Pivoting Guide Shoe; Using The Saw Preparation; Sawing Wood; Plunge Cutting Wood - RIDGID 5228 Operator's Manual

5228 Double Insulated Variable Speed, Dual Action Reciprocating Saw

Pivoting Guide Shoe

The guide shoe (Figure 5) is designed to serve as a tool
rest while making a cut. The shoe pivots to allow the
saw to be raised to a position perpendicular to the work as
the saw is brought toward the operator while making a cut.
Figure 5 – Using pivoting guide shoe
Using the Saw
Preparation
Use the blade selector guide in the RIDGID catalog to
select the proper blade for the job to be done. For
greatest economy, use the shortest blade suitable for the
thickness of material to be cut. Set the blade speed
and motion most appropriate for the material to be cut.
Material to be cut should be firm and supported properly.
Clamp small work pieces to the worktable or clamp them
securely in a bench vise. Do not force the saw into the
work. The saw will cut freely with only slight feed pressure.

Sawing Wood

The RIDGID Reciprocating Saw makes its cut similar to
a hand saw in that it is moved toward the operator dur-
ing the cutting operation. However, since the blade
makes its cut on the upstroke, the finished side of the
wood should face down during the cutting operation.

Plunge Cutting Wood

The RIDGID Reciprocating Saw can be used for plunge
cutting wood, plywood, wall board and plastic materials.
It is not recommended for plunge cutting metals. Grasp
front housing with one hand and rear handle with
other hand. To make plunge cut into wood or compara-
ble material, start by holding saw parallel to material
(Figure 6). Rest shoe bracket of saw firmly against
material, start saw and pivot saw handle upward bring-
ing blade in contact with material.
Keeping shoe bracket in firm contact with material, con-
tinue to raise handle until blade has cut through the
6
work and saw is perpendicular to the work surface
(Figure 7). With saw in perpendicular position, continue
to move blade along line of cut.
When blind cutting into existing construction, ex-
ercise extreme caution to be certain that there is
no obstructions, such as electrical wires, con-
duit, plumbing, etc. that may come in contact
with the blade. For safe operation, the plastic
front housing cover must be properly in place and
undamaged. Hold saw only by plastic front housing
and handle.
Guide Shoe
Figure 6 – Starting plunge cut
Figure 7 – Proper way to hold saw when wood cutting
Ridge Tool Company
WARNING