Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch Brushless Miter Saw Review – R48607B

We love that the tool technology envelope-pushing continues at full speed. That means we get to use tools in ways that we couldn’t, wouldn’t, and sometimes even shouldn’t before (have you seen Kenny put his hand in the paths of the SawStop and Reaxx blades yet?). A big driver of tool technology has been in the battery and motor departments and so it is with the cordless Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch brushless dual bevel miter saw (model R48607B).

Editor’s Note: Check out our best miter saw article for our top recommendations.

First Impressions

Although it’s an indispensable carpentry tool, miter saws like the Ridgid R48607B are typically heavy. The tool’s awkward shape makes it difficult to move and store. And, of course, it’s tethered to a cord. The Ridgid R48607B cordless dual bevel miter saw is much lighter, compact, and mobile. But is it jobsite-ready?

We have a model home in our inventory that we decided to sell. It needed a pocket door installed to divide the living room and master hallway. Because the home was already built, the job was basically a small trim job. We also had some shoe molding and a lot of other punch list work to do. Calling up the Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch brushless miter saw to the big league, we got to work.

Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch Brushless Miter Saw Features

The standout features of the Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 Inch Brushless Miter Saw are the size and weight. At just 24 pounds, I can easily put it on my shoulder to move it where it needs to be or throw it in the front seat of my truck without it taking up much room when it’s not being used. I did have my doubts that it is jobsite ready because it seemed like a toy compared to traditional miter saws (spoiler alert – I would be pleasantly surprised).

There are some robust features in this small package. The dual bevel has left and right positive stops at 0°, 33.9°, 45°, and 48°. There are positive miter detents at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°. The slide allows cuts in deeper stock while the work light illuminates the work area, an LED cut line guides the blade, and a bag collects the dust. You can also hook a vac to the 1-1/4-inch dust collection port. Last but not least, there are advantages to using a brushless motor.

A Lighter Ridgid Brushless Miter Saw

I’ve been doing carpentry in home construction for a couple of decades and now, as a superintendent for Joe Goldsmith Construction, it’s my responsibility not only to make sure our jobs are getting done but to also fill in the gaps when our crews are exceptionally busy and punch list jobs to put the finishing touches on.

I found that I can take the Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 Inch Brushless Miter Saw anywhere quickly – I can run up a flight of stairs with it, put it on the tailgate, or use it in a small space with no problem. It’s especially helpful for making a couple of cuts to button up a job or putting a few pieces of trim in – basically punch list stuff that it wouldn’t make sense to bring in a crew, have them run cords, and set up a workstation to accomplish. Better yet, it keeps the dust down so well I can cut in place, clean up any small mess, and be on to the next job.

Another great feature: it’s a standard 7-1/4-inch circular saw blade. If the blade gets dull, I likely have a blade in the truck that I can replace it with. Even if I don’t have a blade, I don’t have to worry that the store doesn’t have it – it’s a common and widely available size. That gives you an inexpensive alternative to a 60-tooth blade and the option of putting a 7-1/4-inch framing blade on there for a couple of 2x4s or other rough work you don’t want to use your trim blade on.

Beveling with the Ridgid R48607B

The only worry I had with the performance is the small amount of waste that the blade sometimes left behind. It was usually no problem to remove it by hand, but of course, that’s not how it should work and it could cause unsightly tear-out. A slight recalibration of the fence and/or cutline might be needed, but most likely an upgraded blade will take care of it.

The battery life on the Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch dual bevel miter saw impressed us. I’ve used this for all my small trim jobs for over three weeks, and I haven’t charged it. Even so, you have to understand that this is not your workhorse miter. I don’t think that’s a big surprise to anyone. If you’re going to trim a whole house, you’ll probably opt for a corded saw unless you’ve got several batteries charged up in the queue.

If you’re cutting very thick crown molding, something deep with the slide, or harder wood, you might bind the blade if you’re being too aggressive with the cut. Of course, this happens on more powerful corded saws, too. Just keep it in mind that the size and weight of the blade may need extra time for the cut.

Pro Tip: When you’re done using any cordless tool, stick the battery on a charger so the next guy doesn’t get stuck partway through a job!

I really wish the Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch dual bevel miter saw had the slideable fence on both sides instead of just one. As a double bevel miter saw, you want that extra back for crown. That’s a bit of a bummer.

The safety trigger is excellent. You have to push a switch with your finger and then pull the trigger for the blade to turn. The slide works smoothly, and I found the arm lock easy and convenient to use. The detents work well to lock in the miter. The paddle for rotating the Ridgid R48607B saw’s miter table is a far superior design to a threaded screw style.

The Bottom Line

The Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 Inch Brushless Miter Saw is a well-designed, compact, fast, light, and easily portable saw for trim and punch list work. It will save you a bunch of time, hassle, and money as long as you’re not trying to build the world with it.

That the saw takes an easy-to-find 7-1/4 inch saw blade is a big plus. It’s not your workhorse but it certainly has its place on the jobsite for punch lists. I certainly recommend it and the current $379 price tag makes it a steal for this cordless class. Just because of the nature of the work a miter saw is asked to perform, I’d like to see it kitted with a second battery.

Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch Brushless Miter Saw Features

• Powerful motor over 2X more cuts per charge compared to a professional grade competitor kit
• Ergonomic lightweight design weighing only 24 lbs. for ultimate jobsite portability
• Brushless motor technology delivers extended run-time and a longer motor life to increase efficiency on the jobsite
• LED cut line indication and work-light helps illuminate material to improve cut accuracy
• Dual bevel design 0° to 48° left and right bevel with positive stops allows moving the saw head instead of the material
• Miter detents and bevel positive stops for quick adjustment to most common angles
• Built-in dust collection port works with common 1-1/4 in. wet/dry vacuum adapters
• Positive bevel stops positive stops at the most common angles 0°, 33.9°, 45°, and 48°
• Positive miter detents positive stops at the most common angles 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°

Ridgid 18V 7-1/4 inch Brushless Miter Saw Specifications

• Model: Ridgid R48607B
• Power Source: Ridgid 18V Battery
• Blade Diameter: 7-1/4″
• No Load Speed: 3650 RPM
• Maximum Cross Cut Capacity: 2″ x 8″ @ 90 degrees, 2″ x 6″ @ 45 degrees
• Bevel Stops: 0, 33.9, 45, 48 degrees left and right
• Miter Stops: 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 degrees left and right
• Weight: 24 pounds
• Warranty: Lifetime Service Agreement
• Price: $379

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