I still feel that first shave of white oak. A warm smell drifted off the iron top, coffee warmed my hand, and the board slid through with a hiss. No chatter. No stall. That moment pinned this saw in the middle of my shop. If you came hunting for a straight-talking ridgid r4512 review, here it is.
Quick Verdict
The R4512 gives calm cuts. It pushes hardwood without fuss. It rolls on a steady base, holds a dado stack, and tames dust once you add two simple tweaks. If you need a solid, budget-wise cabinet-style saw, this still makes sense.
Why I Picked Itand the First Thing I Built
Cash was tight. Floor space even tighter. I needed one machine that could rip hard ash for the dining table but stay quiet enough for a sleeping baby upstairs. The Ridgid checked those boxes. I unboxed, tuned, and by dusk had turned eight-quarter ash into a six-foot farm-house top. Perfect bread-board endsno gaps. Next came a walnut media console, clean dadoes for shelves. Two projects in, the saw had paid its rent.
Core SpecsWhat Matters in the Shop
- Motor 13-amp induction, about 3,450 rpm
- Rip Capacity 30 in. right, 15 in. left
- Cut Depth 3- in. at 90, 2- in. at 45
- Arbor 58-in., takes dado up to 1316-in.
- Mass 267 lb., that weight soaks up vibration
- Table Cast-iron core with stamped wings
- Dust Port 4-in.
- Miter Slots in., T style
- Mobility Foot pedal lifts a built-in base
Specs alone wont build a bookshelf, but they hint at feel: mass kills chatter, standard slots fit any sled, a true 4-in. port keeps lungs happy.
Unboxing & Assembly
The crate showed up heavier than it looked, so clear floor space and grab a buddy. I laid parts on flattened cardboard, grouped hardware in baking pans (best upgrade you own already), and waxed every sliding surface. Leave wing bolts barely snug so you can shim later. Five hours passed and I was tasting sawdust.
My Build Clock
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Stand / Cabinet | 1 hr |
| Top & Wings | 1 hr |
| Rails / Fence | 1 hr |
| Tune-Up | 2 hr |
Worth every minute.
Fence Truth
Some fences slide silky right out of the box. Mine needed lovethe rail joint sat proud. Clamp a straightedge, loosen the rail, tap gently until flush, wax top & front faces, and square the fence to blade. Now it locks dead-on every time. Press front downward, lock, done.
Miter Gauge vs. Sled
The stock gauge will rough-cut trim, thats about it. I built a Baltic-birch sledglides like air hockey. For store-bought I like the Incra 1000 or Kreg Blueboth drop in with zero slop.
Safety Features Youll Actually Use
- Lever-lift riving knifeno wrenches
- Guard that clicks on in seconds
- Pawls that grip once you file burrs off the teeth
- Magnetic push stick at the ready
A GRR-Ripper lives nearby for anything under two inches.
Noise & Vibration
Induction motors hum instead of scream. A nickel stands on its edge through a full-length rip. Calm saw, calm woodworker.
Dust Collection
Ridgid funnels chips to the 4-in. port. Plug in any collector or shop-vac-with-cyclone. Two upgrades matter:
- Foil-tape every seam inside the funnel.
- Stick weather-strip across the back-panel tilt slot.
End result: a sneeze-free shop.
Blade Choices
- 24-Tooth Rip chews 2-in. oak
- 50-Tooth Combo daily driver
- 60-Tooth Crosscut plywood & trim
A 6-in. dado stack reduces strain. I like the red Freud.
Real-World Power
I fed 2-in. white oak all afternoon. Motor stayed cool, edges stayed clean. Keep blades sharp, feed steady, and let the saw sing.
Alignment, Simplified
Table-mount trunnions test patience, but a dial indicator makes it fool-proof:
- Raise blade halfway.
- Zero dial on front tooth.
- Slide to rear, note reading.
- Loosen four trunnion bolts.
- Tap assembly until dial reads zero front-to-back.
- Tighten in a criss-cross pattern.
Square the riving knife, set 90 & 45 stops, go cut.
Level Wings
Stamped wings can sag. Soda-can shims fix that. Lay a 24-in. straightedge, shim high spots, tighten, wax the seam.
Mobile Base
Push pedal, casters drop, saw rolls. Release, castors tuck, saw plants. Easy on tile, easy on concrete.
Zero-Clearance Inserts
The steel throat plate is as wide as the Grand Canyon. Make a plywood insert:
- Trace stock plate.
- Cut blank, fit edges snug.
- Drill four countersunk screw holes for height tune.
- Clamp blank, raise running blade through.
Do one insert per blade, dado too.
Common Gripes & Quick Fixes
- Rail Bump straightedge + tap + wax.
- Fence Drifts press front down before locking.
- Pawls Scuff Wood stone teeth smooth.
- Plate Too Thin replace with shop-made ply.
Costs zero dollars.
Rival Saw Round-Up
| Model | Feel | Fence | Dust | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 36-725 | Smooth | Good | Open stand | Same lane |
| Grizzly G0771Z | Heavier | Solid | Fair once sealed | Higher |
| Craftsman 21833 | Similar bones | Same rail bumps | Adequate | Often cheaper used |
I chose Ridgid: calm cut + built-in mobile base.
Add-Ons That Earn Their Keep
- Quality blades
- Cross-cut sled
- Outfeed table (ply sheet + cleats)
- Router lift in right wing
- Magnetic feather-boards
- Good PPEseeing & hearing are priceless
Seasonal Maintenance
- Vacuum cabinet.
- Check belt glaze.
- Lube gears with dry spray.
- Verify alignment.
- Wax the top.
One hour each season = months of smooth sailing.
Buying Used? Checklist
- Check top for cracks; light rust is fine.
- Spin hand wheelsshould feel butter-smooth.
- Verify riving knife + guard + pawls are present.
- Lock fencefront & rear must clamp.
- Bring a straightedge & scrap to test-cut.
Clean units fetch $350-$500 in most regions.
Still Worth It Today?
Yes. Cast iron, quiet motor, reasonable price. Newer saws offer bells & whistles; this one simply cuts straight. Thats enough.
My Proof-of-Life Projects
- Ash dining tablelong rips, bread-board joinery tight.
- Walnut consolerepeat dadoes dead square.
- Cherry nightstandsrail & stile sets perfect.
- Built-in bookcaseply cross-cuts tear-out free.
- Shop drawershalf-blind dadoes clean.
Every piece left the saw with crisp edges.
Pin-Up Setup Guide
- Level base.
- Clean, wax top.
- Shim wings dead flush.
- Align rails to straightedge.
- Square fence.
- Align blade to left slot.
- Set riving knife.
- Dial 90 & 45 stops.
- Zero tape scale.
- Test-cut hardwood, confirm no burn.
Small-Shop Fit
The saw parks against a wall when not in use. If rails eat space, chop ten inches off, drill new bolt holes, and re-stick the cursor scale. Quick win.
Fence Philosophy (Short Sermon)
Many folks chase pricey fences. Tune the stock one first; learn its quirks. If the itch remains, a Vega or Shop Fox bolts on quickbut start cheap, end happy.
Who Should Buy
- Hobby woodworkers who crave calm cuts
- DIY homeowners who plan cabinets, tables, and built-ins
- Small pro shops on a budget
- Anyone who likes set-and-forget reliability
Skip it if you drag saws to job sites daily; choose lighter.
Value & Warranty
In-store promos once hit around $550. Register online, keep the receiptRidgids Lifetime Service Agreement still stands for many tools.
Quick Shopping List
- 24-tooth rip blade
- 50-tooth combo blade
- 6-in. dado set + insert
- Cross-cut sled (build one)
- Feather-boards
- Dial indicator + mechanics square
- Paste wax
- Foil tape + foam strip
Stop there, build something, upgrade later.
Bench-Side Story
A neighbor strolled in last week, kid in tow. They needed a pine mud-room bench. I set the fence; the boy watched a nickel balance upright through the rip. Magic, he whispered. That grin was worth more than the lumber.
FAQ
Will the Ridgid accept a dado stack?
Yesup to 1316-in. wide.
Can I switch to 240 V?
Yes, wiring diagram sits under the motor cover.
Are the miter slots standard?
Yes, T-slot.
Is the fence good?
After tuning, absolutely.
How loud?
Conversational hum.
Will it rip 2-in. hardwood?
Yes, with a sharp rip blade.
Can I add a router table?
Yes, right-wing install is easy.
Need a dust collector?
A shop vac works, but a 1-HP collector works better.
Does it roll smooth?
Yes, built-in base lifts with one pedal.
How do I keep alignment from drifting?
Align at mid-blade height; tighten bolts cross-wise.
Final Thoughts
The Ridgid R4512 never tries to impress with flashy gizmos. It just slices hardwood clean, day after day. Quiet heart, heavy frame, and a price that leaves wallet room for nice lumber. Tune it, trust it, and let your next project sing.