Installing Or Removing The Blade - RIDGID MS1250 Owner's Manual

Installing or Removing the Blade

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from a
thrown workpiece or thrown pieces of blade, do not
use a blade larger or smaller than 12" diameter.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from unex-
pected starting, unplug the saw whenever you are
removing or installing the blade.
1. Unplug the saw from the outlet.
2. Rotate the lower plastic guard by hand. Loosen, but
do not remove, the cover plate stop screw using the
Phillips end of combination wrench.
3. Lift the lower guard up and tilt the lower guard
assembly back so the arbor screw is exposed.
4. Find the arbor lock between the upper guard and the
miter saw handle. Fit 1/4" hex end of combination
tool in arbor screw or use 1/2" box end wrench.
5. Press the arbor lock and hold it in firmly while turning
the wrench clockwise. The arbor lock will engage
after some turning of the wrench.
NOTE: The arbor screw has a left hand thread. This
helps prevent unwanted loosening of the arbor screw dur-
ing normal operation.
6. Remove the arbor screw, arbor washer, outer blade
collar, and the blade.
NOTE: Pay attention to pieces removed, noting their
position and direction they face (see illustration). Wipe
the blade collars clean of any sawdust before installing
the new blades.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of cuts from
extremely sharp teeth: Wear gloves when installing
or removing sawblade.
See cautions in "Using Carbide Tipped Blades" section
concerning inspection, use, and selection of carbide
tipped and other sawblades.
7. Install the new 12" blade (see recommended acces-
sory list). Make sure the rotation arrow on the blade
matches the clockwise rotation arrow on the upper
guard.
8. Install the outer blade collar, blade washer and arbor
screw. Press the arbor lock and turn the combination
wrench or the 1/2" wrench counter clockwise to
secure the blade. Tighten arbor screw using moder-
ate force, but do not overtighten.
9. Lower the lower blade guard until the slot in cover
plate rests all the way down on the cover plate stop
screw. Tighten the screw with the Phillips end of the
combination wrench.
DANGER: Never use saw without guard cover plate
securely in place. It keeps the arbor screw from
falling out if it accidentally loosens, and prevents
the spinning blade from coming off the machine.
10. Be sure the arbor lock is released so the blade turns
freely.
Blade
Washer
(Hollowed Side
Toward Blade)
Arbor screw
(Left Hand Thread)
Sawblade
NOTE: The arbor lock can be damaged by improper use. If
the arbor lock will not hold, lower the blade down on to a
scrap piece of wood positioned against the fence. This will
serve as an alternate locking means.
WARNING: Make sure the collars are clean and
properly arranged. After installing a new blade,
make sure the blade clears the table slot at the 0°
and 45° bevel positions. Lower the blade into the
table slot and check for any contact with the base
or turn table structure. If blade contacts table, seek
authorized service.
11
Stop
Screw
Loosen
Arbor Lock
Blade Collars