Table saws, including portable table saws, are one of the most useful tools available on the market. Our Bosch vs. Ridgid showdown pairs off two power tool giants and we’ll try to determine what each brand brings to the table. If you need a table saw. We have the info you need.
If you’re shopping around for best table saw, you might not know which company will offer the best product. In this article, we’ll help you out by looking at two of the more popular brands out there: Bosch and Ridgid. Both offer a high-quality portable table saw that could be a great addition to your toolkit.
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Bosch vs. Ridgid: Brief Company Histories
Bosch is a German multinational engineering and electronics company that is headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of all things electric, they’ve gained an international reputation for high-quality products across many different sectors. Its tools are no exception, and there are many loyal Bosch users all around the world.
Bosch began in a backyard in November of 1886 and, a year later, the company debuted a low-voltage Magento for gas engines. Since then, the company has been innovating constantly and has helped create the power tool industry that we know and love today.
Ridgid was founded on the other side of the Atlantic in 1923 in North Ridgeville, Ohio. It became famous with its innovative pipe wrench that was banded in the brand’s signature red color. The red pipe wrench has now worked its way into American culture and has become an iconic tool.
Even though it hasn’t been around as long as Bosch, Ridgid has done a good job of establishing itself as a trusted tool for American people. Though it remains an American company, Ridgid is now owned by Emerson Electric, an American multinational based out of Ferguson, Missouri.
Both the Bosch and Ridgid table saws are portable solutions to sawing needs. They are best used for cutting long pieces of wood easily and cleanly and can make rip cuts and cross cuts more easily than a circular saw can.
Both Bosch and Ridgid power tools have much in common. They both have standard 10-inch blades as their main cutting tool are both portable for maximum convenience in storage and transport, and they both are 15 amps to ensure a powerful motor.
However, there are some differences between these two power tools that are worth noting and, in the end, there’s a reason why we awarded the Bosch as one of our best table saws overall and not the Ridgid model.
Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw
The Bosch Table Saw is a portable and dependable way to bring the equipment to any work site. It sits on Bosch’s proprietary Gravity-Rise stand, making it easy to break down and set up. It can be used with one hand and has several safety features that set it apart. However, one of the best things about the Bosch is its 1 year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee.
Ridgid R4513 Heavy-Duty Portable Table Saw
The Ridgid table saw is designed with ease of use in mind. It has tons of on-board storage for all of your measuring and cutting equipment, possibly making it more portable and organized than the Bosch. It also has a tool-free extension that can be added on to make working with longer pieces of wood easier. A dust blower keeps the workspace clear.
Head to Head
We looked at two key design areas that make a major impact on the usability of a table saw and compared the Bosch and the Ridgid within those areas.Though there are many more considerations that should be considered in your final purchase, for the purpose of comparison we looked at portability safety.
Portability
If you are looking at either of these two table saws, chances are that you want something that is easy to move around.
Whether you want something that will easily break down for storage purposes or need to move it around from site to site, the Ridgid might be the better option in terms for portable table saws.
The reason we say this is the Ridgid’s onboard storage system which helps keep everything together.
It’s the ultimate portability machine, with a special spot for the miter gauge, push stick, blade guarding, extra blades, wrenches, rip capacity, compound miter saws, power cord, and extra writing materials.
It also has a unique internal storage space for the rip fence which helps keep it straight for longer.
Bosch doesn’t have as much onboard storage, but its Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand does help with portability.
It’s a great piece that can be broken down and stored easily, but that can also handle tough terrain thanks to its large and rugged wheels.
You can learn more about the Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand in this YouTube video:
Safety
Because of its innovative Smart Guard System, Bosch moves ahead of the Ridgid in the safety category.
This innovative system does a lot to help make the overall machine safer, and when you’re working with a fast-rotating blade, we’ll take any extra safety measures we can get.
The Smart Guard System is a modular blade guard, a type of shield that protects you from anything coming up from the table.
This includes kickbacks, dust collection, and debris, but it also prevents any accidental contact with the blade during operation.
The Smart Guard System features a riving knife that can be adjusted to three different positions, anti-kickback pawls, and a barrier guard that’s specially designed to allow for the best view of the table possible.
The best thing about this system is that it is portable. It attaches and detaches from the whole machine quickly and has a special storage spot on the tool itself.
It’s also not obstructive, so it won’t get in the way of whatever you are doing.
Final Thoughts
Though portability and convenience are important, we ultimately rated safety somewhat heavier in this comparison.
As a result, we think that the Bosch table saw is the better of the two options. However, both are great and will help you get the job done no matter what, so you can’t really go wrong.
Looking for more on Table Saws?
- Best Cabinet Table Saw Best budget picks for woodworking.
- Best Sliding Table Saw The newest sliding models reviewed
