Ridgid vs. Delta Contractor Saws - Woodworking Talk

dodgeboy77 · 03-18-2009, 08:27 PM

Hi everyone! I’m a new member with a question. I have a fairly new but light duty Craftsman direct-drive table saw (bench model with legs). After reading posts here, I have the urge to go for a more professional saw with a cast iron table that can take a standard miter gauge, etc...

I was initially thinking of looking for a used belt drive Craftsman for $100 or so to fix up. But then the first thing I would have to buy is a new rip fence, at the minimum, and possibly have other expenses to get the thing up to snuff.

Then I noticed the local Lowe’s had the Delta 36-979 contractor’s saw on clearance for $399 - a good deal. I had also been reading on this forum that Home Depot had been clearancing out the Ridgid TS-3660 for the same price, but I figured they were all gone by now. After some shopping today, I found that the Ridgid is still available. The difference is that it comes with a rip fence and the Delta is fenceless - a Delta fence is an additional $130.

My question is this: Is there enough of a difference in quality between the two saws to make the Delta worth the additional $130? My guess is that there is not. Opinions? Do both saws have left-tilt blades? Thanks!!

knotscott · 03-18-2009, 08:48 PM

It's really going to boil down to a matter of preference. While I prefer the Delta T2 fence over the Ridgid's, I don't think it's necessarily worth a $130 premium....YMMV. It might be tough to find a Ridgid for $399, so the decision might be made by default. If you can find a Ridgid, my advice is to grab it, keep the receipt, and leave it unopened until you've made a final decision....

dodgeboy77 · 03-18-2009, 09:06 PM

Knotscott,

Thanks for the reply! I cruised two of the four Home Depots in the area today and both had a Ridgid TS3660 in stock. I would imagine I could take a day or two to make a decision and still be able to find a saw.

I stopped by two Lowes, also. Each had a floor model Delta and one had a boxed unit laying there beside the floor model.

Bill

knotscott · 03-18-2009, 10:31 PM

I just thought of another scenario, but if you like the Ridgid fence, there's really no need....If I were looking at getting one of those saws in the $400 range, I think I'd buy the Ridgid saw and the Delta T2 fence, and sell off the Ridgid fence/rails....I'd guess it'd fetch $75-$90. Scout out a 10% coupon, and you're on budget, and would have a Ridgid saw with what I'd consider a fence upgrade right from the start.

TheRecklessOne · 03-19-2009, 01:15 AM

I have the Delta contractors saw you're talking about. My plan is to buy the Steel City Cabinet saw when they start selling them off to change to the new model (whenever that may be) However, I love my Delta, and wouldn't own any other contractors saw IMO...The T2 fence is a great fence for the money too. I've considered buying a couple of the used craftsman contractors table saws, investing in a couple quality fences, link belts, new blades, etc. then cleaning and tuning them. Some of the older ones are solid well-built machines. Craigslist my friend. It's amazing.

dodgeboy77 · 03-19-2009, 07:07 PM

I visited another pair of stores today and the Home Depot had a TS3660 in stock, just like the other two HD's I went to. I took a closer look at the Delta at another Lowe's and noticed it didn't have a link belt but a standard V-belt. That's a point in Ridgid's favor.

Since there are still a few 3660's around this area, I guess I have some time to make up my mind.

On a related note, while at the Home Depot, I noticed that they had a new Ridgid granite top table saw in a box on the floor. The price was $599 but what impressed me most was the package weight: 477 pounds! That's one seriously heavy saw!