Alignment (Adjustments) - RIDGID ms12500 Owner's Manual

20. Miter Saw Handle - The saw handle contains the
trigger switch with a padlock, locking hole to prevent
unauthorized use. The blade is lowered into the
workpiece by pushing down on the handle. The saw
will return to its upright position when the handle is
released, unless the handle lock pin is engaged.
21. Workpiece Clamp - Helps to hold workpiece in posi-
tion for precise cutting. Quick release allows easy
movement for workpiece width adjustment. Pin of
clamp fits in either hole in front of base.

Alignment (Adjustments)

WARNING: Cut material can be thrown. Eyes can be
permanently damaged. Wear your safety goggles.
NOTE: Before this saw is aligned or used, a kerf must be
cut into the table insert at 0° bevel. Our Quality Control
Audit Procedure requires us to cut through the inserts
before they leave our factory.
To cut through an uncut insert:
1. Plug in the power cord.
2. Turn the saw on by actuating the trigger switch.
3. Lower the blade to full depth while cutting through the
table insert.
4. Release the trigger switch and allow the blade to come
to a complete stop.
5. Repeat this procedure at 45° bevel.
6. Unplug the power cord before starting alignment pro-
cedure.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from unex-
pected starting or electrical shock, do not plug the
saw in. The power cord must remain unplugged
whenever you are working on the saw.
Step One: Blade Square to Table (Bevel Align-
ment)
NOTE: The miter saw was assembled, aligned, and
inspected before shipment. Alignment should be checked
and any adjustments made to insure accurate cuts.
1. Check miter lock knob setting. The miter lock knob
should be at the 0° position. To reset the miter angle,
turn the miter lock knob counter clockwise and press
down the index spring, move to 0° miter and retighten
knob.
2. Lower the blade and engage the lock pin. Use a combi-
nation square to check blade squareness to table. If
the blade does not contact the full length of the square,
(see illustration) follow the alignment procedure.
a. Loosen bevel lock knob.
b. Grasping carrying handle, move the cutting head left
or right until blade makes contact with the full length
of the square.
NOTE: If you cannot get to 0° bevel, the bevel stop may
be in your way. Adjust the bevel stop (See Step d) so you
may achieve 0° bevel.
c. Tighten the bevel lock knob.
Pin
d. Loosen the 0° bevel stop mounting screw and push
the stop against the pin. Retighten the stop mounting
screw.
e. With the blade square to the table and the 0° bevel
stop screw adjusted, if necessary loosen the bevel
indicator screw, using the Phillips end of the combi-
nation wrench. Slide the indicator under the Phillips
head screw to line up exactly with the 0° bevel mark
on the bevel scale. Retighten the indicator screw.
3. Loosen bevel lock knob and tilt the power head to 45°
bevel and check the 45° bevel stop. The bevel indicator
should be on the 45° mark, the 45° bevel stop should
be in full contact with the 45° bevel stop screw, and the
blade should contact the full length of the square. This
adjustment sets the 45° and crown molding stops.
4. If adjustment is necessary, repeat steps 2a - 2d for the
45°/crown molding bevel stop.
0°, CM Index
0°, 45° Index
By-Pass
Index/
By-Pass Pin
13
21
Spring
Tighten
Handle
Loosen
Bevel Stop
Mounting Screw
Bevel Index
Mechanism