Big Box Of Goodness!!

[thbalke]

So I've been lurking around these forums for awhile now, but I now have stuff to post about. Well today I finally got to go pick up the TS 3660 and all I have to say is "HOLY CRAP, that's a huge box!":eek:. I was like a kid on Xmas walking up to the register with that thing!:D:D

Anyway, I'm looking forward to all the knowledge I can learn from you experts. Tomorrow I get to assembly this bad-boy!!

Travis

Would the forum benefit from pictures of each step of assembly?

3809

3810

[cpw]

Would the forum benefit from pictures of each step of assembly?
Everyone loves pictures.

[Bob D.]

Read through the TS-3650 Assembly Tips (http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7585) thread, much of it will apply to the newer model 3660.

[krich]

Tbalke, welcome to the forum. I’m pretty new here myself. Congratulations on your TS3660 purchase. I have the TS3650 and it went together great and was accurate right out of the box. Hope your TS3660 goes together as easy and is as accurate. As to your question about pictures, I can’t speak for anyone else but I would like to see how it goes together. Additionally, it could be beneficial to others who buy one and experience difficulties during the assembly process.

[BadgerDave]

Welcome and congratulations on your new table saw. Plan on taking anywhere from 5 to 8 hours to assemble it. If you take your time and thoroughly digest the assembly instructions you'll find that you'll get everything right the first time. I think a big mistake many make is that they are so excited about their new tool that they rush the assembly job and usually forget to cross a couple of t's or dot a few i's.

The assembly thread that Bob D mentioned is well worth looking at before you start your assembly.

[thbalke]

yeah, I've read through the assembly tips a couple times already.

As to your question about pictures, I can’t speak for anyone else but I would like to see how it goes together. Additionally, it could be beneficial to others who buy one and experience difficulties during the assembly process.

That was my initial thought. Pictures would help troubleshoot issues people have with their saw. No more having to explain what certain parts look like!! I'll take some extra time and snap pictures of the steps.

[Woussko]

For what it's worth before attempting to assemble it, check over the parts list and the actual box contents. Be sure it is all there! Also do have good tools and the right tools. Trying to use makeshift tools just doesn't get the job done. You will want a good carpenter's square and also a combination square like in the picture. The combination square helps with setting 90 and 45 degree angles. Do take your time with this project. Being careful does pay off.

[thbalke]

I'm actually going out today to get the comb. square.

[thbalke]

Well, I got it all assembled!! Hercu-lift works like a champ! Fence, blade, and rails are extremely accurate. That thing is so quiet and cuts so smooth!! It's unbelievable. Only downside (which isn't the saw's fault) is my garage lights dim for a split second when it starts up. Any suggestions to fixing that? I'm guessing either it's own outlet off the breaker box, or its own 240v outlet off the box and rewire it to 240v.

I did snap quite a few pics of the assembly process. Basically completed steps, but also closeups of known trouble areas.

Now I gotta start my closet system!!

[VASandy]

Well, I got it all assembled!! Hercu-lift works like a champ! Fence, blade, and rails are extremely accurate. That thing is so quiet and cuts so smooth!! It's unbelievable. Only downside (which isn't the saw's fault) is my garage lights dim for a split second when it starts up. Any suggestions to fixing that? I'm guessing either it's own outlet off the breaker box, or its own 240v outlet off the box and rewire it to 240v.

I did snap quite a few pics of the assembly process. Basically completed steps, but also closeups of known trouble areas.

Now I gotta start my closet system!!

Congrats on the new TS, and welcome to the forums! I hope the pics came out well. As far as electric goes, I put mine on it's own 15Amp (I think it's 15...might be 20...one of the electrical wizards can speak to that) circuit. Since it's only me using the tools, I have it setup so that circuit also feeds the jointer, the miter saw, and some of the portable tools like the planer and the drum sander. I can only use one tool at a time, so it works out ok. I got a couple power cords with multiple outlets. The type rated for outdoor. They're good thick cables, so they can take the power draw. I have all the lights on a separate circuit. I did eventually put in a second tool circuit recently, as I redesigned the shop to make it more efficient.

[thbalke]

Would the separate circuit be something I can do since the breaker box is located in my garage on a concrete wall?

[angus810]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you'll find a wealth of great help here. If you search the forum for 3650 power, or 110, you'll find plenty of detailed information on this topic. Here's one thread that seems to explain some of the main advantages and theories, etc. in a relatively short thread:

http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16734

For what it's worth, when I first "installed" my 3650 in my humble basement shop, I blew the fuse almost every time I ran the saw. Rather than going to the trouble of re-wiring for 240V, I just popped a new 110V/20A fuse in the breaker board, and ran a dedicated line (I think it was 14 guage) that powers the 3650 & my wet/dry vac. Since then, I haven't blown a fuse yet (going on about 1.5 years, so far). Good luck!

[FINER9998]

14 gauge wire is for 15 amp circuits. 20 amp circuits require 12 gauge wire.

[thbalke]

So it seems like it should be simple enough.

[VASandy]

So it seems like it should be simple enough.

Do yourself a favor and be VERY careful. That kind of circuit power is more than enough to kill you. Make sure there's absolutely NO standing water in your garage before you start. Even with rubber soled shoes, that amount of electricity can kill you and standing in water will assure that. The floor must be clean and dry. If you'll be on a metal ladder, don't even try it. You must be extra careful with the screwdrivers in the breaker box. One slip means you're dead. Basically, when dealing with Mr. Electricity there are lots of ways to die. I've met him a couple times and it hasn't been pleasant. Exercise caution in every step. Use your best, most comfortable screwdrivers and don't do anything unless you're comfortable with how you're going to do it.

[thbalke]

Well, I will definitely be careful. I also won't be doing it for awhile. I only run one tool at a time right now, so the slight dimming is tolerable.

[FINER9998]

thbalke...its quite simple to do. pick up any DIY wiring book @HD and exercise care when you are in the sub panel. make sure you use 12 gauge wire if installing a 20 amp 110v circuit and 14 gauge wire for a 15 amp 110v circuit. if the dedicated outlet is going to be in a metal box, make sure there is a ground screw in the box and that a wire from that screw is connected to the green ground screw on the outlet and those two are connected to the bare ground wire coming from the sub-panel (breaker). then just attach the white and black wires to the outlet, making sure to observe the correct polarity.

[thbalke]

I'll definitely keep that in mind. I've worked with wiring before, but not in awhile. This should be fairly easy seeing as the breaker box is maybe 20 ft. from where I would place the outlet.