RIDGID MS1250 Owner's Manual

MS1250 OWNERS MANUAL

For Your Safety:

Read all instructions carefully Save this manual for future referenece

12 INCH COMPOUND

MITER SAW

WITH LEGSET

Part No. SP6449 Printed in Taiwan

Table of Contents

Section Page

Table of Contents .......................................... 2

Safety Instructions For Miter Saw ................. 2

Safety Signal Words ................................... 2

Before Using The Saw ............................... 3

When Installing Or Moving The Miter Saw .3

Before Each Use ........................................ 4

To Reduce the Risk of Injury From Jams,

Slips Or Thrown Pieces ............................ 4

Plan Ahead To Protect Your Eyes, Hands,

Face and Ears .......................................... 5

Dress For Safety ........................................ 5

Preparing to Make Cut ............................... 6

Whenever Saw Is Running ......................... 7

Before Leaving The Saw ............................7

Glossary of Terms for Woodworking ............. 8

Motor Specifications and Electrical

Requirements ........................................... 8

Power Supply and Motor Specifications ..... 8

General Electrical Connections .................. 9

110-120 Volt, 60 Hz. Tool Information .........9

Motor Safety Protection .............................. 9

Wire Sizes ................................................ 10

Unpacking and Checking Contents ............. 10

Tools Needed ........................................... 10

Unpacking ................................................ 10

List of Loose Parts ................................... 10

Assembly .....................................................1 2

Assembling and Aligning the

Table Extension ...................................... 12

Attaching Dust Elbow and Dust Bag .........12

Installing or Removing the Blade ............. 13

Getting to Know Your Miter Saw ................. 14

Alignment (Adjustments) ...............................16

Step One: Blade Square to Table

(Bevel Alignment) .....................................16

Assembling Leg Set .................................... 18

Attaching Feet ..........................................18

Mounting The Miter Saw ............................. 19

Mounting Saw on Supplied Legset ........... 19

Mounting Saw on Other Legsets or Work

Benches .................................................1 9

Portable Applications ............................... 19

Section Page

Safety Instructions for Basic Saw

Operations .............................................. 20

Before Each Use ........................................ 20

To Reduce the Risk of Injury From Jams,

Slips Or Thrown Pieces ..........................20

PlanAhead To Protect Your Eyes, Hands,

Face and Ears ........................................21

Dress For Safety ...................................... 21

Preparing to Make the Cut ....................... 21

Whenever Saw Is Running .......................23

Before Leaving The Saw: .........................23

Basic Saw Operations .................................24

Body and Hand Position ...........................24

Miter Scale Usage ....................................24

Sliding Fence ...........................................25

Miter Cut ...................................................25

Bevel Cut ..................................................25

Compound Cut .........................................26

Cutting Compound Miters on

Picture Frames and Boxes .....................26

Cutting Bowed Material ............................ 26

Workpiece Support ..................................27

Auxiliary Fence .........................................27

Cutting Base Moldings .............................27

Cutting Crown Moldings ...........................28

Two Methods of Cutting Crown Molding ..28

Maintenance and Lubrication ......................30

Maintenance .............................................30

Lubrication ................................................ 30

Accessories .................................................31

Prohibited Accessories ..............................31

Basic Blade Requirements ....................... 31

Using Carbide Tipped Blades ......................31

Troubleshooting Guide ................................32

General ....................................................32

Motor ........................................................ 33

Wiring Diagram ............................................33

Trouble Shooting of Brake by Qualified

Service Person Only ...............................33

Repair Parts ................................................34

Notes ...........................................................42

Safety Instructions For Miter Saw

Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your miter saw works. Read this manual to understand this miter s aw.

Safety Signal Words

DANGER: means if the safety infor-

mation is not followed someone wi ll be seriously injured or killed.

WARNING: means if the safety infor-

mation is not followed someone

could be seriously injured or killed. CAUTION: means if the safety infor-

mation is not followed someone may be injured.

Before Us ing The Saw

WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known (to the S tate of Cal i fornia) to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-bases paints,

• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

• A rsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often youdothistypeofwork.To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approvedsafety equipm ent, such as those dust m asks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of mistakes t hat could cause seri ous, permanent injury, do not plug the miter saw in until the following s teps have been satisfactorily completed.

• Completelyassemble andalign saw. (See “As se mbly” and “Alignment” sections within.)

• Learn the use and f unc tio n of the ON-OFF switch, upper and lower blade guards, handle latch, bevel clamp, cover plate stop screw, and fence clamps. (See “Getting to Know Your Miter Saw” section within.)

• Review and understand all safety instructions and operating procedures i n this manual.

• Review the maintenance methods for this miter saw. (See “Maintenance” section within).

Find and read the following labels on the miter saw:

When Installing Or Moving The Miter Saw

Beforemoving the saw, lockthe miter, bevel and power head po sitions. Unplug the power cord.

To reduce the risk of back injury, get help when you need to lift the saw.

Never carry t he tool by t he co rd or power head trigger handle. Damage to insulation could cause an electric shock. Da mag e to wire connections

couldcauseafire.

ReducetheRiskofDangerous Environment. Use the miter saw in a

dry, indoor place prot ec te d from rain. Keep work area well li ghted.

Place the saw s o neither the us er nor bystanders are forced to stand in line with the blade. T hrown debris could injure people in its path.

Safety Instructions for Miter Saws (continued)

To reduce the risk of injury from unexpected saw m ovem ent:

• Place the miter saw on a firm level surface whe re there is plenty of room for handling and properly sup porting theworkpiece.

• Support t he miter saw so the table is level and the saw does not rock.

• Bolt, screw or clamp t he saw to its support.

Before E ach Use

Inspect your mi ter saw. Disconnect The Miter Saw.To

reduce the risk of injury from accidental starting, unp lug the saw, before changing the setup, changing the blade or adjusting anything.

Compare the direction of rotation arrow on the guard to the direction arrow on the blade. The blade teeth should always point downward at the front of the s aw.

Tighten the arbor screw. Tighten the cover plate stop screw. Check For Damage d Parts. Check

for:

• Proper Alignment of moving parts,

• Damag ed electric co rds,

• Binding of moving parts,

• Broken parts,

• Stable mounting,

• Never Stand On Tool. Serious injury could occur if the tool tips or you accident ally hit the cutting tool. Do not store anything above or near the tool where anyone might stand on the tool to reach them.

To reduce the risk of injury or death from electrical sho ck:

• Make sure your fingers do not touch the pl ug’s metal prongs when plugging or unplugging the miter saw.

lower guard: Push the arm all the way down, then let it rise up until it stops by itself. Check the lower guard to see if it closed fully. If it did not, follow the instructions in t he Trouble Shooting section.

• Other conditions that may affect the way the miter saw works.

If any part of this mitersaw is missing, bent, or broken in any way, or any electrical parts don't work, turn the saw off and unplug it. Replace damaged, m iss ing, or failed parts before using the saw again.

Keep G uards In Place,inworking order, and in proper adjustment.

Maintain Tools With Care. Keep the miter saw clean for best and safest performance. Follow instructions for lubricating. DON’T put lubricants on the blade while it’s spinning.

• Function of arm ret urn spring and

To Reduce the Risk of Injury From Jams, Slips Or Thrown Pieces

• Use Only Recommended A c cessories. (See “Accessory” section within.) Consult this Owner’s manual for recommended acc es s ories. Follow the instructions that come with the accessories. The use of

Remove Adjusting Keys And Wrenches from tool before turning it on.

improper accessories may cause risk of injury to pers ons.

• Choos e the right 12-inch diamet er blade for t he material and t he type of cutting you plan to do.

• Make sure the blade is shar p, undamaged and properly aligne d. With the saw u nplugged, push t he power-head all the way down. Hand spin the blade and che ck for clearance.

• Make sure the blade and arbor collars are c lean.

• Make sure the collars' recessed sides are facing the blade.

• Using the 1/4” hex end of combination wrench (supplied) or a 1/2-inch

box end wrench, make s ure the left hand thread arbor screw is firm ly tightened counterclockwise.

• Make sure all clamps and locks are tight and there is no excessive play in any parts.

• Keep Work Area Cle an. Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents. Floor must not be slippery.

To reduce the risk of bur ns or other fire damage, never use the saw near flammable liquid s, vapors or gases.

Plan Ahead To Protect Your Eyes, Hands, Face and Ears

Know Your Miter Saw. Read and

understand the owner’s manual and labels affixed to the tool. Lear n its applications and limitations as well as the specificpotential hazards pecul iar to this tool.

To red uce the ri sk of injury from accidental contact with moving parts, don’t do layout, assembly, or setup work on the miter saw while any parts are moving.

To Reduce the Risk of Accidental Starting. Make sure switch is “O FF”

before plugg ing miter saw into a power outlet.

Plan your work. Use The Right Tool. Don’t force tool

or attachment to do a job it was not designed to do. Use a different tool

forany workpiece that can’t be held in a solidly braced, fixed position.

CAUTION: This machine is n ot designed for cutting ferrous metals (steel , iron and iron b ased metals). Use this miter saw to cut only wood, wood like products or soft me tals like aluminum. Other material may shatter, bind on the blade, o r create oth er dan gers.

CAUTION: W hen cutting any metals, sparks or hot fragments could cause a fire . To reduce the risk of this, disconnect any dust collecting bag or hose from the miter saw, and remove all traces of wood dust from inside dust traps i n the miter saw.

Dress For Safety

Any power tool can throw foreign objects into t he eyes. This c an res ult in permanent eye damage. Wear safety goggl es (not glasses ) that comply with A NSI Z87.1 (or in Canada CSA Z94.3-99) shown on package. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lens es. They are not safety glasses. Safety goggles are available at many local retail stores. Glasses or goggles not in compliance

with ANSI or CSA could seriously hurt you when they break.

Do no t wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties or jewelry (rings, wrist watches) T hey can get caught and draw you into moving parts.

Safety Instructions for Miter Saws (continued)

• Wear nonslip footwear.

• Tie back long hair.

• Roll long sleeves above the el bow.

• Noise levels vary widely. To reduce the risk of possible hearing damage,

Preparing to Make Cut

WARNING: If planning to cut aluminum or other non-ferrous metals: Under adverse conditions, the blade can grab and throw the workpiece suddenly and unexpectedly. To reduce the ri sk of injury, follow all applicable safety instructions, as you normally would, and:

• Use only sawblades specifically recommended for non-ferrous metal cutting.

• Do not cut metal workpieces that must be hand held. U se auxiliary clamps or other equipment as neede d.

• Cut non-ferrous metals only if you are experienced or under the supervi sio n of an experienced person.

Inspect Your Workp iece. Make sure

there are no nails or foreign objects in the part of the workpiece to be cut.

Plan your work to r e duce the risk of thrown pieces caused w hen th e workpiece binds on the blade and is torn from your hands.

Plan the way you will hold the workpiece from start to finish.

wear ear plugs or muffs when using miter s aw for hours at a time.

• For dusty operations, wear a dust mask along with s afety goggles.

Don’t Overreach. Keep good footing and balance.

Keep your face and body to one side of sawblade, out of line with a possiblethrownpiece.

Cut only one workpie ce at a time. Never cut Freehand:

• Brace your workpiece solidly against the fence and table top so it will not rock or twist during the cut.

• Make sure there’s no debris between t he workpiece and its supports.

• Make sure no gaps between the workpiece, fence and table will l et the workpiece shift after it is cut in two.

• Keep the c ut o ff piece free to move sideways afterit's cut off.Otherwise, it could get wedged against the blade and thrown v iol ent ly.

• Clear everything except t he wo r k piece and related support devices off the table before turning the miter saw on.

• Secure Work. Use clamps or a vi se to hel p hold the work when it’s practical.

Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause fingers or hand to move into the blade.

Use extra cautio n wi th larg e, very small or awkward workpieces:

• Us e extra s upports (tables, saw horses, blocks, etc.) for any workpieces l arge enough to tip when not held down to the table t op.

• Never use another person as a substitute for a table extension, or as additional support for a work piece that is longer or wider than the bas ic miter saw table or to help feed, sup port or pull the workpiece.

not slip and pinc h the blade and be torn from your hands. A pie ce of molding, for example, must lie flat against t he table or fence, or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let it twist, rock or slip while being cut.

• Do not use this saw to c ut pieces too small to let you easily hold the workwhileyoukeepthethumbside of your index (pointer) finge r against the outside edge of the fence.

• When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your work so it will

Whenever Saw Is Running

WARNING: Don't allow familiarity (gained from frequent u se of your miter saw) cause a carele ss mistake. A careless frac t io n of a second is enough to cause a severe injury.

Before starting your cut, watch the miter saw while it runs. If it makes an unfamiliar noise or vibrates a lot, stop immediately. Turn the saw o ff. Unplug the saw. Do not restart until finding and correcting the problem .

Keep Children Away. Keep all visitors a safe distance from the miter saw. Make sure bystanders are cl ear of the miter saw and workpiece.

Never confine the piece being cut off. Never hold it, clamp it, touch it, or

use length stops against it while the blade is spinning. It must be free t o move sideways on its own. If confined, it could get wedged against the blade and be th rown violently.

• Properly support round material such as dowel rods, or tubing. They have a t endency t o roll while being cut, causing the blade to "bite." To avoid this, always use a fixture designed to properly hold your workpiece.

Let the blade reach full speed before cutting. This will help avoid

thrown workpieces. Don’t Force Tool. It will do the job

better and safer at its designed rate. Feed the saw into the work piece only fast enough to let t he blade cut without bogging down or binding.

Before free in g jammed m aterial:

• Turn miter saw “OFF” by releasing trigger switch.

• Wait for all moving parts to stop.

• Unplug the mi ter saw.

After finishing a cut:

• Keep holding the power head down.

• Release t he switch, and wait for all moving parts to stop before moving your hands or raising power head.

• If blade doesn’t stop within 6 seconds, unplug the saw and follow the instructions in the Trouble Shooting section for fixing the blade brake before using the saw again.

Before Leaving The Saw

Never Leave Tool Running Unattended. Turn power off. Wait for all

moving parts to stop. Make Workshop Child Proof. Install

a padlock through t he hole provided

in the trigg er to prevent unauthorized usage. Lock the shop. Disconnect master switches. Store tool awayfrom children and ot hers no t qualified to use the tool.

Glossary of Terms for Woodworking

Arbor

The shaft on which a cutting tool is mounted.

Bevel Cut

An angle c utting operation m ade through the face of the workpiece.

Compound Cut

A simultaneous bevel and miter cutting operation.

Crosscut

A cutting operation madeacrossthewi dth of the workpiece.

Freehand

Doing a cut without holding the workpiece against both the table and fence. Most workpieces can be held down with your hand. Large or wide pieces should be clamped to the fence or table.

Gum

A sticky, sap based residue from wood products.

Heel

Misalignment of the blade.

Kerf

The amount of material removed by the bladein a throughcutor the slot produced by the bladei n a nonthrough or partial cut.

Miter Cut

An angle cutting operation made across the width of the workpiece.

Resin

A sticky, sap based substance that has hardened.

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)

The number of turns completed by a spinning object in one minute.

Sawblade Path

The area of the workpiece or table top directly in line with either the travel of the blade or the part of the workpiece which will be, or has been, cut by the blade.

Set

The distance that the tip of the sawblade tooth is bent (or set) outward from the face of the blade.

Workpiece

The item on which t he cutting operation is being performed. The surfaces of a workpiece are commonly referred to as faces, ends, and edges.

Face

End

Motor Specifications and Electrical Requirements

Power Supply and Motor Specifications

WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical hazards, fire hazards or damage to the tool, use proper circuit protection. Your tool is wired at the factory for operation using the voltage shown. Connect tool to a power line with the appropriate voltage and a 15-amp branch circuit. Use a 15-amp time delay type fuse or circuit breaker. To reduce the risk of shock or fire, if power cord is worn or cut, or damaged in any way, have it replaced immediately.

Edge

TheA-Cmotorusedonthistoolisauniversal non-reversible type, having the following specifications:

Voltage 120 Amperes 15 Hertz (Cycles) 60 Phase Single RPM 4000 Shaft Rotation Clockwise

Brake Automatic

General Electrical Connections

DANGER: To reduce the risk of electrocution:

1.Use only identical replacement parts when servicing. Servicing should be performed by a qualified service technician.

2.Do not use in rain or where floor is wet.

This tool is intended for indoor residential use only.

110-120 Volt, 60 Hz. Tool Information

Double I nsulated

The miter saw is double insulated to provide a double thickness of insulation between you and the tool’s electrical system. All exposed metal parts are isolated fromt he internal metal motor components with protecting insulation.

Polarized Plug

Your unit has a plug that looks like the one shown.

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, this appliancehas a polarizedplug (one blade is wider t han the other).This plug will fit in a polarizedoutlet only one way, if the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverseplug. If i t still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the pl ug in any way.

WARNING: Double insulation does not take the place of norm al safety precautions when operating this tool.

Motor Safety Protection

1. Connect this tool to a 120v, 15-amp branch circuit with a 15-amp time delay

WARNING Do not permit fingers to touch the terminals of plug when installing or removing the plug to or from the outlet.

If power cord is cut, or damaged in any way, have it replaced immediately.

fuse or circuit breaker. Using the wrong size fuse can damage the motor.

1. If the motor won't start, release the trigger switch immediately. Unplug The Tool. Check the saw blade to m ake sure it turns freely. If the blade is free, try t o start the motor again. If the motor still does not star t, refer to the "Motor Trouble-Shooting Chart."

2. If the motor suddenly stalls while cutting wood, release the t rigger switch, unplug the tool, and free the blade from the wood. The m otor may now be restarted and the cut finished.

3. Fuses may "blow" or circuit breakers may trip frequently if:

a.Motor Is Overloaded-Overloading

can occur if you feed too rapidly or make too many start/stops in a short time.

b. Line voltages are more than 10%

above or below the nameplate voltage. For heavy loads, however, the voltage at motor terminals must equal the voltage specified on nameplate.

c. Improperor dull saw blades are used.

4. Most motor troubles may be traced to loose or incorrect connections, overload, low voltage (such as small size wire in the supply circuit) or to overly long supply circuit wire. Always check the connections, the load and the supply circuitwhenevermotordoesn't work well. Check wire sizes and length with the Wire Size Chart below .

Motor Specifications and Electrical Requirements (con’t.)

Wire Sizes

NOTE: Make sure the proper extension

cord is used and is in good condition. The use of any extension cord will causesome loss of power. To keep this to a minimum and to prevent overheating and motor burn-out, use the table below to determine the minimum wi re size A.W.G.) extension cord.

For circuits that are farther than 100 feet away from electrical service box, the wire

size must be increased proportionately in order to deliver ample voltage to the saw motor.

Extension Cord

Unpacking and Checking Contents

Tools Needed

Combination Square Must be True

Draw Light

3/4" or 19mm, 12mm

Socket

and Socket Wrench

Combination Square

Combination Wrench, 1/4" Hex “ L” W rench with #2 Phillips tip (supplied)

Line on Board Along this Edge

Should be no Gap or Overlap when Square is Flipped Over i n Dotted Position

Length

110-120V

0-25 Ft.

26-50 Ft.

Wire Sizes

Requiredfor120V

(A.W.G.)

14 12

Straight Edge of Board 3/4" Thick This Edge Must be Perfectly Straight

Unpacking

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from un expected starting or electrical shock, do no t plug the power cord into a power source outlet during unpacking and assembly. This cord must remain unplugged whenever you are working on the saw.

ThisMi ter Saw is shipped completein one box.

WARNING: Although co m pact, this saw is heavy. To reduce the risk of back injury, get help whenever you have to lift the saw.

1. Remove t he miter saw from the carton

by lifting the saw with the carrying handle.

1. Place the saw on a secure, stationary work surface and look the saw over carefully.

List of Loose Parts

NOTE:Before beginning assembly, check

that all parts are included. If you are missing any par t, do not assemble t he saw. Emailus atinfo@ridgidwoodworking.comif any p arts are damaged or missing. Sometimes small parts can get lost in packaging material. Do not t hrow away any packaging until saw i s put together. Check packaging for missing parts before contacting RIDGID. A complete parts list (RepairParts) is at the end of the m anual. Use the list to identify the number of the missing part.

The following parts are included:

Part or Assembly Qty.

A Basic Saw Assembly...........................1

B Table Extension...................................1

C Dust Bag .............................................1

D Work Clamp ........................................1

E Dust Elbow..........................................1

F Leg ......................................................4

G Long U pper Stiffeners.........................2

A B C

Part or Assembly Qty.

H Shor t U pper Stiffeners........................2

J Long Lower Stiffeners.........................2

K Short Lower Stiffeners ........................2

L Foot (In Parts Bag) ............................. 4

MBag, Extension Hardware ................... 1

N Bag, Legset Hardware........................ 1

O Owners Manual................................... 1

FG H

LM N O

Assembly

WARNING: For your own safety, never connect plug to power source outlet until all assembly steps are complete, and you have read and u nderstood the safety and o perational instructions.

Assembling and Aligning the Table Extension

1. Locate the table extension. Locate the bag assembly with the two cap screws and two washers.

1. Place the two bolts and washers throughthe holes in the table extension and fasten onto the end of the table. Finger tighten only.

2. Use a straight edge to align the table extension to both the fence and base of the saw as shown.

3. Using the 1/4" hex end of combination wrench securely tighten the two cap screws.

Lock Pin

Table Extension

Washer

Cap Screws

Attaching Dust Elbow and Dust Bag

Place t he dust elbow into the 2-1/2 inch dust port at the rear of the saw.

To attach the dust bag squeezethe spring clamp on the bag and place it over the dust elbow.

If desired a 2-1/2 inch wet/dry vac hose may be inser ted into the dust port or into the elbow.

If desired, the dust bag may be attached directly to dust por t on saw.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from thrown sawdust and wood chips, never operate saw without dust bag, dust elbow, or vac hose installed. Always direct elbow away from bystanders and operator.

Straightedge

Installing or Removing the Blade

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from a thrown workpiece or thrown piec es of blade, do not use a blade larg er or smaller than 12" diameter.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from un expected starting, unplug the saw whenever you are removing or installing the blade.

1.Unplug the saw from the outlet.

2. Rotate the lower plastic guard by hand. Loosen, but do not remove, the cover plate stop screw using the Phillips end of c ombination wrench.

3.Lift the lower guard up and tilt the lower guard assembly back so the arbor screw is exposed.

4.Find the arbor lock between the upper guard and the miter saw handle. Fit 1/ 4” hex end of combination tool in arbor screw or use 1/2” box end wrench.

5.Press the arbor lock and hold i t in firmly while turning the wrench clockwise. The arbor lock will engage after some turning of the wrench.

NOTE: The arbor screw has a left hand thread. This helps prevent unwanted

loosening of the arbor screw during normal operation.

6. Remove the arbor screw, arbor washer, outer blade collar , and the blade.

NOTE: Pay attention to pieces removed, noting their position and direction they face (see illustration). Wipe the blade collars clean of any sawdust before installing the new blades.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk o f cuts from extremely sharp teeth: Wear gloves when instal ling or removing saw blade.

See cautions in “Using Carbide Tipped Blades” section concerning inspection, use, and selection of carbide tipped and other sawblades.

Stop

Screw

Loosen

Arbor Lock

Blade

Washer

(Hollowed Side

Toward Blade)

Arbor screw

(Left Hand Thread)

Sawblade

7.Install the new 12" blade (see recommended accessory list). Make sure the rotation arrow on the blade matches the clockwise rotation arrow on the upper guard.

8.Install the outer blade collar, blade washer and arbor screw. Press t he arbor l ock and turn the combination wrench or the 1/2" wrench counter clockwise to secure the blade. Tighten arbor screw using moderate force, but do not overtighten.

Collars

Assembly (continued)

9.Lower the lower blade guard until the slot in cover plate rests all the way down on the cover plate stop screw. Tighten the screw with the Phillips end of the combination wrench.

DANGER: Never use saw withou t guard cover pl ate securely in place . It keeps the arbor screw from falling out if it accidentally loosens, and prevents the spinning blade from coming off the machine .

10.Be sure the arbor lock is released so the blade turns freely.

NOTE: The arbor lock can be damaged by improper use. If the arbor lock will not hold, lower the blade down on to a scrap piece of wood positioned against the

Getting to Know Your Miter Saw

fence. This will serve as an alternate locking means.

WARNING: Make sure th e collars are clean and properly arranged. After installing a new blade, make sure the blade clears the table slot at the 0° and 45° bevel positions. Lower the blade into the table slot and check for any contact with the b ase or turn table structure. If blade contacts table, seek authorized service.

1.Lower Blade Guard - The blade

guard helps protect your hands from the blade in the raised position. To reduce the risk of binding on the workpiece, it retracts as the blade is lowered.

2.The Repeat-A-Cut™ - Surface allows pencil marks to be made and easily erased for duplicate cuts.

3.Miter Lock Knob - The miter lock handle securely locks the miter saw at a desired miter angle. Index points have been provided on right and left for 0, 15°, 22.5°, crown molding (CM) and 45°.

4. Table - Sits in base, supports pivot and allows for approximately 49° miter left and right.

5.Base - Supports table, holds accessories and allows for work bench or leg set mounting.

6. Left Extension Table - Helps to support long workpieces.

7. Sliding Fence - Slides left/right to provide maximum support for the workpiece.

Cover Plate Stop Screw

(21-Clamp

Mounting Hole)

8.Lock Pin - The miter saw can be

lockedintheloweredpositionforcompact storage.

9.Cover Plate - Holds the lower guard and is attached to upper guard. Prevents the arbor screw from backing out when properly fastened.

10.Upper Blade Guard - Supports the motor, handle, switch, blade and lower guard.

11.Arbor lock - Allows the user to keep

blade from rotating while tightening or loosening arbor screw during blade replacement or removal.

12.Switch Interlock Button - Prevents trigger switch from being accidentally engaged.

13.On/Off Trigger Switch - To start the tool, depress switch interlock button with right thumb or palm of ei ther hand and then squeeze the trigger. Release the trigger to stop the miter saw. Install padlock through the hole in the trigger to prevent unauthorized use.

14.Sliding Fence Locking Knob - Locks fence at correct cutting position.

15.Combination Wrench - Used for 1/4" hex and Phillips head screw adjustments.

16.Bevel Index Pin - This three position pin provides a 0° and crown molding bevel stop when pushed all the way in. Inthemiddlepositiona0°and45° bevel stop is pr ovided. Pull the pin all the way out and the stops can be over-ridden allowing -2° to 47° bevel capacity.

17.Bevel Lock Knob - Locks the miter saw at a desired bevel angle.

18.Warning Label

19.Carrying Handle - This handle is built

into the unit to move it from one location to another. Before attempting to pick up the unit by the carrying handle always lock the miter saw power head in the down position using the lock pin. Make sure the miter lock and bevel lock knobs are tight.

20.Miter Saw Handle - The saw handle contains the tr igger switch with a padlock, l ocking hole to prevent unauthorized use. The blade is lowered into the workpiece by pushing down on the handle. The saw will return to its upright position when the handle is released, unless the handle lock pin is engaged.

FrontofSaw

21.Workpiece Clamp - Helps to hold

workpiece in position for precise cutting. Quick release allows easy movement for workpiece wi dth adjustment. Pin of clamp fits in either hole in front of base.

Alignment (Adjustments)

WARNING: Cut material can b e thrown. Eyes can be perm anently damaged. Wear your safety goggles.

Spring

NOTE:Before this saw is aligned or used,

a kerf must be cut into the table i nsert at 0° bevel. Our Quality Control Audit Procedure requiresus to cut through the inser ts before they leave our factory.

To cut through an uncut insert:

1. Plug in the power cord.

1. Tur n the saw on by actuatingthe trigger

switch.

2. Lower the blade to full depth while cut-

ting through the table insert.

3. Release the trigger switch and allow

the blade to come to a complete stop.

4. Repeat this procedure at 45° bevel.

Step One: Blade Square to Table (Bevel Alignment)

NOTE: The miter saw was assembled,

aligned, and inspected before shipment. Alignment should be checked and any adjustments made to insure accurate cuts.

1. Check miter lock knob setting. The

miter lock knob should be at the 0° position. To reset the miter angle, turn the miter lock knob counter clockwise and press down the indexspring, move to 0° miter and retighten knob.

2. Lower the blade and engage the lock

pin.Use a combination squareto check blade squareness to table. If the blade does not contact the full length of the square,(see illustration) follow the alignment procedure.

a. Loosen bevel lock knob. b. Grasping carrying handle, move the

cutting head left or right until blade makes contact with the full length of the square.

NOTE: If you cannot get to 0° bevel,the bevel stop may be in your way. Adjust the bevelstop(SeeStepd)soyoumay achieve 0° bevel.

c. Tighten the bevel lock knob. d. Loosen the 0° bevel stop mounting

Tighten

Loosen

5. Unplug the power cord before starting alignment procedure.

Handle

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from unexpected starting or ele ctrical shock, do not plug the saw in. The power cord must remain unplugged whenever you are working on the saw.

screw and push the stop against the pin. Retighten the stop mounting wrench. Sl ide the indicator under the Phillipsheadscrewtolineupexactly with the 0° bevel mark on the bevel scale. Retighten the indicator screw.

e. Loosen bevel lock knob and tilt the

power head to 45° bevel and check the 45° bevel stop. The bevel indicator should be on the 45° mark, the 45° bevel stop should be in full contact with the 45° bevel stop screw , and the blade should contact the full length of the square. This adjustment sets the 45° and crown molding stops.

3. If adjustmentis necessary, repeatsteps 2a - 2d for the 45°/crown molding bevel stop.

Bevel Stop

Mounting Screw

0°, CM Index

0°, 45° Index

By-Pass

Index/

By-Pass P in

Bevel Index Mechanism

Step Two: Blade Square to Fence (Miter Alignment)

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from un expected starting or electrical shock, do no t plug the saw in. The power cord must remain unplugged whenever you are working on the saw.

Adjust Bl ade Square to Fence:

1. Lower the blade and engage the lock pin. Use a combination square. Place the square against the fence and next to the blade as illustrated. Locate the square properly so it does not contact the set in t he teeth of sawblade, giving an inaccurate reading. The sawblade should contact the full l ength of the square.

1. If blade contacts full length of square, no alignment is necessary, skip a-f below. If blade is not square to the fence, follow the al ignment procedure.

a. Loosen miter lock knob a half turn.

The saw power head should still be secured in the lowered position by the lock pin.

Miter

Indicator

Miter Arm

Cap Head Screws

CAUTION: To keep from losing control of the unit, steady the base with one hand while loosening the two bolts with the other hand.

b. With the unit securely resting on a

large stable surface, tilt the unit by lifting up on one side or the other of the base. Using combination wrench supplied, loosen the two miter arm cap head screws on the underside of the turn table.

c. Return the saw to its normal resting

position. Make sure the miter lock knob is loose but do not release the index spring.

d. Use the miter saw knob to move the

table so that the blade contacts the full length of t he square. Watch out fort ooth set. Turn the miter lock knob clockwise to lock saw square to fence.

e. Tilt saw as in Step b and tighten cap

head screws.

f. Recheck blade squareness to fence

and readjust if necessary.

Adjust Miter S cale Indicator

1. Through the hole in front of t he table insert, loosen the Phillips screw that holds the Vernier indicator in place.

1. Reposition the indicator to align it with 0° mark, and retighten screw.

Alignment (Adjustments) (continued)

Step Three: Pivot Adjustment

NOTE: This adjustment was made at the

factory and normally does not require readjustment.

Arm Pivot M ovement

1. Make sure the see through lower guard is rotated closed and is resting against, or very close to,the r ubber stops. If not, see “Lubrication” section.

Bevel Pivot Movement/Adjustment

Check that miter saw bevels easily by looseningthe bevell ock handleand tilting the power head to the left. NOTE: At least one thread of the pivotbolt should stick out past the hex lock nut.

1. If movement is tight or there is loose-

Assembling Leg Set

1. Locate the following parts:

4 Legs 2 Long Upper Stiffeners 2 Short Upper Stiffeners 2 Long Lower Stiffeners 2 Short Lower Stiffeners.

2. From the leg set hardware bag find the following:

4 Feet 24Carriage Bolts 5/16-18 x 5/8 24Flange Nuts 5/16-18

NOTE: Hardware not shown actual size.

3. Assemble the stand as shown. Make sure the legs go inside the upper stiffeners. Make sure the legs go outside the lower stiffeners. Make sure the long upperstiffenersgo overthe short upper stiffeners.

4. Only finger tighten nuts at this time.

ness in the pivot, do the following adjustment procedure:

a. Loosen t he bevel lock handle. b.Turnthehexlocknutwitha3/4"or

19mm socket and socket wrench.

Recheck bevel movement of the miter saw. Readjust if necessary.

Leg

Long Upper

Stiffener

Short Upper

Stiffener

Foot

Short UIpper

Stiffener

Leg

Long Lower

Stiffener

Bolt

Short Lower

Stiffener

Flange Nut

Long Upper

Stiffener

Long Lower

Stiffener

Foot

Short Lower

Stiffener

Mounting The Miter Saw

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from un expected saw movement:

a.Before moving the saw, lock the

miter and bevel knobs and lock the power head in the lower position. Unplug electric cord.

b.Toreducetheriskofback

injury , hold the tool close to your body when lifting. Bend your knees so you can lift with your legs, not your back. Lift by using the hand-hold areas at each side of the bottom of the base or by the carrying handle .

c.Never carry the miter saw by

the power cord or the trigger grip of the plastic handle. Carrying the tool by the power cord could cause damage to the insulation or the wire connections resulting in electric shock or fire.

d.Place the saw so other people

cannot stand b ehind it. Thrown debris could injure people in its path.

e.Place the saw on a firm, level

surfacewherethereisplentyof room for handling and properly supporting the workpiece.

f. Support the saw so the table is

level and the saw does not rock.

g.Boltor clamp the saw toitssupport.

Mounting Saw on Supplied Legset

1. Locate 4 bolts,4 washers and 4 nuts in parts bag.

2. Position leg set at the desired location .

3. Mount the miter saw as shown wi th provided hardware. Only finger tighten nuts at this time.

4. If necessary shift the leg set to adjust for slightly unlevel floor.Securely tighten all hardware.

Mounting Saw on Other Legsets or Work Benches

Mounting Board or Work Surface

Place the saw in the desired location either on a work bench or other recommended leg set. The base of the saw has eight holes to mount the miter saw. Four smaller holes for “drywall” screws are labeled A. Fourholes for bolts are labeled B (seeillustration).If t he sawis tobe used in one location, permanently fasten it to the work bench or leg set.

NOTE: When mounted on a large flat surface, t he miter saw table is 3 1/2" high. A finished 4x4 or a supported 2x4 on edge can be used as work support extension.

ABBA

Portable Applications

To mount the saw to a 3/4” piece of plywood, use 4, 1/4" bolt holes or wallscrew holes. The mounting board can then be clamped down t o prevent i t from tipping. Plywood mount also helps protect saw from damage during the rough handling associated with portable miter saw usage.

the 4 dry-

Bolt

Washer

Nut

Safety Instructions for Basic Saw Operations

Before Each Use Inspect your saw.

Disconnect The Miter Saw. To

reduce the risk of injury from accidental starting, unp lug the saw, before changing the setup, changing the blade or adjusting anything.

Compare the direction of rotation arrow on the guard to the direction arrow on blade. The blade tee th should always point downward at the front of the s aw.

Tighten the arbor screw. Tighten the cover plate stop screw. Check Damaged Par t s. Check for:

• Alignment of moving parts,

• Damag ed electric co rds,

• Binding of moving parts,

• Broken parts,

• Stable mounting

• Function of arm ret urn spring and

lower guard: Push the arm all the

way down, then let it rise up until it stops by itself. Check the lower guard to see if it closed fully. If it did not, follow the instructions in t he Trouble Shooting section.

• Other conditions that may affect the way the miter saw works.

Keep G uards In Place,inworking order, and in proper adjustment.

If any part of this m iter saw if missing, bent, or broken in any way, or any electrical par ts don’t work, turn the saw off and unplug it. Replace damaged, m iss ing, or failed parts before using the saw again.

Maintain Tools With Care. Keep the miter saw clean for best and safest performance. Follow instructions for lubricating. DON’T put lubricants on the blade while it’s s pinning.

Remove Adjusting Keys And Wrenches from tool before turning it

on.

To Reduce the Risk of Injury From Jams, Slips Or Thrown Pieces

• Choose the right 12-inch diame ter blade for the material and the t y pe of cutting you plan to do.

• Make sure the blade is shar p, undamaged and properly aligne d. With the saw u nplugged, push t he power-head all the way down. Hand spin the blade and che ck for clearance.

• Make sure the blade and arbor col-

lars are clean.

• Make sure the collars' recessed sides are facing the blade.

• Us ing 1/4” hex end of combination wrench (supplied) or 1/2-inch box end wrench, make sure the arbor screw is firmly tightened.

• Make sure all clamps and locks are tight and there is no excessive play in any parts.

• Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents. Floor must not be slippery.

To reduce the risk of bur ns or other fire damage, never use the miter saw near flammable liquids, vapors or gases.

Plan Ahead To Protect Your Eyes, Hands, Face and Ears

Know your miter saw. Read and

understand the owner’s manual and labels affixed to the tool. Lear n its application and limitations as well as the specificpotential hazards pecul iar to this tool.

To red uce the ri sk of injury from accidental contact with moving parts, don’t do layout, assembly, or setup work on the miter saw while any parts are moving.

Reduce the Risk of Accidental Starting. Make sure switch is “O FF”

before plugg ing miter saw into a power outlet.

Plan your work. Use The Right Tool. Don’t force tool

or attachment to do a job it was not designed to do. Use a different tool

forany workpiece that can’t be held in a solidly braced, fixed position.

CAUTION: W hen cutting any metals, sparks or hot fragments could cause a fire . To avoid this, disconnect any dust collecting bag or hose from the miter saw, and remove all traces of wood dust from inside dust traps in the miter saw.

Dress For Safety

The operation of any powermiter saw can throw foreign objects into the eyes. This can result in permanent eye damage. Wear safety goggles (not glasses) that comply wi th ANSI Z87.1 (or in Canada CSA Z94.3-99) shown on package. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses. They are not safety glasses.Safety goggles ar e available at many local retail stores. Glasses or goggles not in compliance with ANSI or CSA could ser iously hurt you when they break

• Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties or jewelry (rings, wrist

Preparing to Make the Cut

Inspect Your Workp iece. Make sure

there are no nails or foreign objects in the part of the workpiece to be cut.

Plan your work to avoid thrown pieces caus ed when the workpiece binds on the blade and is torn from your hands.

Plan the way you will hold the work-

watches) T hey can get caught and draw you into moving parts.

• Wear nonslip footwear.

• Tie back long hair.

• Roll long sleeves above the elbow.

• Noise levels vary widely. To reduce the risk of possible heari ng d amage, wear ear plugs or muffs when using miter s aw for hours at a time.

• For dusty operations, wear a dust mask along with s afety goggles.

piece from start to finish. Avoid awkward operations and hand

positions where a sudde n slip could cause f ingers or hand to move into the blade.

Don’t Overreach. Keep good footing and balance.

Safety Instructions for Basic Saw Operations (con’t.)

Keep your face an d body to one side of sawblade, out of line with a possible throwback.

Cut only one workpiece at a time. Never cut Freehand:

• Brace your workpi ec e solidly against the fence and ta ble top so it will not rock or twist during the cut.

• Make sure there’s no debris between the workpiece and its supports.

• Make sure no gaps between the workpiece, fence and table will let the workpiece shift after it is cut in two.

•Keepthecutoffpiecefreetomove sidewaysafter it'scutoff.Otherwise, it could get wedged against the blade and c ould be thrown violently.

• Clear everything except the wor kpiece and related support devises off the table before turning the miter saw on.

• Secure Work. Use clamps or a vise to help hold t he work wh en it’s practical.

Use extra caution with large , ver y small or awkward workpieces:

• Use extra supports (t ables, saw horses, blocks, etc.) forany workpieces large enough to tip when not held down to the table top.

too small to let you easily hold the work while you keep the thumb side of your index (pointer) finger against the outside edge of the fence.

• When cutting irregularly shap ed workpieces, pl an your work so it will not slip and pinc h the blade and be torn from your hands. A pie ce of molding, for example, must lie flat or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let it twist, rock or slip while being cut.

WARNING: If planning to cut aluminum or other non-ferrous metals: Und er adverse conditions, thebladecangrabandthrowthe workpiece suddenly and unexpectedly. To reduce the risk of injury ,follow all applicable safety instructions, as you nor mally would, and:

• Use only sawblades specifi-

cally recom m ended for non-ferrous metal cutting.

• D o not cut m etal workpieces

that must be hand held. Use auxiliary clamps or other equipment as needed.

• Cut non-ferrous metals only if

you are experienced or under the supervisi on of an experienced person.

• Do not use this saw to c ut pieces

Whenever Saw Is Running

WARNING: Don't allow familiarity (gained from frequent u se of your miter saw) cause a carele ss mistake. A careless frac t io n of a second is enough to cause a severe injury.

Keep Children Away. Keep all visitors a safe distance from the miter saw. Make sure bystanders are cl ear of the miter saw and workpiece.

Never confine the piece being cut off. Never hold it, clamp it, touch it, or

use length stops against it while the blade is spinning. It must be free t o move sideways on its own. If confined, it could get wedged against the blade and th rown violently.

Let the blade reach full speed before cutting. This will help reduce

the risk of a thrown workpiece. Don’t Force Tool. It will do the job

better and safer at its designed rate. Feed the saw into the work piece only fast enough to let t he blade cut without bogging down or binding.

Before free in g jammed m aterial:

• Turn miter saw “OFF” by releasing trigger switch.

• Wait for all moving parts to stop.

• Unplug the mi ter saw.

After finishing a cut:

• Keep holding the power head down.

• Release t he switch, and wait for all moving parts to stop before moving your hands or raising power head.

• If blade doesn’t stop within 6 seconds, unplug the saw and follow the instructions in the Trouble Shooting section for fixing the blade brake before using the saw again.

Before Leaving The Saw:

Never Leave Tool Running Unattended.Turnpoweroff.Waitforall

moving parts to stop. Make workshop child-proof. Install

a padlock through t he hole provided

in the trigg er to prevent unauthorized usage. Lock the shop. Disconnect master switches. Store tool awayfrom children and ot hers no t qualified to use the tool.

Basic Saw Operations

WARNING: For your convenient use, your saw has a blade brake . The brake is not a safety device. Never rely on it to replace proper use of the guard on your saw. If the blade does not stop within 6 seconds, unplug the saw and follow the instructions in the Trouble Shooting section for fixing the brake before using saw again.

Body and Hand Position

• Never place hands near cutting area. Place hand at least 4" from path of blade.

• Hold workpiece firmly to the fence to prevent movement toward the blade.

• When holding the workpiece to t he left side of the blade, always use your left hand. Use your right hand to hold the workpiece to the right side of the blade.

• Before making a cut, make a “dry r un” with the power off so you can see the

Miter Scale Usage

Vernier Miter Scale Operation:

The Vernier miter scale can quickly and

Miter Scale

5°

5-1/4°

path of the blade.

• Keep hands in position until trigger has been released and the blade has completely stopped.

WARNING: Do not try to cut short pieces, you cannot properly support the workpiece and keep your hold down hand the required distance from the blade.

accurately help the user to adjust the saw to any 1/4° increment as illustrated below.

Vernier

Miter Indicator

5-1/2°

5-3/4°

Indicator over

5° scale mark

1/4° Indicator line

over 6° scale mark over 7° scale mark

1/2° Indicator line

3/4° Indicator line

over 8° scale mark

Sliding Fence

When beveling the blade to the left t he fence may have to be repositioned. Loosen the fence locking knob and slide the fence to the left. Adjust the fence as close to the guard and link as possible to provide maximum suppor t for the workpiece. Securely tighten knob and make a dry run with the saw off to check for clearance between the fence and guard. Af ter completing bevelcut(s) remembert o slide the fence back t o the right.

Miter Cut

When a miter cut is required, loosen miter lock knob, depress the index spring and move the saw to the desired angle. Retighten miter lock knob.Move with the handle to the miter angle to make the cut.

Bevel Cu t

When a bevel cut is required, loosen bevel lock knob. Tilt the blade to desired bevel angle. Retighten bevel lock knob. Stand to the left side of the handle to make the cut.

The bevel stop pin, foundat the rear of the saw, has three positions as shown. For most cuts the 0 - 45° middle position is used. Push the pin all the way i n to utilize the 0 - CM position when cutting crown molding. Pull the pin all the way out to allow the bevel adjustment to go beyond the 0° and 45° stops.

Move Feet With Miter

Saw

0°, CM Index

0°, 45° Index

By-Pass

Index/

By-Pass Pin

Bevel Index Mechanism

Basic Saw Operations (continued)

Compound Cut

When a compound cut i s required, select the desired bevel and miter positions. Move with the handleto the miter angle t o make the cut.

Cutting Compound Miters on PictureFramesandBoxes

A compound miter is a cut requiring both a miter setting and bevel setting. A compound miter is used for making frames or boxes that have sloping sides and are wide at one end and narrow at the opposite end. Compound miters are “tricky” to makebecause the mitersetting and bevel setting are directly related to each other. Every time the miter setting is changed the bevel setting must also be adjusted; likewise every adjustment to bevel requires a corresponding adjustment to miter. Because it may take several tries to obtain the desired angle, it is advisable to make test cuts on a scrap piece of material.

Compound Cut Box

Cutting Bowed Material

Before cutting a workpiece, check to make sure it is not bowed. If it is bowed the workpiece must be positioned and cut as illustrated. Do not position workpiece incorrectly or try to cut the workpiecewith-

Hold workpiece tight against fence so thereisnogap

Correct

out the support of the fence.This will cause pinching of the workpiece on t he blade. The workpiece could suddenly jump or move and your hand could hit the blade.

Incorrect

Workpiece Support

Long pieces need extra supports. The supports should be placed along the workpiece so the workpiece does not sag and your hand holding the workpiece is positioned4” or more from the blade path. The support should let the workpiece lay flat on the base and work table during t he cutting operation.

NOTE: When mounted on a large flat surface, t he miter saw table is 3 1/2” high. A finished 4x4 or a supported 2x4 on edge can be used as work support extension.

Auxiliary Fence

Certain unusual cuts may benefit from a fence face extension due to the size and position of the workpiece. Holes are provided in the fence to attach an auxiliary fence. Get a straight piece of wood typically1/2 inch thick by 4-1/4 inches high by 23-1/2 or 28 inches long. To attach auxiliary fence, place the piece of wood on the miter saw fence. Mark the hole locations from the backside of the miter saw fence. Drill .200”-.250” holes, then countersink the holes on front of wood to receive #10 flat head screws. Attach the auxiliary fence securely and make a full depth cut. This wi ll create the blade slot. Check for interference between the auxiliary fence and lower blade guard. Correct any interference before proceeding. The auxiliary fenceisusedwiththesawinthe0°bevel position. If a bevel cut is desired, the auxiliary fence will have to be removed.

Cutting Base Moldings

Base moldings and many other moldings can be cut on a miter saw. The set up of the saw depends on your molding and your application as shown. Always make sure moldings rest firmly against fence and table.

F e n c e

Miter Saw Table

(Miter at 45° (Miter at 0°,

Bevel at 0°) Bevel at 45°)

F e n c e

Miter Saw Table

Cutting Base Molding

+ 61 hidden pages

RIDGID MS1250 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual