Operation - RIDGID R32102 Operator's Manual

OPERATION

WARNING:
Do not allow familiarity with the tool to make you
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a
second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.
WARNING:
Always wear eye protection with side shields
marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Failure to do
so could result in objects being thrown into your
eyes, resulting in possible serious injury.
APPLICATIONS
You may use this tool for the purposes listed below:
 Cutting all types of wood products (lumber, plywood,
paneling)
NOTE: The use of abrasive cut-off wheels is not recom-
mended for this saw.
WARNING:
The use of this saw on materials not listed may
damage the saw and its guards, and may cause
serious personal injury.
SAW BLADES
The best of saw blades will not cut efficiently if they are not
kept clean, sharp, and properly set. Using a dull blade will
place a heavy load on the saw and increase the danger of
kickback. Keep extra blades on hand, so that sharp blades
are always available.
Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades will slow the saw
down. Remove saw blade from the saw and use gum and
pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene to remove these ac-
cumulations. DO NOT USE GASOLINE.
BLADE GUARD SYSTEM
See Figure 6, page 17.
The lower blade guard attached to your saw is there for
your protection and safety. Do not alter it for any reason.
If it becomes damaged, do not operate the saw until you
have the guard repaired or replaced. Always leave guard in
operating position when using the saw.
DANGER:
When sawing through work, lower blade guard
does not cover blade on the underside of work.
Since blade is exposed on underside of work, keep
hands and fingers away from cutting area. Any part
of your body coming in contact with moving blade
will result in serious injury.
WARNING:
To avoid possible serious injury, never use saw when
guard is not operating correctly. Check the guard
for correct operation before each use. The guard
is operating correctly when it moves freely, and
instantly returns to the closed position. If you drop
the saw, check the lower blade guard and bumper
for damage at all depth settings before reuse.
If at any time the lower blade guard does not snap closed,
unplug the saw from the power supply. Exercise the lower
guard by moving it rapidly back and forth from the full open
position to the closed position several times. Normally this
will restore the guard to its normal operating condition. If
it does not correct a slow or sluggish closing lower guard,
do not use the saw. Take it to an authorized factory service
center for repair.
KICKBACK
See Figures 7 - 10, page 18.
Kickback occurs when the blade stalls rapidly and the saw
is driven back towards you. Blade stalling is caused by any
action which pinches the blade in the wood. See Figure 7,
page 18.
WARNING:
Release switch immediately if blade binds or saw
stalls. Kickback could cause you to lose control of
the saw. Loss of control can lead to serious injury.
To guard against kickback, avoid dangerous practices such
as the following.
 Setting blade depth incorrectly.
 Sawing into knots or nails in workpiece.
 Twisting the blade while making a cut.
 Making a cut with a dull, gummed up, or improperly set
blade.
 Supporting the workpiece incorrectly.
 Forcing a cut.
 Cutting warped or wet lumber.
 Operating the tool incorrectly or misusing the tool.
To lessen the chance of kickback, follow these safety prac-
tices.
 Do not cut warped or wet lumber.
 Keep the blade at the correct depth setting. The depth set-
ting should not exceed 1/4 in. below the material being cut.
 Inspect the workpiece for knots or nails before cutting.
Never saw into a knot or nail.
 Make straight cuts. Always use a straight edge guide
when rip cutting. This helps prevent twisting the blade.
 Use clean, sharp, and properly set blades. Never make
cuts with dull blades.
10 - English