Ridgid TS R4520

[Gary G™]

I’m wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if so, how you’ve resolved it?

The Ridgid table saw, R4520, which I bought in Feb ‘24 has demonstrated its flaws.
The trunnion design, IMNSHO, is seriously stupid!
When I first started using this saw, it was smooth as silk.
The adjustments are accurate and it’s powerful enough as my TS at the smaller shop.
However, for the trunnion, they use an aluminum frame with a thin metal plate and a loose bolt to guide the vertical movement.
The plate bends; the bolt moves around and roughs up the aluminum and so, after less than 1 year use, the vertical movement needs repair—hopefully, not replacing.
I’ve removed the back, completely cleaned it, and bent the plate back. The plate is on the thin side and too flexible for its use.

I haven’t spoken to Ridgid yet although I did speak to their local service/repair center. He said the plate is discontinued. Jeez.
My problem is going to be the fact that I bought the saw from my BIL—he had it several years and never used it but it’s now out of the original warranty and I didn’t register it. If he did, which I doubt, I might get lucky.

Interestingly, if the saw blade is tilted first, the vertical movement seems unimpeded. It only seems to be a problem at 90 degrees or so.
So, it’s a big hassle but at least it’s not completely out of commission.

[McApple]

I had the same saw, I used it as a job site saw, and over 10 years it saw very limited use. Five years ago we helped the kids build a cabin, and then later an extension to the cabin; the saw then saw a fair amount of use.

Two years ago, at the end of the addition job, the saw started to have the same problems that you described. SIL currently has the saw, and his solution is to leave the blade elevated, he doesn't use it much, so this works for him. I'm past the point of needing a job site saw, but if I was looking for a new one, it wouldn't be a Rigid.

Interestingly, my contractor friend, who builds everything from garages to custom homes, no longer uses a job site saw. He has numerous CSs, both corded and battery, but mostly battery now, and for precision rips he uses a trac saw.

[rudedan60]

How complicated is the bracket? Could you have one made out of thicker AL or even sheet metal?
If this is the same saw as this one, they have 3 of the bevel BRACKETS in stock or not at this URL: https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-...0/figure-a 
good luck!

[Gary G™]

Carp!
Ridgid sent me a digital copy of the complete parts manual.
This helped me talk to the repair guy down south.
I originally fixed this problem by straightening the plate and leaving the back cover off for easy cleaning access.
Tonight, the saw showed its a$$ again.
The plate was bent worse than before.

I’m going to straighten it for weekend use while I try to learn how to disassemble the arbor.
The mounting plate, which is part of the vertical mechanism, traps the too thin Riving guide—which is seemingly misnamed because the Riving Knife is attached to a separate plate.
Anyway, to replace the bent plate, the mounting plate has to be removed.

I straightened it out again using some milled wood scraps and a C clamp.
This will suffice for the moment.
Once I remove the plate, I should be able to have a thicker replacement made.

Anyone know how to remove the arbor once the blade is off?
The exploded diagram looks like the locknut on the opposite side of the motor has to be removed while holding the arbor from turning.
So far, I couldn’t move it.

[Gary G™]

Ridgid called me this morning.
I’ll follow up in a few weeks.