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Ryobi Table Saw Reviews: Two of the Best Models | RS21G vs RTS10G

Today, I'm going to share two Ryobi table saw reviews with you all. The Ryobi RTS21G and RTS10G are both solidly built tools with plenty of years of engineering expertise backing them up. If you plan on buying one, you’ll be getting a good deal for your money regardless of which one you choose.

First and foremost, consider your current storage capabilities. Do you have enough room for a saw with a permanent stand, or would you benefit more from having one with a collapsible stand?

While permanent stands only need to be put together once, they do wind up taking a lot more floor space. The RTS10G, usually called Ryobi 10 table saw, has a permanent stand that requires a one-time assembly. The Ryobi table saw stand on the RS21G is collapsible, but more inclined to tip or fail if bumped. However, you can take it down if needed. Finally, the saws differ in that the RS21G will accept a 6 or 8-inch dado stack in combination with a new throat plate; the RS10G, on the other hand, doesn't have dado fittings.

Reviewed Model:  Ryobi RS21G

Overall Rating:

Performance:

Forgiveness:

Build Quality:

Look & Feel:

Price:

PROS

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    Removable key for power switch increases safety
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    Lightweight, you can carry the saw and the stand if necessary
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    27"-rip capacity gives you plenty of flexibility when ripping 4' x 8' sheets

CONS

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    Collapsible stand lacks durability
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    Rip fence can be hard to line up
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    Miter tool is flimsy

Key Features

The Ryobi RTS21G offers DIYers and contractors access to a durable little saw that's easy to move to the next job. There's onboard storage for all the tools necessary; wrenches to change the blade, your push stick, and the collapsible stand.

This saw weighs in at approximately 50 pounds. While many find that the stand works fine, others find it wobbly. If you plan to use this stand to rip large pieces of lumber, this stand may have too much flex or feel too wobbly for your comfort.

The motor offers 15 amps of cutting power. This saw will run on a standard 110v grounded plug. There's both a side extension rail for wide cuts and a back extender for long stretches of lumber.

If you need to make dado cuts, this saw will accept a dado head or stack; you just need to purchase the RTS21G dado plate, which is wide enough to accept the blade configuration.

Product Review

Performance

This saw is probably not the best choice for anyone who needs to rip precision finishing lumber. If that is your intent, take care to double-check and align the rip fence before each cut; some users find that this fence can flex or become misaligned.

Forgiveness

The safety key starting feature is critical to the safety of users, especially if you're ripping large pieces of lumber. This saw will rip a 4' x 8' sheet down to a 2' wide panel, but the deck is small and won't support the cut lumber, particularly on the left side of the blade as you face the saw. Don't rip large pieces of lumber without some help, particularly while you are learning to use the saw.

Build Quality

Many users find this saw to be extremely durable and a great tool. Be aware that some users struggle to trust the collapsible work table. If you feel that the saw is wobbly or that the stand may tip, it's probably a good idea to invest in another table.

It's important to note that this is a lightweight saw for basic use. The dust port is not robust. If the dust port becomes clogged, this saw may thermo out and need to cool before you can use it again. Take breaks and check to make sure it's not overheating.

Look & Feel

Despite its light 50 pounds, you get a lot of cutting power in this saw. The dado capacity is particularly helpful and quite easy to set up, as depicted in the video below. Many small saws don't offer a dado attachment feature.

Price

The Ryobi brand has been responsibly building durable tools for years. While this table saw is not the lowest price in its class, you can be sure that you've bought a saw with a great brand and terrific customer service behind it.

Reviewed Model:  Ryobi RTS10G

Overall Rating:

Performance:

Forgiveness:

Build Quality:

Look & Feel:

Price:

PROS

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    Portable; this saw is only 52 pounds
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    Comes with a very solid stand for you to assemble
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    Large on/off switch is easy to get to and activate if you're lining up large materials

CONS

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    No dado capability
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    Fence clamps are hard to line up
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    Throat plate around the blade is lower than the deck; lumber may catch

Key Features

This Ryobi 10 inch 15-amp table saw is a great option for those working on small projects. If you're looking for a saw to install laminate hardwoods, this saw is a great investment.

You'll need to keep the rip fence checked for square, but this saw can generate 5000 rpm of cutting power and will make your projects move along quickly.

The Ryobi table saw RTS10G has a fairly small deck and very little space to line up cuts in front of the blade. The cutting space will expand to allow for a 24-inch cut, but you will need some help to make this work. 

Product Review

Performance

For the price, this is a helpful and durable little saw. It is also a portable table saw which makes it very convenient. Cabinet-grade lumber cuts will take some extra checks along the rip fence, and you'll want to make sure to double-check the width of your cuts with your tape measure, but if you go slow, you'll get good cuts out of this saw.

Forgiveness

It's never a good idea to ask a power tool for forgiveness; this saw will cut what you put in front of it. However, the power switch for this saw is large and easily visible. You'll be able to get to it in a hurry if you need to.

Build Quality

The challenge with making tools lightweight is that they must be made of lighter materials and some parts will be made of plastic. However, a lighter saw will require less lugging and be less likely to be tossed into the back of a work vehicle. This saw is light enough to handle in a gently, controlled fashion, and you'll get better work out if it if you do so. Great for any Hand Tool Expert.

Look & Feel

The top of this saw is pretty well-constructed and allows material to slide easily. One of the challenges for DIYers is that the miter groove is angled, not square, so finding a replacement miter gauge of metal (rather than plastic) is nearly impossible. If you need to do a long of miter cuts, this may not be the saw for you. The push stick is also plastic, which can make it slick. If you're new to the table saw, push stick safety is critical.

Price

The Ryobi 10" table saw price is very competitive. It's important to stress that this is not a saw that will thrive in all applications; if you need a saw to run all day and handle long cuts of large material, you'll likely be disappointed. For a small job saw or a home project saw, this is a great investment.

Differences between the models: Ryobi RTS10G vs Ryobi RS21G

When studying Ryobi table saw reviews, the biggest similarity between these two is that they are both small, relatively inexpensive tools. The biggest trouble with inexpensive DIY tools is that if you're new to the process of using table saw, a lightweight saw is going to make the jog a lob harder.

A large cabinet table saw with a full deck and plenty of power doesn't take much expertise to run; a lighter saw with a rail that needs to be aligned after each cut will take more expertise. If possible, learn about your new saw with someone who knows how to use a cabinet table saw.

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    Stands: The stand that comes with the RTS10G is permanent and very sturdy. The collapsible stand that comes with the RTS21G is lighter in weight and may collapse, fold or bend when you most need it to stay upright.
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    Dado Capability: The RTS21G has the option of changing out the throat plate and adding a dado head; the RTS10G does not.
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    Cost: The RTS21G is generally a more expensive saw than the RTS10G. If you're going to invest in a table saw, the dado head is a nifty tool and will greatly expand your building capabilities. If at all possible, invest in the more expensive saw.

How do they compare?

Now, let’s take a look at how these lightweight Ryobi table saws compare against other, similar saws in the market:

The Skil offers a 32-inch extension for cutting wider projects. The 3410-02 will accept a dado head, but you’ll need to purchase a new throat plate. The entire weight of this saw with stand is 67 pounds; quite a bit heavier than the Ryobi saws.

Fans of the permanent stand will appreciate the TruePower stand with its flared legs and extra stability. This saw will not accept a dado configuration. At only 20 pounds, this saw will transport well, but will require multiple checks to confirm the rip fence is lined up accurately.

An especially handy feature of this saw is related to the visibility in the design; all of the buttons and knobs you should act on (the rip fence, the miter tool, blade height adjustment and angle crank) are all bright orange against a deep teal background. The power switch is bright red.

This 15-amp saw offers 4800 rpm of cutting power and can generally handle straight cuts with ease. It does not have the dado throat plates available; some users have used a dado stack in the existing throat plate alignment, though this is not recommended. The stand for this saw is permanent and durable.

The RK7240.1 offers 13 amps of power for consistent cutting. This saw will accept a dado blade, but the spacing is tight. Some users choose to remove the throat plate for dado cuts; this is an extremely unsafe practice as it leaves a large hole around your blade that may cause the lumber to get hung up. The stand is permanent and quite sturdy.

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Categories: Saws Table Saw
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