Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw Review
Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw Model R4221
Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw
Manufacturer: Ridgid
Model number: R4221
Price: $399
Power source: 120V AC
Weight: 64 lbsthese kind of cuts I have to use an acute angle jig clamped to my miter saw – trust me its a pain in the ass.
Capable of 70-Degree Cuts
This Miter Saw has an industry leading 0-70° miter range. It miters 70° to the left and to the right. It also has a dual bevel design with crown molding stops that actually work! These miter stops are the first design I’ve seen that I liked.
Can we go back to 70-degrees? cutting at a 70-degree angle is impressive! Angles are a fundamental building block for creating all sorts of shapes, and we cut angles all the time when installing framing and trim. An acute angle is a smaller angle than a right angle [90-degrees]
As I mentioned above,prior to using this saw, I would have to use an acute angle jig, clamped to my miter saw in order to cut sharp angles.
I immediately started thinking of all the siding and trim installations where this saw would be useful for. Many times when making sharp angles I have to resort to the table saw, circular saw, jigsaw or use an acute angle jig.
This saw will cut a 14-1/2” long, 70-degree bevel in a ½ x 6 cedar clapboard. It’s perfect for 4.5 roof pitch siding and trim installs.
Miter and Bevel Features
I’ve already over-talked the miter capability of this saw. I’m still shaking my head.
This saw has miter and bevel detents with a bypass lever that allows for quick adjustments to the most common angles. In order to achieve sharper angles the saw has a left and right fence wings that slide out to entend the miter fence.
Positive bevel crown molding stops, left and right, at the most common angles;
- 0°
- 15°
- 22.5°
- 33.9°
- 45°
Positive miter stops, left and right, at the most common angles
- 0°
- 15°
- 22.5°
- 31.6°
- 45°
- 60°
- 67.5°
One point to note is the miter fence and detent slot is a thin metal and could possible become worn from use of the detent feature.
LED Lighting System
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw has a switch on top of the saw handle that turns on a led light. The LED light illuminates the saw blade, producing a cut line on th materials being cut. this is one of my favorite features on high miter saws.
Unlike a laser that needs calibrations, this LED light works on every blade and identifies an accurate cut line as well as illuminating the work.
In order to use this feature you simply bring the saw blade arm down to the workpiece. A shadow is projected onto the workpiece, indicating where the sawblade will cut.
Motor
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw spins at 4000 RPMs. It has a 6-foot cord and a 15 Amp motor that was able to cut trim and framing materials.
While using this saw I noticed a vibration and slight wobble to this saw. The vibration sound can be heard in the gears between the motor and the arbor shaft assembly.
Weight
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter weighs 64-pounds and is a beast to lug around. You will want a miter saw stand to transport this bad ass saw.
Dust Collection
The saw has a built-in-dust collection port the will work with 1-1/4 in. vacuum adapters. The dust bag is pretty much useless, but when connected to a vacuum the dust port captures approx. 75-80 percent of the saw dust.
Saw Footprint
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw measures 22.38 wide x 20.50 h x 38.75 deep.
Cutting Depths
- At 90-degrees the saw can cut a 2×16 or a 4×6.
- At 45-degrees the saw can cut a 2×12 or a 4×6
- A maximum cutting depth of 4-inches
Accuracy
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw was easy to assemble and was accurate right out of the box.
When testing the saw we did notice a 1/64-inch blade wobble. While I might not use this saw for high-end, interior finish work, I definitely would use it on a general work, exterior siding and trim installation.
Cost
The Ridgid 12 Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter has some very cool features, and sells for only $399.00.
Overall Impression
I’ve always been a fan Ridgid tools. This saw gives the user better functionality and similar features than saws costing almost twice as much. The R4221 can accomplish most carpentry applications within acceptable tolerances.
I think most users will appreciate the ability to cut miters up to 70-degrees whether in the workshop and jobsite.
Kudos to Ridgid for blazing the trail and leading the pack on this innovation.
About the author
Rob Robillard
Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter . Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review - Tool and Product Review - Video Channel, , where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the remodeling industry. The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob
http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/@https://twitter.com/robertrobillardRob Robillard
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I just purchased the Ridgid 15 amp 12-inch corded saw and looking for the best and I can put this beast on any suggestions? Mike
Best what?
i have one of these dogs with the blade wobble…i have e-mailed rigid customer service and apparently they do not exist because nobody bothered to answer. the saw was purchased for high end trim work and furniture applications…and it dissapoints in both arenas. too bad the saws are not on the quality level of the hand drills…will think long and hard about spending money with this company again….have 40 years experience as a cabinet maker.
Buck….did you register it when you bought it? Best way to deal with customer service is at your local HD.
First of all I recognize I was fortunate that my saw does not exhibit any of the “blade wobble” others speak of. I have a higher serial number unit that has apparently had very little issues compared to the earlier lower serial numbered models. Mine worked flawlessly after assembly and I couldn’t be happier! RIDGID really built a fantastic unit in this mighty 12 inch miter saw. If your looking for small and portable this is not your saw, but if you can handle the size and weight it will likely be the last miter saw you will ever buy. I have yet to use all the features but all my cuts thus far have been spot on. I did purchase the crown molding jigs and a second clamp so I won’t have to keep moving the one that is provided from side to side. By the way I am a DIYer, not using it professionally, although I think it would be a stellar performer for most professionals.
I bought one of these saws at Home Depot a few months ag because of the price. The clerk they would not sell so they lowered the price to $280.00. Now I see why. I had stored the saw while I spent months remolding a house we moved into. i set the saw up today and have discovered the vibration. i thought it might be the blade. Now I find out its a p.o.s. Is Ridgid doing anything about the vibration ?
I had that vibration,it actually loosened the nut! Scary.
Ended up buying another blade, diablo d1260x 12″,retightened everthing back up and haven’t had
Any more wobbling.
Hope that was the only issue
The worst saw I ever owned. I had it for about 6 months of casual use before the blade started to wobble and the brush housing started glowing from sparks. I called and emailed the company for warranty repairs and got no response. I took it to a repair shop and got a cost of 270 to repair it. I can buy a new one for that cost. The tech told me this was the number one problem with this chop saw.
Did you bring it to Home Depot? The saw has a Lifetime Service Agreement.
Good Morning,
I purchased the same saw and, so far, have had no issues. I’m trying to register it for the lifetime service agreement but can’t find the data plate for the serial number?
Any assistance is appreciated. Thank you.
Craig – From Ridgid:
Where is the product serial number?
Serial numbers are generally located on the data plate of serialized components (tools, batteries, and chargers). This number is usually highlighted in a white box and begins with 1-2 letters. If you still are unable to locate the serial number, please contact us via chat or by phone at 1‒866‒539‒1710 with your model number available for instructions specific to your product.