It is unfair to compare an expensive $600.- model with other brand cheap model, so I will compare this with same price comparable model: Compared with the Skil sold at Lowes with the same price, this model is FAR inferior. Table is made of tiny thin iron sheet like a thicker paper (Skil is make of thick Aluminum alloy , very sturdy), it lacks the enough strengh to hold the fence, so people said it cuts straight, I doubt, he certainly never used the Skil table saw with the same price before. And the motor is lower model than Skil, materials are reduced everywhere. I would say if Skil sold for $114, this saw honest price is only $70.- per build quality , solid and spefication.
A reminiscent of this is that I want to try the Rioyt drill since it is new brand for me. The same priced drill arrived home, compared with my current Black and Decker drill, motor rate is lower and noisy, build material is reduced. I returned immediately, because of the two experience above, now I do not want to try this brand any more.
This product is absolute junk; but when you can buy a excellent quality blade that cost more than this whole saw, what did you expect?
- Miter slot is slightly undersized from the industry standard. So forget about using aftermarket featherboards, miter guides, etc. to increase safety or accuracy.
- It’s very hard to align the fence completely parallel to the blade. The fence can be out of alignment by as much as 1/4″ over it’s length. Not only does this make it impossible to get a square cut, it greatly increases the likelihood of the blade binding and throwing the wood back into your face.
- The riving knife is a cheap, thin piece of metal that doesn’t precisely align with the blade. This prevents the stock from being pushed all the way through the saw. The fix, of course, is to remove the blade guard.
- Tiny table. It’s designed to be small and portable, so it has a small table. But, unless the only thing you’re cutting are three foot 2×4′s, the lack of table surface to stabilize the wood on makes cutting dangerously unwieldy. If you need portability, get a folding contractor’s saw instead.
- It’s very loud. Most cheap motors are. But this one screeches as if to warn the user just how unsafe the saw is to use.
I was given this saw used as a gift when I started to get into woodworking. There’s no way I would buy one–it’s the only power tool that I own that really scares me to use. I guess the one benefit to this saw is that I will really appreciate upgrading to a real cabinet saw once the budget permits.
Rating: 1 / 5
If this is all you can afford then go ahead and buy. It really is the best bang for the buck.This is a fantastic rough, garden, deck building, homeowners saw. If you are going to use it less than 3-4 times a year don’t buy anything else.
That said….
if you ever want to step-up your woodworking skills beyond the occasional honey-do items, like drawers, cabinetry, etc. (things where fit between multiple items is essential to strength) this saw will hold you down like an anchor. Don’t reckon that Ryobi is offering you a $300 contractor’s saw at $100 price tag. You are getting what you pay for. I feel that if you can spend 200 more and get a contractors saw you will never regret it.
Rating: 3 / 5
I have owned this model saw for years. I never had a single problem using it as intended. It is not designed to plow through a 4×8 sheet of plywood at a running pace, not ramming a 2×4 at a speed the blade can’t keep up with. THAT SAID! This is a nice homeowners leisure activity saw that CAN do heavier work if used properly. Excellent, Safe, Shop practices are all that is needed. Why 4 stars and not 5? I too, wish they had employed a wider, standard miter slot.
I bought the Ryobi because it was inexpensive and I was building a set of woodworking tools. Overall, it does a excellent job, was simple to setup and start using, and simple to go around (and tuck away when not in use). It comes with a stand, which was a huge selling point for me. But, this table saw has some significant limitations, most of which are not a problem for a home user, but certainly dealbreakers for more serious woodworkers.
First, the table is way too small, and I’ve been unable to find an extension. I suppose I can make one, but it would be excellent to have an extension available.
Second, The miter is not particularly accurate and very hard to adjust. I had distress adjusting the miter to make the measurements accurate from 0 degree and 45 degree cuts. There are adjustment screws, but it did not provide a full range to cover 0 to 45, no matter what I tried. To make an adjustment, there is a nut that must be loosened, using a plastic wing. The plastic wing is ackward to use and gets caught under the blade-height adjustment wheel.
Third, the table has measurements for the guide on both the right and the left side of the table, with the right side having a longer measurement. The distress is that the right measurements are incorrect. They do not account for the blade width. Only the left measurements are accurate. But, if you realize this, you can make the adjustment in your settings.
Fourth, as others have mentioned, the guide is not precisely aligned. It’s probably excellent for most users, but anyone looking for a more precise measure will be disappointed.
Finally, the table has a strong tendency to tip (which, as one reviewer wrote, makes this very perilous). Part of the reason is that the table is top heavy. The other reason is that is take quite a bit of force to get the workpiece under the anti-kickback arms. Once, they are under, the table is a bit more stable, but caution is still in order to avoid tipping.
Overall, it’s excellent for a casual user, and rather inexpensive to get started, but more serious users will quickly want to upgrade.
I had the opportunity to try Ryobi’s next higher model. It costs a bit more and has no stand. But, it seems to eliminate the small table and poor miter problems. This may be a better option for some to examine.
Rating: 3 / 5
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It is unfair to compare an expensive $600.- model with other brand cheap model, so I will compare this with same price comparable model: Compared with the Skil sold at Lowes with the same price, this model is FAR inferior. Table is made of tiny thin iron sheet like a thicker paper (Skil is make of thick Aluminum alloy , very sturdy), it lacks the enough strengh to hold the fence, so people said it cuts straight, I doubt, he certainly never used the Skil table saw with the same price before. And the motor is lower model than Skil, materials are reduced everywhere. I would say if Skil sold for $114, this saw honest price is only $70.- per build quality , solid and spefication.
A reminiscent of this is that I want to try the Rioyt drill since it is new brand for me. The same priced drill arrived home, compared with my current Black and Decker drill, motor rate is lower and noisy, build material is reduced. I returned immediately, because of the two experience above, now I do not want to try this brand any more.
Rating: 1 / 5
This product is absolute junk; but when you can buy a excellent quality blade that cost more than this whole saw, what did you expect?
- Miter slot is slightly undersized from the industry standard. So forget about using aftermarket featherboards, miter guides, etc. to increase safety or accuracy.
- It’s very hard to align the fence completely parallel to the blade. The fence can be out of alignment by as much as 1/4″ over it’s length. Not only does this make it impossible to get a square cut, it greatly increases the likelihood of the blade binding and throwing the wood back into your face.
- The riving knife is a cheap, thin piece of metal that doesn’t precisely align with the blade. This prevents the stock from being pushed all the way through the saw. The fix, of course, is to remove the blade guard.
- Tiny table. It’s designed to be small and portable, so it has a small table. But, unless the only thing you’re cutting are three foot 2×4′s, the lack of table surface to stabilize the wood on makes cutting dangerously unwieldy. If you need portability, get a folding contractor’s saw instead.
- It’s very loud. Most cheap motors are. But this one screeches as if to warn the user just how unsafe the saw is to use.
I was given this saw used as a gift when I started to get into woodworking. There’s no way I would buy one–it’s the only power tool that I own that really scares me to use. I guess the one benefit to this saw is that I will really appreciate upgrading to a real cabinet saw once the budget permits.
Rating: 1 / 5
If this is all you can afford then go ahead and buy. It really is the best bang for the buck.This is a fantastic rough, garden, deck building, homeowners saw. If you are going to use it less than 3-4 times a year don’t buy anything else.
That said….
if you ever want to step-up your woodworking skills beyond the occasional honey-do items, like drawers, cabinetry, etc. (things where fit between multiple items is essential to strength) this saw will hold you down like an anchor. Don’t reckon that Ryobi is offering you a $300 contractor’s saw at $100 price tag. You are getting what you pay for. I feel that if you can spend 200 more and get a contractors saw you will never regret it.
Rating: 3 / 5
I have owned this model saw for years. I never had a single problem using it as intended. It is not designed to plow through a 4×8 sheet of plywood at a running pace, not ramming a 2×4 at a speed the blade can’t keep up with. THAT SAID! This is a nice homeowners leisure activity saw that CAN do heavier work if used properly. Excellent, Safe, Shop practices are all that is needed. Why 4 stars and not 5? I too, wish they had employed a wider, standard miter slot.
Rating: 4 / 5
I bought the Ryobi because it was inexpensive and I was building a set of woodworking tools. Overall, it does a excellent job, was simple to setup and start using, and simple to go around (and tuck away when not in use). It comes with a stand, which was a huge selling point for me. But, this table saw has some significant limitations, most of which are not a problem for a home user, but certainly dealbreakers for more serious woodworkers.
First, the table is way too small, and I’ve been unable to find an extension. I suppose I can make one, but it would be excellent to have an extension available.
Second, The miter is not particularly accurate and very hard to adjust. I had distress adjusting the miter to make the measurements accurate from 0 degree and 45 degree cuts. There are adjustment screws, but it did not provide a full range to cover 0 to 45, no matter what I tried. To make an adjustment, there is a nut that must be loosened, using a plastic wing. The plastic wing is ackward to use and gets caught under the blade-height adjustment wheel.
Third, the table has measurements for the guide on both the right and the left side of the table, with the right side having a longer measurement. The distress is that the right measurements are incorrect. They do not account for the blade width. Only the left measurements are accurate. But, if you realize this, you can make the adjustment in your settings.
Fourth, as others have mentioned, the guide is not precisely aligned. It’s probably excellent for most users, but anyone looking for a more precise measure will be disappointed.
Finally, the table has a strong tendency to tip (which, as one reviewer wrote, makes this very perilous). Part of the reason is that the table is top heavy. The other reason is that is take quite a bit of force to get the workpiece under the anti-kickback arms. Once, they are under, the table is a bit more stable, but caution is still in order to avoid tipping.
Overall, it’s excellent for a casual user, and rather inexpensive to get started, but more serious users will quickly want to upgrade.
I had the opportunity to try Ryobi’s next higher model. It costs a bit more and has no stand. But, it seems to eliminate the small table and poor miter problems. This may be a better option for some to examine.
Rating: 3 / 5