Any views on Ryobi ETS-1525SC Table Saw?

[xraymtb]

Having done a search on the above table saw on this forum and found some reference to it I have yet to find any real reviews or users views on the saw.

I have been looking for a table saw in the £200 range and, with a useful trade discount through my work, can get this one for around £140. I see that it sells for about £190 in a lot of places. I could also get the ETS-1825 for about £200 but I'm not sure of the main differences.

My main concern is the accuracy of the saw/fences and the build quality. I have considered saving for a while to spend more but if I can get away with this I would rather keep the money for other things.

Finally, is a table saw the kind of thing you can progress beyond? Will there be a stage when a lower priced machine like this will just not be good enough as I progress and I will need to buy a better machine?

Thanks

 

[phil p]

Hi Mike,

Ive got the 1825 and its not bad, I think the higher the model number the better the spec.

The built in stand is a nice feature.

Ive got into the habit of measuring from the tip of the blade to the edge of the fence (where feesible) to ensure I get an even cut, but cuts quite decent without doing this anyway, just me being picky.

I'm just the average DIY bloke so I must admit it suits me for what I do, obviously there are better models, Bosch, Dewalt etc, but I think it's the old adage "you get what you pay for" and I think other people have said buy the best you can afford.

Hope this helps.

 

[aurrida]

firstly what do want to make?

generally, i dont think you will get a better deal than the ETS-1825 at 200 pounds, and it is a far better machine than the ETS-1525SC and portable too.

These saws and saws like them are not precision machines but they are ok and better than nothing. you will get frustrated and disappointed at there limitations, but work within the limitations and you will be less disappointed.

 

[xraymtb]

Hi and thanks for the replies.

The more time I spend thinking about it, the more the 1825 tempts me - the fold away stand would be a godsend also as I am limited for secure space to store tools and machines.

As for what I want to make...

I am really just starting out at the moment - taking on little projects to try out different techniques and learn new skills. In the long run, I hope to be able to build some furniture pieces for the house and also fit the new kitchen (although not constructing it unless I get a lot better and quickly!!)

Maybe if I went for the 1825 that would be a better long term investment?

 

[aurrida]

definitely, no comparison. as i said earlier i cannot think of a better machine at that price. capable of ripping sheets safely if you build yourself a large support area. a circular saw and guide would be better for cross cuts, festool or cheaper bosch, guide rail systems.

 

[xraymtb]

Why do you say a circular saw/guide rail would be better for cross cuts?

Just asking as everyone seems to have different advice regarding what to use for cross cuts. I have seen one articles recommending a bandsaw for ripping and table saw for cross cuts. And yet other people recommended a circular saw and guide rail for both!!

I already have a bandsaw but TBH I'm not confident in getting it to cut consistent straight and square cuts - that was my main reason for looking at a table saw.

 

[aurrida]

specifically talking about cross cutting sheet material. not possible safely on a saw that size. small pieces yes. and certainly not capable on a bandsaw.

a lot of people work with sheet materials. table saws, unless they have a large area of support and huge sliding crosscut sledges are not suitable for large sheets. much easier to take the tool to the job. but, generally inaccurate until festool produced there guide rail system. now its possible to do some fine cabinet work with this type of tool.

if you want to work with sheet material, kitchens, cuboards, ikea kind of stuff then a festool guide rail system would be better. you will also need a table saw for making frames and draws etc. the ryobi would be ok.

you could also do door frames and draws on a bandsaw, they are versitile and safer machines. but, its cheaper to get a reasonable table saw than a a reasonable bandsaw. maybe the one you have will do what you want?

if on the other hand you want to work with wood and traditional joining methods then i prefer the versatility of the bandsaw as long as its a good one and big.

its difficult, but if you knew what you wanted to make you could make a more informed decision. well hope it helps.

 

[Fecn]

Another happy 1825 owner here. I reckon it's a good saw for the money and seems to cope well with whatever I throw at it.

 

[xraymtb]

that actually helps a lot

My main focus will be working with proper woods and only using sheet materials when I have to. Also I tend to buy sheet materials and have them cut to a manageable size at the merchants.

With that in mind, i think i will go with the better of the Ryobi saws and with my bandsaw and router should be all I need to get going.

Thanks for the help

 

[neilyweely]

ok, well its horses for courses.

thing is the 1525 has a sliding carriage and a seperate bevel handle, whereas the 1825 has a single handle to adjust both the blade height and the tilt.

If you need a mobile saw then the 1825 is the one, and indeed even if it is to be stationary then it may still be the one for you, however I did look at
both and even though the 1525 is a 1500 motor i still felt it was the better saw for me as it offered more control over the blade,which i was concerned about.
In reality you are better off saving another hundred quid and buying an altogether better model, maybe a SIP model.

I have the 1525, and whilst it does what I need it to, it doesn't do everything I want it to! But then neither does my mrs, and I'm still with her!

 

[Richard S]

Hi Mike

I bought the 1825 a year or so ago for the specific job of fitting out a boat, as it turns out I hardly used it and it is now taking up space in the workshop, if you decide that is the model for you and you're interested I am going to sell mine. It is in truly excellent condition having made only a handfull of cuts. PM me if you're interested

Richard

 

[xraymtb]

I actually went to sort it out yesterday and the 1825 is now out of stock for the foreseeable future.

I did however see that my local B&Q has a bunch of Triton stuff on sale - that workbench system looks tempting...

 

[jonbikebod]

Mike,
I went for the 1525 SC. I just don’t have the room for anything bigger. It has been quite a disappointment. I had to re-machine the blade mount as any blade I put in has several mm of wobble otherwise. The cast aluminium table surface isn’t very flat. I have had to file and shim the rip fence to bring it parallel to the blade. That now works reasonably well so long as the fence isn’t mounted on the right hand extension table. I have tweaked the rip fence mounting rail on the table extension but I still can’t rely on its accuracy. The original plastic table insert needed a lot of shimming to bring it up level with the surrounding table. I now use home made zero clearance MDF inserts.
The dust extraction is poor and the dust is blown out through the front slot at you.
The sliding carriage is probably the best feature but need a bit of fettling to work with reasonable accuracy. It can only handle smallish (but not too small) components.
After all the above fiddling it is more accurate but I wouldn’t consider it accurate enough for box making for example. Then again it can’t handle much bigger components.
If I had the space, I would be saving up for a full size cast iron Axminster sliding carriage saw. I had already grown out of this when I bought it.
Jon.