RIDGID 1200RV, 1200RV0 Owner's Manual

SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Thank you for buying a RIDGID product.

1200RV0

12 U.S. GALLON/45 LITER
WET/DRY VAC

FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION CONTACT US AT

1-800-4-RIDGID (1-800-474-3443) from the US and Canada

01-800-701-9811 from Mexico

www.ridgidvacs.com

Part No. SP6937 Printed in Mexico

OWNER’S MANUAL

• Español - página 15

• Français - page 29

WARNING:

To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the owner’s manual
before using this product.

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2

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Section PageSection Page

Safety is a combination of using common
sense, staying alert, and knowing how your
Wet/Dry Vacuum cleaner (“Vac”) works.

Safety Signal Words

DANGER: Indicates a hazardous

situation which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a hazardous

situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous

situation which, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.

When using your Vac, always follow basic
safety precautions including the following:

WARNING

- To reduce the risk of fire, electric
shock, or injury:

• Read and understand this manual and
all labels on the Wet/Dry Vac before
operating.

• Use only as described in this manual.

• Do not leave Vac running while
unattended - you may fail to notice
important signs indicating abnormal
operation such as loss of suction,
debris/liquid exiting the exhaust, or
abnormal motor noises. Immediately
stop using Vac if you notice these signs.

• Do not leave Vac when plugged in.
Unplug from outlet when not in use and
before servicing.

• Sparks inside the motor can ignite
flammable vapors or dust. To reduce
the risk of fire or explosion, do not use
near combustible liquids, gases, or
dusts, such as gasoline or other fuels,

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lighter fluid, cleaners, oil-based paints,
natural gas, coal dust, magnesium
dust, grain dust, aluminum dust, or gun
powder.

• Do not vacuum anything that is burning
or smoking, such as cigarettes,
matches, or hot ashes.

• Do not vacuum drywall dust, cold
fireplace ash, or other fine dusts with
standard filter. These may pass
through the filter and be exhausted
back into the air. Use a fine dust filter
instead.

• To reduce the risk of inhaling toxic
vapors, do not vacuum or use near
toxic or hazardous materials.

• To reduce the risk of electric shock,
do not expose to rain or allow liquid
to enter motor compartment. Store
indoors.

• This Wet/Dry Vac is not intended for
use by persons (including children)with
reduced physical, sensory, or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience and
knowledge, unless they have been
given supervision or instruction
concerning use of the appliance by a
person responsible for their safety.

• Do not allow to be used as a toy.
Close attention is necessary when
used by or near children.

• Do not use with a torn filter or without
the filter installed except when
vacuuming liquids as described in this
manual. Dry debris ingested by the
impeller may damage the motor or be
exhausted into the air.

• Turn off Vac before unplugging.

• To reduce the risk of injury from
accidental starting, unplug power cord
before changing or cleaning filter.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Unpacking and Checking

Carton Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Caster/Caster Foot Assembly . . . . . . . . 4

Wet/Dry Vac Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Insert Hose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

To Store Your Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . 6

Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Vacuuming Dry Materials . . . . . . . . . . 7

Vacuuming Liquids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Emptying the Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Blowing Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Repair Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Servicing of Double Insulated

Wet/Dry Vacs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3

• To reduce the risk of personal injury or

damage to Vac, use only Ridgid
recommended accessories.

• When using as a blower:

- Direct air discharge only at work

area.

- Do not direct air at bystanders.

- Keep children away when blowing.

- Do not use blower for any job except

blowing dirt and debris.

- Do not use as a sprayer.

• To reduce the risk of eye injury, wear

safety eyewear. The operation of any
utility Vac or blower can result in
foreign objects being blown into the
eyes, which can result in severe eye
damage.

CAUTION:

• To reduce the risk of hearing damage,

wear ear protectors when using for
extended time or in a noisy area.

• For dusty operations, wear dust mask.

• Static shocks are common when the

relative humidity of the air is low.
Vacuuming fine debris with your Vac
can deposit static charge on the hose
or Vac. To reduce the frequency of
static shocks in your home or when
using this Vac, add moisture to the air
with a humidifier.

• Do not unplug by pulling on cord.
To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.

• Do not use with damaged cord, plug or
other parts. If your Vac is not working
as it should, has missing parts, has
been dropped, damaged, left outdoors,
or dropped into water, call customer
service.

• Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord
as handle, close a door on cord, or pull
cord around sharp edges or corners.
Do not run Vac over cord. Keep cord
away from heated surfaces.

• Do not handle plug, switch, or the Vac
with wet hands.

• Use only extension cords that are rated
for outdoor use. Extension cords in
poor condition or too small in wire size
can pose fire and shock hazards.
To reduce the risk of these hazards,
be sure the cord is in good condition
and that liquid does not contact the
connection. Do not use an extension
cord with conductors smaller than
16 gauge (AWG) in size. To reduce
power loss, use a 14 gauge extension
cord if 25 to 50 ft long and 12 gauge
for 50 ft or longer.

• This Wet/Dry Vac is double-insulated,
eliminating the need for a separate
grounding system. Use only identical
replacement parts. Read the
instructions for Servicing Double­Insulated Wet/Dry Vacs before
servicing.

• Do not put any object into ventilation
openings. Do not vacuum with any
ventilation openings blocked; keep free
of dust, lint, hair or anything that may
reduce air flow.

• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and
all parts of body away from openings
and moving parts.

• To reduce the risk of falls, use extra
care when cleaning on stairs.

• To reduce the risk of back injury or
falls, do not lift a Vac that is heavy with
liquid or debris. Partially empty the
Vac by scooping debris or draining
liquid to make it comfortable to lift.

Observe the following warnings that
appear on the motor housing of your Vac:

WARNING: For your own safety,
read and understand owner’s
manual. Do not run unattended.
Do not pick up hot ashes, coals,
toxic, flammable or other hazardous
materials. Do not use around
explosive liquids or vapors.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
electric shock - do not expose to
rain - store indoors.

DOUBLE INSULATED
GROUNDING NOT REQUIRED.
WHEN SERVICING USE ONLY
IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT PARTS.

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SAVE THIS MANUAL

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Unpacking and Checking Carton Contents

4

Introduction

This Wet/Dry Vac is intended for house­hold use. It may be used for vacuuming
wet or dry media and may be used as a
blower.

Read this owner’s manual to familiarize
yourself with the product features and to
understand the specific usage of your
new Vac.

Carton Contents List

Key Description Qty

A Wet/Dry Vac ................................1

B Pro-Hose......................................1

C Casters.........................................4

D Caster Foot w/Storage.................4

E Car Nozzle ...................................1

F Utility Nozzle ................................1

G Wet Nozzle...................................1

H Extension Wands .........................2

I Owner’s Manual ...........................1

G

F

I

D

A

B

E

H

C

Remove contents of carton. Check each
item against the Carton Contents List.
Call 1-800-4-RIDGID (1-800-474-3443)
from the US and Canada,
01-800-701-9811 from Mexico,
or E-mail us at [e-mail] if any
parts are damaged or missing.

1. Turn the dust drum upside down on
the floor.

2. Insert the caster feet into the bottom of
drum, as shown (4 places).

3. Push on the caster foot until the foot is
flush with bottom of the dust drum.

4. Insert the caster stem into the socket
of the caster foot, as shown
(4 places).

5. Push on the caster until the ball on the
caster stem is inserted all the way into
the socket. You will hear the ball snap
into the socket and the caster will
swivel easily when positioning is
correct.

6. Turn the drum upright.

Caster/Caster Foot Assembly

Caster
Caster Stem
Caster Ball

Pin

Caster
Foot

Hole

Dust
Drum

5

1. Line up front of power head assembly
with vacuum port located on the front
of the drum, as shown.

2. Place power head assembly on top of
drum.

3. Be sure lid completely covers the top
of the drum so leakage does not
occur.

4. Push down on top of the drum latch
areas to cause the flexible locking
tabs to hook onto the drum channel.

5. Make sure that the locking tabs are
snapped in place to prevent the lid
from coming off. (See inset).

Your new Wet/Dry Vac is ready for use.

Wet/Dry Vac Assembly

Drum

Out

Flexible

Locking Tab

Drum
Channel

Power Head Assembly

Pull Out

Flexible

Locking

Tab

Push

Down

Push

Dow

n

Insert Hose

Insert the push button end of the pro­hose into the inlet of the Vac. The hose
should snap into place.
To remove the hose from the Vac, press
the release button in the hose assembly
and pull the hose out of the Vac inlet,
as shown.

Powerhead
Assembly

Vacuum
Port

Release Button

Operation

1. Slide extension wands and
accessories over the rings on the
caster feet.

2. To remove wands and accessories,
lightly rotate and pull upward.

3. Wrap hose around lid through hose
storage clip to store hose.

To Store Your Accessories

Hose
Storage
Clip

Hose

6

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire, explosion, or damage to Vac:

• Do not leave Vac running while unattended - you may fail to notice important
signs indicating abnormal operation such as loss of suction, debris/liquid
exiting the exhaust, or abnormal motor noises. Immediately stop using Vac
if you notice these signs.

• Do not leave Vac plugged in when not in use.

• Do not continue running when float has cut off suction.

• Sparks inside the motor can ignite airborne flammables. Do not operate Vac
near flammable liquids or in areas with flammable gases, vapors, or
explosive/airborne dust. Flammable liquids, gases, and vapors include:
lighter fluid, solvent-type cleaners, oil-based paints, gasoline, alcohol, and
aerosol sprays. Explosive dusts include: coal, magnesium, aluminum,
grain, and gun powder.

• Do not vacuum up explosive dusts, flammable liquids, or hot ashes.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock or injury:

• Do not expose to rain or allow liquid to enter motor compartment. Store
indoors.

• Do not handle plug, switch, or Vac with wet hands.

• Unplug Vac before servicing. If your Vac is not working as it should, has
missing parts, has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into
water, return it to an independent service center or call customer service.

• When using an extension cord, use only outdoor-rated cords that are in
good condition. Do not allow the connection to come into contact with
liquid.

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7

Operation (continued)

Utility Nozzle - General purpose nozzle for

most vacuuming applications.

Wet Nozzle - Used for wet pickup on
smooth surfaces to pick up liquid and dry
the surface in one stroke.

Car Nozzle- Dry pickup nozzle for car
interiors and most upholstery cleaning.

Extension Wands - These wands can be
connected together and provides
additional length for more reach.

Pro-Hose - Provides transfer of vacuum
or blowing capability to work site.
Provides the means of attaching
extension wands and nozzles.

Familiarize yourself with the accessories
included with the Vac. Each accessory may
be used in various ways for vacuuming
and blowing debris. Here is a list of the
accessories and their uses.

Vacuuming Liquids

1. When picking up small amounts of
liquid the filter may be left in place.

2. When picking up large amounts of
liquid we recommend that the filter be
removed. If the filter is not removed, it
will become saturated and misting may
appear in the exhaust.

3. When the liquid in the drum reaches a
predetermined level, the float
mechanism will rise automatically to cut
off air-flow. You will know that the float
has risen because Vac airflow ceases
and the motor noise will become higher
in pitch, due to increased motor speed.
When this happens, turn off the Vac,
unplug the power cord, and empty the
drum.

4. After using the Vac to pick up liquids,
the filter must be dried to avoid possible
mildew and damage to the filter.

IMPORTANT: To reduce the risk of
damage to the Vac, do not run motor
with float in raised position.

Vacuuming Dry Materials

1. The filter must always be in correct
position at all times to avoid leaks and
possible damage to Vac.

2. Your using your Vac to pick up very
fine dust, it will be necessary for you to
empty the drum and clean the filter at
more frequent intervals to maintain
peak Vac performance.

NOTE: A dry filter is necessary to pick up
dry material. If you use your Vac to pick
up material when the filter is wet, the filter
will clog quickly and be very difficult to
clean.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, this
Vac has a polarized plug (one blade is
wider than the other except 230 volt
models). This plug will fit in a polarized
outlet only one way. If the plug does not
fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug.
If it still does not fit, contact a qualified
electrician to install the proper outlet.
Do not change the plug in any way.

=

OFF

=

ON

After you plug the power cord into the
outlet, turn the unit on by pushing the
switch from position "O" to position "l".
The symbols used on the switch actuator
are international "On & Off" symbols:

8

1. Locate blowing port of your Wet/Dry
Vac.

2. Insert locking end of hose into the
blowing port of the Vac.

3. (Optional) Attach extension wand to
swivel end of hose.

4. Turn Vac on and you are ready to use
your Vac as a blower.

Blowing
Port

Pro-Hose

Swivel
End of
Hose

Extension
Wand

(optional)

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
back injury or falls, do not lift a Vac
heavy with liquid or debris. Scoop
or drain enough contents out to
make the Vac light enough to lift
comfortably.

Moving the Wet/Dry Vac

Should it become necessary to pick the
Vac up to move it, the handles on the
sides of the dust drum are used to lift.
To maneuver the Vac, the pull handle
above the inlet should be used.

Blowing Feature

Your Wet/Dry Vac features “Full Blowing”.
It can blow sawdust and other debris.
Follow the steps below to use your Vac
as a blower.

WARNING: Always wear safety
eyewear complying with ANSI Z87.1
(or in Canada, CSA Z94.3) before
using as a Blower.

CAUTION: Wear a dust mask if
blowing creates dust which might
be inhaled.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of
hearing damage, wear ear protectors
when using the Vac/Blower for
extended time or in a noisy area.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
injury to bystanders, keep them
clear of blowing debris.

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WARNING: To reduce the risk of
injury from accidental starting,
unplug power cord before emptying
the drum.

Emptying the Drum

1. The Vac comes equipped with a drain
for easy emptying of liquids. Simply
unscrew the drain cap and lift the
opposite side slightly to empty the
drum.

2. Another option is to remove the lid.
Pull the flexible latches outward on
each side of the lid to release from the
drum.

3. While holding the latches out, lift the
top assembly up and away from the
drum.

4. Lay top assembly upside down on a
clean area while emptying drum or
changing filter.

5. Dump the drum contents into the
proper waste disposal container.

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Operation (continued)

9

Maintenance

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
injury from accidental starting,
unplug power cord before changing
or cleaning filter.

NOTE: The filter is made of high quality

paper designed to stop very small
particles of dust. The filter can be used
for dry pick up or small amounts of liquid.
Handle the filter carefully when removing
to clean or installing it. Creases in the
filter pleats may occur from installation
but will not affect the performance of the
filter.

Filter Cleaning

Your filter should be cleaned often to
maintain peak Vac performance.

Be sure to dry the filter before storing or
picking up dry debris.

IMPORTANT: After cleaning, check the
filter for tears or small holes. Do not use
a filter with holes or tears in it. Even a
small hole can cause a lot of dust to
come out of your Vac. Replace it
immediately.

Filter Removal and Installation

Filter

!

Filter Removal:

1. Hold the filter tabs of the Qwik Lock™
filter in each hand.

2. With one thumb on the Qwik Lock™
stud, which protrudes through the
integrated filter plate, lift up on the filter
tabs while pushing down on the stud.

3. This action will cause the filter to
release from the filter cage. Slide filter
off cage.

Filter
Cage

Qwik
Lock™
Stud

Filter
Tabs (2)

Integrated Filter
Plate with Center
Hole

PUSH

DOWN

PULL

UP

Rubber
Gasket at
Bottom of
Filter

(cutaway
view)

Lid

Filter Installation:

1. Carefully slide the Qwik Lock™ filter
over the filter cage and press down on
the outside edge of the filter until the
rubber gasket on the bottom of the filter
seats securely around the base of the
filter cage and against the lid.

2. Align the small center hole in the top of
the filter over the Qwik Lock™ stud on
the filter cage. Press firmly on top of
the filter near the stud to allow the filter
to snap over the ball on the end of the
stud. The filter is now attached.

NOTE: Failure to properly seat the
bottom gasket could result in debris
bypassing the filter.

IMPORTANT: To avoid damage to the
blower wheel and motor, always reinstall
the filter before using the Vac for dry
material pick-up.

WARNING: Do not operate
without filter cage and float, as they
prevent liquid from entering the
impeller and damaging the motor.

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10

Cleaning and Disinfecting the
Wet/Dry Vac

To keep your Wet/Dry Vac looking its
best, clean the outside with a cloth
dampened with warm water and mild
soap.

To clean the drum:

1. Dump debris out.

2. Wash drum thoroughly with warm
water and mild soap.

3. Wipe out with dry cloth.

Before prolonged storage or as needed
(i.e.; waste water pick up) the drum
should be disinfected.

To disinfect the drum:

1. Pour 1 gallon of water and 1 teaspoon
chlorine bleach into the drum.

2. Let solution stand for 20 minutes,
carefully swishing every few minutes,
making sure to wet all inside surfaces
of the drum.

3. Empty drum after 20 minutes. Rinse
with water until bleach smell is gone.
Allow drum to dry completely before
sealing the motor on the drum.

Cord Maintenance

When vacuuming is complete, unplug the
cord and wrap it around the motor cover.
If the power cord is damaged, it must be
replaced by the manufacturer or their
service agent or by similarly qualified
personnel to reduce the risk of accident.

Maintenance (continued)

Cleaning A Dry Filter

1. Some removal of dry debris can be
accomplished without removing the
filter from the Vac. Slap your hand on
top of the lid while the Vac is turned
off.

2. For best cleaning results due to
accumulated dust, clean the filter in
an open area. Cleaning SHOULD be
done outdoors and not in the living
quarters.

3. After filter removal from Vac, remove
the dry debris by gently tapping filter
against the inside wall of your dust
drum. The debris will loosen and fall.

4. For thorough cleaning of dry filter
with fine dust (no debris), run water
through it as described under
"Cleaning A Wet Filter"

Cleaning A Wet Filter

After filter is removed, run water through
the filter from a hose or spigot. Take care
that water pressure from the hose is not
strong enough to damage filter.

Installation

Allow the filter to dry before reinstalling
and storing the Vac.

11

Storage

Before storing your Vac, the drum should
be emptied and cleaned. The cord should
be wrapped around the unit and the hose
should be stored as described in this
manual. Accessories should be kept in
the same area as the Vac so they can be
readily available. The Vac should be
stored indoors.

Casters

If your casters are noisy, you may put a
drop of oil on the roller shaft to make
them quieter.

Maintenance (continued)

Cord Storage

Simply, wrap the power cord around the
power head and snap the connector on
the plug to a wrap of the cord.

Pull
Handle

Drain
Cap

Caster Feet
w/Accessory Storage

Drum

Power
Cord

Cord Wrap
Area

Blower
Port

Caster

Drum
Inlet

WARNING: to assure product
SAFETY and RELIABILITY, any other
maintenance, repairs or adjustments
should be performed by Authorized
service centers, always using
RIDGID replacement parts.

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Key Model No.
No. 1200RV0 Description

1 832086 Rocker Switch
2 820563-4 Screw, Pan Hd. Ty. “AB” 10 x 3/4 Ser.
3 833185 Collector
4 509488 Float
5 823201-3 Filter Cage
6 826817 Nut, Hex Flange 5/16-18
7 315534-1 Washer
8 818413-3 Blower Wheel
9 818961 Spacer
10 820563-7 Screw, Pan Hd. Ty. “AB” 10 x 3/4 Ser.
11 VF4000 Qwik Lock™ Filter
12 73185 Drain Cap
13 828833 Caster Foot w/Storage
14 73137 Caster
15 VT2509 Utility Nozzle
16 VT2503 Car Nozzle
17 VT2510 Wet Nozzle
18 VT2508 Extension Wand
19 831337-9 Pro-Hose
20 SP6937 Owner’s Manual

WARNING

SERVICING OF DOUBLE-INSULATED WET/DRY VAC

In a double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac, two systems of insulation are provided
instead of grounding. No grounding means is provided on a double-insulated
appliance, nor should a means for grounding be added. Servicing a double­insulated Wet/Dry Vac requires extreme care and knowledge of the system,
and should be done only by qualified service personnel. Replacement parts
for a double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac must be identical to the parts they replace.
Your double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac is marked with the words "DOUBLE
INSULATED" and the symbol (square within a square) may also be
marked on the appliance.

To reduce the risk of injury from electrical shock, unplug power cord before
servicing the electrical parts of the Wet/Dry Vac.

Repair Parts

12 U.S. Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

Catalog Number 1200RV includes Model Number 1200RV0

RIDGID parts are available on-line at www.ridgidparts.com

Always order by Part Number - Not by Key Number

* Standard Hardware Item - May Be Purchased Locally
† These replacement parts are available where you purchased your Vac.

*

†

†
†
†
†

*

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12

12 U.S. Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

Catalog Number 1200RV includes Model Number 1200RV0

RIDGID parts are available on-line at www.ridgidparts.com

10

9

8

2

3

6

7

11

18

19

20

5

4

1

13

12

14

15

16

17

Repair Parts (continued)

13

Part No. SP6937 Form No. SP6937-1 Printed in Mexico 01/15

FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION CONTACT US AT

1-800-4-RIDGID (1-800-474-3443) from the US and Canada

01-800-701-9811 from Mexico

www.ridgidvacs.com

Please have your Model Number and Serial Number on hand when calling.

Stock No. 1200RV
Model No. 1200RV0
Serial Number

Model and serial numbers may be found next to the blowing port. You should record
both model and serial numbers in a safe place for future use.

c 2015 Emerson

What is covered

RIDGID®tools are warranted to be free of defects in workmanship and material.

How long coverage lasts

This warranty lasts for the lifetime of the RIDGID®tool. Warranty coverage ends when the product
becomes unusable for reasons other than defects in workmanship or material.

How can you get service

To obtain the benefit of this warranty, deliver via prepaid transportation the complete product to
RIDGE TOOL COMPANY, Elyria, Ohio, or any authorized RIDGID

®

INDEPENDENT SERVICE

CENTER. Pipe wrenches and other hand tools should be returned to the place of purchase.

What we will do to correct problems

Warranted products will be repaired or replaced, at RIDGE TOOL’s option, and returned at no
charge; or, if after three attempts to repair or replace during the warranty period the product is still
defective, you can elect to receive a full refund of your purchase price.

What is not covered

Failures due to misuse, abuse or normal wear and tear are not covered by this warranty. RIDGE
TOOL shall not be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages.

How local law relates to the warranty

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you
may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state, province to province, or country to
country.

No other express warranty applies

This FULL LIFETIME WARRANTY is the sole and exclusive warranty for RIDGID®products.
No employee, agent, dealer, or other person is authorized to alter this warranty or make any other
warranty on behalf of the RIDGE TOOL COMPANY.