Ridgid 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saws Agawam MA
(413) 781-6110
Springfield, MA
(413) 567-0611
Longmeadow, MA
Ridgid 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saws
Source: TOOLS OF THE TRADE Magazine
Publication date: March 15, 2007
By Section Editor: Michael Springer
Ridgid 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw
In my snowboard manufacturing shop, we use a circular saw primarily for cross-cutting hardwood lumber to rough lengths prior to laminating it into blocks. This operation is all about speed. With thousands of feet of lumber in 16-foot lengths delivered at once, we really need to move through the stacks to keep up production; we gang-cut the material about 1-3/4 inch deep while it's still in a stack.
When the Ridgid Fuego 6-1/2-inch compact framing saw was introduced boasting a lighter weight and a dramatic increase in cutting speed, I knew I had to test its claims myself. I was pleased to find that compared to my 7-1/4-inch saw, the Fuego cut through poplar and ash like it was on fire while its lighter weight virtually eliminated my arm fatigue.
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What's Different
The Fuego has features borrowed from cordless circular saws; in fact, it shares a platform with the newest Ridgid 18- and 24-volt models. The saw uses a 6-1/2-inch thin-kerf blade that spins at 6,100 rpm instead of the 5,500 to 5,800 rpm common to 7-1/4-inch saws. This smaller blade is driven by a smaller, lighter motor. Ridgid replaced the standard metal shoe with a super-tough fiber composite and the blade guards are made from lightweight magnesium.
The smaller-diameter motor's center is closer to the base, which allows you to still get a vertical cut depth of 2...