Replies

1. 
   Dustmight | Dec 30, 2004 06:51pm | #1

   The built in Herculift mobile base is a nice feature, but a mobile base can be purchased or built for any TS starting at around $20.  I'm with you on the fence...I'm especially concerned with the flimsy plastic handle.  I wonder how many will be broken in a couple of years. 

   The 3650 is now built by Ryobi's parent company as of about 15 months ago.  The saw has some nice features, but it's also had a slew of problems....most minor.  Some of the early models had problems with the rigidity of the legs due to a problem with the supplied washers.  Another sporadic problem was motor vibration due to a long screw that caused the fan blades to bend.  One of the larger and most recently publicized problems is with the arbor, which has a problem accommodating stacked dado blades.  Many of the saws have an area on the arbor with a smaller diameter, which causes stacked dados to make uneven cuts.  Even though the publicity is fairly new, it appears that service centers have known of this issue since the introduction of the saw.  Until an editor from Fine Woodworking got involved Ridgid wasn't even going to address the problem.  One other small issue that may not be Ridgid's problem directly is with getting the rebates back that were offered last summer.  The bottom line IMO, is that there are several excellent choices in this price range that haven't had as many (if any) systemic problems.  I wouldn't want to spend this kind of money for a saw with a jaded history when so many other choices exist.  I know there are owners of the 3650 who love their saws, but my guess is that they'd love any of the others in the price range too.  Grizzly, the new Deltas, the new Sears, Jet, and Bridgewood all have offerings in this price range.  All have different features than the 3650, some of which have many advantages IMHO.  Some have excellent steel fences.

   Below are links to a couple of in depth discussions on the Ridgid forum regarding the problems with the 3650.  There was even a discussion here from a poster who wondered if he should return his 3650.  Good luck with your hunt!

   http://www.ridgidforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002538;p=2

   http://www.ridgidforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000546;p=1

   Here is an excerpt from one of the Ridgid discussions from a former staunch supporter of the 3650 who's finally had enough:

   I am very happy that I was able to buy a cab. saw at sears with a Beis commercial fence for $600 before tax(combining sales and CC discount). Got best rating from woorkbench mag and I can now do dados , more hp 1 3/4, true cab. mounted trunion,throatplates that are the same as a unisaw, no legs to twist,real dust control, top quality blade,extension table board,etc. As the mag said at the price $950 list, you would need to spend $1000 more to buy a full cab saw and all you really get is more durability and 3hp. For a home shop I doubt it would matter. Orion makes the saw and I have had excellent CS in my questions and their quick responses. No TTI to deal with!!!!!! The down side is that I have a $650 credit at HD b/c it was too long to return for a refund.
   If I were you I would pack that up as fast as I can and get your money back. I can not believe how stupid I was in all the fixes I did and did not look at that arbor sooner. I thought the cuts on the cheap blade set I had caused it. I really should have gotten a refund not store credit but it was hard enough getting that.
   I never ever got a call back after being told numerous times I would. Do a search and you can read previous posts. I am mad at the time I wasted playing around with the: motor,mounts,hardware,stand,blade warp(they did send me a new one) and the lack of consern on TTI part to fix problems except to say to bring it to a service center that would be 6 hrs. driving to and fro each time, are they really serious?(I live in the LA area not exactly remote) Great lifetime warranty. This is a poorly run corp. and I am stuck with several other tools but at least they are the grey ones. I was a supporter but not anymore. The word is out look at woodnet for example, I think you will see an end to this model with the new sears design and cost, and they probably will want to avoid retooling costs and hope you all forget about it. Oh,that post on this site which was going to be listed on their fix where is it? I would not count on anything soon based on my past experience.

    

   
   

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   Edited 12/30/2004 11:03 am ET by sliversRus

2. 
   Dustmight | Jan 05, 2005 11:57pm | #2

   Hey Garage Junkie - Was wondering if you've still been researching table saws? Anything got your attention?

1. 
   GarageJunkie | Jan 11, 2005 07:18am | #5

   Yes, I was looking at the General 50-185 table saw. But I ended up finding a older used Grizzly table saw that a guy needed to get rid of. It needs a little work fine tuning and calibrating but for a 1/3 of the money allows me to buy some other tools for my shop. Now on to looking for a band saw!

   Edited 1/10/2005 11:20 pm ET by GarageJunkie

3. 
   stevemorris | Jan 07, 2005 05:04am | #3

   just bought the same table saw from a fire restoration company, all it neede was a new switch and cord

   seems fine other than that, fire damage seems mostly cosmetic

   the lift system on the mobile base is great, my shop has industrial grade carpet and its easy to move the saw around but rock solid when locked down

   caulking is not a piece of trim

1. 
   Somertime | Jan 07, 2005 07:14am | #4

   I just got the rigid last week, took me quite some time to get it together and calibrated.  I love this thing.  The plastic handle on the rip fence is heavy duty and nothing to worry about unless you deliberately try to break it, for that matter, everything on this saw is heavy duty.  I've been ripping 8/4 maple all week with it.  No complaints.  The fence is accurate, and the lift system is a huge plus.  It's a quite machine too.  I was skeptical at first, but researched it for a few months.  This was a good purchase other than spending three or four times the amount for a quality instrument.  The dust collection port is good for a shop vac if that's all you have.