I recently had the opportunity to drool over the new Ridgid 18V cordless brushless miter saw.
It’s a 7-1/4″ saw with nice wide carrying handles, dual bevel pivot, and *surprise* an LED shadow-light cut line guidance system.
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TTI’s Jason Swanson was kind enough to do a quick walkthrough of the saw on video for us, so please check it out. And yes, next time I’ll be better practiced and equipped with a handheld mic for better audio.
Intro Video:
I’m like the idea that it’s a compact 7-1/4″ saw, rather than a larger one. Besides, if you want bigger, the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless 10″ sliding miter saw, and Dewalt FlexVolt 12″ miter saws should be on your radar.
The 7-1/4″ size means the saw should have enough capacity for 2x materials, and for cutting trim and molding, at least flat. It also make the saw smaller, more portable, and presumably longer running.
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I liked how compact it looked, especially the open top handle.
Oh yes, and it’s powered by a brushless motor too. Here’s why you should care: Brushless Tools 101.
The new Ridgid cordless miter saw, like Milwaukee’s new model, sports an LED shadow-based cut line guidance system, similar to Dewalt’s XPS lighting technology.
Ridgid has also come with a new 18V 5.0Ah Li-ion battery pack.
No, it’s not brand new, I posted about it last Fall, but this was the first time I saw one in person, and the first time I realized how different it is from Ridgid’s previous packs.
The new 5Ah pack is actually larger than their 4Ah pack, as it’s engineered with larger battery cells.
Here’s how the new 5Ah battery compares to 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery packs.
The move to a larger battery cell form factor is one that several brands have done, or plan to do. Why? Because we’ve reached a limit as to how much charge capacity can be squeezed out of the current 18650 battery cell form factor, at least in regard to high power applications.
The new Ridgid 18V 5Ah battery pack should be backwards compatible with existing 18V tools (it’s unclear as to whether there might be some exceptions), and my guess is that it was designed to power this and other high performance tools we have yet to catch a glimpse of.
Price: $399 for the 1-battery kit
ETA: Fall 2016
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
First Thoughts
While part of me wishes that this was a 10″ saw, I do like the idea of the smaller form factor. And if the decision was whether to come out with a 7-1/4″ saw or another in-between size, I’m really glad they went with 7-1/4″.
Speaking as someone who works with many different types of materials, I can find 7-1/4″ blades almost as easily as 10″ ones.
Here’s a Diablo non-ferrous blade, for example. 6-1/2″ blade selection is better than it was, but there’s not much specialty blade selection between 7-1/4″ and 10″. For 8-1/4″ blade size, selection is pretty much limited to general purpose construction blades.
Besides, Dewalt’s 20V Max 7-1/4″ cordless saw has been working out great for me. No, it’s not big enough for all cross-cutting tasks, but I’d rather have a capable compact saw than a larger one that’s potentially underpowered at times.
I’m a little surprised that Ridgid’s new miter saw is being released at the same price as Dewalt’s cordless miter saw kit (also $399, via Amazon), although the Ridgid looked and felt solid. I didn’t have a chance to try it out or test for squareness, but it seemed like a well-constructed pro-grade tool.
I’m pretty optimistic about this new Ridgid 18V cordless miter saw, and am quite excited to see what other tools they have planned for the 5.0Ah battery pack.
BigDan
And its a slider!?
Stuart
Yes!
KenZ
Random cell question: you said the cells inside were larger; did they say the cell size? E.g. are they 26650, 26700, or something else? I’m just trying to track where the industry is going on cell sizes. The old A123 cells were 26650s, as well as the E1 Moli cells that were used in the first Milwaukee LiIon batteries.
The larger cells do pack in more electrode in a battery’s volume, but come with some other issues like they have to put more tabs on the electrodes.
Aellynh
Probably 20700 or 21700 for the newer cells. Pretty sure Dewalt is moving towards 21700’s for their “high power” packs in the near future. You can already get “fat” batteries from Metabo and Mafell that use Sanyo 20700 cells. Wouldn’t be surprised if more manufacturers start to jump from the 18650 ship.
Cody
The new Ridgid 18 volt 5.0ah batteries have been out for quite some time. http://m.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-5-0Ah-High-Capacity-HYPER-Lithium-Ion-Battery-AC840089/206189942
Stuart
Yes, I know.
But.I don’t think I’ve seen one in person before this yet, and if I did, I wasn’t aware that it was larger.
https://toolguyd.com/ridgid-brushless-impact-driver-hammer-drill-5ah-battery/
I saw it for the first time with the miter saw.
Cody
Check this out new ! http://m.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-GEN5X-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-1-2-in-Cordless-Brushless-Compact-Drill-Driver-Kit-R86009K/206955210
Cody
At the top picture in this article I see a ridgid 18 volt Bluetooth mini radio to the right of the saw blade that looks identical to ryobi model. Thanks for picture .
David g
7 1/4? This just totally says Rigid is DIY grade. If it were 10 then it would be 100xs more useful.
Cody
Is dewalt a diy brand? That’s all they offer in their 20 volt line.
David g
Good point… but can I chop a 4×4 in 1 pass?
Cody
Nope you have to turn it over
David
If you want a multi purpose saw for cutting trim, as well as framing applications, or cutting of larger stock like a stair rail installer would need for cutting posts, etc. Then yes this saw won’t do. You need s 10″ or 12″. This saw is absolutely perfect for a trim guy! I have refused to buy the dewalt version, even though I own a bunch of dewalt cordless , because it does not have a duel bevel. Having the duel bevels is a game changer. It makes life so much easier. I have been lugging around my 12″ miter saw and 10″ slider, and they weigh a ton. A saw like this is perfect when do trim and need to constantly move around. I’m sure it works for light framing, but I would never use it for that. That’s what my 10″ miter saw is for, that I also have. If you want a saw to do everything, this is not your saw. I like to specialize my saws, and this unit looks perfect for what I would use it for.
mizzourob
What was the tall Ryobi tool to the back left side of the Ridgid saw in the video?
abnormalist
Ryobis new fancy workbench light
Cody
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-LED-Workbench-Light-P727/207017500
Mike
The 71/4 makes more sense, a 10 in is really too much for a 18/20 volt system as you see with Milwaukee it bogs down on 4 × 4 and struggles on 2×12. It needs more power for the bigger blade at least 36/40 volt
Michael
It will be interesting to see what the future holds
Mr. X
I’m going to be the bad guy here and say that for anything beyond light duty trim work ANY cordless miter saw is DIY grade. A professional contractor does not have time to play around with stationary tools that bog down or need frequent battery swap. Cordless is for hand tools at this level.
Dominic van Lievenoogen
Im going to say you havent tried makita’s 18v x2 cordless Mitte saw because that one cuts faster then the compact corded Mitre saws and doesnt bog down 1 bit
jtr165
Yeah, I think Mr. X is jumping to conclusions without ever trying some of these cordless miters.
Even Dewalt’s brushed 7 1/4″ has little problem with 2x hardwoods, and I would say the quality of the saw is very much more than ‘DIY grade’.
limited on capacity; yes. But cut quality, accuracy, features, motor power, etc…they’re far from HB or diy brand corded saws
Jeff
Nice saw, but I’d sure like the other Gen5 stuff to be able to be bought outside the combo kit. It’s been months, and still only the kit. Seems all the other cordless tool manufacturers throw new tools on the market quickly, yet Ridgid can’t.
Jay
Ain’t that the truth. At one time I was trying to get a hold of their new R8653 brushless 7 1/4″ saw. Was looking for the saw, a battery and a charger sold together as a kit but it’s just not out there. You can get a bare saw then pony up for the battery and charger separately or you can get them as part of a kit containing several other tools but that’s all they offer. Their marketing people need to pull their heads out of the sand. Now DeWalt is coming with flexvolt and right out of the gate they are offering their 60v saw, battery, charger and protective tool bag as a kit. Ridgid’s marketing people could learn a thing or two from DeWalt.
Cody
I’m not surprised that the ridgid 18 volt 7 1/4 miter saw priced at 399.00 just like the dewalt because with the ridgid you get more bang for your buck. Being that the Ridgid is a daul Bevel Miter saw unlike the dewalt that is a single bevel.
David g
Hey Cody,
A Rigid rep via Facebook told me this fall Ridgid would be releasing a battery charging cordless jobsite radio. Can you check on that?
Cody
Yah I’ll look for it. Ridgid just released a new 18 volt Bluetooth radio about a month ago. But it doesn’t charge the batteries.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-GEN5X-18-Volt-Jobsite-Radio-with-Bluetooth-Wireless-Technology-R84087/206892707
David g
Yeah, i was very disappointed about no charge feature. Made me wonder why they bothered making it. At least the milwalkee one works with the tools.
Glenn
We already have the saw here in Australia albeit under the AEG name. Also already available here is the 5.0ah as well as a 6.0ah battery.
https://aegpowertools.com.au/products/saw/18v-brushless-184mm-slide-compound-mitre-saw
https://aegpowertools.com.au/products/battery
David g
Aeg even has the brushless grinder out there. Rigid is being left to rot, or at least go stale.
Oscar
What are the chances ryobi coming out with a new miter saw identical to this. I’m thinking about buying into the brand but I never liked that miter saw they currently have. Do you guys think tti will give ryobi A refresh just like Milwaukee and rigid did,? ryobi seems to be a big diy brand.
Goodnight johnboy
I absolutely agree with Mr X. But an even better question is how the companies could even conceive that a cordless miter saw is a good idea along with the cordless lawnmower & all the rest of the cordless garbage that they make. The ONLY cordless tools that are worth are 18v&20v drills/impact drivers & lights. Maybe a circ saw doing very light duty work & that’s still iffy. I don’t know how they could anything powered by a battery is equivalent to an ac powered motor or pneumatic & gas-powered tools. Then they try to ask for almost the same amount as a professional (corded) one. On top of that the batteries don’t charge on the same product. They’re eating and believing in their own bullshit. I’ve been a contractor for 18 years & I’ve never seen tools this crappy & I hope this so-called “smart tool technology” hype comes to a halt.
David
Have you any experience with any of the cordless varieties that you are knocking? Our family has been using a cordless lawn mower for 2 years now, and we have been very happy with. My wife won’t use a gas mower, and its easy for my boys to use. Which means I never have to mow the lawn, and instead I can work in my shop, while everyone else mows the lawn. No I would not start a lawn business with, but I have zero complaints. As far as the cordless miter saws, if you haven’t tried it, have you watch some of the video reviews? The dewalt unit is getting great reviews from people who use it. I would not useit as
Ryan
You don’t know what you’re talking about. Many of the new cordless tools outperform corded. More torque, more RPM. Just look at the new flexvolt miter saw, stronger on battery power than when using the corded AC adapter.
Rory
Ridgid – AKA – AEG in Australia has had 6Ah batteries for sometime now…
https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-6-0ah-lithium-battery_p6230220
matt
Fyi these already hit the shelves at homedepot. Just found one the otherday. It is a super tempting buy.
Noel
This is impressive and all but is not available in Canada, which is disappointing because I am switching over to cordless tools and Rigid is my brand. Any answers?
David R
I was on a big renovation job where I knew I would need a miter box at some point. Just as I was getting ready to plunk down $100 for a Harbor Freight 10″ slider, this puppy came along. I spent the extra money without hesitation. It is not everyman’s saw, but it exactly meets my three criteria. 1. very portable, easy to store in little space. 2. precision in markings, detents, and repeatability. 3. No friggin cord to deal with. On this job that came up numerous times where I had no power in the places I was working and using the saw. I did everything from framing cuts to molding and trim. The dual bevel feature was indeed employed at points, nothing was beyond the power and precision this baby offered on the project. At the current lowered pricing, including 5ah battery and charger, this is a great tool.
Ryan
Hey David, how much did you pay? I just picked one up for $199 at HD. If you paid more than that, you should be able to get the difference back in store credit.
David R
That’s the sweetest price of all – if I can get the credit to that lower price, I will. But I was happy with what a great product this saw turned out to be, so regardless of price, definitely fills the niche for me. On Ridgid website they are now listing the price as $349. I’ve seen Ridgid put new tools out at ridiculous prices before, not sure why, but it’s sweet when you can score.