RIDGID gets another great review!
WOOD magazine just did a review of several “mid-priced” table saws and the RIDGID TS3650 came out as their top pick (among contractor & portable table saws).
I must say, I knew nothing about table saws when I bought my RIDGID. In fact, the reason I bought it was the price. It was on sale for $550-ish at the time I bought it, plus they offered a $100 Home Depot gift card (which in my world is the same as cash!!). So really, I figure I got the saw for $450. I didn’t read the good reviews about the saw until after I’d already bought it.
Unfortunately, I also didn’t know about the defective arbor issue until after I bought the saw. But RIDGID replaced and installed it for free, so I can’t complain too much.
At the risk of sounding like a RIDGID spokesman, I highly recommend this saw for a beginner/intermediate woodworker like myself. If I ever upgrade, it’ll be to a cabinet saw.
Replies
No need to apologize for being enthusiastic about your saw :-) It's great to have options that are reasonably priced, so keep us posted on how you like the saw over a period of time.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Expect a major, new ad campaign for Rigid to run in Wood shortly.
I would take these reviews with more than a grain of salt.
You need to have reasonble expectations about the performance and longevity of this tool.
Most of my woodworking stationary tools are Ridgid. I really didn't know what I was doing at the time. But I got some good prices 3 years ago and trusted the lifetime warranty. There are better equipment out there, but I think for the money you get a great value with Ridgid. I have the jointer, surface planer, drill press. ts2424 table saw, spindle sander. bandsaw and Lathe. The only ones I am slightly disappointed in is the bandsaw, (under powered for resawing wide boards) and the lathe (because the lathe bed is not the standard construction) How ever I still think I got the value for the money I spent.
>>Expect a major, new ad campaign for Rigid to run in Wood shortly.
What is your basis for this statement? You might be interested in Wood's responce when someone actually questioned their objectivity.
QUOTE
...... But, for those of you who are still listening, let me explain about our tool-testing procedures.
To keep the tests manageable, given the typical 6-page allotment, we must limit the number of models we test to a handful. That may be 6 tools, it may be 10 tools, depending on the complexity of the tool and where we can draw a meaningful line (might be price, might be power, might be capacity, might be a combination of those or others).
Tools are usually acquired 10-11 months before the cover date of the magazine. (Right now, I'm acquiring product to test for our June 2002 issue.) Unlike other magazines that use their editorial staff as testers, we use ndependent testers who are given 1-2 months to complete their tests and
provide the results of the tests.
If we find serious problems with a tool, we report them to the product manager of the manufacturer for their response in the magazine. The article is written from the tester's notes and completed 5-6 months before the cover date. Most of the advertising for a given issue comes in about 2-3 months before the cover date. (It takes about a month for the magazine to actually be color-separated and printed, and the issue usually come out the month before the cover date.)
Neither the manufacturers nor our advertising salespeople know who will get the recommendation(s) at the end of the article. They do know, however, that we'll be reviewing Tablesaws Under $900, for example, and which specific models are in the test.
Frankly, as an editor, I could care less who "wins" any given tool review. My responsibility is to our readers, not the advertisers.
CLOSE QUOTE
After reading the Wood review I had more questions than answers. I questioned their methodology and the varying levels of scrutiny each saw underwent, not necessarily their objectivity. There were many things unexplained, several discrepancies that I noted, and what IMO were several important omissions. I posted my thoughts of their review on their website but did not receive a response from them. In case you're interested in reading the post (it's long)...
http://dgroups.woodmagazine.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tid=6&webtag=tablesaws
I think your points (in the online review) are well taken, but generally, I think you're asking for a level of detail which is virtually impossible -- given the space restraints imposed on every mag. Besides, I think most editors feel their readers mainly want to know which tool they (the magazine tester) liked the best, with enough supporting info to explain why. Conversely, the universe of tool manufacturers (i.e. potential advertisers) is small, and I think that is one reason most reviewers go out of their way to say something nice about each tool tested. And I also think that is one reason Sears tools are often given the "best value" label, since it placates the ad execs at Sears -- which, I suspect, is the biggest single advertiser in the field of wwing mags. "cstan" implies a kind of connection between good reviews and ad campaigns. I don't think it is anything that overt, but at the same time, I do believe we (as readers) need to be wary and aware of the constituencies (readers plus advertisers) that every magazine needs to serve in order to survive. Woodsmith (and its sister publication Shop Notes) is the only magazine supported entirely by its readers. It has always been my perception that FWW has a little more credibility than most mags when it comes to the integrity of their reviews. When Grizzly started to push their machines hard on the national scene some years ago, I remember FWW was very straight forward in pointing to some of the really horrid stuff they were putting out. It was rumored that the Grizzly people pulled their ads from FWW, and I'm not sure they are back even now. It was also rumored that all these bad reviews helped Grizzly see the writing on the wall, and compelled them to institute meaningful quality control standards in their manufacturing process. In sum, none of us should expect any of the wwing mags to start doing product reviews in the tradition of CONSUMER REPORTS. The mags and the tool people are just too dependent on one another. And of course, that's why forums such as this can be so valuable, since feedback from users is perhaps the best buying information available. I only wish some posters would not feel the need to validate their own decision, and thus tell us about whatever downside there might be to a given machine, along with lavishing it with their praise.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Excellent last point. I suppose I did feel a bit "validated" when I read the good reviews about my saw. I just enjoyed knowing that my money was well-spent, having not really had a chance to put this saw through its paces (yet). There actually is something I don't like about the saw. The blade guard! It's big, clunky, and hard to remove (you have to turn a thumbscrew in the back of the saw to remove it. Most new saws have the same type of guard. I wish they were more like the ones I'm seeing on the new "Sawstop" saws -- smaller and less in the way.- Toolfreak
Hi Toolfreak - When I owned the GI 50-185 I was pleased to see it picked #1 by FWW too. I had lots of fun with it, but the truth be told I didn't think it was a very meaningful review...and sadly most aren't. As Nikkiwood mentioned, the reviews really boil down to someone's opinion, and hopefully they've got some rational justification for forming that opinion. The reviews from mag to mag often contradict each other. The bottom line for me is that I tend to take all reviews pretty lightly and sure don't give them much weight in my purchasing decisions....A good review is one that says what I wanted to hear! LOL! ;-)
Hey Freak,
check out this link
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine/todaysww.cfm
You might like the mod.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Interesting. But, the reason I won't remove my blade guard (even though I hate it) is because I like being reminded where the blade is and to keep my hands away from it. I figure if my hands touch the plastic guard during a rip, they're probably too close to the blade. I'm sure I'll change my mind about this at some point. I am a beginner, after all.- Toolfreak
The Titebond III glue case is a classic example of good advertising makes for good reviews. When Titebond III was initially reviewed by a major magazine it faired just so-so in the ratings. An issue or two later, a retraction of sorts was printed in the magazine and lo-and behold, TitebondIII was now rated numero uno. I quit using my bottle of TBIII right about then and went back to my old standby.
Interesting. I've been using TBIII for about a year now and I believe it's the best glue I've ever used.
Just my 2 cents.
Kell
RIDGID gets another great review!
And then RIDGID Tilebond III glue... Geee I thought I was nuts
Interesting. I've been using TBIII for about a year now and I believe it's the best glue I've ever used.
Just my 2 cents.
Kell
Based on what, Kell? The stuff you made with it hasn't come apart? Precisely what attributes make you think this is the best glue you've ever used? Don't repeat the ad copy please. I realize this is a bit confrontational, but I was too curious not to ask.
Based on what, Kell? The stuff you made with it hasn't come apart? Precisely what attributes make you think this is the best glue you've ever used? Don't repeat the ad copy please. I realize this is a bit confrontational, but I was too curious not to ask.
The consistency from bottle to bottle, the ease in clean up and the longer open time versus TB 1 and 2 as well as Elmers Carpenter Glue. I make the assumption that its ability to hold will be at least as good as their other glues and I've not had a joint fail in 18 years.
I wasn't repeating the ad copy, I was giving my opinion and my opinion only. I didn't claim it to be based in fact and said it was my opinion. Perhaps in the future I'll add some disclaimers about the number of other products I've tried and their relative merits prior to posting so as to avoid your "a bit confrontational" stance. You should try the decaf dude. Life's too short to go around PO'd all the time. That's just my opinion though, not based in fact. :>)
Regards,
Kell - who also believes that Titleist makes the best golf balls and that Jif makes the best peanut butter but isn't allowed to eat it anymore.
JIF is good! Hell with my heart!
You guys keep it up and I'm gonna report you to the topic police [Donald C. Brown, Capt.] for "going off talking to each other and ignoring the original question." That really upsets him, ya know! Too funny.
BTW, I like the longer open time too. If I want super-quick grab, hide glue or a quick set glue is just fine, but most of the time, I need time.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
You're right about Titleist.
My favorite glue is Lee Valley's 2002 GF. Great open time and in every other way. Love the stuff.
The 202GF, as far as one part glues go, is definitely the best.
I have two bags full of Titleist Tour Balata shag balls. Like hitting marshmallows. Awesome feel and spin. Closest thing to them these days, at least around the greens, are the Nike Platinums and it pains me to say it. I can reel back a Platinum with ease. Almost too easily.
Pro V1 and V1x just not as stoppable on approach shots and from chips around the green.
Edited 6/10/2005 4:01 pm ET by cstan
I don't think anything surpasses balata for the workability and feel of a shot. Most golfers don't care about working it, they just want to get that little extra yardage.
I've had my Rigid tablesaw for six months now, and use it almost every day. I'm quite happy with it. The fence has needed some occasional realignment and the only complaint I've got is the dust collection catch around the blade gets clogged frequently. I could reduce this with a zero clearance plate however. Maybe I should get off this computer and go and make one.
Also have been seriously considering wiring it for 220.
Toolfreak,
I don't own the Ridgid contractor's saw. However, I have the Ridgid bench-top model, and I love it for all the same reasons people like the contractor's model! I have been very impressed with all aspects of this saw.
Here's a discussion I started on the saw:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=22638.1
Edited 6/2/2005 11:20 am ET by Matthew Schenker
I've got something to say about FWW tool reviews. First off, FWW is my favorite mag and I just renewed my subsciption (went for the two year). I can't remember which number mag it was, or maybe it was the tool guide, but when buying my 14" bandsaw I looked to the review for advice. Ridgid was given the best value rating and was described as a capable machine but a little underpowered.
Whenever I am able to make a trip to the USA I like to stock up on supplies and buy a few tools. I live about 1500 miles south of the border so I don't have a home depot arould the corner. I brought the saw down here and set it up and found that there is a constant wobbly vibration in the saw that doesn't go away no matter what I adjust or tweak. It's basically impossible for me to take this saw back to home depot because of the border and the distance so I'm stuck with a saw that makes me dizzy (wobble, wobble, wobble) after about five minutes of using it. I've gotten a lot of excelent information and advice from the pages of FWW but I'm sad to say that on this occasion their review was very different from the machine that I got. I'm not happy with the ridgid bandsaw and I plan on buying a larger floor model next year, probably a Laguna.
I think it was Jon White that wrote the article about the bandsaws so if he reads this maybe you could give me some advice to fix this lemon. I'm not going to buy anymore Ridgid tools and I'll be testing anything I buy up north BEFORE I bring it down to my shop no matter what the articles say. A lesson learned the hard way.
Brian
If you can figure out what the problem is, you may be able to get a replacement part from Ridgid without moving the entire saw. If you are using the blade it came with, I would start by replacing that with a high quality one, which might solve the problem. I'd also check the wheel bearings (there should be no play) and the wheels for balance and round.You may not be happy with John White, but his book "care and repair of shop machines" or Mark Duginske's "Bandsaw handbook" would probably be among the best ways to get your bandsaw performing well.
I already went over everything I could see and the only logical explanation to my way of thinking is that the wheels are out of balance. Anybody know how to fix this, or check if this is the problem? I've changed a number of blades and the tires seem to be OK, the one thing I haven't done is change the original v-belt from the motor to the drive wheel. I'll give that a whirl and hope it help's.
Brian
Brianmexico:I started a new thread about your bandsaw, since this one is about tablesaws. See http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages/?msg=24015.1
Hi
Did you check out the message board at Ridgid, under the woodworking subsection. They seem pretty good at answering questions and might be able to help with the problem you are having. I own a TS242. I was disappointed with its ability to make bevel cuts, and hold an angle, so have resigned myself to only vertical cuts, and making jigs etc for the beveled cuts if necessary (which I try to avoid). Other wise I have been very happy, and did wire it for 220V (bought it 5 years ago, with lifetime warranty)
The link to the Ridgid site is http://www.ridgidforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?category=3
At the risk of sounding like a RIDGID spokesman, I highly recommend this saw for a beginner/intermediate woodworker like myself.
I been workin with wood fer many years.. I sort of liked ALL my Table saws for the price I payed for them.. I have used many Cabinet saws.. Yes they are sort of better.. But I can do what I want with the stuff I have cheeper.. I LOVE cheeper....
I would love to have a European Slider with a rivin' knife and stuff BUT I'd have to move out of my garage shop.. Sell my House? NEVER!
COME ON! You , like me, bought this tool cause we thought we'd get a free calander!! Be a man, admit it! :)
If, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!
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