Ridgid R3203 Saw, Fuego Circular 6 1/2-Inch

by Ridgid

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Ridgid R3203 25418 6-1/2 inch Fuego Circular Saw

Ridgid R3203 6-1/2 inch Fuego Circular Saw View larger.

Rips sheets of plywood with blazing speeds!

Overview
The 6-1/2-inch Fuego circular saw is the world's fastest and lightest framing saw. Features 0 - 50-degree bevel capacity with 45-degree positive stop with quick release design for fast bevel adjustments capable of cutting two times the material at 45-degree in a single pass. 18-tooth thin kerf carbide tipped blade for smooth cross and rip cuts as well as longer life. Externally accessible brushes minimizes downtime. Composite shoe has high strength composite shoe designed to withstand up to a one story drop. Integrated F.A.S.T. dust blower helps to clear cut line for improved accuracy.

Specifications:

Input: 120-volt AC, 12-amps.

No Load Speeds: 6100 r/min.

Arbor Size: 5/8-inch

Blade Diameter: 6-1/2-inch

Cutting Depth: 2-1/8-inches @ 90-degrees, 1-5/8 inch @ 45-degrees, 1-1/2 inch@ 50-degrees

Tool Weight: 8 pounds

What's in the Box
Includes Carbide tipped blade, hex wrench, and heavy-duty bag.

Warranty information
Limited three-year warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee policy. This warranty covers all defects in workmanship or materials in this Ridgid tool for the three year period from the date of purchase. This warranty is specific to this tool. Warranties for other Ridgid products may vary.

Product Description

Includes 12 Amp, 6-1/2-in Fuego Compact Framing Saw - ZRR3203, Carbide Tipped Blade, Hex Wrench, Heavy-Duty Bag

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 13.9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001W0ZI4K
• Item model number: R3203
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,480 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great saw to use, November 17, 2009

By 

Remodeling in SoCal (Monrovia, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ridgid R3203 Saw, Fuego Circular 6 1/2-Inch (Tools & Home Improvement)

Very surprised that I like this saw as much as I do., as I prefer left blade but some cuts are better with a right blade saw. Most right saws have poor sight line of the cut. This saw has usable front and rear indicators as well as the blade itself from the left side, which is where I prefer to look at. Cuts straight freehand in part due to sight line is kept clear, low friction base , feels good in balance and handling and hi speed cut. Got a good review in tools of the trade. All the plastic makes me concerned, but it does have a lifetime service agreement[at least on the ones bought at HD]. HD stores do not not carry them any longer as the constantly discontinue items for who knows what reasons other than sales figures. I did have to tighten the rear shoe rivet . Generic bag is OK but prefer molded case for protection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Killer Saw, August 26, 2009

By 

Steve (Wenatchee, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ridgid R3203 Saw, Fuego Circular 6 1/2-Inch (Tools & Home Improvement)

This saw is great. I use one every day framing houses. It only cuts a half inch less than the 7 1/4 saws, but its light and has plenty of power. Very precise. It also comes with a long cord which is always handy. I'd definitely buy another Ridgid.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to go wrong with this, May 4, 2011

By 

mad mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ridgid R3203 Saw, Fuego Circular 6 1/2-Inch (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have a cheap circular saw I bought 15 years ago for an emergency need. I dislike buying tools like this in general because (for circular saws in particular) your faced with a daunting range of products ranging from 10's of dollars to a couple hundred without comprehending the reasons for the broad price range. Not knowing any better, I therefore grabbed the cheapest saw at $40. It got me through my immediate need but after trying to cut straight lines with it for later projects, the reason for the name on the blade guard became apparent because it required allot of skill (not to mention luck) to get good results with it. The basic problem is the base is so small and wobbly it is hard to guide and just cannot be relied on for anything other than a rough cut even if I use a straight edge.

Needless to say, I've been looking for an excuse to replace it for a long time. No matter how badly I treated that saw, it never would quit (is it just me that when I need a tool to break it doesn't...and visa versa?). But a couple weeks ago I found my excuse. I had a job to do on the house that required I get up as close as possible to a wall. The actual dimension wasn't critical, but 1"-ish was desirable. My current saw has a relatively large spacing between the blade and the right side of the base (as it seems most saws with stamped bases have), about 1.75".

I started looking at the small cordless saws but truth be told the idea of running a power hungry saw from a battery just seems like a bad idea for so many reasons, so I started concentrating on the corded ones. Indeed it was possible to find a few 7 1/4" saws with relatively small clearances. Then I noticed this one at an orange colored big box store. At first I ignored it. It sits there with the 7 1/4" saws and in comparison it looks like a toy. I wasn't going to fall into that trap again. I started looking at a Makita right next to it, so on a whim I picked them both up to compare.

That's when everything changed. The Ridgid is noticeably lighter than any other saw I was looking at, yet also very sturdy and well built. The handles are well placed and make the saw comfortable to hold. Upon further study I noticed the base is a composite material and the guards are Magnesium. That's where the weight savings come from (and despite some reviews questioning the "plastic" base, composites have found their way into cars and modern aircraft structures so question it's strength and durability no more). Even though the blade is smaller than the typical circular saw (6.5" vs. 7.25") the motor at 13 amps is the same size as most other circular saws in this price range but also spins the blade faster, presumably to improve the cutting speed of the smaller blade. Furthermore, in spite of it's smaller size the base is actually much larger than my old saw and seemed very firm. The adjustments are very easy to make and the depth and angle scales are very easy to read. Most critically for my immediate need: The smaller size also puts the blade closer to the edge of the base (a bit more than an inch) than almost any circular saw I looked at.

All in all, this is a very impressive and very well thought out saw once you get past the diminutive size. Then you start to think...what does that extra 3/8" radius on a blade buy you? Probably nothing in real terms. In less than five minutes of handling the Ridgid my opinion completely changed and I bought it.

After I got home I installed the included blade and made a few test cuts in plywood. The motor is indeed powerful and will cut pretty much as fast as you care to push it. I could easily guide the saw reasonably straight by hand and the resulting cut was reasonably smooth. Very impressive! I have since moved on to and nearly completed my project where it has performed with aplomb.

If you are in the market for a circular saw, do not overlook this one. It does so many things very well and even the bundled blade is quite good, a pleasant surprise. It lacks a case (either hard or soft), which is about the only negative I can think of.