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RYOBI 8-1/4″ Table Saw (RTS08) Review

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If you're looking for a compact, lightweight table saw the RYOBI 8-1/4" model RTS08 is worth checking out. It's lightweight design makes it easy to move and store, and the powerful motor gets the job done.

Table saws are versatile tools and they excel at making long rip cuts. In addition, they make it easy to maintain a straight cut line. Among the best options for table saws is the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw (RTS08). In this article, we'll cover the main features of this saw to help you determine if it's the right one for you. We also recommend reading our Table Saw Buyers Guide.

RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw Review

[amazon box="B088PJW1N1"]

RYOBI Company Overview

The RYOBI company originated in Japan and has been in existence since the 1940s. Since it's inception, RYOBI has developed into one of the leading power tool companies in the world.

Today, RYOBI creates a wide array of power tools for construction, landscaping, and more. They place a specific emphasis on creating tools and providing communities that support DIYers. The RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw is one of their latest power tool products.

Specifications

  • Power Source: Battery
  • Amps: 13 Amps
  • Blade Diameter: 8-1/4"
  • Depth of Cut @ 90°: 2.2"
  • Max Rip to Left of Blade: 7"
  • Max Rip to Right of Blade: 12-1/2"
  • No Load Speed: 5700 RPM
  • Weight: 42-pounds
RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

Features

  • Anti-Kickback Pawls
  • Adjustable Miter Gauge
  • Blade Guard Assembly
  • Rip Fence

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Design of the RYOBI RTS08 Table Saw

The RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw is designed to be compact, yet capable of delivering plenty of power. Let's take look at some of the main features:

Table - While the RTS08 Table Saw is a compact tool, it still gives you plenty of room to work. The table measures 25-inches by 17-inches, which means that you can still perform large cutting jobs despite the minimal overall size of this model. In addition, there is onboard storage for the push stick, cord, and wrenches.

Fence - As with most table saws, the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw comes with a standard rip fence. This fence is not the most noteworthy aspect of the saw, but it is an essential component to a table saw's functionality. The rip fence on this model gets the job done without going above and beyond expectations.

Dust Collection - One of the most obnoxious aspects of woodworking is the dust that you produce during each cut. That dust not only makes a mess, but it also becomes a health hazard. This RYOBI Table Saw helps to eliminate the dust issue by including a dust chute to collect the dust as you work.

RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

Safety Features

The RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw includes several features to help you be as safe as possible while operating the saw. Safety features help you make accurate cuts, while exposing you to minimal risk. Here are a few of the most impressive safety features:

On/Off Switch - The first safety feature you'll notice is the on/off switch. When working with a table saw, it's always imperative to know where the on/off switch is located, and having it in an easy-to-reach position allows you to access it in a hurry.

The power switch is designed so that you won't accidentally turn the saw ON by bumping into it. The ON switch sits within a large red cover which, when pressed turns the saw OFF. In other words, the saw can be turned OFF easily, but you'll need to intentionally turn it ON.

Anti-Kickback Pawls - Anti-Kickback Pawls are designed to prevent the wood you are cutting from kicking back and hitting you. They have sharp teeth that grab into the wood should it begin to move backwards.

Riving Knife - A riving knife sits behind the blade and helps prevent the wood from closing around the blade as it's being cut. If the wood binds around the blade it will kickback at a tremendous force and could cause a major injury.

Blade Guards - The blade guards fit around the blade and they are designed to protect the user from being accidentally cut by the blade. The saw can be used with or without the blade guards, but it's always a best practice to have as many safety elements in play as possible.

RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

Maintenance of the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw

With proper maintenance, your new RYOBI Table Saw will last a long time. The best way to understand how to maintain the saw is to refer to the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw Owner's Manual, but we've summarized a few of the main maintenance tasks below.

Cleaning

One of the most important maintenance tasks for any power tool is regular cleaning. When you clean the table saw you'll want to make sure that you don't rely on chemical solvents, which can damage the plastic portions of the saw. Instead, wipe the plastic parts with a soft, damp cloth.

When cleaning the sharper components, you'll need to make sure that the saw is OFF and the battery is removed. Then you can disassemble and wipe away any dirt or debris that may be caught in the saw. At this stage, it can be helpful to use compressed air to remove dust in hard-to-reach areas.

Lubrication

Lubrication is important as it relates to how well the individual components of the saw move, and it helps prevent unnecessary wear. To your benefit, repeated lubrication is not necessary for the RYOBI Table Saw. This saw comes with all bearings pre-lubricated. According to RYOBI, you'll never need to worry since the lubrication will last for the life of the saw.

Emptying the Dust Chute

The integrated dust chute of the RYOBI RTS08 Table Saw makes your cutting very convenient. But you will need to pay attention to the chute to ensure that it's not overflowing with dust. Especially during longer cutting jobs, you should pause periodically to empty the chute. 

RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

Performance

Regarding performance, the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw is ideal for a hobbyist or someone working on DIY projects. The main selling points here are that this tool is easy-to-use, compact, and lightweight. Those last two factors make the table saw very portable. 

The table saw comes with a 13 amp motor which is capable of producing blade speeds of 5,000 RPM. The blade itself is 8-1/4" and comes with all the basic accessories. Out of the box, the blade isn't the best, but it'll get the job done, and you can always upgrade to a higher quality blade.

With a rip capacity of 12-1/2 inches (7-inches on the right and left sides of the blade) leaves something to be desired as many larger table saws come with a much more impressive capacity.

However, this points to the main benefits this saw can provide. Mainly, it's small and manageable. While the manufacturer would claim that this saw is good for home use and construction, the truth is, that it's much better for smaller jobs than larger ones.

RYOBI RTS08 13 Amp 8-1/4 in. Table Saw

RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw

Model RTS08

Bottom Line

Overall, the RYOBI 8-1/4" Table Saw is a good purchase for the homeowner who wants to complete some weekend projects. If your looking for a job site table saw or have other major carpentry projects to tackle, you probably need something with a greater capacity than the RTS08.

But that's not to say that this table saw isn't worth a close look. It's reasonable price point, lightweight and compact design make it a good choice if it meets your specific needs. It's also a great first table saw purchase for hobbyist who are just getting started.

However, if your willing to spend a little more money, we recommend purchasing the DeWalt 8-1/4" Table Saw. It's a higher quality saw that's capable of tackling larger projects. You can read our full review here.

Pros

  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Reasonable power output for the size
  • Dust collection chute

Cons

  • Rip fence could slide more easily
  • Not ideal for larger projects

[amazon box="B0842QDW95,B087WGVRHT,B07BZVKF8M" grid="3"]

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