The Ryobi RTS12 is a compact table saw for narrow ripping, trim, shelving parts, and a garage where storage matters more than sheet capacity. Its 15-amp motor, 10-inch blade, folding stand, and current $229 manufacturer price look competitive. The catch is decisive: Ryobi lists only 12 inches of rip capacity to the right of the blade.
That limit changes the whole review. The RTS12 can be useful for dimensional lumber and narrow project parts. It is a poor primary table saw for buyers expecting to rip full plywood sheets, wide cabinet sides, or 24-inch panels against the fence.
Verify the exact saw: This review covers current model RTS12 with the RTS12T folding stand. Ryobi's page is the clearest purchase route because marketplace results mix saws, throat plates, stands, and older models.
See the RTS12 at RyobiVerdict at a Glance
| Buyer need | RTS12 fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow rips in boards and project stock | Good | The 12-inch right-side capacity covers many small parts. |
| Compact storage with a bundled stand | Good | The folding stand is part of the current package. |
| Rip a 4x8 sheet down the middle against the fence | Poor | A 24-inch rip needs roughly twice the RTS12’s right-side capacity. |
| Cut 3-inch stock at 90 degrees | Good | Ryobi lists a 3-inch maximum depth at 90 degrees. |
| Use wide dado cuts | Limited | Ryobi permits up to 1/2 inch with a separate throat plate. |
| Furniture work needing a broader, easier-adjusted fence range | Weak | A wider rack-and-pinion alternative is easier to justify. |
Buy it when compact storage and narrow-stock work define the shop. Skip it when the project list includes sheet goods, wide cabinet panels, or repeated fence settings beyond 12 inches.
RTS12 Specifications
Ryobi’s current product page and manual provide the numbers that matter:
| Specification | Ryobi RTS12 | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 15 amp, 120V | Standard jobsite-saw electrical class. |
| No-load speed | 5,000 rpm | A headline speed, not a substitute for the right blade and feed rate. |
| Blade | 10 inches | Common blade diameter with up to 3-inch cut depth at 90 degrees. |
| Rip capacity, right | 12 inches | The principal limitation. |
| Rip capacity, left | 7 inches | Useful for narrow operations only. |
| Cut depth at 90 degrees | 3 inches | Handles common 2x material and many project parts. |
| Cut depth at 45 degrees | 2.5 inches | Adequate for common bevel work within the fence limit. |
| Dado width | Up to 1/2 inch with separate throat plate | Narrower than the 5/8-inch capacity of the SKIL alternative. |
| Stand | Folding RTS12T stand included | Improves storage and portability without building a cart first. |
The 10-inch blade gets most of the attention, but rip capacity decides what the saw can guide accurately against its fence. Blade diameter affects depth. It does not create table width.
The 12-Inch Rip Limit
A 12-inch right-side capacity means the fence can guide a finished strip up to 12 inches wide on that side of the blade. That works for shelf strips, narrow cabinet components, face-frame stock, flooring, and many small-shop parts.
It does not support a 24-inch rip through the centre of a standard 48-inch sheet. It also leaves no room for common 16-, 18-, or 24-inch cabinet panels against the fence.
You can break down a sheet first with a track saw or a circular saw and straightedge, then use the RTS12 for final narrow cuts. That is a valid workflow when the shop already owns the breakdown tool. It is not the same as the RTS12 being a sheet-goods saw.
This distinction protects both accuracy and safety. Wrestling a large unsupported sheet across a compact table is not fixed by removing the fence or improvising an unstable extension.
What Comes in the Box
The current RTS12 package includes more than the saw body:
- RTS12T folding stand and mounting hardware;
- 10-inch general-purpose blade;
- blade guard and riving knife;
- anti-kickback pawls;
- rip fence;
- miter gauge;
- push stick; and
- blade wrenches.
Inventory the safety parts before assembly, especially on an open-box or used saw. A low price is not a bargain if the guard, riving knife, fence, or stand hardware is missing.
Fence, Alignment, and First Setup
Every table saw needs alignment checks before the first project. Confirm that the blade is parallel to the miter reference, the fence locks parallel to the blade, the riving knife aligns with the blade, and the 0- and 45-degree stops agree with an independent square.
Do not use the printed scale as proof that the fence is square or the cut width is exact. Measure from the same blade tooth at the front and rear, then calibrate the scale after mechanical alignment is correct.
The compact table makes infeed and outfeed support more important, not less. Long boards can lever against the blade or lift from the surface when support is missing. Arrange stable support that does not interfere with the guard or operator position.
Blade and Dado Decisions
The included blade is a starting point. Match tooth count and geometry to the material and cut rather than treating one blade as universal. A clean crosscut blade, ripping blade, and general-purpose blade solve different problems.
Ryobi lists up to a 1/2-inch dado width with the correct separate throat plate. That is a model-specific limit. Do not install a wider stack because another 10-inch saw permits it. Arbor length, guard configuration, throat plate, and manual approval all matter.
For buyers who expect regular dado work, SKIL lists up to 5/8 inch for the TS6307-00 and gives much wider rip capacity. That is a meaningful workflow advantage, not a small specification win.
Ryobi RTS12 vs SKIL TS6307-00
The SKIL is the better comparison than a cabinet saw because it remains a portable 15-amp, 10-inch jobsite model with an integrated stand.
| Feature | Ryobi RTS12 | SKIL TS6307-00 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 15 amp | 15 amp |
| Blade speed | 5,000 rpm | 4,600 rpm |
| Right-side rip | 12 inches | 25.5 inches |
| Depth at 90 degrees | 3 inches | 3.5 inches |
| Dado width | Up to 1/2 inch | Up to 5/8 inch |
| Fence system | Conventional compact fence | Rack-and-pinion rails |
| Stand | Folding stand included | Integrated folding stand |
| Best fit | Narrow parts and the smallest purchase | Wider panels and a more capable primary jobsite saw |
The Ryobi wins when price, simple storage, and narrow work are the real requirements. The SKIL wins when the table saw must handle 24-inch-class rips, deeper 90-degree cuts, or a broader fence workflow.
See the exact SKIL TS6307-00 on Amazon. Confirm the model suffix and package before checkout; accessory-only listings use similar names.
Safety Features Are Not Optional Accessories
Use the riving knife, blade guard, and anti-kickback pawls whenever the operation permits them. Use a push stick for narrow cuts, keep hands out of the blade path, and stand away from the direct kickback line.
Never reach over a moving blade, remove offcuts while the blade spins, or use the fence and miter gauge together in a way that traps the workpiece. Disconnect power before blade changes, alignment work, or clearing a jam.
The narrow table does not make the saw less dangerous. It makes support, stance, and workpiece control more important.
Who Should Buy the RTS12
The RTS12 fits a DIYer building small shelves, garden boxes, trim assemblies, narrow storage parts, and other projects that rarely require a fence setting beyond 12 inches. It also fits a garage where the saw must fold away after each use.
It can work in a two-tool sheet workflow: use a track saw or guided circular saw for the first breakdown, then use the RTS12 for repeatable narrow parts.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if this will be the only stationary cutting tool for cabinet or sheet-goods work. A 12-inch right-side rip is not enough for the common panel widths that define those projects.
Also skip it if the saw will be used daily, if repeatable wide rips are routine, or if a rack-and-pinion fence is important to your process. The SKIL TS6307-00 asks for more money and space but removes the RTS12’s largest constraint.
Final Verdict
The Ryobi RTS12 is a narrowly capable, easy-to-store table saw, and the narrow part is literal. Its 12-inch right-side rip capacity should appear before the motor speed, blade diameter, or stand in every buying decision.
Buy it for compact storage and narrow project stock. Do not buy it expecting a full-width sheet-goods workflow. If 24-inch panels, wider cabinets, or a more versatile primary saw are on the project list, the SKIL TS6307-00 is the stronger purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ryobi RTS12 rip capacity?
Ryobi lists 12 inches to the right of the blade and 7 inches to the left.
Can it rip a full sheet of plywood in half?
Not against its fence. A centred rip of a 48-inch sheet needs roughly 24 inches of right-side capacity. Break the sheet down with another guided tool or choose a wider saw.
Does the RTS12 include a stand?
Yes. The current package includes the RTS12T folding stand and mounting hardware.
Can it use a dado stack?
Ryobi lists up to 1/2 inch with the correct separate dado throat plate. Follow the current manual and do not exceed the approved width.
Sources
See Also
If you are weighing this model, also compare it with Skil 15 Amp Jobsite Table Saw Review: Key Trade-Offs for DIY Cuts, Einhell Table Saw Review: Key Trade-Offs Before You Buy, and Hitachi Miter Saw Review: What to Know Before Buying.
For broader context before you decide, Hot Glue vs. Wood Glue: Which One Works Best for Quick Crafts? and California Air Tools 10020C Air Compressor Review help round out the trade-offs.