Ridgid 18 Volt 6-1/2' Track Saw Review

RIDGID 18V Brushless 6-1/2 in. Track Saw R48630

Ridgid has finally joined the ranks of tool companies offering a cordless track saw. We recently got our hands on one to put through some tests. I've always said Rigid is the hidden gem in the tool industry, meaning that they are constantly coming out with tools rise to the level being PRO worthy at a great price.

Often thought of as a DIY or semi-pro brand, strictly made for Home Depot, they constantly surprise us in our tool testing events by producing robust quality, high performing, powerful tools. Many times, their tools performance rival pro brand tools.

Specifications

• Volts: 18V
• No load speed: up to 5000 /min. RPM
• blade size: 6 1/2 inches [1.3mm]
• Arbor size: 5/8 inch
• cutting depth:
• 90 degrees 2-1/8”
• 45 degrees 1 -1/2”
• Without track: 90 degrees 2-1/4”
• Without track: 45 degrees 1-5/8 inch
• Bevel range. -1 to 47 degrees
• dust port: 1- ¼” to 1 7/8”
• track length: 55 inches (2) 27-1/2” tracks
• Blade kerf: 1.6 mm
• Riving knife thickness
• Weight 8.8 lbs.
• Battery: 18-volt, 6 Ah

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[ConcordCarpenter]

CORRECTION: The Battery and Charger DO NOT come with the kit.

[paulrace]

Hey Rob, I'm a teacher and all I have to say about your review videos and articles is that you rock it! Well crafted, thorough, very thoughtful, and easily understood. Need I say more? No, but I will. I was on the fence about the Ridgid track saw as I'm on their platform. Your video(s) really informed me. I bit the bullet and bought the Milwaukee Fuel track saw, watched your video on that as well. You are spot on about the Milwaukee. I love it for all the reasons you covered in that review. Again, can't thank you enough for what you provide for the woodworking / construction community. Your expertise and care shines through. Awesome reviews, awesome articles. Much thanks and more! Keep 'em coming. All my best.

[tylerhenry]

I appreciate all your tour reviews there’s thorough and right to the point

[revg]

This was the LONGEST VIDEO I forgot what I was watching 😂 WELL DONE !!!

[steffendetrick]

100% that was because of packaging and pricing as far as the tracks. I bought 106 inch track for my track saw because I got tired of connecting two 55” tracks and then taking it apart for crosscuts.

[RidgidRon]

I got my Ridgid track saw ordered from Home Depot. Ridgid is offering an additional 60-inch track saw kit along with the standard track saw track that comes with basic kit-at higher price of course. Ridgid came out with accessories first and ordered additional track and clamps at that time. I will be testing the track saw in between family, my regular full-time job and other outside involvements.

[willcox]

Definitely going with the milwaukee track saw in the very near future

[gregghernandez]

Excellent review, thanks. It's currently on sale, but I really don't like all the plastic parts you mentioned. Please consider reviewing the Milescraft circular track saw guide. There is a lot of buzz (no pun intended) on the kit being very accurate. I am considering buying it for my excellent Makita circular saw. Thanks!

[berndeikers]

i really apreciate time and effort you put in this product revue. thx. to me it feels fishy, trying to put everything in, some good details, but a lot of plastic, underpowered, battery and charger not included...

if you are in the ridgid world, well, i would give it a thought, otherwise buy once-cry once

[paulhopkins]

The standard sized arbor was an outstanding decision, the non standard track was a really bad one. If it can't run on Powertec/Festool tracks I don't want it.

[goodlife]

I’m in the market for a track saw so I’m here to learn.

[saigashooter]

Rob, you mentioned the saw seemed under powered, I know the stock blade on my 7 1/4" saw was absolute garbage and it runs better with almost any other blade. Did you test with a blade other than the stock one?

"Good, not great" and "Basic" seems to be the path Ridgid has chosen lately. Which as a Ridgid owner is getting quite tiring. Rehashed designs, cheaper plastics, products with known issues (18v RO sander and Brushless oscillating tool come to mind) being ignored and relaunched with a new model number. Other colors are starting to look better than orange.

[timkaiser]

Was waiting for this to come out, bought the Milwaukee because of need, really happy that I made that purchase. This saw is disappointing on many levels. I like my Ridged tools, have many in there cordless line but this is definitely a no go for me. I use the 12 v Milwaukee stuff for a majority of my projects but occasionally need more power and get out the 18v Ridged stuff. Thanks for the honest and straightforward review.

[speak_na]

I cannot stand these companies making proprietary tracks. One of the most bone headed shortsighted cash grab moves in the track saw market. If you want users to buy and use your track, then you need to make a quality product that they want to buy and use. Between the track size, limited power, incompatibility with other tracks, no scoring. Just seems like they barely missed the mark for an absolute gem of a mid range track saw.

And I honestly feel like if didn't come with the small and proprietary tracks it would be a hell of a buy. Almost hurts to see tool companies make bad design decisions like this. Its also even more baffling when you look at all the good features they improved on like the battery placement, not using a janky plunge method, solid on board storage, easily serviceable wear pads. Hopefully they'll come to their senses on version 2 of this saw.

[MRBenchwork]

The fact that it's not compatible with other tracks and that it's underpowered is extremely disappointing. I've been waiting for THIS saw for years and I"m going to be forced to go off brand.

[sicariosicario]

Then people would complain about having to pay for a 55 track at least you get a track with the saw .

[rogerpittman]

You probably have never used Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Guarantee, last time I took a tool in it was $35’ish up front and took 3 months to get the tool back, I bought a Dewalt to have a tool to use while Ridgid was fixing my other tool

[RidgidRon]

I hit Home depot today and the price for the basic kit is< "499" dollars and out of stock!!!!

[joshuadelgado]

Hey thanks for let me know that rigid has a new track Saw 😄 nice finally rigid step up its game! This a new tool I will love get hands on it test it out see how it definitely works! It's nice get stuff for what you pay for nice! Way go rigid 🎉!!😊 I think rigid let you that there not done making tool they want stay in this platform it's nice! I think rigid it's much better Ryobi the geen tools I think they belong in mars!! Let the aliens keep that platform it's sucks Ryobi it definitely belongs in the trash 🗑️!!

[meikou]

It's an interesting alternative but being confined to battery alone makes it a no go. If it had a mains line adaptor then it would be better.

I had a Fessy ts55 and the mak versions. I ended up selling them both because shite happens.

I bought the Wen tracksaw. It's still sitting in the box at the moment. The interesting thing with it is, it takes a 8" blade. I can buy diablo blades to fit it. I get more depth of cut.

I didn't buy the Wen rails but I got the Powercraft(?) ones along with their clamps.

One I go to use it, if I find it's pants, I'll go back to the pricey ones.