Ridgid R8604B Compact Band Saw Review: Variable Speed to 680 SFPM for Controlled Cutting

R8604B Overview

Ridgid R8604B Compact Band Saw cuts 2 1/2 in.

A cordless compact band saw with 2 1/2 in. cutting depth lets you move from pipe to strut without changing tools.

Ridgid R8604B Compact Band Saw delivers that with an 18 Volts platform and a high speed steel blade, so the size limit stays tied to a battery tool.

We screened 12 Compact Band Saws and chose 8 for full review. R8604B made that group because it had 10 buyer ratings, the 5th most of the 12 screened. This page is for you if you want the 18V tool-only option and need the cutting figure stated here.

The Short Answer on the R8604B

Best for: you need an 18 V compact band saw that can cut 2-in. pipe and strut, but weight is not your main concern.

Choose the R8604B if you want a bare-tool 18 V saw with 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity for around $189.95.

• Pro: The 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity handles stock that many service-run cuts demand.
• Pro: Its 18 Volts and 32-7/8 in. blade length give you a cordless setup sized for routine compact saw work.
• Pro: The variable speed dial reaches 680 SFPM, so you can slow the blade for controlled cuts.
• Con: At 10.63 pounds, it is not a light carry for ladder work or repeated overhead cuts.
• Con: It is tool only, so you still need an 18 V battery and charger before you can use it.

Don’t buy this if: you need a saw at or under 8 pounds for easy overhead handling.

Price assessment: $189.95 is a fair price for an 18 V bare tool with this cutting capacity.

New users should start by finding the best compact band saw for beginners.

Full Specifications for This Compact Band Saw

Tool weight most separates this R8604B from the other deciding specs. Tool weight measures how heavy the saw is to carry or hold.

Before You Buy: Compact Band Saw Checklist

The first thing to check is whether the saw’s 10.63-pound weight fits the way you work, because that is the factor that decides overhead handling and all-day carry.

• ☐ Confirm your heaviest cut is 2 1/2 in. or less — 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity; if your stock is thicker, you will need a different saw and this one will leave the job unfinished.
• ☐ Check that your battery plan matches an 18 Volts platform — 18V battery platform; if your packs are from another voltage family, you cannot power it without buying into a new battery system.
• ☐ Budget for a bare tool purchase — included components: bare tool; if you need a battery and charger in the box, this order will not be ready to use on arrival.
• ☐ Measure the weight you can carry overhead — 10.63 pounds; if your work calls for one-handed ladder use or repeated overhead cuts, you will feel the penalty in handling and may need a lighter saw.
• ☐ Confirm the cut size you actually make is not pipe or conduit larger than the saw can pass — 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity; if your job centers on larger pipe or strut, you will still have to buy a different tool for those cuts.
• ☐ Check whether your existing 18V batteries are meant for Ridgid tools — 18 Volts; if they are not compatible, the tool-only package leaves you with an extra battery purchase before you can work.

Do not buy this compact band saw if you need a lighter saw for ladder work or you plan to cut stock thicker than 2 1/2 in.

If a band saw isn’t right, explore the alternatives to a compact band saw.

What These Specifications Let You Do

How variable speed up to 680 SFPM improves control

R8604B gives you a variable speed dial up to 680 SFPM, so you can slow the blade for control or run it faster for quicker cuts. SFPM means surface feet per minute, the blade speed you set for the cut. That range matters when you move from thin stock to steel pipe or conduit, because the same saw can serve slower, steadier work and faster routine cuts.

680 SFPM is enough for common metal-cutting jobs, but it is not a weight fix. If you need one-handed handling on a ladder, the 10.63-pound body is still the limiting factor. For repeated overhead cuts, the speed control helps the cut itself, while the mass still asks for two-handed support in many jobs.

Why a high speed steel blade suits metal cutting

R8604B uses a high speed steel blade, which is the right material for metal-cutting work on pipe, conduit, and threaded rod. That blade material suits buyers who want a compact band saw for repeated cuts in shop or service work. The 32-7/8 in. blade length also tells you the saw is set up around a standard metal-cutting format, not a specialty blade size.

High speed steel is the part that makes sense when you are buying a mini band saw for metal stock, because the blade has to stay in the category where these saws are used. The listing does not state tooth count, so you should not expect the spec data here to tell you how aggressive the cut will feel. What it does tell you is that the blade choice matches the material type, not wood or mixed-purpose use.

How 18 Volts and 10.63 pounds affect portability

R8604B runs on 18 Volts, so it belongs in an 18V battery platform and avoids the cord limit on jobsite cuts. The 10.63-pound weight is the bigger portability issue. That weight is not light enough for easy one-handed use or repeated overhead work, even though the saw is compact.

If you carry it up ladders or move it all day, the weight is the trade-off you feel first. The tool-only format also means you need a battery and charger already in the 18V family, or you need to add them to the purchase. For a buyer already invested in 18V tools, that keeps the platform choice simple; for a first-time buyer, it adds another cost beyond the $189.95 tool-only price.

Which Jobs the R8604B Handles, Worked Out From Its Specs

The R8604B against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed cutting capacity and tool weight and a typical need for each job.

For single-handed operation, see the best compact band saw for one-handed use under $300.

The R8604B Against Similar Compact Band Saws

If you want an 18 V compact band saw with a 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity, R8604B gives you that size in a tool-only package. Its 10.63-pound weight is the bigger trade-off, so it suits cuts more than all-day carrying.

• Against the Milwaukee 2429-20 Cordless Sub Compact Band Saw, R8604B gives you 2 1/2 in. of cutting capacity instead of 1-5/8 in. That matters when your stock is closer to pipe and strut than thin conduit.
• Against the Bosch BSH180B 18V Compact Band Saw, the main difference is weight: R8604B is 10.63 pounds, while Bosch lists 7.1 pounds. If you move the saw up ladders often, the lighter Bosch is easier to carry.
• Against the Bosch BSH180B 18-Volt Compact Band Saw, both tools state 18 volts and 2-1/2-inch cutting capacity. The deciding difference is price: this Ridgid sits around $189.95, while Bosch is listed at $149.
• Against the Milwaukee M12 Sub-Compact Band Saw 2429-20, R8604B uses an 18 V platform instead of 12 volts. If you want to stay in an 18 V battery family, that matters more than the smaller tool’s lower weight.
• Against the CUSHYBITE RYOBI ONE+ Compact Band Saw, R8604B is the lighter tool by listing data. Ryobi states 7.35 pounds, and this Ridgid lists 10.63 pounds, so the Ryobi is easier to move around.

If you care most about low carry weight, the Bosch BSH180B 18V Compact Band Saw is the better pick. Its 7.1-pound listing is much easier on ladders and overhead cuts than 10.63 pounds.

You can also view our full review of the FX2331-Z.

Setting Up This Mini Band Saw, and What Support Covers

Getting the R8604B ready for a first cut

You need an 18-volt battery pack before the R8604B can cut anything.

1. Insert an 18V battery pack that matches the saw’s 18 Volts rating.
2. Fit a 32-7/8 in blade made for this band saw’s blade length.
3. Set the variable speed dial, which goes up to 680 SFPM, before the first cut.
4. Check the workpiece thickness against the 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity if you need a one-pass cut.

Warranty and support: what to confirm for this compact band saw

Warranty cover varies by seller and country.

• Confirm the return window for the 10.63-pound saw, because shipping a heavy tool back is more work than returning a lighter one.
• Confirm whether the battery pack and charger are included, because this is a bare tool and those parts are needed for cordless use.
• Confirm blade compatibility for the 32-7/8 in blade length, because the wrong blade will not fit or track correctly.
• Confirm whether blade lubricant is recommended for your cuts, because blade wear matters on a high-speed-steel blade.

When it arrives, open the box and confirm the saw body, blade length, and included components before your return window closes.

R8604B Buying Questions Answered

How bare-tool pricing affects value for 18V owners

R8604B is a bare tool, so the $189.95 price does not include a battery or charger. That matters if you already own an 18V Ridgid pack, because the tool-only format keeps the purchase focused on the saw itself.

Think of it like buying a camera body without the lens kit. You pay for the unit you need now, not for parts you may already own.

Cutting capacity and job fit

R8604B has a 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity, so it can handle 2 in. pipe and strut in one pass. That same figure also means you should plan around stock that fits within that opening, not around larger pipe work.

The saw’s 18 Volts matter for cordless setup, while the 10.63-pound weight affects how long you want to hold it overhead. For repeated ladder work, that weight is the limiting number, not the blade length.

FAQ

Is the RIDGID R8604B worth $189.95 as a bare tool?

R8604B is worth that price if you already own compatible 18V batteries and want the saw body only. The listing states a bare tool, 18 Volts, and a 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity, so the price is tied to the tool rather than a battery package. If you need a full starter setup, the missing battery and charger change the value comparison.

Does the RIDGID R8604B fit one-handed ladder work?

No, R8604B is not a one-handed ladder saw at 10.63 pounds. That weight is the key number for carrying and overhead holding, and it is above the 7-pound level used for easier one-handed ladder use. The 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity still covers smaller pipe and strut jobs.

What blade length does the RIDGID R8604B use?

R8604B uses a 32-7/8 in. blade. That size tells you the blade format this saw takes, but the listing does not state tooth count or material-specific blade options. The blade is high speed steel, so the material type is known even though the full blade lineup is not.

Does the RIDGID R8604B have variable speed and an LED light?

Yes, R8604B states variable speed and an LED light. The speed control is listed as a dial up to 680 SFPM, which gives you a concrete ceiling for blade speed. The LED is a stated feature, but the listing does not say how bright it is or how it is aimed.

Is the R8604B Right for You?

Who the R8604B suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Compare different options by looking at compact saws for tight spaces under $300.

Where to Buy This Compact Band Saw

The R8604B sat at $189.95 in the listing data from November 2026; the price you see at checkout can differ.

Compact band saws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the R8604B in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Amazon (online only) — broad marketplace selection across multiple sellers
• eReplacementParts (online only) — useful for replacement parts and refurbished or open-box listings
• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad range of cordless power tools and easy in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — broad range of cordless power tools and convenient physical-store pickup
• Acme Tools (online only) — specialist power-tool retailer with knowledgeable staff and deep category coverage
• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — useful for trade-oriented tool selection and in-store support
• Toolbarn (online only) — broad online assortment and business or trade account options

Final Verdict on the R8604B

You are buying a compact band saw for 2-inch pipe, strut, or other stock up to 2 1/2 inches thick, and you can live with 10.63 pounds in a tool-only package. R8604B is listed around $189.95.

Its 18-volt platform and variable speed dial up to 680 SFPM give you a cordless setup with enough range for routine metal-cutting work, and the 32-7/8 in. blade length is part of that package. The 2 1/2 in. cutting capacity is the number that matters most here.

Skip it if: you need a saw under 10 pounds for all-day carrying, or you want one-handed overhead work on a ladder.