Replies

1. 
   ravenwind | Feb 11, 2004 01:03am | #1

       I have the rigid portable contractor saw that comes on a folding stand with wheels , I dont know if your talking about this saw or the regular contractor saw with steel legs that dont fold up. 

     But if you are talking about the one I have  heres the lowdown,   Its a hell of a saw. It has plenty of power, has a soft start moter the fence is good and smoothand it came out of the box completly set up and right on the mark.  

     And the stand is great , folds up slick and easy and moves around easy too.   I checked the Bosch and for the money its A nice saw except the fence didnt seem to good and its heavy and the stand didnt seem worth it as you need to carry it every where you go.

      and I thought about buying the Bosch but at 600.00 and the cost of the stand by rigid that I would have bought it would come to 750.00 way more and the rigid cost 500.00   great price.                                                dogboy

1. 
   edevo | Feb 11, 2004 07:12pm | #5

   Thank you dogboy for the response. I was refering to the non portable saw but I did look at the model you are talking about and appreciate the input. I was attracted by all the nice slick features and portability and wondered how the saw might perform. So thanks again for the input

   Ed

2. 
   Dustmight | Feb 11, 2004 01:11am | #2

   Hi Ed - You'll find that most contractor saws over $500 are pretty nice so you really have to compare features and circumstances, then decide which are most important to you. The 3650 is not my first choice in the $600 range. IMHO the Ridgid's aluminum fence with plastic handles does not compare well with the rugged steel Biesemeyer type fences that come on the General International 50-185M1, the new Grizzly G0444Z, or the Bridgewood contractor saws. There's also no option for adding longer rails on the 3650. The herculift caster system is nice, but to me it's not worth sacrificing a top notch fence over....there are several high quality mobile bases available or you can build one without alot of difficulty. It's much more expensive and difficult to upgrade the fence.

   Plus I'm leary of the die-cast zinc trunnions...virtually all others in this price range are cast iron.

   Many are happy with the saw none-the-less, but my theory is that most of us a just happy to have a new saw...regardless of which one...

1. 
   edevo | Feb 11, 2004 07:19pm | #6

   Thanks Scotty for the response. It was helpful. I'm a person who likes to touch and feel before purchasing and unfortunately there aren't any dealers around that I can find for the other brands you mentioned. Home Depot is convenient and I can touch and feel the saw. Not that this will be my only criteria for purchasing but it is a biggy for me. I do need to know from others such as yourself that the saw performs well. I'm leary of the tool reviews in the mags. Because I see them full of advertising from the mfgs. that they are evaluating....seems like a conflict to me. Anyways haven't been able to find any on the Rigid saw so I came to the best place...here

   thanks again

   ed

3. 
   CharlieP | Feb 11, 2004 08:16am | #3

   I have the Ridgid 3612 - the immediate predecessor to the 3650.  Although the aluminum fence looks cheesy, I am amazed at how precise and repeatable my cuts are - if I am careful, easily to within 1/64 or finer.  The 3650 fence is identical except for the color of the plastic.  I haven't used any of the $300 aftermarket rip fences, but don't feel any need to with this one. 

   The trunions are solid and easily aligned.  I have only had to adjust it a couple times in a couple years, but it has some cams that make it easy to get very precise, and it holds the adjustment.  I hear they are the same in the 3650.

   Ample power and low vibration.  Not a cabinet saw, but I don't remember ever stalling the blade.  Just cut some 2 inch thick cherry, and was able to go fast enough that there was no burning.  Motor was upgraded to a TEFC motor on the 3650, nominally the same power.  When I saw how much dust I blew out of my 3612 motor recently, that is a prudent change. 

   I have heard some griping about the lighter design on the legs of the 3650, compared to the 3612, but I couldn't tell the difference playing with the new one in Home Depot.

   It does have the weakness of a contractor saw - the motor hangs out the back, making it hard to store, and the dust collection is poor. 

   The miter gauge on the 3612 is wimpy, but is one of the things that was supposedly improved on the 3650.  I still would plan on a panel cutter or sled rather than the miter gauge for most of the cross cuts. 

   The 3612/3650 are not the portable Ridgid saws.  I hear they are pretty good, but certainly are less saw.  Bottom line, I love my Ridgid 3612 saw.

   ________________________
   Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texas
   http://www.plesums.com/wood

1. 
   edevo | Feb 11, 2004 07:10pm | #4

   thank you Charlie for the response. It is exactly what I was looking for!!

   thanks again

   Ed