Comparison Ryobi RTMS-1800G vs Ryobi RTS-1800G

The device describes first of all the general principle of operation of the saw. The variety of modern saw is quite large: chain saw, ( band saw ( for wood and metal), reciprocating saw (including alligators), circular saw (including gas cutters), miter saw, cutting saw, combined saw, radial-cantilever saw. Here are the main features of these varieties :

- Chain. Saws, the working element of which is a chain with teeth of a special shape. The chain is closed in a ring and during operation moves along an oval-shaped guide bar. In common parlance, the name “chainsaw” most often means this particular type of saw, but chain units can also be electric. In general, chain saw are widely used both for wood (felling trees, trimming branches, etc.) and for other materials - in particular, for concrete and ice. Almost all instruments of this design are portable (see “Type”)

— Tape on wood. All band saw use a looped metal band with teeth as a working element. At the same time, unlike chain models, there is no tire in the design, and the necessary rigidity of the belt...is achieved solely through the tension between two rollers. As for tape models specifically for wood, they are all made exclusively stationary (see “Type”) - this is one of the key differences from similar tools for metal (another difference is the design features of the blade itself).

— Tape for metal. Band saw designed for working on metal. In addition to the design features of the tape itself, they differ from wood models (see above) in that this type of saw can be made both stationary and portable. At the same time, hand-held band saw can be a good alternative to traditional hacksaws - although they are noticeably more expensive and heavier, and also require a power source, they have higher productivity and require virtually no effort.

- Saber. A type of saw, also called “electric hacksaw”. According to the key principle of operation, they are similar to conventional hacksaws: the blade of such a saw moves back and forth during operation. One of the key advantages of reciprocating saw is their compactness, which allows them to be used in cramped spaces where there is not enough space for a circular saw or chain saw. At the same time, replacement blades are quite universal; they are produced for different materials: wood, metal, concrete, stone. And some blades allow you to make neat cuts even in a combined material - for example, a roof that combines wood, roofing felt and metal.

— Circular (disc). The working element in such saw is a rotating rim with teeth (for wood) or a diamond abrasive coating (for stone, glass and other special materials). It allows you to make straight cuts quickly and easily, but the depth of cut is limited by the radius of the blade. Note that some types of saw described below also use a disc, but due to their specialization they are divided into separate categories. Specifically, circular saw can be either portable or stationary; the second type is usually made in the form of a table with the edge of the rim protruding above the surface - this makes it easier to work with long parts.

- Trimming. A variant of a circular saw designed for cross-sections of processed materials - boards, slabs, beams, etc. They have only a stationary structure (see “Type”), and the cutting rim can rise and fall relative to the base. On the base there is a platform with a mount for the workpiece; Many models are equipped with additional stops for long parts and/or devices for placing workpieces at an angle. When such a saw operates, the rotating rim is lowered onto the workpiece at the point of the cut, ensuring cutting; Most models allow the disc to be tilted relative to the base, for bevel cuts.

- Combined. Saws that allow two options for use - both as a miter saw and as a stationary circular saw. See above for more information about these varieties. Here we note that the combination saw resembles a miter tool, the upper moving part of which (with the motor and rim) is equipped with an additional table. Thanks to this, you can also use the saw as a stationary “circular saw” - by lowering the rim all the way and securing it in this position. The main disadvantage of such universal models is their rather high cost, which is why they are used mainly in the professional field.

- Cut-off. A specific type of miter saw, designed exclusively for working on metal - for cutting metal tubes, rods, profile elements and other parts where a large cutting length is not required. The design of such units is almost completely similar to cross-cut units, with the exception of the type of disks used and more powerful motors.

— Radial-cantilever. A specific type of miter saw. They use a cutting mechanism in the form of a rim, but it is installed not under the desktop, but above it, on a console - a special design that resembles a miniature crane. The “boom” of this crane can be rotated from side to side, and the cutting disc can be moved back and forth on it and rotated relative to the vertical. This makes the saw very maneuverable and expands its capabilities, but has a noticeable impact on its dimensions and cost.

- Petrol cutter. In fact, a gas cutter is a modification of a circular saw (see above), equipped, as the name suggests, with a gasoline engine. Such engines combine high power and autonomy; Their features are described in more detail in paragraph “Power source”. Here we note that gas cutters work well not only with wood, but also with concrete, stone and other similar materials, due to which they are widely used in construction and rescue work.

— Alligator. A peculiar modification of reciprocating saw (see the corresponding paragraph). Alligator instruments have two blades moving back and forth in antiphase: while one blade moves forward, the other moves backward. Due to this, the accuracy and safety of work significantly increases - the mutual movement of the blades reduces the risk that the saw may be pulled to the side. On the other hand, the cut is wider, and the tools themselves are more bulky, heavy and expensive than reciprocating saw.

The maximum speed of the disk, provided by a saw of the appropriate design — disk, cut-off, etc. (see "Device").

Note that most of these saws use gearboxes, so that the blade revolutions are much lower than the engine revolutions (see above). This achieves an increase in torque, which in the case of saws is often more important than the high speed of the blade.

As for the specific number of revolutions, it is first of all worth noting that only saws with the same disc diameter can be compared according to this indicator. In these cases, higher speeds provide better performance, but the trade-off is reduced torque; such saws do better with relatively "light" materials. Conversely, low speeds reduce productivity, but allow the blade to effectively "bite" even into dense, stubborn workpieces. More specific recommendations regarding the choice of a saw according to the number of revolutions of the blade can be found in special sources.

The greatest depth of cut provided by the saw.

In most types of saws (see “Device”), the depth of cut directly depends on both the engine power and the size of the tyre / disk. The specifications give a value for the maximum allowable size of the working nozzle; when using nozzles of a smaller size, the depth of cut, respectively, will be less. But in band saws, this depth is rather weakly related to the actual length of the tape — it is determined primarily by the length of the open section of the tape, which is directly involved in the work.

Anyway, the greater depth of cut makes the tool more versatile, but comes at the cost of weight, price, and electricity/fuel consumption. So when choosing, it is worth considering the real features of the planned work and the dimensions of the workpieces that are planned to be cut. As for specific values, the most modest tools provide a depth of up to 50 mm ; 50 – 75 mm is considered a low indicator, 75 – 100 mm is average, 100 – 125 mm is above average, 125 – 150 mm is already quite an impressive thickness, and the most powerful modern saws can have a cutting depth of more than 150 mm.

The largest angle at which the working part of the saw can be rotated relative to the standard position (note that we are not talking about tilt, but about turning from side to side). This feature is often found in miter saws (see Device) which are not limited to straight cuts; turning the saw is the most convenient, and sometimes the only way to cut the workpiece obliquely.

— Chain brake. A device that ensures the saw stops during the so-called. reverse kick. In accordance with the name, it is used in chain saw (see “Device”). Kickback can occur, in particular, when the very tip (toe) of the tire comes into contact with the material being processed. The bar and chain are thrown towards the operator, which can lead to injury. To avoid this, a chain brake is provided: during a reverse strike, it stops the saw almost instantly.

— Anti-vibration system. Various design solutions that reduce tool vibration during operation. Strong vibrations, especially long-term ones, negatively affect the quality of work and condition of the tool, and also lead to rapid fatigue of the operator; The anti-vibration system allows to eliminate these phenomena to a certain extent.

— Keyless chain tension. Possibility of adjusting chain tension in chain saw (see “Device”) without the use of special tools - wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. This function is especially convenient in light of the fact that during more or less long-term operation, the saw needs to be periodically checked and, if necessary, the chain must be tightened right on the spot - and this is more convenient to do without unnecessary devices.

— Oil-free saw set. Saws that do not require additional lubrication of sawing equipment. Such models...are unsuitable for long, productive cuts and are suitable for minor work. But the absence of the need for lubrication greatly simplifies the maintenance of the device and “keeping it in shape.”

- Smooth start. A special control system used in electric saw (see “Power source”). Without a soft start, the electric motor “starts” very abruptly, which leads to jerking of the saw and creates the risk of letting go of it. In addition, when started in this way, the tool consumes high currents, creating a significant load on the electrical network. The soft start system allows you to avoid these phenomena: the electronics limit the starting currents of the electric motor, avoiding tool jerks and voltage surges in the network.

— Electronic engine protection. A protection system that turns off power to the saw motor in the event of a critical increase in load - for example, when the disk/chain jams. Such systems are used in electric saw (see “Power source”). They help avoid damage to the unit due to overload. At the same time, we note that the electronic protection is reusable; after it is triggered and the problem is eliminated, it is enough to turn on the power again - and the saw can be used again.

— Brushless motor. The presence of a brushless (brushless) motor in an electric saw (see “Power source”). Such electric motors have a number of advantages over traditional commutator motors: in particular, they are more economical in terms of energy consumption, less noisy, and do not spark, which can be important in conditions of increased fire danger. The disadvantages of brushless motors are complexity and high cost.

— Engine brake. A device that additionally brakes the engine when the tool is turned off. The engine itself (and, accordingly, the working attachment) after switching off can still rotate for quite a long time by inertia; the brake stops this rotation almost immediately, so you don’t have to hold the tool suspended for extra time.

— Safety clutch. A device that protects the operator from sudden jerks, as well as the engine from damage due to a sharp increase in load. In such cases, the overload clutch disconnects the motor shaft, avoiding overload. Note that such devices can be either reusable or disposable - the latter are destroyed when triggered, and to continue operation you will need to install a new coupling.

— Laser marker. A kind of “target designator” that allows you to clearly determine where the cut will go. To do this, a clearly visible line is projected onto the workpiece, the location of which corresponds to the location of the future cut.

— Backlight. Lighting system built into the saw. This feature is definitely desirable when working in low light conditions. However, it can also be useful in bright external light: the place of work is often in the shadow (for example, from the tool itself), and without special lighting it can be difficult to work in such conditions.

— Speed regulator. The ability to limit the rotation speed of the saw motor (and, accordingly, the speed of the blade). This function is essentially a smooth speed control; it is especially useful in cases where full speed is not required - for example, when working with soft materials that require delicate processing.

— Maintaining speed. A function that ensures maintaining a constant engine speed (and, accordingly, a constant blade speed) regardless of the load on the tool. To do this, the tool’s automation regulates the output power depending on the current load: when the load increases, the power increases, when it decreases, it decreases. Permanent operating speed has a positive effect on both the quality of the cut and the service life of the blade and the durability of the entire tool.

— Stationary installation. Possibility of installing a portable saw (see “Type”) in a stationary manner. Most often, this feature is provided in circular saw (see “Device”), and for a stationary installation such a saw is usually turned “upside down” and fixed on a workbench or other base - thus, the sole turns into an impromptu work table. In addition, there are reciprocating saw with a similar function. In them, a stationary installation means the ability to secure the saw directly to the workpiece using a clamp - this allows you to make an even cut without the need to hold the saw suspended and constantly control its position in your hands.

— Water cooling (coolant). The saw has a water cooling system. In this case, we are talking about cooling the workpiece and the blade: water is constantly supplied to the cutting site using a special pump. Thanks to this, the heating of the blade is reduced, its service life is increased, the quality of the cut is improved and the amount of dust generated during sawing is noticeably reduced. The method of collecting water supply may be different: some models need to be connected to a water supply, others are equipped with their own water tanks. Note that water cooling is not required for sawing wood; but when working on stone, concrete and other hard and dense materials, it can be very useful.

— Keyless blade replacement. Possibility of replacing the saw blade without using wrenches, screwdrivers or other special tools. In other words, to replace the blade, the user does not have to look for an additional tool - you can open the fasteners, change the blade and secure it manually.

— Pendulum stroke. The presence of a pendulum function in the reciprocating saw (see “Device”). With this stroke, the blade, making a reverse movement, deviates slightly from the cutting line in the direction opposite to the teeth. This increases the cutting speed, reduces the heating of the blade and makes it easier to remove sawdust from the working area. At the same time, the pendulum stroke somewhat reduces the quality of the cut and is not suitable for curved lines. Therefore, this function is usually made switchable, and in some models it is also adjustable: using the switch you can change the amplitude of the pendulum.

— Display. The display shows important information about the operating modes of the saw. This can be: current strength, cutting speed, number of passes, operating time, etc. The information displayed on the screen depends on the modification of the sawing tool.

— Synchronization with a smartphone. The ability to connect the instrument with a smartphone or other gadget (for example, a tablet) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The mobile application can provide information about the condition of the saw: battery charge level, temperature, etc., and proprietary software often warns the user about the need to service the tool or replace parts. Some stationary saw support remote control from a smartphone (turn on/off, adjust speed, select operating mode, configure various parameters, etc.). Finally, the mobile application can be used to set a password for starting the tool or logging work performed.

- Disc. The presence of a saw blade is included in the delivery set of the circular tool. It can be either one or several, which allows you to use the saw “out of the box” without the need to purchase additional consumables. If you already have a saw blade or intend to select it for specific tasks, it is worth taking a closer look at the configurations without a blade - they are usually cheaper.

- Chain. One or more chains included as standard with the saw. The presence of a chain with teeth for cutting allows you to do without purchasing a separate executive body for chain saw. However, there are configurations without a chain - it is assumed that the customer already has a chain or he will select the required option himself.

— Saw blade. The presence of one or more saw blades in the complete set of a reciprocating or band tool. They ensure that the saw is ready for use literally immediately after unpacking. There are also configurations of reciprocating or band models without a saw blade - they are cheaper, and the customer has the right to choose a suitable blade independently.

— Dust collector. A dust collector is included with the saw. The dust collector is a container for collecting sawdust and other d...ebris generated during operation; As a rule, such a container is made removable. Installing a dust collector slightly increases the dimensions of the entire tool, but this is compensated by cleanliness and convenience: dust and other production waste mostly settle in the container and not on surrounding objects.

- Charger. The presence of a charging block in the package allows you to charge batteries. Accordingly, for models with batteries, this accessory is necessary to power the battery. However, there are models without a charger. And saw with it may differ in the charger model, the name of which will allow you to learn more about its characteristics and, if necessary or if required (breakdown), purchase a similar one.

— Case (bag). Availability of a case or bag included with the instrument. A case is a container-suitcase made of hard material; bags are usually made of soft material. This way the case provides maximum protection and the bag can be folded away compactly when not in use. The specific type of case that comes with the saw should be specified separately. However, in any case, a complete case or bag will be more convenient for storing and transporting the instrument than impromptu packaging.

- Stand. The stand makes the saw tool more stable, reliable and safe. The presence of a stand is typical for stationary type saw. Mostly these are powerful, productive, large and heavy models that are located in a separate place. The stand can be implemented either with classic legs (bed) or with a cabinet with a tool compartment. The stand can be equipped with various types of saw: circular saw, miter saw, band saw, cutting saw and even chain saw (with electric drive).

— Wheels for transportation. Transport wheels make it easy to move sawing equipment around the shop. The presence of wheels will come in handy when the saw needs to be moved a little to install some large workpieces or simply when cleaning the workshop. As a rule, wheels are typical for stationary saw with a table top or work holder.

The size of the desktop provided in the design of the tool.

The working table is called the plane on which the workpiece is placed; it is found exclusively in stationary saws (see "Type") — in particular, circular and combined (see "Device"). The larger the desktop, the more convenient it is to use a saw with large materials; on the other hand, this nuance directly affects the dimensions of the tool.

General dimensions of the saw. For a stationary tool (see "Type"), this parameter determines primarily the amount of space that will be required for installation; problems with this can only arise in very tight spaces, so in most cases the dimensions of a stationary saw do not need to be given special attention. In the case of hand-held models, the small size makes it easier to work in hard-to-reach places and improves overall usability. On the other hand, a compact tool inevitably turns out to be low-power; and some jobs by definition require large, heavy saws, with large bar lengths or blade diameters.

The total weight of the tool. For petrol models (see "Power Source"), usually, dry weight is indicated, excluding fuel.

In general, it makes sense to pay attention to this parameter primarily when choosing a hand tool. At the same time, note that higher power, a more capacious battery or a capacious tank will inevitably affect weight. However, tools with similar characteristics can and do differ markedly in weight. And here it is worth considering that a lighter model will be more comfortable to work with, but weight reduction may affect reliability and/or cost. In addition, a more massive tool is more stable, it is not so prone to jerks under uneven loads. If we talk about specific numbers, then a weight of 3 kg or less is considered very light, 3–5 kg is relatively small, 5–7 kg is medium, 7–10 kg is significant, and some powerful tools (mainly gasoline) weigh and over 10 kg.

As for stationary saws, weight is of secondary importance for them — it mainly affects the ease of transportation.