overall, while the Bosch and Ridgid, and the new Makita, are fine portable saws, they are still no comparison to standard cabinetmaking saws.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   xmike | Jan 21, 2007 05:00am | #11

   I have the Ridgid table saw (actually a tabletop saw on wheels), and I like it a lot.  However, if I'd known what a nice feature a riving knife is, I would have bought the Bosch, even tho' the reviewers liked the Ridgid just a little better. 

   I would suggest that you have both saws turned on for you before you buy, as well.  To my ears, the Ridgid TS is astonishingly loud.  In fact, to my old ears, it positively shrieks!  I thought that this might be just blade noise, so I removed the blade - exactly the same noise without the blade.  We all wear hearing protection, anyway, but if you are working out of a garage shop, the noise factor and your neighbor's peace and quiet may be a consideration.

   If portability isn't a major consideration, I'd also recommend you look hard at the Ridgid contractors saw - the bigger table is a real plus when you are working, and the saw only costs about $50 more that the tabletop model.

   Any of the choices you've been pointed to seem like good ones to me, so you really can't go wrong.

   Mike D