Is Ryobi ETS1825 any good?

[Halo Jones]

Hi All,

A local classified has the Ryobi ETS1825 for sale and I wondered if anyone has one and could comment? I have been looking at the basic TS-200 from axminster but £200 is just a stretch too far new. This will be my first table saw so I have no idea what to look for, or expect!

Cheers,

Halo

 

[Halo Jones]

OK. I've just arranged to go and see the saw this evening. Apart from making sure the thing runs I would appreciate some advice on what to look for (ie how do saws tend to get abused!), are there any quirks with this model??

Thanks in advance,
Halo

 

[Steel City Man]

Yes, it's a decent bit of kit, but be aware that it's more 'top of the range DIY' rather than trade level.

The fence and mitre guide are both fairly good, but obviously pale compared to higher quality saws. The blade that comes with it is poor, so upgrade that - a 24 tooth will rip through thick softwoods no problem. With a 40 tooth blade, you can feel it moaning when chewing through, say, 80 or 90mm thickness wood, so you have to take it slowly.

The table extends nicely and has outfeed support which is handy. Soft start is there, although mine is playing up (still not got round to getting it fixed, but it doesn't affect performance). The stand that comes with it is decent and self levels on my bumpy concrete garage floor.

Needs some setting up at first - squaring the fence to the mitre slot, ensuring the blade is true, setting the 90 degree stop on the blade etc.

I've not really found any problems with what I've been using it for - e.g. making new window sills, cutting tenons, general ripping. Don't use it for cross cutting as I use my mitre saw for that.

Cost me £220 from B&Q on a 20% discount day, 2 years warranty, spare parts readily available, so for the money it's a great value 'starter' table saw. I'll no doubt upgrade to something more juicy at some point, but for the moment it does everything I ask of it, so it's worth it IMO.

BTW, I noticed in November that my local B&Q was selling off their stock for £180, so you may still be able to get a new one from them - minus 10% on OAP day if you know any one with the discount card. I think B&Q only stock the evolution table saw now.

 

[Halo Jones]

I decided to go for it and get the saw - managed to get to get to a price where if I don't like it I will always be able to sell it without loosing anything. I had a good listen to the motor and definitely heard the soft start and the braking was working. It is missing the riving knife and crown guard which I didn't like, but the bloke I got it from is going to look for it in his workshop (which was a bit chaotic). If he can't find it I see they are about £17 from the various spares places.

A couple of things I noticed once I got it home:
1) The fence tightens rock solid but it seems that unless you keep a good hold of it when tightening that it goes of true. If anyone knows how to fettle this please let me know.
2) There is a little bit of "wiggle" in the blade in that it can be moved back and forth slightly (when switched off, of course). Is this normal? If not normal I assume it might be a loose blade or, more worrylingly, damaged bearings but the motor sounded fine.

Finally. can anyone point me to a good source on how to make sure a saw is set up to its best potential??

Cheers,

Halo

 

[Steel City Man]

1) The fence tightens rock solid but it seems that unless you keep a good hold of it when tightening that it goes of true. If anyone knows how to fettle this please let me know.

You can play with the screws at the top end of the fence to reduce any play, but you soon get the hang of securing it true by basically 'toe-ing in' one way or the other when tightening.

2) There is a little bit of "wiggle" in the blade in that it can be moved back and forth slightly (when switched off, of course). Is this normal? If not normal I assume it might be a loose blade or, more worrylingly, damaged bearings but the motor sounded fine.

There is some very small wiggle when switched off.