If you’re having trouble deciding between the Ridgid R4512 and the Delta 36-725, you’re not alone.
These table saws are similar in many aspects, so unless you’ve personally used them, it can be hard to know which tool will do the job right.
But hard is the keyword there, not impossible. If you know what to look for, you can still spot some insightful differences between these products and make a good decision.
In this review, we’ll bring those differences to light. We’ll focus on cutting performance, speed, power source, safety features, and more. All so you don’t have to worry about making the wrong pick.
With that said, the review will start with a brief overview of each saw and then complete comparisons.
Ridgid R4512 | Delta 36 725 |
The Ridgid R4512 will meet all the primary requirements that you may have. It’s competitively priced and stands out from other options with versatility, precision cuts, and portability. It also carries a few features aimed at value-to-quality-conscious customers—at the same time, cutting at an incredible speed and making deep bevel cuts. | The Delta 36-725 can also make a fine addition to any carpenters workshop. It has excellent stability with a durable stand and wheelbase. It also has a powerful motor and a quickly assembled design that can come in handy. Aside from those features, it comes with adjustable angles and curve-cutting capabilities, giving it a versatility that can rival the Ridgid R4512. |
Table of Contents
Quick Tech Specifications:
Cutting performance: The Ridgid R4512 can cut wood at a thickness of 3.25 inches at a 90-degree angle and about 2.25 inches at an angle of 45-degrees. Speed: 3450 RPM Power source: 15 Amp Motor Safety features: Blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback system. Weight: 267 pounds | Cutting performance: The Delta 36-725 comes equipped with the ability to cut wood at 3 ½ thickness on a 90-degree angle and 2 ½ at a 45-degree angle. Speed: 3600 RPM Power source: 13 Amp Motor Safety features: Blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback system. Weight: 205 pounds |
Cutting performance – Ridgid R4512 vs. Delta 36-725
Let us be the first to say that both of these saws offer impressive cutting performance. They can each cut thick chunks of wood easily and efficiently–thanks to their 1- inch carbide-tipped blades. With that said, they do have their notable differences, and there is a clear winner.
To start, the Ridgid R4512 doesn’t do a shabby job at all. It can cut down to 3.25 inches at a 90-degree angle and 2.25 at a 45-degree angle. On top of that, it offers a 30-inch max rip capacity to the right of the blade and 15-inches to the left for more accurate cuts.
Overall it provides impressive cuts.
Now, the Delta 36-725 is exceptional, in my opinion. It easily cuts down to 3 ½ inches at a 90-degree angle and 2 ½ at a 45-degrees angle–which beats its competitor by a fair amount. All while offering the same 30-inch and 15-inch maximum rip capacity.
Both of these saws can accept Dado table saw blades up to 13/16 inch width, providing a 1 ½ inch cutting depth–on the condition that you have a Dado insert to use it.
Each saw’s ¾ inch miter gauge makes effective stops during use, improving cutting accuracy.
Rails and fences
Again, both saws are great with well-made rails and fence systems. However, the Delta 36-725 has received a considerable amount of props that lead us to recommend it. It’s sturdy and overall offers an easier time adjusting/aligning the rails.
The sturdiness of the steel rail on Delta 36-725 is especially appealing compared to the aluminum rails that are on the Ridgid R4512 that could warp.
For this category, the winner is clear. The Delta 36-725 beats the Ridgid R4512 in build and cutting depth.
Speed performance – Ridgid R4512 vs. Delta 36-725
Speed-wise, these saws are close.
The Ridgid R4512 comes in with a speed of 3,450 RPM, which is more than capable of cutting various stock sizes.
But on the other hand, Delta 36-725 comes in at 3,600 RPM (150 RPM more than the Ridgid). That speed alone is powerful enough to rip through pretty much any metal or wood that you should be cutting.
Even though each saw has a different RPM, both of them allow you to change the cutting speed to suit your needs.
Considering the difference in RPM, we’re giving another win to the Delta 36-725.
Power source & motor – Ridgid R4512 vs. Delta 36-725
The power source is pretty straightforward. Both saws are AC-powered with 120V motors, so you need to connect them to an outlet or another power source.
The only other notable thing is that the power switch on the Ridgid R4512 is slightly more difficult to reach, and, as far as motors go, the Ridgid saw uses a 15 Amp belt-driven motor, and the Delta uses a 13 Amp.
Because of the higher Amp motor, we’re giving the Ridgid R4512 its first win.
Safety features – Ridgid R4512 vs. Delta 36-725
This is the last thing that we’ll cover before offering our overall conclusion, and that’s not by accident. The safety of a saw is essential. You can’t rely on a piece of equipment that you’re constantly worried about.
The Delta and Ridgid each come with some of the major safety features that we like to see, like blade guards, riving knives, and anti-kickback systems.
That said, there isn’t really a clear winner in this category. You’ll likely be perfectly fine with either one. Although, one could say that the Delta 36-725 saw’s build quality does give you more stability when working, which could be a safety feature of its own.
Pros and other notable differences
As we’ve said many times, these saws are alike more than they’re not. However, some small differences could make your decision for you. So let’s look at those.
The first two among those are the weight and dimensions.
The Delta is only about 205 pounds, which is lighter than the Ridgid at 267. That 62-pound difference could make it much more difficult to move your machine around the shop if needed.
But the Delta isn’t only lighter. It’s also smaller than its competitor at 27.13 x 20.24 x 32.
Meanwhile, the Ridgid is 46.3 x 30.6 x 37.2.
The last critical difference is in the warranties. Unfortunately, the Delta saw only comes with five years of warranty service, and those five years can go by quickly. But the Ridgid saw has lifetime servicing, which can ensure you always have a working machine.
Pros
Ridgid R4512 | Delta 36-725 |
Dust collector Lifetime warranty Power adjustment system Stable Cast iron table | Cast-iron tabletop Wheel mobility High motor speed T-square fence with riving knife |
Conclusion
Now that we’ve seen all the similarities and differences, we feel much more confident about making a decision, and hopefully, you do as well. But if you’re still looking for some insight, or you just want to reassure yourself, we’ll give you our pick between these two.
After considering build quality, RPM, weight and dimensions, we feel like the only choice that makes sense is the Delta 36-725. It’s an excellent pick for those of you that are looking to work on medium to heavy-duty projects. To be clear, the Ridgid isn’t a bad piece of equipment, and with the warranty, it’s something to consider for a personal workshop.
However, the lower RPM and lesser build quality can spell work interruptions for an onsite project.
No matter what choice you make, we’re sure that your project will come out great if you take all of these factors into account.
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I am a woodworker with over 21 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.