RIDGID R8656 18V Sub Compact Brushless 6-1/2" Circular Saw Review

[@brianbanks3044]

That might be something I need around the house...dragging out extension cords and other stuff turns into a pain in the butt...I found that out when I changed tires the other day and used my Ridgid 1/2 ' impact instead of hooking up the compressor....it almost makes my air tool obsolete...great video

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Those are very good and valid points. Thanks for watching.

[@somdood3292]

until you get that one rusted bolt that you need the extra power from a compressor and air tools lol.... every car has one bolt like that.

[@mattek519]

I love this saw. I didn't use the blade that came with it and instead installed a Diablo 24 tooth framing blade which seems to help a lot with the dust extraction when comparing it to your video. All in all, there isn't a 6 ½ circular saw i would recommend over this one. Ridgid has been knocking it out of the park with these new tools.

[@Shoptoolreviews]

It's definitely a nice little circ saw. Thanks for watching.

[@mattek519]

@@Shoptoolreviews no problem man. Love your videos. I am really excited for the high torque hammerdrill ridgid has coming out. I check home depot every dat

[@4673962]

@@mattek519 Me to! Can't wait!

[@mattek519]

@@4673962 its taking forever! I couldn't wait so i bought the very last existing octane hammerdrill thst exists for sale on the internet. For the meantime

[@monroefive-o40]

Man it’s hard to beat the Diablo blades. I have them on all of my saws. Just picked up a pack of paddle bits too.

[@somdood3292]

i just picked one of these up today as an impulse buy... i had a gen5 right blade saw from rigid and i hated that i was always leaning over the saw to see the line guide which on more than one occasion my squint goggles failed me and i got a wood chip in my eye. with this new saw i dont have to lean over the saw to make my cut and it isnt heavy or cumbersome to use like my old one either.... so far after the 3 rips i needed for my project im a happy guy

[@jakearmstrong4563]

I like that the 6 1/2 blade is on the left and the 7 1/4 inch is on the right. Variety is ideal

[@intheshopnyc849]

A u should only cut using a square on the blade side 1) ur closer to ur cut making the cut more precise and easier to see ur cut. 2) helps to keep control of the saw while u cut leaving less chance of an uneven cut control with a Skil saw is very important as a professional and u don't want to lose a finger ,hand or leg do to kickback Great video 👍🇺🇸💯

[@74JB]

Excellent review as usual Tim! I'm looking at potentially picking this little guy up and you answered all of my questions

[@whogavehimafork]

I like the variety of tools and whatnot ridgid makes for their 18v batteries and I like the idea of having all my cordless tools having interchangeable batteries. I dont do much woodworking but when I do I wish I had a circular saw. This little guy looks like it'll probably do exactly what I need it to since I have no need for a full size circular.

[@4673962]

This seems pretty sweet for a little guy. Needs a diablo blade on it. Nice review 👍

[@Shoptoolreviews]

We agree, it's a great little saw. Thanks for watching.

[@4673962]

@fartpoobox ohyeah why not a fartpoobox..... really...go troll somewhere else.

[@philliplanfre347]

It's a great tool honestly I recommend it friends.

[@scottbionicnerf8727]

I've probably left a comment or 2 on this video before, but goodlord.! This thing's beast of a trim saw...if it just had a great exhaust pipe like the FLEX or the SKIL.... There's no way for the 105° port placement to work efficiently without a vacuum strong enough to stick it to the wall vertically if you should happen to let go..... other wise it's just not possible to overcome that deficiency.😕 There's a small company that makes port covers that may divert some of the saw dust away from what you're doing, but this is a great saw, especially if you're already on the platform. If you cover the side with tape, it improves the dust collection.

[@jlousy1901]

I have the cheaper brushed item and it's been great on 2x4's, even on a 45 degree... OSB boards as well. Very light and easy to handle. Can only imagine the extra performance the brushless provided! 6 1/2 is a great size for a DIYer

[@boosted2.4_sky]

TJ!!! LET'S GO BROTHER!!🏁 Saw seems to be doing a good job and that blade actually puts out a pretty good cut

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Let's gooooo!. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@SawdustmakerLori]

Will this 6 1/2" circular saw rip sheets of 3/4" baltic birch or veneered plywood without bogging down? Great review BTW!

[@Joethetoolguy]

So I’m not in the ridgid line but damn it I might have to give them a shot. There is a makita blade right 6.5” saw that I love if this is better I’d love to know.

[@globyois]

Great review, just got one for myself. Thanks.

[@timbawktoo6063]

Great review and helped me decide to buy one!

[@randysmith9636]

Good morning from mid Tn. Hey brother thanks again for another great video. I am not so sure on the rear exit. OK when you can stand beside the saw. Sucks when you are cutting across a sheet in the middle. Very nice review on the saw. It does seem to have a few points to contend with, looks like they could have possibly done better on design compared to other 6.5" saws.

[@FF-xl7yw]

EXCELLENT REVIEW!!! Keep it up! THANK YOU!

[@Jarco101]

Excellent video as always Tim

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Thank you very much. As always, thanks for watching.

[@abodao]

Great video, covers everything in detail. What about that safety switch that I assume has to be pressed in before you pull on the trigger? Is it easy to do, in all positions up to 45 degrees, and on long rip cuts? You had gloves on which seemed to make it easier having more surface area pressing on that safety switch.

[@cahg3871]

As long as it can cut 3/4” plywood and 2 x whatever width board you have,this saw will suffice for the average homeowner.

[@TOURMANBOB]

Dunno about your pricing. I bought it for $78 less battery at Home Depot here in Canada and for that little money, it is a superb saw

[@stugatz2664]

both the 7 1/4 and 6 1/2 BRUSHED saws are AWESOME! the brushless versions? not so much... to the point that i never use my brushless saws ONLY the brushed versions! lets see the saw work with 4ah and 2ah batteries.

[@chriscolameco6850]

Be careful with that crescent square, those and the husky extendables are rarely actually square

[@oneyedthing]

Is this the same as the RIDGID R8656B?

[@KSCPMark6742]

I'd have liked to see you check for deflection of cut and accuracy of markings. Ie is the blade flexing, is the cut face really 90 when set to 90.

[@charlydarkflo]

Cool I just order mine and a Diablo 60 teeth saw 😁

[@PrimasXD123]

What would be better this or the dewalt 6 1/2 brushless dcd565?

[@Dacoldesttmortician]

Great video very informative.

[@user-yp4ok4nx3k]

I think the chips out the back has more to do with the blade itself!

[@artisonspaintingremodeling]

What part number for the metal atatchable rip guide and where to purchase?

[@michaela3330]

Great video as always. Please advice. Should i get this one, or the makita xsh03? i have both platforms..

[@Shoptoolreviews]

This Ridgid probably has more power, but the Makita is more refined and has some nicer features. Thanks for watching.

[@GEO-xx6sq]

how would you compare this saw vs the kobalt 6 1/2 in left blade saw at lowes?

[@nerdofthings719]

I have one and used it for 4 min and the saw stopped and the lights kept blinking and it won’t work. I bought it two days ago. Anyone else having this issue?

[@woodworking5979]

So got a question do u buy these tools or r they given to u to beta test for ur channel.

[@Arithmetic00]

I have this saw, and it continually bonks out a few inches into the wood, even relatively thin wood. Any idea what’s going on? I’m using the 2AH battery, but the battery is fully charged

[@jakersdp5604]

Yes, that will happen when you're using just a regular 2AH battery. This Subcompact saw, that @Shoptoolreviews is reviewing is MORE THAN LIKELY optimized for the MAX OUTPUT batteries. Which means, it'll need to draw more juice from the 2 extra tabs inside the battery port from said batteries. You'll see 2 metal tabs on the side of the battery port on the saw that don't really connect or even touch anything else metal on your 2AH battery. (unless it's a MAX OUTPUT battery) Think of it as a.. electrical handshake via tool and battery. It's more or less like the Octane line, without the Bluetooth, and without the 21,700 cells. Just 18k cells really. A regular 4AH battery will even get what you need done perhaps because it just has more juice than the 2ah. Now, IF THIS TOOL HAS THOSE TABS, (WHICH IS NOT COVERED IN THIS VIDEO) a 2AH MAX OUTPUT and up will optimize your 18v Subcompact Circular Saw and run as his did or better. oh, and teeth per inch on the saw blade has A LOT to do with how clean the cut is and how it throws saw dust around. I'm an avid Ridgid user and I'm personally going to pick these tools up and review them the right way. Cheers. Hope I helped!

[@Arithmetic00]

@@jakersdp5604 awesome response. i'm a noob and REALLY appreciate it. I will make sure i see those two extra tabs on the battery receiver for the saw, and if so, i'll go get a beefier battery for it. thank you!

[@jakersdp5604]

@@Arithmetic00 You're totally welcome! I haven't picked this tool up yet, so make sure you know what I'm talking about before you go spending money. Good luck!

[@mickcarroll1274]

Use a 4ah max and this saw will rock. Home Depot online runs specials on them frequently on Special Buy of the Day

[@Arithmetic00]

@@mickcarroll1274 Awesome, thank you. i will keep an eye out!

[@eamonaugustine1262]

Nice cured wood ?

[@mattkaminski1900]

Am I the only one that thinks the guard at the bottom is stupid to have plastic at the bottom? 🤷‍♂️

[@gurjindersingh199]

I think it's stupid too

[@TsunauticusIV]

Hey. Do they make a small impact driver, that’s an actual impact driver, that has the ability to switch over to having an actual drill function? Have you ever seen something like that?

[@TsunauticusIV]

The reason I ask is I need an impact driver but I have a very specific operation that requires the solid push of a drill at low speeds but with a lot of steady torque application. I’ve tried several impact drivers and it just doesn’t work. I have to carry a drill and the impact driver. Looking to consolidate if possible.

[@sawyercampion8822]

Some companies like Milwaukee dewalt festool AND BOSH Have multihead drills but no company has exactly what you are asking for

[@Shoptoolreviews]

I don't know of anyone who has what you're asking for. Sorry that we don't have the answer for you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jaredcfw]

Take a look at the Makita xpt02z. I think this does what you're looking for.

[@ProxyFinal]

@@jaredcfw that thing is not cheap.

[@markkruszewski16]

This ridgid or the new ryobi hp 6 1/2 saw?

[@Shoptoolreviews]

If you already have Ridgid batteries, then I'd choose it. If you already have RYOBI batteries, then I'd choose RYOBI. They're really close. Thanks for watching.

[@sexweightsproteinshakes]

Mine broke on the 2nd day

[@TOURMANBOB]

Correction to my previous post. The Home Depot saw at $78 is slightly different from the one on this video. The less expensive one I bought is identical but missing the right hand arm used to hang it, plus the LED light on the saw blade, neither of which bother me in the slightest, and the savings is still considerable.

[@erichhartman2692]

That one is brushed motor

[@ToolsInAction4u]

The $78 one is not the same and less powerful, also battery dies very fast

[@UncleIvan1]

the battery takes up a half of the tools hahahahaha

[@janetrandle6882]

Dude, Why are you putting your left hand so close to the blade?

[@woodworking5979]

Also rigid tool warranty is a joke they want u to give Home Depot 24 dollars to send it off for warranty work so switched all mine to Milwaukee

[@nickdial8528]

@fartpoobox ohyeah Do you think the Ridgid 18v saw is better or as good as the Dewalt 20v line?

[@ridemfast7625]

The local HD has a Tool Rental Center and they deal with all of that, no shipping. Brought them an old brushed drill and they replaced it on the spot with the best brushless kit including 2 bats and charger for free. They also told me to keep the original bat and charger that are still LSA.

[@woodworking5979]

@@ridemfast7625 Got to say dealing with Home Depot in Ridge it wasn’t too bad but they required me to give them $38 to send the drill off then I got it back once they got their drill back

[@ridemfast7625]

@@woodworking5979 Good to know! Didnt know about a $38 retainer fee.

[@woodworking5979]

@@ridemfast7625 yea it’s surprise me I notice no KZbin channel anywhere failed to mention anything about it.

[@Frankiarmz]

Another saw 🙄 if Ridgid cared about sales , and their battery platform owners , they would introduce tools equal to those offered by Ryobi, Milwaukee and the other manufacturers!

[@ridemfast7625]

Well, a lot of the "other tools" are not leaders in their category. Ego, for example, dominates the outdoor tool performance market with Ryobi and Milw not even close. Personally, having a couple different platforms is worth it, "to me". If Ridgid does broaden its offerings, it had better be close to the leader(s) as its current tools are and not just have a "me too" like other brands you mentioned.

[@Frankiarmz]

@@ridemfast7625 dominating does not mean there isn’t plenty of market share still to be had . I have the Milwaukee M18 chainsaw, blower, line trimmer, and hedge trimmer . They are well made , do a great job! I have neighbors who have the similar tools by Ryobi and they are pleased. Ridgid offers such tools in other countries and is missing out on the middle market and plenty of sales here to their battery platform owners.

[@ridemfast7625]

@@Frankiarmz Sure, not a big deal for everyone though because their are better platforms that may cost less money and have better warranties then Milw and Ryobi. Yes, some some may buy other Ridgid offerings, many will not if they are inferior and not at a good price point.

[@Frankiarmz]

@@ridemfast7625 people buy based on many different reasons . I thought for sure that professionals only bought the very best, however I spoke to some folks who preferred inexpensive because they were constantly get robbed. I bought the Ridgid hybrid fan because it had variable speed and it has held up very well . I am not quick to buy based on brand , I factor in my specific needs .

[@realitycheck966]

Will it saw up a Democrat?

[@vanliferr4079]

You would need a reciprocating saw for this

[@monroefive-o40]

Love this little saw. I bought mine as a tool only through Amazon for $100. It has been excellent for framing out an extra bathroom and closet in my basement. I have the RIDGID worm gear framing saw too but it’s a bit heavy for small jobs like this one. I have extra 6ah batteries for my other RIDGID tools that work great for this saw.