Ridgid - TS2400LS portable table saw

A good table saw is a must for most woodworking or construction projects. Depending on your available space, it's also a tool that can be hard to purchase: should you buy a stationary or a bench-top unit? Of course, price may dictate your decision. I personally like both saw styles. In the shop my stationary unit is set up with out-feed tables built around the unit to make it safe and comfortable when handling 4 x 8 sheets. However, out in the field (or on the patio or driveway), I like a unit that I can pick up or wheel to the project.

One unit I've found very impressive is Ridgid's 10" table saw that comes with a two-wheeled cart work stand. I've tested and used this unit since I first reviewed it back 2002 and it's still a winner in my book.

The two-wheeled cart work stand shown with an older table saw model in the left photo is very impressive. The design allows the table saw to fold down and still remain balanced when left in a dolly position. The 8" diameter x 2" wide wheels make saw mobility a breeze. It even maneuvers easily over the rough terrain often found at construction sites and in my backyard, which is packed with 3/4" gravel.

In the dolly position the cart will fit in a 25" wide by 20" deep space—very compact. To put the saw into a working position, you simply pull one spring pin, lift the leg up, and lock it into place. Then you lay the unit down on this leg and walk around to the front of the cart, pull the other spring pin, and lift up on the table saw until it locks into place—it's that simple.

The cart's mainframe has a durable rubber handle that can take some punishment; however, it still can tear under normal conditions (been there). Unfortunately, the rubber handle is not available at this time. I noticed that the mainframe's design doesn't permit easy installation even if the rubber handle were available for replacement. Also, if the upper handle does get damaged, during transit, for example, there's no way to repair it because of the cart's solid construction. If the top of the frame had been designed similar to the removable "foot front" located at the bottom, then it would be a snap to replace either the handle or the rubber grip if damage should occur.

The saw, on the other hand, is a regular workhorse. Powered by a 15-amp motor manufactured in the U.S., it's a direct drive with sealed ball bearings that eliminate the need for lubrication and provide virtually maintenance-free operation. A real workhorse—you betcha! I purposely tried to bog the motor down by cutting 6' long 2x6 treated material into 1/4" strips as fast as I could. The 28-tooth carbide 10" blade that comes with the unit plowed through the material like it was butter and the motor had no trouble keeping up with the abuse.

Ridgid has gone out of its way to incorporate many fine features into this unit, like their dual-action elevation/bevel knob that allows you to easily make adjustments to the depth of cut and blade angle (which has changed on the updated unit). The larger center hub with its soft-grip handle doesn't feel wimpy like some of the bench top units on the market. If you are a perfectionist like me, you can simply turn the outer hub and the gear drive micro-adjust will dial to the desired setting. If you wish, you can push in on the outer hub to allow the bevel mechanism to slide left or right for fast angle adjustments.

For precise cutting there's a markable area built into the table surface which shows the blade location on the workpiece before the blade ever touches the wood. On the right-hand side of the saw there's a sliding table extension that allows ripping up to 24" wide and there's a 13" work surface on the left-hand side of the blade. For crosscutting, the extruded aluminum rip fence can be quickly removed and stored securely on the right-hand side of the unit in storage clips that hang from the underside of the tabletop. If you are not using the two-wheeled cart, you'll find two built-in carrying handles for easy portability.

The unit was also designed with built-in storage for the blade guard, an extra blade or dado set, miter gauge, and blade wrenches. The blade guard when remounted automatically realigns. For those who want to use a dust-collection system or wet and dry vac, this unit offers a built-in 2 1/2" sawdust ejection port to fit a vac hose. The soft-grip ergonomic handles are very comfortable to use but the trademark orange color gets dirty with time. Personally, I would like to have seen them in black because that's the color they eventually will become!

The saw comes with a removable switch key—a great safety feature, especially when leaving the saw unattended for any period of time. You might be surprised to learn that the saw also comes with a 10' power cord with an exclusive cord wrap built into the back of the unit; however, there's too much cord for the depth of the cord wrap, and the cord storage slots are hard to use. A cord clip molded into the plug itself would have done a much better job of securing the power cord by allowing the plug to clip itself to any part of the cord within the cord wrap. Of course, if you take your time wrapping the power cord around the cord wrap, then you may find the cord storage slots easier to use.

New Review 03/26/07: The updated unit lives up to its predecessor—the only real difference is that it now features Ridgid's trademark colors: orange and dark gray. By comparing the two photos above, you can see the difference between the two. Professionally speaking, I prefer the new colors as shown in the upper right photo. The dark gray rubber handles will not show dirt as much—a big improvement. Unfortunately, the two-wheeled cart, now called the "Work-N-Haul It," still has the original orange handles, which will still show the dirt. Also, the rubber handle on the cart's handle that appears to be more durable is not available at this time as a replacement part.

A grounding wire has been added from the saw to the cart so all metal parts have a path back to the grounded tool.

One big change is with the dual-action elevation/bevel knob that allows you to easily make adjustments to the depth of cut and blade angle on the order model. It has been redesigned so there's a blade elevation lock knob located in the elevation/bevel knob that locks the blade in place. The blade tilt scale and indicator have been improved, making the scale much easier to see. The tape measure on the front fence rail is also much easier to see than on the older model.

The rip fence now includes a built-in micro-adjust mechanism for precise adjustment. Just make sure the fence is unlocked before trying to rotate the knurled wheel.

I especially liked the improvements made to the miter gauge. The "T" slot designed miter gauge's bar and the slots located in the saw's table top provide more support during crosscutting of wider stock. The slots keep the miter gauge's bar locked in place so the bar won't lift out of its track during cutting.

When I first tested the unit, I was surprised to find that sawdust was not shooting out the sawdust ejection port. After inspection, I discovered ribs inside the port, a UL requirement, so Ridgid recommends that they should not be removed. However, the ribs will stop larger pieces from exiting the port and eventually the port will clog up. The sawdust on my unit now ejects from the port as it should!

The tool has storage built into the unit on the right-hand side for the blade guard, miter gauge, and rip fence. I found the storage works great for the miter gauge, but the blade guard doesn't stay in place. The latch is set back too far to securely hold the blade guard. As for the rip fence, the saddles the fence sits into are very rigid and tight once the fence is place, making it difficult to remove the rip fence, especially during cold weather. The unit’s cord storage still needs some improvement.

The motor is no longer built by Emerson but by TechTronic Industries Company Limited (TTI) which also developed the design of the tool. Still a 15-amp, the 4000 rpm direct drive universal motor now has a soft start and overload reset mechanisms for protection and longer motor life.

Ridgid power tools carry a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. a three-year limited services warranty, and a lifetime service agreement. By merely filling out the registration form and submitting it along with proof of purchase, you'll get free parts and service for life. That's a heck of a deal!

If you're looking for a workhorse saw to add to your tool collection, this saw is worth considering, especially since the price dropped from $549 to $499.

Copyright © 03/2/02 & 03/26/07 LAF/C.R.S., Inc. All rights reserved.

Looking for home improvement Q&As? Click here!

[ Back to Top ]