RIDGID R8653 Operator's Manual page 10

OPERATION
CROSS CUTTING/RIP CUTTING
See Figures 14 - 15, page 15.
When making a cross cut or rip cut, align your line of cut
with the outer blade guide notch on the saw base.
Since blade thicknesses vary, always make a trial cut in
scrap material along a guideline to determine how much, if
any, the guideline must be offset to produce an accurate cut.
NOTE: The distance from the line of cut to the guideline is
the amount you should offset the guide.
 Secure the workpiece.
 Clamp a straight edge to the workpiece using C-clamps.
 Saw along the straight edge to achieve a straight rip cut.
NOTE: Do not bind the blade in the cut.
USING OPTIONAL EDGE GUIDE
See Figure 16, page 15.
Use an edge guide, part no. 202050004, when making long
or wide rip cuts with the saw.
 Remove the battery pack.
 Place the edge guide (not included) through the slots in
the saw base.
 Adjust the edge guide to the width needed.
 Tighten the wing screw securely.
When using an edge guide, position the face of the edge
guide firmly against the edge of workpiece. This makes for
a true cut without pinching the blade. The guiding edge of
the workpiece must be straight for your cut to be straight.
Use caution to prevent the blade from binding in the cut.
BEVEL CUTTING
See Figures 17 - 19, pages 15 and 16.
The angle of cut of the saw may be adjusted to any desired
setting between zero and 56°.
NOTE: When making cuts at 56°, the blade should be set
at full depth of cut.
Since blade thicknesses vary and different angles require
different settings, always make a trial cut in scrap material
along a guideline to determine how much you should offset
the guideline on the board to be cut.
When making a bevel cut, hold the saw firmly with both
hands.
Rest the front edge of the base on the workpiece. Depress
the lock-off button and squeeze the switch trigger to start
the saw. Always let the blade reach full speed, then guide
the saw into the workpiece.
WARNING:
The blade coming in contact with the workpiece
before it reaches full speed could cause saw to
"kickback" toward you resulting in serious injury.
After you complete your cut release the trigger and allow
the blade to come to a complete stop. After the blade has
stopped, lift the saw from the workpiece.
TO ADJUST BEVEL SETTING
See Figure 18, page 16.
 Remove the battery pack.
 Rotate bevel lock lever counterclockwise until the motor
housing moves freely.
 Raise the motor housing end of the saw until you reach
the desired angle setting on the bevel scale (0-56°).
NOTE: There are detents in the bevel scale to make it
easier to set the blade angle at 45°, 30°, 22.5°, or 15°.
 Rotate the bevel lock lever clockwise until the motor
housing is securely locked in place.
NOTE: If the lever contacts the base prior to the base
being fully locked in position, refer to Indexable Levers
earlier in this manual to adjust the lever counterclockwise
on the hex screw.
NOTE: If the lever contacts the base prior to the base
being loosened, refer to Indexable Levers earlier in this
manual to adjust the lever clockwise on the hex screw.
WARNING:
Attempting a bevel cut without having the bevel
lock lever securely locked in place can result in
serious injury.
POCKET CUTTING
See Figure 20, page 16.
WARNING:
Always adjust bevel setting to zero before making
a pocket cut. Attempting a pocket cut at any other
setting can result in loss of control of the saw pos-
sibly causing serious injury.
 Adjust the bevel setting to zero.
 Set the blade to the correct blade depth setting.
 Swing the lower blade guard up using the lower blade
guard handle.
NOTE: Always raise the lower blade guard with the handle
to avoid serious injury.
 Hold the lower blade guard by the handle.
WARNING:
Never extend your fingers while holding the lower
blade guard handle. Extending your fingers may
result in contact with the blade, causing serious
injury.
10 - English