Ryobi 5-1/2" Flooring Saw

Embarking on a flooring project can be a daunting task, especially when it involves a variety of materials like luxury vinyl tile (LVT), laminates, and hardwoods. I recently had the opportunity to try out the Ryobi 5-1/2" Flooring Saw (model PGC21B), and I found it to be a mixed bag of convenience and minor frustrations. Here’s my in-depth take on this tool.

Design and Portability

One of the standout features of this flooring saw is its portability. Weighing in at just 15 pounds and equipped with an integrated carry handle, it's easy to move around the workspace. This is particularly handy for those of us who prefer to bring the tool to the work area rather than hauling heavy flooring materials back and forth. The compact size also means it doesn’t take up much space in the workshop or on the job site.

Setup and Usability

Setting up the Ryobi flooring saw is straightforward. It comes with a miter fence, a rip fence, and a push stick, all of which store conveniently underneath the saw table. This on-board storage is a nice touch, ensuring that essential accessories are always within reach. However, the process of changing from rip cuts to crosscuts can be a bit time-consuming, as it involves swapping out fences and ensuring they are square.

The tool is battery-powered, running on Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ platform. This makes it incredibly convenient for use in areas without easy access to power outlets. I used a 9.0 Ah battery, which provided ample power for a full day’s work, cutting up to 240 linear feet of material. For larger jobs, having a second battery on hand is advisable to avoid downtime.

Cutting Performance

The saw is designed to handle miter, rip, and crosscuts on various flooring materials. It boasts an RPM of up to 6,500, which is impressive for a cordless tool. I found it particularly effective for crosscuts, making clean, precise cuts with ease. The included thin kerf flooring blade performs adequately, though it struggles a bit with rip cuts, especially when the battery starts to drain. For more demanding rip cuts, a fresh battery is essential to maintain performance.

Accuracy and Adjustments

Accuracy is a critical factor in any cutting tool, and this is where the Ryobi flooring saw shows both strengths and weaknesses. The miter attachment is fairly accurate, but I found it beneficial to double-check with a speed square for critical cuts. The saw only pivots in one direction, so occasionally, workpieces need to be flipped for specific angles.

One of the more frustrating aspects is visibility. The blade guard tends to cloud with dust quickly, making it challenging to see the cutting line. Additionally, the indexing mark for crosscuts is positioned far from the start of the cut, which can impact precision. A laser guide would significantly enhance the user experience by providing a clear line of sight.

Dust Collection

Dust management is an area where this tool could use improvement. The saw is equipped with a dust port compatible with 1-1/4" vacuum accessories, and it comes with a dust collection bag. While the bag does catch a significant amount of debris, it tends to fill up quickly and can easily dislodge. For indoor use, I highly recommend connecting a shop vac to the dust port, which does a better job of containing the mess.

Limitations

Despite its many advantages, the Ryobi flooring saw has some limitations. The rip capacity is restricted to pieces between 1" and 4-1/2" wide, which can be a deal-breaker for certain projects. This limitation meant that some of the rip cuts I needed to make were impossible with this tool, forcing me to revert to a table saw. The blade also struggles with solid hardwoods, sometimes leaving burn marks, which is less than ideal for visible cuts.

Another minor gripe is the blade change process. The blade guard is secured with multiple screws, making it somewhat cumbersome to swap out blades. A quicker change system would be a welcome improvement.

Safety Features

On the safety front, the Ryobi flooring saw does well. It includes a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls, which provide an added layer of protection. The saw also features a trigger lockout, though it took me a while to figure out its operation. Once mastered, it’s a useful feature for preventing accidental starts.

Final Thoughts

The Ryobi 5-1/2" Flooring Saw is a versatile and portable tool that excels in making crosscuts and minor rip cuts on a variety of flooring materials. Its lightweight design and battery operation make it incredibly convenient for use in different locations, and the integrated storage keeps essential accessories close at hand. However, it does have some notable drawbacks, including limited rip capacity, visibility issues due to dust accumulation, and a somewhat cumbersome blade change process.

Would I recommend this tool? Yes, but with reservations. If you’re tackling a large flooring project and need a portable, battery-powered saw that can handle a variety of cuts, this is a solid choice. However, for more precise or extensive rip cuts, you may need to supplement it with a table saw. The Ryobi flooring saw is a valuable addition to your toolkit, especially if you prioritize portability and versatility over absolute precision and ease of use.