This was my first real tool. I purchased the Ridgid R4512 10″ Table Saw new about 2 years ago for $449 CAD on special which is a steal from the now $749 regular price tag. I had considered several lower quality contractor saws before stumbling upon this and now I notice them everywhere. After putting it through its paces, I see no reason to upgrade to a higher-end cabinet saw unless moving to a SawStop, this saw is very capable and if treated properly and cautiously will provide a lifetime of service.
The R4512 is a 10″ 13A hybrid table saw, landing somewhere in between cabinet saw and contractor saw. There is a cast-iron center table with pressed steel outer tables, these are still plenty strong.
The saw comes equipped with onboard storage for extra blades and the tools required for blade changes, as well as a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls (which I’ve yet to install) and a miter gauge.
The initial assembly will approach about 3 hours with adjustments for accuracy. The build begins with the assembly of the mobile base, this is an extremely handy feature and one reason I chose this saw, and you’ll work your way up from there. Assembly happens upside down, so be sure to have an extra set of hands available to flip it over.
The fence system is true enough for my tastes and offers enough adjustment to really zero it in. A good waxing will help the fence slide effortlessly. The cut capacity is 30″ on the right and this extension offers up a void nicely filled with a router table, I’ve filled mine with a Mastercraft model and this allows double duty out of the fence.
A 4″ port is located on the bottom for dust collection. There are a lot of openings in the cabinet of the saw and achieving dust collection efficiency is quite a challenge. I find a lot of dust still accumulates inside the saw, but running with a collection system is still better than not. I’ve seen some homebrew over the blade dust collectors and this would be an addition I would consider.
Some reviewers have spoken of an inaccuracy in the trunnion system where raising and lowering the blade would take it out of true by a few thousandths or more. I’ve yet to experience this, nor do I have the equipment to measure such a discrepancy. I knew this going in and took my chances anyway, invest in a proper square or a digital angle finder and check often.
I’ve challenged this saw with wet wood, hardwood, greenwood, screws, nails, plastics and it’s almost never let me down, besides a few tripped breakers but my electrical situation isn’t the greatest. I see no reason to deviate from this machine unless the budget allowed for the high price but the high value of a SawStop.a
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