RIDGID® FUEGO 6 1/2” Compact Framing Circular Saw (R3203) - Tool Review
This week I had the pleasure of reviewing a brand new FUEGO 6 ½” CIRCULAR SAW BY RIDGID. I was already familiar with the tool, and in fact I’ve used the tool over the past 5 years, so I probably am a bit bias. I liked the tool then, and I like it now. It’s been a trusty companion on many of my projects. However, anyone who uses tools for a living has opinions about pros and cons of any tool. So, let’s break it down on the FUEGO 6 ½” Circular Saw.
The FUEGO comes with a 6 1/2 “ Blade. When this tool first appeared on the market a few years ago, my first thought was where in the world will I find these non-standard size blades? Spring forward to 2012. Today, these blades aren’t really non-standard anymore. Almost everyone that makes blades now has a 6 1/2” version, and they are available everywhere from The Home Depot to Lowe’s to Lowe’s to Amazon.com. Problem solved.
Of course, it’s never a bad thing for a tool to weigh less, and the FUEGO weighs in at 8 lbs. But what was surprising to me was how much I liked the smaller size. That feature has really been beneficial to me on remodeling projects where I need to make cuts in tight areas that my 7 ¼” just can’t reach. And before you get it in your head that a smaller circular saw would be used for specialty jobs only and that you’d need it in addition to your standard 7 ¼” inch saw, let me just say that I’ve found that this tool can compete with any 7 ¼” out there. It cuts through all the standard materials you would expect, and makes quick and accurate miter and bevel cuts. The smaller size combined with the F.A.S.T.™ dust blower system makes for better sight lines resulting in straighter free-hand cuts. And RIDGID has designed this tool to be tough. The composite shoe is designed to withstand a 1 story drop, and that has been very useful on our projects, because as you know, tools get dropped.
The extra long cord (12 ft) saves time, when a quick cut is all that is needed. And the 12 amps provide plenty of power. Quick adjustments on bevel and depth make the RIDGID FUEGO a pleasure to use. And the clearly-visible white on black numbers on the depth scale make it really easy to read.
As with any tool, there are some things I would like to change. I am personally not a big fan of the soft bag design for storage. I would prefer a hard case that I can just throw in the truck. However, overall, I have found the FUEGO 6 ½” Circular Saw to be reliable, powerful and a great value for PROS and DIYers alike.
One more perk: RIDGID provides a lifetime service agreement on this tool, if you sign up for the program within 90 days of purchasing the tool. It provides free maintenance service for normal use and wear and tear of the saw. It doesn't cover accessories of course, like blades, etc.. Of course this only applies to saws purchased new and is for the original owner. You can find the saw (as of July 15,2012) reconditioned for around $75, or you can purchase the saw new from The Home Depot for around $100.
To purchase this saw on Amazon.com: CLICK HERE
For more information: CLICK HERE