Budget vs Professional Table Saw | What’s the Difference??
Budget vs Professional Table Saw | What’s the Difference??
A close look at some key differences you can expect between a professional cabinet table saw, like the Sawstop PCS, compared to a lower end beginner saw.
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Sawstop – https://www.sawstop.com/product/professional-cabinet-saw-pcs175-pfa30/
Ridgid (New Model) – https://homedepot.sjv.io/x1AXd
What city and state are you located in and are you single
Going from that Rigid saw to a sawstop is definitely in my plans for the future. Once I get my student loans paid off then maybe I can go into debt for a nice table saw.
I had the same Rigid saw for a few years before upgrading to the saw stop. It is an excellent entry level saw. You can add jigs and put a sleeve on the fence for added height. If I recall the arbor length was shorter than most saws and it would not accommodate a full 3/4in dado stack. I added plywood between the legs to encase the motor and the dust collection was not too shabby.
Bought a SawStop 2 years ago, PCS model. Replaced a Bosch job site saw. Sales guy from Woodcraft asked me, "what’s a finger worth"? I was sold.
I got punched in the face by the price of the Saw Stop and decided to buy the Rigid. NO regrets. None
Nice comparison. I have a 5hp delta unisaw and it’s a great saw. I have used the sawstop good saw but the unisaw is as good or better the only thing missing is the safety feature. I use the guards so the safety feature is nice but not needed in my situation.
sawstop is not the only one with flash sensing technology. Few European brands have them but they are priced even higher than sawstop. They also work much better and don’t destroy your blade
II will keep my Rigid over that extortionate p.o.s. any day. Average woodworkers can’t afford the overpriced overhyped p.o.s.
Congratulations on the new saw! Hope it gives you many years of good and safe service! I would like to see more comparisons to other saws like a Saw Stop vs Laguna, Grizzly or Harvey Cabinet Table Saws. Love the Saw Stop, but when you compare to other professional Cabinet Saws, barring the safety or the blade retracting Of the Saw Stop, it doesn’t fair out as well in a cost comparison with other top quality saws. In this case you have a $3,000-$3,500 Saw vs a $600 Saw from Home Depot. With such a difference in cost it’s really not a fair comparison.
When you cut through that maple, I actually said "holy shit!" out loud! That was incredible! I’ve got a Ridgid job site saw, and I’m looking forward to an even bigger difference when I upgrade.
no offence but you’re comparing a Ford Focus to a Bentley continental GTC Range. You get what you pay for.
Nice addition. You’re buying quality tools that will last a lifetime. Congrats
Fine job!
What’s the same! 🙈
Is the ridged a 3 hp? If it’s not that is like comparing my Lamborghini to a a corvair ?
Isn’t it funny how spending 4k can change your opinion ??
I have exactly the same on my right thumb from a similar bite! Was yours back of blade contact?
A budget cabinet saw vs the Saw stop would have been more useful. Or a contractor saw stop vs a cheaper contractor saw.
Really not a fair comparison at all 500.00 compared to 3600.00
also almost a $2000 difference
I don’t think that this is a fair comparison between these two saws. The Ridgid is a contractor type saw and the Saw Stop is a professional cabinet saw. Of course everything’s going to be better on the Saw Stop, it’s a 3k dollar Saw with double the hp motor vs a $700 Saw with a 1 1/2 hp motor. No comparison. This should be compared to a Saw of its equal, both saws actually. Also I think Bosch was the first to come out with the blade brake system. For some reason they didn’t stick with it. Maybe because it was crazy expensive at the time. Anyway I like your videos. Keep up the good work.
I’m a DIY not professional woodworker and looked at this saw when i wanted to upgrade a few years but after seeing the price difference i couldn’t justify spending that much. Maybe if i was a pro i would have thought differently but the Rigid has been a fantastic decision for me. I really didn’t need to spend much time dialing it in and couldn’t agree more that i wish it had a better fence but mine makes accurate repeatable cuts. You nailed the dust build up issue with the Rigid but my fix was take off blade plate then with dust collection on use my compressed air blow gun to hit sides with some air, build up no more. Would i like a SS yes but for the amount i use them couldn’t justify the cost. Just went on website to price SS with mobile base @ $4,500 +delivery vs $750 for the Rigid…that’s a huge difference and if I was going to spend that kind of money I would consider a Powermatic
Here is my question , If the Orange saw was soooooo bad , Why did you not return it to where you bought it from ? It must have been good enough at some point ? Just wondering .
Great video comparison, I have the same Ridgid table saw. As I DIYer and hobby woodworker I have found the Ridgid saw to be sufficient. Obviously, I’d love the Saw Stop or any number of other table saws. In my case does the cost justify the purchase. For anyone who uses it to make a living I totally agree. For the average guy, if you can afford it, I say get the saw and whatever other tools you like. Plus, the safety features are priceless.
We have a Ridgid TS3650 saw in our shop. It is 15 years old. It is used ever day 5 days a week. In the 15 years it has been in our shop, with the exception of blades and belts, it has never needed 1 replacement part. The saw has an all cast iron top, not stamped steel. Weights in at 290 lbs. It is powered by 220 VAC. It has an excellent fence, we don’t the the original miter gauge. Instead we use an Incra Miter Sled. It has the Herc-U-Lift 4 wheel truck that allows it to be moved around. Although I can’t remember the last time it was moved. The Ridgid 4512 is a toy next to the Ridgid TS 3650. The Sawstop is a great saw. You can’t cut your finger off with it. We don’t have that problem in our shop. Unlike most of the crazy people on YouTube that use saws without blade guards, No one in our shop is allowed it use the saw without the blade guard. To quote Ron White " You can’t fix stupid"
Congratulations, man! I received a SawStop 3HP PCS with 52" T-Glide fence and the industrial mobile base as a gift from my wife a few weeks ago. Until then I’d been using a mid-90’s Grizzly contractor saw with no riving knife or dust collection of any kind, and only a 1.5HP motor. Quite an upgrade! I’m quite lucky to have found myself an awesome wife!
I have always been impressed by the results you’ve gotten from all your projects using the Ridgid saw. I have the same model, R4512, and while it’s not the Cadillac of table saws, I’m glad I got it over a contractor saw when I finally had the money to buy a table saw. It was a sad day when I learned that you had gone over to the dark side, lol. It’s a given that the PCS is a superior saw when compared to the R4512, but you have proven that you don’t need a $3000 saw to get good results.
Bought the exact SawStop PCS 5 months ago. Loving it! Are you still happy with your Laguna planer? Is it a 16" or 30"?
Nice review. I have the Harvey Alpha table saw and the sawstop and Alpha seem eerily related. Almost like they are made in the same factory. How’s that Laguna JX8 working for you? I am looking for a jointer, but am finding no front runners.
Ive got the Craftsman model of the same Ridgid saw but its got an aftermarket ShopFox fence instead of the stock fence. I bought it for $200 used and its been a pretty good saw. I couldnt even put a SawStop in my current shop, but once I have a new shop, a new saw will soon follow.
thank you Good jib on vido
Great saw enjoy it
for the algo
No way to compare the Ridgid saw (749.00) to the Saw Stop (3582.00) thats like trying to compare a Rolls Roice to a Hundi Sonata………………
Comparing a $500 Ridgid to a $3800 Sawstop with upgrades doesnt seem fair man… sure its a much better saw.
I’ve had the Rigid RG4512 for about 3 years and for my hobbyist level of work, its a great saw especially for the price. I’ve cut 8 quarter hard maple and never had it bog down or leave burns. Is yours 120v or 220v? Also mine does not have the issue with the cast iron top that yours does, mine is dead on flat! I got lucky!
Is the fence accurate? Some reviews I’ve seen say the fence jumps when clamping.
Cabinet saw: motor and saw is attached to cabinet. Table Saw: motor and saw are attached to table. Cabinet is far easier to adjust. When accuracy and adjustability are the top priority, its a no brainer.
Can you link us to the table legs you have on the outfeed table?
Only get what you pay for mate, made in a better factory to a better spec
Given that the Sawstop requires half the rotations to raise the blade, it makes me wonder about how hard it is to ‘dial in’ an exact height?
That Sawstop is like 8 feet wide! Much saw envy…
You lost a lot of respect for this.. You are comparing a $460 saw to a $4600 (or more) saw that was most likely given to you in exchange for this review. It would be one thing if you were honest and accurate but you are NOT. . "100 times the weight"?. So you are saying that if the Rigid weighs in at #150, the new free saw weighs in at #15000. All of a sudden the saw that you made all of your money, projects, AND this channel with is a complete piece of JUNK. You are comparing a Yugo to a Roles Royce and you sound like an upity self entitled hypocrite.. Congratulations, someone gave you a tool and you are now a much higher class human because of it.. All the peasants you left behind deserve to be looked down upon by you and your mighty greatness… Saw Stop now owns your soul, be sure to mention them often… Actually, to be honest,, If I was in the marketing dept at Saw Stop, I would demand that this video be taken down because it is a complete embarrassment. Most of this video is grossly over emphasizing what you now consider to be shortcomings on the Ridgid even though they were fine last week There is a reason that you never seen a Ferrari ad that trashes a Kia. Harbor Freight (somewhat deceptively) compares their tools to well known, higher quality brands because (other than having no morals) they are desperately trying to get into the construction site quality tool market. NONE of the companies that they mention, ever mention them. I have been considering a Saw Stop but if this is how they allow (and pay for) their product to be advertised, they will be off the list..My shop should be done in 2 to 3 weeks so I still have a little time to make my decision before I can start moving in. I think I will go out and look at some other brand saws today..
I wonder if ppl understand the meaning of the word "budget". As a DIYer and hobbyist even the RIDGID is out of budget for me.
For the price and quality that Ridgid table saw is a great deal for a hobby woodworker. I bought mine at Home Depot over a decade ago and it’s still the same price now as it was then. Which means it’s an even better deal today than when I got mine. It’s not perfect but I’ve made fine furniture using it that came out great. Like John says, you just need a little more setup time when cutting.
you can buy a powermatic 66 or older delta unisaw for around $1000, they are American made, far better built and more accurate than anything made today overseas. I see no advantage in a saw stop, if you use the machine properly and safely you shouldn’t have an issue and need the brake, which Btw does trigger sometimes unexpectedly with various materials and will cost you a new cartridge and a new blade. and if you use good blades that could be $150 right there
Comparing a 700.00 saw against a 3,600.00 saw yes there will be many better features
Ive had that rigid for about 6 years and I make it work, like you did. The thing that drives me nuts is the cast iron being so un flat. I dont have a climate controlled shop or I would upgrade and anytime I see someone else doing so, im all for it.
Nice review, so much so that I subscribed. I’m building a workshop in my new home 16’x32′ and plan on putting a sawstop in the shop. Why did you decide to go with the 3 hp 220 v saw? Also, where would you suggest I put the plug in for the saw, on the wall or in the floor?
Thanks for sharing the difference. Love the efficiency comparison.