Ridgid vs Delta Table Saw

[tchads]

I'm looking to upgrade to a 10" table saw. I've looked at the Ridgid 3650 and the Delta 36-980. I can read all the great reviews and information on this forum for Ridgid but there is no similar place for Delta. Does anyone have any experience with a Delta TS? Any reason they chose Ridgid over others?
I'll be using the TS mostly in a small (13 by 13) basement workshop.

[oldslowchevy]

friday the smaller ridgid table (r 2400 i belive) goes on sale for $299, concidering your space you might want to concider this saw as well and everyone that has one really seems to love it and the fence is high qualty. and for the price you can't go wrong.

i know this is not what you asked for but just a sujestion that this might be better for you plus it folds up and can be placed out of the way when not in use.

welcome to the forum

[tchads]

Thanks for the reply. I have a Skil 3400 series that just can't do much more than trim rough wood. The 2400 looks like a larger version of what I have, but I'll still have to check it out this weekend. Fortunately Lowe's and HD are only a 1/2 mile apart on the highway.

[BadgerDave]

This thread might shed a little more light on the Delta vs the Ridgid.

[Woussko]

If you can stand the cost you might really like a hybrid style table saw on a good mobile base. They don't need as much room as a contractor style because the motor is under the table rather than hanging out in back.

[hewood]

I'd have to agree with Wousko....the hybrids have several design advantages and no disadvantages. If I were upgrading my TS, I'd skip the 60 year old contractor design all together and go with the advantages of a hybrid. Some actually start @ ~ $400 on sale. There are some very nice hybrids in the $600 range, so cost is pretty competitive with a contractor saw.

[Dick L]

My first TS was the Skil, 3400 or similar. I got tired of its problems, sold it on Craig's List, and bought the 2400 TS. Man, what an improvement. The 2400 TS is not comparable to the Skil. It is worthy of and ready for doing fine woodworking. Quieter, soft start, great fence, bigger table, holds its setup/alignment... the list of good things goes on.

If space is an issue it should be high on the list of candidates. Of course, if space isn't a big issue the 3650 is the way to go.

[Andy_M]

I came down to the same exact choice and I picked the Ridgid TS3650. I wrote a long post in the "reviews" forum called Rigid TS3650 Review... you might want to see if you like my reasoning & findings. Cant go wrong with Delta, either - it will make sawdust real well, too.

[tchads]

Thanks for all the input. I hadn't considered a hybrid on a mobile base, assuming a contractor's saw to be smaller. Went to HD and Lowes this weekend to measure actual sizes with the fences attached. The 3650 is about 62 in by 36 overall. The fence wasn't installed on the Delta so my guess is about the same. Of course I didn't think to see how far the motor overhang is. Any recommendations on hybrids?

[hewood]

Figure a foot to 15" for the motor overhang.

There are good hybrids from Jet, Craftsman, Grizzly, Steel City, Delta, General International, Woodtek, Sunhill, DeWalt, and Shop Fox. All are capable of good performance, and all offer some very nice fence options.

I've got the Craftsman 22124 with the Biese fence, and have been very pleased with it as a step up from an excellent GI contractor saw. It features cabinet mounted trunnions....the Steel City is nearly identical, and are associated companies.

I'm impressed with the design of the new Jet ProShop 708480 and 708482K. Prices seem good too.

Here's a birdseye view of the cab mounted trunnions, and a glimpse of a contractor motor hanging out the back.