zed

I am very new to woodworking, and am planning on purchasing my first table saw. As a former Home Depot Manager, I am partial to Ridgid
Tools. That said, I have read some very positive reviews of the ts3660. I was wondering what opinion or experience any of you would have on this saw, or a suggestion on another model. Thanks for your input.

Shawn

knotscott

The 3650/3660 is a well proven contractor saw that's actually an ancestor from the Emerson/Craftsman saw, but with good updates to the fence, belt drive, mobile base, alignment system.

One issue with any contractor saw is the outboard motor location that was designed for easy removal nearly 60 years ago when contractor saws were actually moved from jobsite to jobsite. There's a host of inherent issues caused from that...dust collection, longer belt, lifting hazards when tilted, leverage on the trunnion system when tilted, and general additional space taken. There's a more modern design that essentially moves the motor "under the hood" called a hybrid. They've been around for a decade or so in their current versions from literally all major brands. Ridgid is the last of the major names to introduce one, but the R4511 is looking very promising at it's MSRP of $600. It offers a true riving knife instead of a splitter, a steel t-square fence vs aluminum, granite top vs cast iron, and an enclosed base with the Herculift. I'd seriously consider going that route.

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Lucas54

Can't go wrong with the 3650/3660 saws. My 3650 has proven to be one of the most reliable tools in my shop.

LarrySch

I agree - Nothing wrong with any Ridgid tools. As you can see by the attached photo.

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Larry

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dbhost

I'd wait until the R4511 comes out in the stores. It's a little bit more money, but worth it for being a true hybrid with a riving knife. A really nice design too. I am slowly warming up to the idea of a granite table as well...

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djonesax

I own the TS3660, Rigid 6" Jointer, and Rigid Wet/Dry Vac. I've been impressed by the quality. I compared the jointer to a more expensive crafstman and felt like the Rigid was more "RIGID"...

Howard Ferstler

What a sensational looking shop you have there! I have a lot of Ridgid tools, too (later orange-colored series), but they are shoehorned into a rather small three-room shop (240 square feet, although 50 of that is for storm shutters and garden tools) out in my backhard. The place is so packed that I don't even have more room on the walls for hang-up tools.

I have to roll most of my bigger tools (including a Ridgid jointer/planer on mobile base, sliding miter saw on a shop-built base, and band saw, also on a mobile base; plus Ryobi jobsite saw, small band saw, and thickness planer, and a Delta bench-top router/shaper, all on rolling bases) out onto the deck adjacent to the shop to do serious work. The big Ridgid drill press stays in the shop, though, as does a smaller Ryobi bench-top press and scroll saw and assorted grinders and hand tools. I have posted reviews of some of these tools on our review page, here, and may post some more down the line.

It must be great to be able to walk around tools like yours and have plenty of elbow room to work with them,

Congratulations. It would be worthwhile to enter that photo some in some kind of woodworking magazine article on nifty shops.

Howard Ferstler

LarrySch

Howard - thanks for the complements - I was just trying to point out to Zed that Ridgid tool are a good product - to make a point - all of these tools Ridgid and the rest were purchased in 2000 - they sat in boxes in my garage until 2006 when I retired and built the shop - I contacted Ridgid and explained that fact - and that I had never sent in the warranty cards. Ridgid advised me to send in all the cards or register all of the items on line at the same time and give the number of the sales receipt and location of the purchase - which I did - Ridgid fulled the warranty starting in 2006 - now that a company that I can go for.
(PS Howard - I was lucky enough to have the shop published in Wood's Magazine of "America's Best Home Workshops for 2008")

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Larry

" have you hugged your pet today"

Domer

I read the specs on the R4511 and it said that the splitter moved with the blade but I didn't see anything about having a true riving knife.

If in fact it does have a riving knife, that makes it have virtually all of the safety devises you would want.

1. Splitter that moves with the blade
2. Riving knife
3. Enclosed belt
4. Decent blade guard

All for $600. That is a really good deal.

The Stop Saw with similar features starts at more than twice that amount. It does have the stop saw feature but I don't think much more in the way of safety.

I am anxious for them to show up at Home Depot

Domer

knotscott

They actually call the splitter/riving knife on the R4511 a "spreader". The fact that it moves up and down with the blade is the key element that makes it a riving knife by most people's definition.

Domer

That is a great step forward in table saw safety. I would be nice if they made it inter-changeable with a true riving knife so you could do non thorough cuts and still have the safety of the riving knife.

Maybe they will fool us and have such an animal.

Our local woodworkers guild had a workshop with Kelly Mehler a few weeks ago and he really stresses safety. He is on the UL board for safety for table saws. He convinced me to change a few of my practices. In his book, he says over and over, he does not recommend using a table saw without a splitter or riving knife.

Meanwhile, it sounds like a pretty good saw for a reasonable price.

It is my understanding that all new table saw designs from 2009 on are required to have riving knives.

Domer

Knucklebuster

The estimated shipping cost on HD's site is $450+. Can that be right?

dbhost

Okay, as I recall, didn't you say at one time you had a TS3650 / TS3660? So that's 2 table saws, 2 band saws, and 2 drill presses right? I think I know where your space is going LOL...

Seriously though, what advantage do the multiples of the same types of tools have? I know for example with multiple routers, you don't have to keep messing with bit changes to go from one profile to another, and chance getting your depth or whatever wrong...

Just curious is all...

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dbhost

Yeah it can. Wait until it hits the store. There is no way they can sell these things if they are online only with shipping rates like that. That's WAY worse than grizzly...

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zed

As I mentioned in my initial post, I was a former manager for The Home Depot. Yesterday, I visited my old store to take a look at the saws and see if anything was on sale. While there I happened to bump into the Ridgid Sales Rep. I asked him about the new R4511, he stated that one, the saw probably won't be hitting stores until mid to late spring. They have posted it on the HomeDepot.com website to give prospective buyers a first look at the new saw. My big concern about the granite tops is cracking/breaking. How does one repair this?? The Sales Rep, really didn't have a solution. He also mentioned that Ridgid and Home Depot are still sitting on a considerable amount of the ts3650/60's. I would expect to see the old models with some marksowns coming after X-Mas.

zed

Has anyone actually ordered this saw yet. I talked to a Ridgid Sales rep in Home Depot yesterday and he stated that the saws won't be available until mid to late Spring of 09? I did double check the website and it does show availability??????

Jerry Henderson

On another forum a member has one that is suppose to be delivered to his local HD on December 15. Another says similar to your info. Lots of us are patiently, scratch that, not so patiently waiting.

musky_xl

It looks like a rigid booth at a wood show... very nice shop.

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Steve G.

I am thinking of buying the 3660, it is on sale at HD for $399. Should I get it? I hear non but great reviews on the saw but the problem is that i just bought a TS2400 because I need a saw for portability. Is there a cosiderable difference between those two saws? the 3660 would be used in my woodshop.

Thanks,

Steve

knotscott

In a word...."yes". It's really like comparing a compact car to a full size sedan. Aside from portability, a full size cast iron saw like the 3660 has every advantage. The belt drive induction motor is quieter and runs smoother and will have more torque, the table surface is much larger...especially in front of the blade, it'll have considerably more mass which makes it more stable and safer. It also has more rip capacity, and likely a bit less vibration due to the belt and the weight difference. A full size saw will also accommodate many aftermarket accessories, including many parts from other brand saws...wings, fence, miter, motor, etc. A full size saw will also have better longevity and higher resale value.

That said, the 2400/2410 is a capable portable, and if you need the portability, you've got the right tool.