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If you’re into woodworking and you’re serious about your craft, then you know how important it is to have a table saw in your workshop. One such table saw that stands out from among the crowd is the RIDGID R4512. To learn more about how this quality table saw and how it performs, read our in-depth review below.
The great thing about the RIDGID R4512 table saw is that a novice can use it, but it also has the features and performance needed to make a professional satisfied. This stable and compact tool is ideal if your workshop is on the smaller side. The R4512 is portable and lightweight. However, you’ll be surprised by just how many features this table saw contains.
Like many table saws available on the market, the RIDGID R4512 comes with many accessories which are meant to make enhance a user’s experience. Additionally, it comes with a great warranty. All of these along with the features available on the R4512 make for an excellent, high-quality table saw.
Hopefully, we’ve piqued your interest by this point. Read on to find out more about the R4512, including its features, drawbacks, and advantages.
Build and Design
RIDGID designed this compact and robust machine as an easy to use tool for the novice woodworker. This table saw can handle both professional and light work, however, it’s built to handle high-volume demands.
With that in mind, the R4512 has an amazing design. Arguably the most significant feature is the wheeled base. When it comes to compact table saws, this is a huge benefit. This makes moving the R4512 from one spot to the other simple and easy. However, the wheels are on the smaller side, so it’s not as easy as it could be.
As long as you don’t need to drag your table saw across a football field, you’ll find the wheels are nice to have and come in handy. The bottom portion of the saw consists of cast iron, which is the perfect choice since the dimensions of the stand itself are a little on the smaller side. Even though it’s heavy, the cast iron helps to create balance and stability on the R4512, something you’ll want when it comes to cutting stock.
As we move upward on the R4512, we discover a tabletop area that supports a T-glide fence. That means you’ll have plenty of real estates to handle those larger projects. It doesn’t matter if you want to move to the left or right, you’ll get a max of 30 inches.
One additional piece of the design you’re sure to enjoy is the available storage. It’s a nice addition to a versatile and well-designed table saw and it provides the space you need to store wrenches, blades, or other tools. From an overall design perspective, the RIDGID R4512 is robust, stable, and balanced, providing users with a pleasant experience as they work.
Capacity
It’s easy to argue that the best feature available on the R4512 table saw is its cutting capacity. There’s plenty of it. This table saw will cut stock that’s up to 3.25 inches thick and will do so at a 90-degree angle.
Additionally, the R4512 offers a level of up to 45-degrees. If you have it in this type of configuration, you’ll discover that it can cut up to a depth of 2.25 inches.
When it comes to the maximum capacity for rip cuts, the saw will let you extend out to 30 inches to the right and 15 to the left. This is a larger capacity than you’ll get with most novice table saws. As a matter of fact, the R4512 is a great saw for both experienced woodcutters, amateur hobbyists, and seasoned professionals.
Power
Equally important to your table saw is the power it has. Fortunately, the RIDGID R4512 offers plenty. This reliable and capable saw comes with a 13-amp motor which can put out up to 3.8 horsepower. With this amount of power, users get an output of 3,450 revolutions every minute. As a result, you have a tool which is sufficient for various materials, including hard or softwood.
Plus, the R4512 offers variable speeds, which means you can cut more than just wood with it. Adjust the speed to a lower setting and you’ll discover that you can cut plastics, plywood, and soft metals with ease. Something to keep in mind as you cut is that this table saw was not built for heavy-duty cutting. While it can handle some, it’s recommended that you try to limit your usage.
Still, you’ll love how well this table saw performs when it comes to cutting most stock types. Something to keep in mind as you begin your project is that you might have trouble cutting MDF, melamine, or other types of engineered wood.
Handling Dust
Another excellent feature the R4512 offers is its ability to handle dust. Included with the table saw is a 4-inch dust port which is compatible with the majority of vacuum cleaners.
That means you can connect it to a vacuum or a conventional collection bag, which will aid in collecting debris and dust in a more efficient and effective manner.
Safety
While safety might not be the first feature on our list, it’s not something you want to skimp on when it comes to buying a table saw. Even though the R4512 wasn’t designed for professionals, RIDGID when to great lengths to provide a safe tool for woodcutters to use. Their R4512 table saw includes all the typical safety features one would expect to find in order to minimize risks and hazards.
One of the more important safety features on the R4512 is its blade guard. It’s transparent, so you are not only kept safe, but you can watch and see what you’re working on at any given moment. Additionally, RIDGID offers an anti-kickback system which aids in increased safety as well.
While the power button is within easy reach while you’re cutting, it’s smaller than you might like. It won’t be as easy to find when an emergency occurs as it would if it were larger. You shouldn’t have trouble with it, but a bigger button would have made things much easier.
Sure, the safety features on the RIDGID R4512 are basic, but they work. They are functional and capable and offer more benefits than you might expect to get from a table saw in its price range.
Other Features
Similar to many table saws available on the market, RIDGID’s R4512 includes additional features that help improve the experience of the user. Here are a few additional features you’ll enjoy with the R4512:
- Accessories – The R4512 comes with plenty of extra accessories. These include plenty of wrenches and a 10-inch all-purpose blade.
- Customizable – RIDGID has created a table saw that works with a wide variety of accessories and attachments. These include t-slots for other accessories, fence support for large projects, and the capability of adding extensions for routers or other tools.
- Comfort – Another great feature is how easy to use this table saw is. It includes a large handle that is designed to give its users a solid grip while cutting wood.
- Easy to Adjust – When using the R4512, you’ll notice the extra-large glides located on the front and back of the saw. The fence is built to allow for smooth and precision adjustments along its railing.
- Miter Gauge – Even though the R4512 wasn’t designed with professional woodcutters in mind, users still get a product that offers precision. Included with the saw is a die-cast miter gauge, which provides positive stops. These are built to provide a high level of accuracy no matter what you’re doing.
Even though the RIDGID R4512 is not something to be amazed by and it's not the most impressive machine on the market, it certainly has a great value considering its excellent price. RIDGID R4512 is well balanced, sturdy, and provides enough power and precision to get through your projects with ease.
Pros and Cons
Here are a few of the advantages and drawbacks you’ll experience when using the RIDGID R4512 table saw:
Pros
- One of the most affordable table saws available on the market
- A sturdy cast-iron design adds stability and balance
- Robust base and integrated wheels help make the R4512 portable and compact
- Create large pieces with an extendable tabletop
- Easy to use and intuitive for novice woodcutters
Cons
- Takes longer than expected to change the blade
- Won’t handle high amounts of cutting
- Wheel quality isn’t as good as it could be
Specifications3
|
Blade Diameter |
10 inches |
|
Amperage |
13 |
|
Blade Speed |
3450 RPM |
|
Blade Guard |
Yes |
|
Max Cut Depth (90-degrees) |
3.25 inches |
|
Max Cut Depth (45-degrees) |
2.25 inches |
|
Cord Length |
6 feet |
|
Table Length |
27 inches |
|
Table Width |
20 inches |
|
Rip Capacity (Left) |
15 inches |
|
Rip Capacity (Right) |
30 inches |
|
Dust Collection |
4-inch dust port |
Is The R4512 Right for You?
You’re not going to be blown away by the RIDGID R4512, as it’s not the most impressive machine currently on the market. However, it is a convenient table saw for several reasons. For the features you get, which are more than you would expect, the R4512 comes in at an excellent price.
Getting accurate and precise cuts is simple and easy with the R4512. It’s easy to adjust and has no trouble integrating with many accessories and attachments. This type of adaptability only serves to make this table saw even more versatile.
While the unit does come with wheels, which makes it somewhat portable, they are on the smaller side, which makes moving the machine an exercise in frustration. However, if you have the patience, you do have the ability to move the R4512.
In contrast to its small wheels, the table saw is balanced and sturdy, which means you won’t have to w2222orry about whether or not it can handle your current project. Plus, the R4512 has enough power to cut through most materials with ease.
Whether you’re a low-demand expert, a hobbyist, or an amateur, the RIDGID R4512 is a great choice for your table saw needs. It’s not going to easily break and will almost assuredly meet or exceed your expectations.
Even though the RIDGID R4512 is not something to be amazed by and it's not the most impressive machine on the market, it certainly has a great value considering its excellent price. RIDGID R4512 is well balanced, sturdy, and provides enough power and precision to get through your projects with ease.
FAQs About Ridgid R4515
Yes. The Ridgid R4512 is a belt driven table saw that has a fan cooled motor and operates with great power when it comes to cutting dense materials with precisiveness and without too much hassle.
Yes, they are an excellent investment especially if you are working on projects that require cutting on daily basis.
All Ridgid tools including the Ridgid R4512 are manufactured in the USA, more precisely in North Ridgeville, Ohio, and most of the tools come with a 5-year warranty or lifetime warranty, which can be used on some parts, and under certain conditions.
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Even though the RIDGID R4512 is not something to be amazed by and it's not the most impressive machine on the market, it certainly has a great value considering its excellent price. RIDGID R4512 is well balanced, sturdy, and provides enough power and precision to get through your projects with ease.
