Blade Selection; Installing Blades; General Cutting - Ryobi P521 Operator's Manual

LOCK-OFF BUTTON
See Figure 4, page 13.
The lock-off button is located on the handle above the switch
trigger. You must depress the lock-off button in order to pull
the switch trigger. The lock resets each time the trigger is
released.
NOTE: You can depress the lock-off button from either the
left or right side.
SWITCH TRIGGER
See Figure 4, page 13.
To turn the saw ON, depress and hold lock-off button, then
depress the switch trigger. To turn it OFF, release the switch
trigger.
WARNING:
This tool is designed to work with T-shank blades. Use
with non-T-shank blades may result in blades coming
loose from tool, resulting in personal injury or property
damage.

BLADE SELECTION

To obtain the best performance from the saw, it is important
to select a specific blade for the particular application and
type of material you wish to cut. By doing this you will get
a smoother, faster cut and prolong blade life.
NOTE: This tool is designed to work with T-shank blades.
Other types of saw blades are not guaranteed to work prop-
erly and may come loose from the tool.

INSTALLING BLADES

See Figure 5, page 13.
 Remove battery pack.
 Lift blade clamp lock located on front of saw.
 Insert saw blade between blade clamp and saw bar.
 Close blade clamp lock.
 Replace battery pack.

GENERAL CUTTING

See Figure 6, page 13.
Rest the front of the saw base on the workpiece and align
cutting edge of the blade with the line on your workpiece.
Start the saw and move it forward on the work surface.
Apply downward pressure to keep the saw steady and only
enough forward pressure to keep the blade cutting. Do not
force the saw. Forcing the saw may overheat the motor and
break saw blades. Broken saw blades must be replaced with
new saw blades.
OPERATION
ORBITAL MOTION
See Figure 6, page 13.
The blade of the saw cuts in orbital motion. This feature is
adjustable and provides faster, more efficient cutting. With
orbital motion, the blade cuts through your work in the
upstroke but does not drag across your work in the down-
stroke. The higher settings should be used when fast cutting
in soft material is desired. The lower settings should be used
when cutting materials with more resistance.
STRAIGHT CUTTING
See Figure 6, page 13.
A straight cut can be made by clamping a piece of wood or
straight-edge to the workpiece and guiding the edge of the
saw against it. Make the cut from one direction only; don't
cut halfway and complete the cut from the opposite end.
SPLINTER-FREE CUTTING
See Figure 7, page 13.
The base of the jig saw has a narrow slot to permit splinter-
free cutting. It is especially useful when cutting plywood.
This feature should only be used when making straight cuts
or circle cuts. It is not for bevel cutting or plunge cutting.
NOTE: The non-orbital setting also helps reduce splintering
when cutting plywood.
POSITIONING THE BASE IN THE SPLINTER-
FREE CUTTING POSITION
 Remove battery pack
 Using the 1/8 in. hex key provided, loosen base pivot
screws and slide base forward.
 Always set the cutting angle at 0° for splinter-free cutting.
To set cutting angle at 0°, align the 0° mark on the scale
with the edge of the motor housing.
NOTE: When setting angle at 0° for splinter-free cutting,
the positive stop notches on the rear of the base are not
used.
 Tighten base pivot screws securely.
 Remove hex key and return it to the storage area.
 Replace battery pack.
OPTIONAL EDGE GUIDE
See Figure 8, page 14.
An optional edge guide is available for use with the saw. It
can be used for making crosscuts and rip cuts.
 Remove battery pack.
 Insert the edge guide through the two slots in the base
of the saw.
 Adjust to the desired width and lock in place with the
edge guide screw.
 Replace battery pack.
9 - English