Ryobi Table Saw Review

[rockwithjason]

I needed a table saw to complete come projects for work. I also wanted one for myself, so I struck a deal with the boss. I would buy the saw and use it to complete my projects and he would by the blades and make any repairs that it needed. Space is a huge issue so I decided on the Ryobi portable table saw model BTS20R. I liked the fold and go design and the extendable table.

http://209.235.210.201/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=http://209.235.210.201/images/tools/BTS20R.jpg&w=250&q=100

I bought it at Home Depot for about $220. Set up was easy, it took about 20 minutes to be ready to cut. The fold up mechanism works great. It's very easy to break down and move. The fence and miter guage are stored on board along with blade changing tools. The guard works well for straight cutting but is not suited to dado work. The sliding tabe extentions are easy to set up and the right hand extension has thumb wheels to lock the table in place making the fence useable on the extention for larger cuts. The rear extention is a nice feature but it is not strong enough for heavy lumber. Cutting strips of 3/4 ply produced a bent extention.

The fence was easy to adjust and had a locking lever feature that was nice. Now the bad part. The fence does not automatically lock down square to the blade. Every change to the set up must be checked for square before you cut. Also the fence had a tendency to move on you producing skewed cuts. The miter guage was awful. I was loose in the miter slot and sloppy to say the least. There is no way to lock the height adjustment which is not a problem if you are doing a light cut, but a big problem if you are doing heavy cuts or dado work. The height is very inconsistant in these situations.

Over all the saw is very compact and easy to use for light cutting operations. I would call this a hobby saw or maybe a light home use saw where high accuracy is not a priority. You can get accuacy if you spend the time checking the set up. I personally would not buy this saw again.

[putttn]

Wow, good timing. I was seriously thinking of buying this saw. I'm a total newbie to wood working and most of the stuff I'll do is just home improvement type stuff and thought this would be a good choice. I have an old worm drive Skill Saw that's hardly been used but would like to be able to cut up small pieces for making work cabinets or shelf supports etc. What would you suggest that would be portable and small footpring?

[rockwithjason]

I ended up selling the Ryobi and buying a Ridgid model TS2400LS from Home depot. There is a world of difference in the two. The fence is much better and the saw has a lock on the height adjustment. It still folds up and rolls away just like the Ryobi and is far more precise. You can't beat it for $400.

[Major Ramifications]

The differences between a $200 table saw and a $400 table saw are vast. The problems you mentioned are also present on the other brands in that price range.
The Ridgid is a good saw, also Dewalt and Bosch both have nice jobsite saws in the $400-$500 price range.

[putttn]

I understand the Bosch 4000-09 is highly though of too. Since it's been decades since I bought a table saw and I'm really going to use it for limited applications is this too much saw and would I be better off using the savings and purchasing other tools? Have lots of mechanical tools but few wood tools. Do have an old Skil worm drive saw and a router but that's about it.

[wantedabiggergarage]

The BT3100 IS the Ryobi to have. For now, only available as the Craftsman 21829, unfortunately, but Ryobi is supposably going to have it back out.

They have to wait on their exclusive distributor.

The really bad thing, I missed these on sale for $150 before they closed them out.

[rickairmedic]

The BT3100 IS the Ryobi to have. For now, only available as the Craftsman 21829, unfortunately, but Ryobi is supposably going to have it back out.

They have to wait on their exclusive distributor.

The really bad thing, I missed these on sale for $150 before they closed them out.


The other option is to cwatch your local bargain trader type papers for a good table saw for cheap . I picked up a $350.00 - $400.00 dollar craftsman table saw today for $49.00 with several extras including a new blade still in the plastic wrapper its previous 2 owners used it for light home repair work so its still in almost new condition :D.


Rick

[tsbrewers]

I understand the Bosch 4000-09 is highly though of too. Since it's been decades since I bought a table saw and I'm really going to use it for limited applications is this too much saw and would I be better off using the savings and purchasing other tools? Have lots of mechanical tools but few wood tools. Do have an old Skil worm drive saw and a router but that's about it.

Don't skimp on the table saw, it is the cornerstone of any wood shop

Brew

[wantedabiggergarage]

Don't skimp on the table saw, it is the cornerstone of any wood shop

Brew

Is that ever a debateable statement!

Lot's of people PREFER a Bandsaw.
There are show's dedicated to the router.

Then if your only using building materials (2x) and plywood, you can get by with a guided circular saw system.

Only the one setting up the shop can really decide for themselves.

[JMURiz]

I understand the Bosch 4000-09 is highly though of too. Since it's been decades since I bought a table saw and I'm really going to use it for limited applications is this too much saw and would I be better off using the savings and purchasing other tools? Have lots of mechanical tools but few wood tools. Do have an old Skil worm drive saw and a router but that's about it.
I've heard good things about this saw as well...I plan on getting one once the garage is done...the fold-ability (did I just make up a word) is really nice for a small shop.