You may have noticed a few different Ridgid table saws at your local Home Depot. Part of the NEXT line, which also includes miter saws, belt sanders and planers, we were curious to see what the flagship Ridgid R4550 portable job site table saw had to offer.
Check out our best portable construction site table saws article for more great recommendations
The Ridgid's 15 amp motor is capable of 5000 RPM and the saw has the power to effectively cut through hardwoods. Just keep the pressure steady and feel/listen to the RPMs to make sure they stay high. As long as you do this, you don't have to worry about burning the material while cutting.
We were very happy with the stability of the cut, even with the spare blade. As long as you don't try to eat too quickly, there's no chatter or blade wobbling.
If you want to cut dadoes, you are in business. You can swap out the 10" standard blade for an 8" dado up to 11/16".
The table is generously sized with 32 1/2 inches of tear capacity on the right and 22 inches on the left. That should be enough for the portable table saw to excel at cutting.
Ridgid R4550 Portable Construction Site Table Saw Design
Rack and pinion fence system
Overall, there is a lot to like about this design, starting with the rack and pinion fencing system. If you haven't used the style before, it removes some of the squaring issues with clamping styles and allows for quicker adjustments.
If you're familiar with this fence style, the Ridgid does have a few differences to be aware of. The main thing is how you attach the fence. The hook needs to be pulled up from the bottom to grab the attachment point, then rotated down to lock the rail in place.
This can be confusing as there are some sliding points on the inside of the fence rail which also lock onto the same attachment points. This is for storage though, and attaching the fence this way will keep your measurement marks away.
As with most rack and pinion systems, there is an additional fence support that can be flipped over. It sits flush with the table and acts as your outer support when you're ready to make wider cuts. When you're ready to make narrower cuts, it sits on top of the table to give the main fence structure some breathing room, allowing for better sightlines and reducing the risk of hitting putts mid-pass.
safety accessories
The Ridgid doesn't have the easiest attachment connections we've seen, but they are much better than those on a basic saw. Move the riving knife to its straight-cutting position first, then install the anti-kickback pawl. Of the three slots/holes seen on the riving knife, the detent is on the middle one. Squeeze the sliver button while sliding, then release the button. You should feel/hear it click into place. Pull it gently to secure it.
Blade guards are easier. There is a support bar on the back that needs to be hooked into the last slot of the riving knife. With it in place, tilt the guard toward you until the front support is in its slot. Push down on the orange lever on the guard and it will lock into place.
Accessory storage
Every table saw manufacturer has to deal with how accessories are stored and we like the design Ridgid came up with. The blade guard, anti-kickback pawl and miter gauge are easily accessible under the table.
The fence stores upside down and locks into the same connection points that you cut it from. The difference is that you don't use hooks. Instead, find the slots on the inside of the rails and slide them over the connection points. You'll hear/feel them snap into place and you're good to go.
Putters are stored on the fence.
table saw frame
The Ridgid R4550 comes with a table saw stand for easy use. From the vertical storage position, grab the handle and press the release button with your foot. Push down on the handle and the saw easily lifts into place as the saw tilts forward.
When you're done cutting, simply reverse the process.
The stand has 8-inch wheels that you can roll easily in most situations. There are some sloppier settings (I'm hearing thunder outside right now) and we'd like to have the bigger wheels we've used on other stands.
Additional features
- No drop ramp adjustment
- Lockable On/Off Switch
- Does not turn on automatically when power is off
Ridgid R4550 Portable Construction Site Table Saw Prices
It's great that Ridgid hasn't shaken off its high-value pricing structure. A table saw with stand is $499 at The Home Depot. Our local stores don't have it in stock, but they ship for free to store pickup or to your home/business if you order online.
Ridgid backs the saw with a 5 year warranty.
the bottom line
While the fence system takes a little getting used to, we really like the overall package that Ridgid offers with the R4550 Portable Table Saw. Its solid cutting performance, overall design, and attractive price earn it a top spot on our list.
Specification
- Model: Ridgid R4550
- Motor: 15 amps
- Power supply: 120V AC
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Maximum speed: 5000 RPM
- Tear Capacity: 32 1/2" Right, 22" Left
- Bevel Capability: 45°