When Ryobi dropped their new RTS31 10" table saw, we knew the company had made some pretty drastic changes. Most notably the sliding miter table and newly designed outfeed bracket. The $299 Ryobi RTS31 The 10-inch table saw aims to position itself in the DIY market, and it sure looks like a capable product.
Editor's Note: Check out the Ryobi 7-1/4″ Miter Saw review for a good companion to this saw.
When we built a Murphy bed as part of a complete built-in system in a historic home built before 1920, we had to play with it quite a bit. We needed to make a lot of cracks and cross-sections, and the Ryobi RTS31 got a great workout.
One of the great features of the Ryobi RTS31 10-Inch Table Saw includes its considerable right-side sawing ability. Thanks to the sliding miter table and outfeed support, our sample was reduced by about 31 inches. The fence seems to be easy to adjust. It has the same "looseness" as a lower priced table saw, but when you lock it, it straightens out. Our blades lined up correctly without adjustment, but the table scale was off by a full 1/8" and we couldn't fully adjust it given the minimal clearance available in the adjustable rail. This meant we had to pull out the tape measure for most cuts.
The outfeed support on the Ryobi RTS31 10" table saw is a great feature, but doesn't seem to be able to withstand the abuse of the job site — it simply doesn't hold up to impacts or the heavier loads of bent metal. That's largely why we think it's a great DIY saw, but not too good for professional applications. Considering its price point, it's still a great value.
Adjustable spring-loaded feet on the folding stand mean you can now balance the saw on almost any surface. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the fairly steep leg angles can bend the bolts on the adjustable feet over time, so we recommend using it sparingly and not letting it go all the way when you don't need to stretch.
Ryobi RTS31 10-Inch Field Table Saw
As we noted before, we were able to use the Ryobi RTS31 10-inch table saw to rip and cross-cut all the parts of a queen-sized Murphy bed we built in the bedroom of a historic home. Sheet goods get plenty of support from the spout, and the sliding miter table does make small cross-cuts quick. The fence held up our rips well and we found it easy to make repeated cuts. The blade guard is flexible, and it wasn't hard to reach in and adjust it as we switched back and forth between straight-cut and non-straight-cut applications.
Both the bevel and blade height adjustments are simple, and the mechanism appears to be fairly precise. The on/off safety switch is easy to access and is well positioned to avoid accidental shutoff during use. The bevel on the Ryobi RTS31 10-inch table saw feels easier to adjust than the Ryobi RTS30, probably because of its slightly wider arc. We also like the way most accessories are stored on the tool, so it's easy to roll up and down the job site.
