rigid ts3650 at HD 399.99

[Knottscott]

Just a note.

Looking at the detailed photos on this review sight:

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/Rid...650Review.html

The motor mount mechanism, belt cover, and blade guard mechanism are exactly like my (past) 20 year old Craftsman tablesaw Sears Craftsman 10” table saw – Model # 113.299040

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...ponents%20list

The Ridgid contractor saw design is nearly the same as the old Emerson made Craftsman contractor saws made until 1997, and the Ryobi made Craftsman saws made until 2004, and there's a lot of common ground between them all. I laugh when people trash talk the old Craftsman contractor saws and praise the newer Ridgid saw. (the fences were poor on the old Cman saws, but the guts are essentially the same).

When Emerson and Craftsman parted ways in 1997, they needed a market for their saw manufacturing capabilities, so they expanded their Ridgid brand name to include some woodworking machinery, and partnered with HD to retail it (TS2412, TS2424, TS3612). In 2004 Emerson stopped manufacturing their own Ridgid brand saws and licensed with TTI/Ryobi to manufacture the Ridgid saw for them overseas (enter the TS3650 / TS3660), which coincided with Sears dropping the Ryobi made contractor saw in favor of the Orion made hybrids.

I'm not positive, but I'd guess many of the parts are interchangeable bewteen these saws. The major differences between the old Craftsman and current Ridgid saws are some updates and the bolt-ons like fence, Herculift, cam trunnion adjustment, and legstand, etc. Ironically, when the TS3650 was introduced, they re-experienced a problem with some arbors that had incorrectly cut threads.....a problem that had been experienced in the Craftsman saws some years prior.

[BrazosJake]

Yep, my old Emerson-built Craftsman is a near dead-ringer for the 2412.

[Hellrazor]

I picked up the last one at the one local BORG. What a joy that was loading it in the F250 with one person helping. Was a lot of fun getting it out by myself...

[RmeDad]

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!

As you can tell from my avatar.........I switched, bought a TS3660 for $399! So far, so good. I'm loving it! Just sold my 3100.....sorry to see it go, it performed well while I had it.

[Hellrazor]

As you can tell from my avatar.........I switched! So far, so good. I'm loving it! Just sold my 3100.....sorry to see it go, it performed well while I had it.

I gotta sell my 3100 and all of the extras I have. I started to take it apart to make room for the 3650. I guess that is tomorrows job... pictures and post it on here.

[kramer katt]

I have not seem myself but am told that the movers envelope of coupons at your local post office now has an actual 10 percent off Movers coupon instead of the old mail in one.
This is actually for Lowes but works well at HD most times. YMMV
KK
10% off is $40 discount $360 would be a steal price
Also the new customer HD credit card offer may be good for 10%

[10sCoachRick]

[QUOTE=kramer katt;393334]I have not seem myself but am told that the movers envelope of coupons at your local post office now has an actual 10 percent off Movers coupon instead of the old mail in one.
/QUOTE]

Confirming the actual coupon in the mover's packet at the PO. Good until June...Hey, let's leave some for someone else!

[Roloff]

I'm not positive, but I'd guess many of the parts are interchangeable bewteen these saws. The major differences between the old Craftsman and current Ridgid saws are some updates and the bolt-ons like fence, Herculift, cam trunnion adjustment, and legstand, etc.

Those are some _major_ differences. There's also the reality that buying from Home Depot might be more secure than buying from Sears, if Wall Street goes downhill further.

[Andrew Benedetto]

I had one and returned it. Not really any better than my '70 sears saw, in some ways worse. All the same issues as any contractor design. Absolutely hated the thin sheet metal cab. and legs which flexes , at the 45* stop bevel the cab would bulge outward,[sears saw never did that]thin plastic lock lever on the fence, lightweight zinc alloy trunnions , fence casting and motor bracket, motor is 13A, power is just OK, dust collection was not that good. A hybrid is much better. I would look for a used hybrid or even an older cab saw if you have 220V. I still have my BT3K, as well as a Unisaw, CM22124. I prefer my BT3K over the ts3650 actually. The arbor issue was he last "straw" so it went back. I would have to tear down the saw and repair it or drive over 6 hours back and forth in LA's city traffic to use the service ctr. Do your self a favor, go to sears and compare their hybrids for example. I know many like this saw but when you use something different I think you will not want the motor hanging out the back design anymore.

[kramer katt]

Re ridgid versus Sears

There's also the reality that buying from Home Depot might be more secure than buying from Sears, if Wall Street goes downhill further.

I would actually compare the size and stability of Sears v Ridgid NOT home depot in this.
If the economy continues down, I think the survival of Craftsman in some form is pretty good bet given the history and large installed base of tools. Not the same for Ridgid/Ryobi.
The Ridgid industrial/plumbing entity is another story.
kk

ps
I have seen a lot of the 1980's (90s?)sears contractors saw that have been discussed here for sale cheap on craigslist. Look for the large aluminum extruded fence rail similar to the cheaper current Zipcode saws. I knew a contractor that used one of these for finish work happily for years until he upgrade to a TS55 Festool.
kk