"USENET READER" wrote in message
ink.net...
First off, I know that the Ridgid saw is made in Taiwan, and that the
DeWalts are made in America.

I wouldn't be so sure....






How does it compare to the DeWalt DW708
saw with the same features? Both saws have a 3 year manufacturers
warranty, and there is a DeWalt factory repair shop in my town - the
nearest Ridgid shop is three hours away. Does anyone know about the
quality of Ridgid factory repair work on these saws?

All repair work sucks. These are considered to be throw-away units.



From reading up on these saws, I had sort of hoped to find a 10" sliding
compound miter saw because the 10" blades are cheaper and they seem to
have more different types available than the 12" blades (for instance -
the hitachi-made blades for cutting Hardiplank products are made only in
7.25 and 10" sizes) and I will have a lot of siding to cut over the next
couple of months.

I understand that the warranty applies from the date of purchase, if you
have the receipt. I know that warranties can sometimes be applied from
the date of manufacture with no receipt, and since this Ridgid saw was
made in July 2003, it still would have a warranty on it until July of
2006. But I wonder if there would be a hassle trying to get it repaired
under warranty?


Call the manufacturer and ask them. We can't read the warranty from here.



Ridgid stopped making the non-laser saw about a year ago, and has
concentrated on the laser saws since then. I haven't been able to find
any non-laser MS1290 saws on E-Bay or anywhere else. But I have been able
to find a MS1290LZ saw for $355 (no warranty) on E-Bay, and a factory
reconditioned MS1290LZ saw for $435 with a one-year warranty from another
re-seller (no bidding - set price).

This guy claimed his dad spent about $800 plus tax on the saw when he
bought it. Today the same saw goes for $768. He first offered the saw
for $650 firm for both saw and stand, but said he would take $600 and
deliver it to me. Then he called me at 10 PM last night and said he would
take $550. I worry about spending that much money for a saw with what
might amount to no warranty I can take advantage of, when I can go out and
buy the DeWalt saw for $550 with the $50 rebate from DeWalt, and I can get
a cheaper saw table than the $150 Ridgid model. That and the fact that
the DeWalt repair shop is right in my town and the fact that it is made in
America also weighs on my mind.

I would rather buy American and have a warranty than buy something made in
Taiwan and risk having it die on me while I am in the middle of a
construction project. Then again, I was planning to offer him $500 and
use the rest of the money to buy other quality American-made saw blades
and tools for the job, so you can see where I am conflicted.

Any actual experience with the Ridgid saws on the job, durability and
warranty work?



All saws are shit and they all break. None are made well like they might
have been 20 years ago.


I really don't need any rants on it not making a
difference where the saw was made - I just want to hear from some people
on some actual experiences they have had with this saw.