RIDGID R4251 Operator's Manual

RIDGID R4251 Operator's Manual

12 inch sliding compound miter saw

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OPERATOR'S MANUAL
12 inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
R4251
Your saw has been engineered and manufactured to our high standard for dependability, ease of operation, and operator
safety. When properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator's manual before using this product.
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
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Summary of Contents for RIDGID R4251

  • Page 1 OPERATOR’S MANUAL 12 inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw R4251 Your saw has been engineered and manufactured to our high standard for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES MITER LOCK ADJUSTMENT .......... 18 ..............2 THROAT PLATE ............19 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ........... 2 MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTATION KNOW YOUR COMPOUND MITER SAW ......5 ..... 20 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS PREPARATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION ....... 20 ...... 6 MOUNTING SAW TO STABLE SURFACE ......
  • Page 3 FEATURES Figure 1 On/Off Switch and Lockout Hole Work Table Safety Switch Clamp Shadow Guide ON/OFF Switch Blade Dust Bag Lower Guard Depth Stop Screw/Depth Stop Plate Upper Guard Bevel Scale and Indicator Spindle Lock Sliding Fence Back Fence Supports Base T30 Torx/Blade Wrench Throat Plate...
  • Page 4 FEATURES Figure 2 Miter Lock Knob Motor End Cap Bevel Lock/Unlock Handle Carrying Handle Support Extension (2) Head Lock Pin Miter Detent Lock/Unlock Button Bevel Detent Latch (2) Glide Adjustment Mounting Holes (4) Baseboard Position Notch Miter Scale and Indicator Slide Lock Miter Detent Override Button...
  • Page 5: Know Your Compound Miter Saw

    FEATURES KNOW YOUR COMPOUND MITER SAW On/Off Switch and Lockout Hole: This saw is Motor End Cap: This provides access to your saw’s activated by an easy to use, hand operated, power motor’s Brush Caps/Carbon brushes, in the event they on/off switch.
  • Page 6: Important Safety Instructions

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR PRODUCT AND IN THIS MANUAL. SAVE THIS MANUAL. MAKE SURE ALL USERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING THE TOOL. Improper operation, maintenance or modification of tools or equipment could result in serious injury and/or property damage.
  • Page 7: General Power Tool Safety Warnings

    GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term “power tool”...
  • Page 8: Safety Instructions For Miter Saws

    GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS f. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control. g. Use the power tool, accessories and tools bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.
  • Page 9: Proposition 65 Warning

    SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR MITER SAWS p. Let the blade reach full speed before contacting the workpiece. This will reduce the risk of the workpiece being thrown. q. If the workpiece or blade becomes jammed, turn the miter saw off. Wait for all moving parts to stop and disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack.
  • Page 10: Power Connections

    POWER CONNECTIONS A separate electrical circuit should be used for your machines. This circuit should not be less than #12 wire. Before connecting the machine to the power line make sure the switch(es) is(are) in the “OFF” position and be sure that the electric current is of the same characteristics as indicated on the machine.
  • Page 11: Unpacking

    Compare package contents to Component Parts List and Hardware Package List prior to assembly to make sure all items are present. Carefully inspect parts to make sure no damage occurred during shipping. If any parts are missing, damaged or pre- assembled, DO NOT assemble. Instead, call RIDGID Customer Service at (toll free) 1-888-359-4778.
  • Page 12: Assembly

    The Saw can tip over if the Saw Head is released suddenly and the Saw is not secured to a work surface. ALWAYS secure this Saw to a stable work surface before any use. • If any parts are damaged or missing DO NOT operate this tool until the parts are replaced. Please call RIDGID Customer ®...
  • Page 13: Work Clamp

    ASSEMBLY WORK CLAMP See Figure 5 The Vertical Work Clamp secures the workpiece to the table to provide more stability and keeps the workpiece from creeping toward the saw blade. To install the Vertical Work Clamp do the following: Place the Clamp Shaft (A) in either hole (B) on the Miter Base.
  • Page 14: Install/Remove The Blade

    ASSEMBLY INSTALL/REMOVE BLADE A 12 inch Blade is the maximum Blade capacity of the Saw. Larger Blades will come in contact with the Blade Guards. See Figure 8. Make sure the Saw is unplugged. Raise the Saw Arm to the full upright position. Rotate the Lower Blade Guard (F13) up to expose the Blade Bolt (A).
  • Page 15: Adjustments

    ADJUSTMENTS ALIGN THE BLADE TO TABLE Your saw is calibrated at the factory to cut true. Over time the saw’s calibration may drift and will need to be re-calibrated. See Figure 11. Unplug the Saw. Lower the saw head all the way down to the transport position and engage the saw head lock pin to hold it in place.
  • Page 16: Align The Blade To Fence

    ADJUSTMENTS ALIGN THE BLADE TO FENCE Your saw is calibrated at the factory to cut true. Over time the saw’s calibration may drift and will need to be re-calibrated. LOCK See Figure 12. UNLOCK Unplug the Saw. Lower the saw head all the way down to the transport position and engage the saw head lock pin to hold it in place.
  • Page 17: Depth Stop Adjustment

    ADJUSTMENTS DEPTH STOP ADJUSTMENT This miter saw is equipped with an adjustable depth stop for making non-through cuts. Refer to Figure 14 and follow these instructions in order to set the depth stop at a specific cut depth: Rotate the stop bracket (A) counterclockwise into the down position.
  • Page 18: Slide Resistance

    ADJUSTMENTS SLIDE RESISTANCE See Figure 17. The slide resistance (friction) on your saw is adjustable. Use a 4mm Hex wrench. Locate the friction adjustment screw on the saw arms LOOSEN TIGHTEN (A). Turn right to tighten the sliding friction. Turn left to loosen the sliding friction. Figure 17 MITER LOCK ADJUSTMENT See Figure 18.
  • Page 19: Throat Plate

    Remove the 4 bolts securing the stationary rear fence and detach. Remove the six screws (A) which hold the throat plate. Lift the throat plate off the miter arm. Replace the throat plate only using a RIDGID ® authorized service part. Figure 19 Tighten the six screws (A) which hold the throat plate.
  • Page 20: Mounting And Transportation

    MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTATION Before moving/transporting your saw it is important to make sure all of the following steps have been followed to ensure a safe condition for transportation. Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury. ALWAYS turn the power off and unplug saw before transporting. •...
  • Page 21: Mounting Saw To Stable Surface

    MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTATION MOUNTING SAW TO STABLE SURFACE See Figure 23. To ensure safe and accurate operation, this saw should be mounted to a stable and level surface such as a workbench. To mount the tool to a stable surface, do the following: Locate the four mounting holes (F22) in the base of the saw.
  • Page 22: Operation

    OPERATION • DO NOT allow familiarity with tools to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient enough to inflict serious personal injury. ALWAYS wear eye protection with side shields and marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 Failure to do so could result in objects •...
  • Page 23: Clamping Wide Workpieces

    OPERATION CLAMPING WIDE WORKPIECES See Figure 27. When cutting wide work pieces, such as 2 X 12 inch, clamp the workpiece to the work table using a work clamp (PC3). KEEP clamps away from the path of the blade and blade guard assembly. Figure 27 SUPPORTING LONG WORKPIECES See Figure 28.
  • Page 24: Power Switch Lock

    OPERATION POWER SWITCH LOCK See Figure 29 To prevent any unauthorized person from operating this saw, a padlock (not included) should be installed into the lock hole located on the power switch. Be sure padlock is fully closed and locked before leaving this saw unattended. Safety switch (F2) needs to be engaged prior to operation of the machine.
  • Page 25: Non-Sliding Cuts

    OPERATION Before turning the saw power ON, check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation. Position the work clamp and fence to avoid contact with the miter saw head.
  • Page 26: For Bevel Cuts

    OPERATION BEVEL CUTS LOCK Before turning the saw power ON, check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation. UNLOCK Position the work clamp and fence to avoid contact with the miter saw head.
  • Page 27 OPERATION TABLE 1: COMPOUND MITER CUT (POSITION WOOD WITH BROAD FLAT SIDE ON THE TABLE AND THE NARROW EDGE AGAINST THE FENCE) SET THIS BEVEL ANGLE ON SAW...
  • Page 28: Slide Cuts

    OPERATION SLIDE CUTS See Figures 35 and 36. A slide cut should NEVER be performed by pulling the saw toward you. Due to the blade rotation direction, this can cause the saw blade to climb over the workpiece and towards the operator. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious personal injury.
  • Page 29: Tips For Cutting Crown Molding

    OPERATION TIPS FOR CUTTING CROWN MOLDING • The two edges of the molding that contact the ceiling and the wall are at angles that, when added together, equal exactly 90°. Most crown molding has a top rear angle (the section that fits flat against the ceiling) of 52° and a bottom rear angle (the section that fits flat against the wall) of 38°.
  • Page 30: Auxiliary Fence

    OPERATION AUXILIARY FENCE See Figure 37 For cutting certain workpieces, you may require a larger fence surface area to accommodate the workpiece. The auxiliary fence should be made using 3/4 inch thick wood. Use the mounting holes (in bold) which are pre-drilled in the fence to attach an auxiliary fence.
  • Page 31: Expand Worktable Area

    OPERATION EXPAND WORKTABLE AREA This saw is designed to allow for large capacity cuts up to (2 x 16 inch). In order to make these cuts you will need to configure your saw appropriately. DO NOT use an auxiliary table board which will not fully support the workpiece during cutting operation.
  • Page 32: Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE DO NOT at any time let brake fluids, To reduce the risk of injury, turn unit off and disconnect it from power source before cleaning or servicing, gasoline, petroleum-based products, penetrating oils, etc., before installing and removing accessories, before adjusting come in contact with plastic parts.
  • Page 33: Troubleshooting

    ® ® ® Service Centers. Please visit our Web Site www.RIDGID.com for an on-line catalog or for the name or your nearest supplier. Since accessories other than those offered by RIDGID have not been tested with this product, use of ®...
  • Page 34: Parts, Services Or Warranty Assistance

    RIDGID Inc. All warranty communications or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, ® should be directed to Customer Service attn: RIDGID Stationary modification or repair by other than an authorized service center ® Power Tool Technical Service at (toll free) 1-888-359-4778.
  • Page 35 NOTES...
  • Page 36 OPERATOR’S MANUAL 12 inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw R4251 Customer Service Information: For parts or service, do not return this product to the store. Contact your nearest RIDGID authorized service center. Be sure to provide all relevant information when ®...

Table of Contents