RIDGID R884 User Manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

®

18 VOLT/24 VOLT MaxSelect™

RECIPROCATING SAW
VARIABLE SPEED

R884

NEW LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS MUST

BE CHARGED BEFORE FIRST USE

BATTERIES AND CHARGERS SOLD

SEPARATELY

Your reciprocating saw has been engineered and manufactured to our high standards 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.

Thank you for buying a RIDGID product.

SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................................2

 General Safety Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 3-4

 Specific Safety Rules .......................................................................................................................................................4

 Safety Rules for Charger .................................................................................................................................................5

 Symbols ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6-7

 Features ...........................................................................................................................................................................8

 Assembly .........................................................................................................................................................................9

 Operation ................................................................................................................................................................... 9-16

 Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................................................17

 Warranty ........................................................................................................................................................................18

 Customer Service Information ......................................................................................................................... Back Page

INTRODUCTION

This tool has many features for making its use more pleasant and enjoyable. Safety, performance, and dependability have
been given top priority in the design of this product making it easy to maintain and operate.

WARNING:

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals
known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• lead from lead-based paints,

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

• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure
to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust
masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

2

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING!

Read all instructions. Failure to follow all

instructions listed below may result in electric
shock, fire and/or serious injury. The term “power
tool” in all of the warnings listed below refers
to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or
battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WORK AREA SAFETY

 Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark

areas invite accidents.

 Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres,

such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases
or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the

dust or fumes.

 Keep children and bystanders away while operating a

power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

 Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify

the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with
earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and

matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.

 Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces

such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators.
There is an increased risk of electric shock if your
body is earthed or grounded.

 Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions.

Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of
electric shock.

 Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for

carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep
cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving
parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk
of electric shock.

 When operating a power tool outdoors, use an

extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord
suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric
shock.

 Use battery only with charger listed.

MODEL BATTERY PACK CHARGER

R884 (18V) 130254007 (18V) 140276003 or

140276004
(24V) 130377001 (24V) 140315001
(R85008) (R85009)

PERSONAL SAFETY

 Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common

sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a
power tool while you are tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention

while operating power tools may result in serious personal
injury.

 Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.

Safety equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety
shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate
conditions will reduce personal injuries.

 Avoid accidental starting. Ensure the switch is in the

off-position before plugging in. Carrying power tools

with your finger on the switch or plugging in power tools
that have the switch on invites accidents.

 Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning

the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to

a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal
injury.

 Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance

at all times. This enables better control of the power tool

in unexpected situations.

 Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.

Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving
parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught

in moving parts.

 If devices are provided for the connection of dust

extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used. Use of these devices can

reduce dust-related hazards.

 Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long

hair. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be drawn

into air vents.

 Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable

footing on a solid surface enables better control of the
power tool in unexpected situations.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE



Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool

for your application. The correct power tool will do the job

better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

 Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn

it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled

with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

 Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or

the battery pack from the power tool before making
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing
power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce

the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

 Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and

do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool
or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power

tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

 Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or

binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any
other condition that may affect the power tool’s
operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired
before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly

maintained power tools.

 Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained

cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to
bind and are easier to control.

3

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

 Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc., in

accordance with these instructions and in the manner
intended for the particular type of power tool, taking
into account the working conditions and the work
to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations

different from those intended could result in a hazardous
situation.

BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE

 Ensure the switch is in the off position before inserting

battery pack. Inserting the battery pack into power tools

that have the switch on invites accidents.

 Recharge only with the charger specified by the

manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type

of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with
another battery pack.

 Use power tools only with specifically designated

battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create

a risk of injury and fire.

 When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from

other metal objects like paper clips, coins, keys, nails,
screws, or other small metal objects that can make a

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the

battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.

 Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from

the battery, avoid contact. If contact accidentally
occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes,
additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the

battery may cause irritation or burns.

SERVICE

 Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair

person using only identical replacement parts. This will

ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

WARNING!

To reduce the risk of injury, user must read
instruction manual.

 When servicing a power tool, use only identical

repl ac ement par ts . Follow instru ct ions in the
Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized

parts or failure to follow Maintenance instructions may
create a risk of shock or injury.

 Hold power tools by insulated gripping surfaces when

performing an operation where the cutting tool may
contact hidden wiring or its own cord

“live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of the tool
“live” and shock the operator.

 Use clamps or another practical way to secure and

support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding

the work by hand or against your body leaves it unstable
and may lead to loss of control.

 Know your power tool. Read operator’s manual

carefully. Learn its applications and limitations, as well
as the specific potential hazards related to this tool.

Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock,
fire, or serious injury.

 Always wear safety glasses with side shields. Everyday

glasses have only impact resistant lenses. They are NOT
safety glasses. Following this rule will reduce the risk of
eye injury.

 Protect your lungs. Wear a face or dust mask if the

operation is dusty. Following this rule will reduce the risk

of serious personal injury.

 Protect your hearing. Wear hearing protection during

extended periods of operation. Following this rule will

reduce the risk of serious personal injury.

 Battery tools do not have to be plugged into an

electrical outlet; t herefore, they are alw ays in
operating condition. Be aware of possible hazards
when not using your battery tool or when changing
accessories. Following this rule will reduce the risk of

electric shock, fire, or serious personal injury.

 Do not place battery tools or their batteries near fire

or heat. This will reduce the risk of explosion and possibly

injury.

. Contact with a

 Do not crush, drop or damage battery pack. Do not

use a battery pack or charger that has been dropped
or received a sharp blow. A damaged battery is subject

to explosion. Properly dispose of a dropped or damaged
battery immediately.

 Batteries vent hydrogen gas and can explode in the

presence of a source of ignition, such as a pilot light.

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, never use
any cordless product in the presence of open flame. An
exploded battery can propel debris and chemicals. If
exposed, flush with water immediately.

 Do not charge battery tool in a damp or wet location.

Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock.

 For best results, your battery tool should be charged

in a location where the temperature is more than
50°F but less than 100°F. Do not store outside or in
vehicles.

 Under extreme usage or temperature conditions,

battery leakage may occur. If liquid comes in contact
with your skin, wash immediately with soap and water,
then neutralize with lemon juice or vinegar. If liquid
gets into your eyes, flush them with clean water for
at least 10 minutes, then seek immediate medical
attention. Following this rule will reduce the risk of serious

personal injury.

 If the power supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced

only by the manufacturer or by an authorized service
center to avoid risk.

4

SAFETY RULES FOR CHARGER

WARNING!

READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may
result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal
injury.

 Before using battery charger, read all instructions and

cautionary markings in this manual, on battery charger,
battery, and product using battery to prevent misuse of
the products and possible injury or damage.

CAUTION:

To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage

to the charger and battery, charge only lithium­ion or nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries as
specifically designated on your charger. Other
types of batteries may burst, causing personal
injury or damage.

 Do not use charger outdoors or expose to wet or damp

conditions. Water entering charger will increase the risk

of electric shock.

 Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the

battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of
fire, electric shock, or injury to persons. Following this

rule will reduce the risk of electric shock, fire, or serious
personal injury.

 Do not abuse cord or charger. Never use the cord to

carry the charger. Do not pull the charger cord rather than
the plug when disconnecting from receptacle. Damage
to the cord or charger could occur and create an electric
shock hazard. Replace damaged cords immediately.

 Make sure cord is located so that it will not be stepped

on, tripped over, come in contact with sharp edges
or moving parts or otherwise subjected to damage or
stress. This will reduce the risk of accidental falls, which

could cause injury, and damage to the cord, which could
result in electric shock.

 Keep cord and charger from heat to prevent damage

to housing or internal parts.

 Do not let gasoline, oils, petroleum-based products,

etc. come in contact with plastic parts. They contain

ch emicals that can damage, weaken, or destroy
plastic.

 An e xt ension cord sho uld not be used unless

absolutely necessary. Use of improper extension cord

could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If extension
cord must be used, make sure:

a. That pins on plug of extension cord are the same

number, size and shape as those of plug on charger.

b. That extension cord is properly wired and in

good electrical condition; and

c. That wire size is large enough for AC ampere

rating of charger as specified below:

Cord Length (Feet) 25' 50' 100'
Cord Size (AWG) 16 16 16
NOTE: AWG = American Wire Gauge

 Do not operate charger with a damaged cord or

plug, which could cause shorting and electric shock. If

damaged, have the charger replaced by an authorized
serviceman.

 Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow,

been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way.

Take it to an authorized serviceman for electrical check
to determine if the charger is in good working order.

 Do not disassemble charger. Take it to an authorized

serviceman when service or repair is required. Incorrect
reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.

 Unplug charger from outlet before attempting any

maintenance or cleaning to reduce the risk of electric
shock.

 Disconnect charger from the power supply when

not in use. This will reduce the risk of electric shock or

damage to the charger if metal items should fall into the
opening. It also will help prevent damage to the charger
during a power surge.

 Risk of electric shock. Do not touch uninsulated portion

of output connector or uninsulated battery terminal.

 Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and

use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you
loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions also
to prevent misuse of the product and possible injury.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for battery chargers (24V) 140315001 (R85009) and

(18V)

140276003, or 140276004.

2. Before using battery charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings on battery charger, battery, and product

using battery.

3. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of injury, charge only RIDGID lithium-ion batteries on the RIDGID lithium ion charger

and RIDGID nickel-cadmium batteries on RIDGID nickel-cadmium chargers. These batteries and chargers are not
interchangeable. Other types of batteries may burst, causing personal injury or damage.

5

SYMBOLS

Some of the following symbols may be used on this tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation
of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.

SYMBOL NAME

V Volts Voltage

A Amperes Current

Hz Hertz Frequency (cycles per second)

W Watt Power

min Minutes Time

Alternating Current Type of current

Direct Current Type or a characteristic of current

n

o

.../min Per Minute Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits etc., per minute

No Load Speed Rotational speed, at no load

Class II Construction Double-insulated construction

DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION

Wet Conditions Alert Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations.

Read The Operator’s Manual

Eye Protection

Safety Alert Precautions that involve your safety.

No Hands Symbol

No Hands Symbol

No Hands Symbol

No Hands Symbol

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

Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and,
as necessary, a full face shield when operating this product.

Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in serious
personal injury.

Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in serious
personal injury.

Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in serious
personal injury.

Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in serious
personal injury.

Hot Surface

To reduce the risk of injury or damage, avoid contact with any hot
surface.

6

SYMBOLS

The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product.

SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING

DANGER:

WARNING:

CAUTION

CAUTION

Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury.

(Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may result in property
damage.

SERVICE

Servicing requires extreme care and knowledge and should
be performed only by a qualified service technician. For
service we suggest you return the product to your nearest
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER for repair. When servic­ing, use only identical replacement parts.

WARNING:

To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt
to use this product until you read thoroughly and
understand completely the operator’s manual.
If you do not understand the warnings and
instructions in the operator’s manual, do not use
this product. Call RIDGID customer service for
assistance.

WARNING:

The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into your eyes, which can result
in severe eye damage. Before beginning power tool operation, always wear safety goggles or safety glasses
with side shields and, when needed, a full face shield. We recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask for use
over eyeglasses or standard safety glasses with side shields. Always use eye protection which is marked
to comply with ANSI Z87.1.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

7

®

FEATURES

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Length of Stroke ...................................................1-3/16 in.

Switch ..........................................................Variable Speed

Charger Input ................................... 120 V, 60 Hz, AC only

BASE (SHOE)

ASSEMBLY

SAW

BLADE

24V LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK

Strokes Per Minute ............................ 0-2,500 s/min. (SPM)

Motor .................................................................. 24 Volt DC

18V NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY PACK

Strokes Per Minute ............................

Motor .................................................................. 18 Volt DC

SWITCH

TRIGGER

0-1,900 s/min. (SPM)

LOCK-OFF

BUTTON

BLADE CLAMP

LOCK / RELEASE LEVER

KNOW YOUR RECIPROCATING SAW

See Figure 1.

The safe use of this product requires an understanding of
the information on the tool and in this operator’s manual as
well as a knowledge of the project you are attempting. Before
use of this product, familiarize yourself with all operating
features and safety rules.

BASE (SHOE) ASSEMBLY

The shoe assembly can be adjusted forward or backward
to take advantage of the unused portion of the blade, or for
special jobs requiring low blade clearance.

SHOE

RELEASE LEVER

BLADE CLAMP LOCK / RELEASE LEVER

Your saw has a blade clamp design that does not require
the use of a tool (blade wrench) when installing or removing
the blade.

LOCK-OFF BUTTON

Your saw is equipped with a “lock-off” button which reduces
the possibility of accidental starting. The lock-off button is
located on the handle above the switch trigger.

VARIABLE SPEED

The variable speed switch trigger delivers higher speed
with increased trigger pressure and lower speed with
decreased trigger pressure.

Fig. 1

8

ASSEMBLY

UNPACKING

This product has been shipped completely assembled.

 Carefully remove the tool and any accessories from the

box. Make sure that all items listed in the packing list are
included.

 Inspect the tool carefully to make sure no breakage or

damage occurred during shipping.

 Do not discard the packing material until you have care-

fully inspected and satisfactorily operated the tool.

 If any parts are damaged or missing, please call

1-866-539-1710 for assistance.

PACKING LIST

MaxSelect™ Reciprocating Saw

Saw Blades (2)

Operator’s Manual

WARNING:

If any parts are damaged or missing, do not
operate this tool until the parts are replaced.
Failure to heed this warning could result in serious
personal injury.

WARNING:

Do not attempt to modify this tool or create
accessories not recommended for use with this
tool. Any such alteration or modification is misuse
and could result in a hazardous condition leading
to possible serious personal injury.

WARNING:

To prevent accidental starting that could cause
serious personal injury, always remove the battery
pack from the tool when assembling parts.

OPERATION

WARNING:

Do not allow familiarity with your tool to make you
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a
second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.

WARNING:

Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with
side shields when operating tools. Failure to do so
could result in objects being thrown into your eyes
resulting in possible serious injury.

WARNING:

Do not use any attachments or accessories
not recommended by the manufacturer of this
tool. The use of attachments or accessories not
recommended can result in serious personal injury.

APPLICATIONS

You may use this tool for the purposes listed below:
 Cutting all types of wood products (lumber, plywood,

paneling, composition board, and hard wood)

 Cutting masonite and plastic
 Cutting drywall
 Cutting metals such as sheet steel, pipe, steel rods,

aluminum, brass, and copper

9

OPERATION

24v

XLi

?

CAUTION:

If at any point during the charging process none
of the LEDs are lit, remove the battery pack from
the charger to avoid damaging the product. DO
NOT insert another battery. Return the charger and
battery to your nearest service center for service
or replacement.

CAUTION:

Charge in a well ventilated area. Do not block

charger vents. Keep them clear to allow proper
ventilation.

NOTE: Charge only RIDGID lithium-ion batteries on the
RIDGID lithium-ion charger and RIDGID nickel-cadmium
batteries on RIDGID nickel-cadmium chargers. These
batteries and chargers are not interchangeable.

Refer to the General Safety Rules for compatibility.

THE FOL LOWING INSTRU CTIO NS ARE
FOR RIDGID 24V LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
PACKS AND THE 24V RIDGID LITHIUM-ION
CHARGER.

CHARGE

LEVEL INDICATOR

CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK

NOTE: New 24 Volt lithium-ion battery packs will not
work without first being charged. Before first time use,

charge the battery pack to activate it.

It is not necessary to drain the battery pack completely
before recharging. Lithium-ion battery packs have no
“memory” and can be recharged at any time. It is therefore
possible to charge the battery pack before extended usage
even if the battery pack is not completely drained of charge.
Use the charge level indicator to determine the amount of
charge in the battery pack.

Lithium-ion batteries deliver fade free power for their entire
run time. 24 Volt lithium-ion tools will not gradually lose
power due to decreasing battery charge. Instead, power from
the battery pack will drop from full to zero once the full charge
has been drained from the battery. Once this happens, the
tool’s power drops from full to zero, and recharging of the
battery is required

Fig. 2

10

OPERATION

2

4

v

X

L

i

?

TO CHARGE

A fully discharged battery pack with a temperature between
32°F (0°C) and 150°F (65°C) will charge in about an hour.
 Charge the 24 Volt lithium-ion battery pack only with the

charger provided.

� Connect the charger to a power supply.
NOTE: If needed, the charger can operate with most

generators and inverters rated at 300 Watts or higher.

 Attach the battery pack to the charger by aligning the

raised ribs on the battery pack with the grooves in the
charger, then slide the battery pack onto the charger. See

Figure 2.

 Do not place the charger in an area of extreme heat or

cold. It will work best at normal room temperature.

 After charging is complete, the continuous green light

will come on and the charge level indicator lights on the
battery will go off.

 The charger will keep the battery pack fully charged if left

on the charger.

CHARGE LEVEL INDICATOR

See Figure 3.

The charge level indicator shows that the battery is charged
at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or full capacity. To display the amount of
charge left in the battery, press and hold the charge level
indicator button.

NOTE: When the battery pack contains less than 10%
charge, the 1/4 charge level indicator will flash.

CAPACITY

1/2

CAPACITY

1/4

CAPACITY

RED LED

FULL

CHARGE

LEVEL INDICATOR

GREEN LED

3/4

CAPACITY

CHARGE

LEVEL

INDICATOR

BUTTON

Fig. 3

CHARGING
INDICATOR

FULL

INDICATOR

EVALUATE

INDICATOR

CHARGING A HOT BATTERY PACK

If the battery pack is above normal temperature range, the
red LED will begin flashing and the green LED will be off.
When the battery pack cools down to approximately 150°F
(65°C), the charger will automatically begin fast charge mode.

NOTE: Refer to CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK for
normal recharging of batteries. If the charger does not charge
the battery pack under normal circumstances, return both
the battery pack and charger to your nearest repair center
for electrical check. For the location of your nearest repair
center, please call 1-866-539-1710.

CHARGING A COOL BATTERY PACK

If the battery pack is below normal temperature range, the
red LED will begin flashing and the green LED will be off.
When the battery warms to a temperature of more than 14°F
(-10°C), the charger will automatically begin charge mode.

COLD WEATHER OPERATION

The lithium-ion battery pack can be used in temperatures
down to -4°F. When the battery pack is very cold, it may
“buzz” for the first minute of use to warm itself up. Put
the battery pack on a tool and use the tool in a light duty
application. After about a minute, the pack will have warmed
itself up and begin operating normally.

DEFECTIVE
INDICATOR

Fig. 4

11

OPERATION

LED FUNCTION OF RIDGID 24V LITHIUM-ION CHARGER

See Figure 4.

LED

INDICATOR

BATTERY

PACK

Charging Fast charging ON OFF Charges in 1 hour

Charging

Full

Evaluate

Evaluate

Defective Defective Flashing Flashing Battery pack or charger is defective

• If defective, try to repeat the conditions a second time by removing and reinstalling the battery
pack. If the LED status repeats a second time, try charging a different battery.

• If a different battery charges normally, dispose of the defective pack (see

• If a different battery also indicates “Defective,” the charger may be defective.

Deeply
Discharged

Maintenance
charging

Hot battery
pack

Cold battery
pack

RED

LED

ON OFF

OFF ON

Flashing OFF

Flashing OFF

GREEN

LED

ACTION

Charger pre-charges battery until normal voltage
is reached, then begins fast charge mode. May
take longer than 1 hour to fully charge.

Fast charging is complete
Charger maintains charge mode

When battery pack reaches cooled temperature,
charger begins fast charge mode

When battery pack reaches warmed temperature,
charger begins fast charge mode

Maintenance section).

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR RIDGID NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY PACKS AND
CHARGERS.

Battery packs for this tool are shipped in a low charge
condition to prevent possible problems. Therefore, you
should charge the pack until the light on the front of the
charger changes from flashing green to continuous green.

NOTE: Batteries will not reach full charge the first time they
are charged. Allow several cycles (operation followed by
recharging) for them to become fully charged. This is normal
for nickel-cadmium batteries.

TO CHARGE

 Charge the battery pack only with the charger provided.

� Make sure the power supply is normal household voltage,

120 volts, 60 Hz, AC only.

 Connect the charger to a power supply.
 Attach the battery pack to the charger by aligning the

raised ribs on the battery pack with the grooves in the
charger, then slide the battery pack onto the charger. See

Figure 5.

 The battery pack will become slightly warm to the touch

while charging. This is normal and does not indicate a
problem.

 Do not place the charger in an area of extreme heat or

cold. It will work best at normal room temperature.

 For average charge times, refer to the chart on the

following page.

 When the batteries become fully charged, unplug the

charger from the power supply and remove the battery
pack.

CHARGING A HOT BATTERY PACK

When using the tool continuously, the batteries in the battery
pack will become hot. You should let a hot battery pack
cool down for approximately 30 minutes before attempting
to recharge. When the battery pack becomes discharged
and is hot, the green LED will be off and the red LED will
begin flashing.
When the battery pack cools down to approximately 104°F
(40°C), the charger will automatically begin fast charge
mode.

CHARGING A COOL BATTERY PACK

If the battery pack is below normal temperature range, the
red LED will begin flashing and the green LED will be off.
When the battery warms to a temperature of more than 41°F
(5°C), the charger will automatically begin fast charge mode.
NOTE: Refer to CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK for
normal recharging of batteries. If the charger does not charge
your battery pack under normal circumstances, return both
the battery pack and charger to your nearest repair center
for electrical check. For the location of your nearest repair
center, please call 1-866-539-1710.

12

OPERATION

LED FUNCTION OF RIDGID NICKEL-CADMIUM CHARGERS

See Figure 5.

LED

INDICATOR

BATTERY

PACK

Power Without battery pack ON OFF Ready to charge battery pack

Evaluate Hot battery pack Flashing OFF

Evaluate Cold battery pack Flashing OFF

Evaluate Deeply discharged Flashing OFF

Defective Defective Flashing Flashing Battery pack or charger is defective

• If defective, try to repeat the conditions a second time by removing and reinstalling the battery
pack. If the LED status repeats a second time, try charging a different battery.

• If a different battery charges normally, dispose of the defective pack (see Maintenance section).

• If a different battery also indicates “Defective,” the charger may be defective.

Charging Fast charging ON Flashing See chart below for charge times

RED

LED

GREEN

LED

ACTION

When battery pack reaches cooled
temperature, charger begins fast
charge mode.

When battery pack reaches warmed
temperature, charger begins fast
charge mode.

Charger pre-charges battery until
normal voltage is reached, then
begins fast charge mode.

RED LED

Full Slow charging OFF ON

GREEN LED

POWER

INDICATOR

EVALUATE

INDICATOR

DEFECTIVE

INDICATOR

CHARGING

INDICATOR

FULL

INDICATOR

Fast charging is complete;
charger maintains charge mode

BATTERY AVERAGE CHARGE TIME

COMPACT SERIES 18 min.

HC 27 min.

HC 2.5 34 min.

Fig. 5

13

OPERATION

2

4

v

X

L

i

?

®

®

®

2

4

v

X

L

i

?

®

TO INSTALL BATTERY PACK

See Figure 6.

 Place the battery pack in the saw aligning raised rib on

battery pack with groove in the saw’s battery port.

 Make sure the latches on each side of the battery pack

snap into place and the battery pack is secured to saw
before beginning operation.

TO

REMOVE

CAUTION:

When placing battery pack in the tool, be sure
raised rib on battery pack aligns with the grooves
in the bottom of the saw and latches into place
properly. Improper installation of the battery pack
can cause damage to internal components.

TO REMOVE BATTERY PACK

See Figure 6.

 Locate the latches on the side of the battery pack and

depress both sides to release the battery pack from the
saw.

 Remove the battery pack from the saw.

SWITCH TRIGGER

See Figure 7.

To turn the saw ON, slide lock off button to the UNLOCK
position, and press the switch trigger. To turn it OFF, release
the switch trigger.

CAUTION:

Lock off button should be in the LOCK position

when saw is not in use or is being transported.

DEPRESS LATCHES TO

RELEASE BATTERY PACK

18V NICKEL-CADMIUM

BATTERY PACK

SWITCH TRIGGER

TO

INSTALL

RAISED RIB

24V LITHIUM-ION

BATTERY PACK

Fig. 6

TOP VIEW

UNLOCK

BASE

See Figure 8.

The base of the reciprocating saw pivots in both directions
for ease of use.

CHANGING POSITIONS OF THE SHOE
ASSEMBLY

See Figure 8.

 Remove the battery pack.

� Unlock the shoe release lever.

� Reposition the shoe assembly.

� Lock the shoe release lever.

BASE (SHOE)

ASSEMBLY

14

TO LOCK

TO UNLOCK

SHOE

RELEASE LEVER

LOCK

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

®

®

OPERATION

®

TO INSTALL SAW BLADE

See Figure 9.

 Remove the battery pack from the saw.

 Lift the blade clamp lock/release lever located on the side

of the saw.

 Insert saw blade fully into the toolless blade clamp.

 Release the blade clamp lock/release lever.

GENERAL CUTTING

See Figure 10.

Rest the front of the base (shoe) assembly on the workpiece
and align cutting edge of the blade with the line on the
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.

CAUTION:

Do not force the saw. Forcing the saw may
overheat the motor and break saw blades.

PLUNGE CUTTING

See Figure 11.

BLADE

TOOLLESS BLADE

CLAMP

BLADE CLAMP

LOCK / RELEASE LEVER

LOCK

UNLOCK

Fig. 9

WARNING:

To avoid loss of control, broken blades, or dam­age to the material being cut, always use extreme
caution when making plunge cuts. It is not rec­ommended to plunge cut materials other than
wood.

 Mark the line of cut clearly on the workpiece.

 Tilt the saw forward so that it rests on the front edge

of the shoe and blade will not come in contact with the
workpiece when the saw is turned on.

 Make sure the blade is inside the area to be cut.

 Using high speed, start the saw and slowly lower the

blade into the workpiece until the blade cuts through the
wood.

 Continue lowering the blade into the workpiece until the

shoe rests flat on the work surface, then move the saw
forward to complete the opening.

 Use only the 7 teeth per inch blade for this type of cut.

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

15

®

OPERATION

METAL CUTTING

See Figure 12.

Many kinds of metals can be cut with the saw. Be careful
not to twist or bend the blades. Do not force. If the blade
chatters or vibrates excessively, use a finer-tooth metal­cutting blade. If blade heats excessively, use lower speed. If
blade teeth become filled or clogged when cutting soft met­als, such as aluminum, use a coarser-tooth blade or lower
speed. We recommend use of oil when cutting metals to keep
blades cool, increase cutting action, and prolong blade life.
Clamp the work firmly and saw close to the clamping point
to eliminate any vibration of the work being cut.

When cutting conduit, pipe, or angle iron, clamp work in a
vise if possible and saw close to the vise. To cut thin sheet
materials, “sandwich” the material between hardboard or
plywood and clamp the layers to eliminate vibration and
material tearing. By doing this, the material will be cut
smoothly. Lay out your pattern or line of cut on top of the
“sandwich.”

NOTE: When cutting metal, keep exposed portion of saw
blade clean and free of metal chips by wiping frequently with
an oily cloth. Use extreme caution in disposing of oily cloth
after completion of job to prevent potential fire hazard.

Fig. 12

16

MAINTENANCE

Li - Ion

WARNING:

When servicing use only identical RIDGID
replacement parts. Use of any other parts may
create a hazard or cause product damage.

WARNING:

Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with
side shields during power tool operation or when
blowing dust. If operation is dusty, also wear a
dust mask.

WARNING:

To avoid serious personal injury, always remove
the battery pack from the tool when cleaning or
performing any maintenance.

BATTERIES

This tool will accept 24V lithium-ion batteries or 18V nickel­cadmium batteries. Length of service from each charging
will depend on the type of work you are doing.

The batteries for this tool have been designed to provide
maximum trouble-free life. However, like all batteries, they
will eventually wear out. Do not disassemble battery pack
and attempt to replace the batteries. Handling of these
batteries, especially when wearing rings and jewelry, could
result in a serious burn.

To obtain the longest possible battery life, we suggest the
following:

For lithium-ion batteries:

 Remove the battery pack from the charger once it is fully

charged and ready for use.

For battery pack storage longer than 30 days:

 Store the battery pack where the temperature is below

80°F and away from moisture.

 Store battery packs in a 30%-50% charged condition.

 Every six months of storage, charge the pack as

normal.

For nickel-cadmium batteries:

 Remove the battery pack from the charger once it is fully

charged and ready for use.

For battery pack storage longer than 30 days:

 Store the battery pack where the temperature is below

80°F.

 Store battery packs in a “discharged” condition.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most
plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of
commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use. Use
clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.

WARNING:

Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline,
petroleum-based products, penetrating oils, etc.,
come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals can
damage, weaken or destroy plastic which may
result in serious personal injury.

Only the parts shown on the parts list are intended to be
repaired or replaced by the customer. All other parts should
be replaced at a RIDGID authorized service center.

BATTERY PACK REMOVAL AND PREPARATION
FOR RECYCLING

To preserve natural resources, please
recycle or dispose of batteries properly.

This product uses lithium-ion or nickel­cadmium batteries. Local, state or federal
laws may prohibit disposal of batteries in
ordinary trash.

Consult your local waste authority for
information regarding available recycling
and/or disposal options.

WARNING:

Upon removal, cover the battery pack’s terminals
with heavy-duty adhesive tape. Do not attempt to
destroy or disassemble battery pack or remove
any of its components. Lithium-ion and nickel­cadmium batteries must be recycled or disposed
of properly. Also, never touch both terminals with
metal objects and/or body parts as short circuit
may result. Keep away from children. Failure to
comply with these warnings could result in fire
and/or serious injury.

17

WARRANTY

RIDGID® HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL
3 YEAR LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY

Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting war­ranty service.

Limited to RIDGID
purchased 2/1/04 and after. This product is manufactured
by One World Technologies, Inc. The trademark is licensed
from RIDGID, Inc. All warranty communications should be
directed to One World Technologies, Inc., attn: RIDGID Hand
Held and Stationary Power Tool Technical Service at (toll
free) 1-866-539-1710.

®

hand held and stationary power tools

90-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE POLICY

During the first 90 days after the date of purchase, if you are
dissatisfied with the performance of this RIDGID® Hand Held
and Stationary Power Tool for any reason you may return
the tool to the dealer from which it was purchased for a full
refund or exchange. To receive a replacement tool you must
present proof of purchase and return all original equipment
packaged with the original product. The replacement tool
will be covered by the limited warranty for the balance of
the 3 YEAR service warranty period.

WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE 3 YEAR
LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY

This warranty on RIDGID® Hand Held and Stationary Power
Tools covers all defects in workmanship or materials and nor­mal wear items such as brushes, chucks, motors, switches,
cords, gears and even cordless batteries in this RIDGID
tool for three years following the purchase date of the tool.
Warranties for other RIDGID® products may vary.

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE

To obtain service for this RIDGID® tool you must return it;
freight prepaid, or take it in to an authorized service center
for RIDGID® branded hand held and stationary power tools.
You may obtain the location of the authorized service center
nearest you by calling (toll free) 1-866-539-1710 or by log­ging on to the RIDGID® website at www.ridgid.com. When
requesting warranty service, you must present the original
dated sales receipt. The authorized service center will re­pair any faulty workmanship, and either repair or replace
any part covered under the warranty, at our option, at no
charge to you.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

This warranty applies only to the original purchaser at retail
and may not be transferred. This warranty only covers de­fects arising under normal usage and does not cover any
malfunction, failure or defect resulting from misuse, abuse,
neglect, alteration, modification or repair by other than an
authorized service center for RIDGID® branded hand held
and stationary power tools. Consumable accessories pro­vided with the tool such as, but not limited to, blades, bits
and sand paper are not covered.

RIDGID, INC. AND ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
MAKE NO WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR
PROMISES AS TO THE QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE
OF ITS POWER TOOLS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFI­CALLY STATED IN THIS WARRANTY.

ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS

To the extent permitted by applicable law, all implied war­ranties, including warranties of MERCHANTABILITY or FIT­NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, are disclaimed. Any
implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose, that cannot be disclaimed
under state law are limited to three years from the date of
purchase. One World Technologies, Inc. and RIDGID, Inc.
are not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or conse­quential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on

®

how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential dam­ages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state.

One World Technologies, Inc.

P.O. Box 35, Hwy. 8

Pickens, SC 29671

18

NOTES

19

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

18 VOLT/24 VOLT MaxSelect™

RECIPROCATING SAW
VARIABLE SPEED

R884

983000-966
04-18-06 (REV:00)

Customer Service Information:

For parts or service, contact your nearest RIDGID authorized service center. Be
sure to provide all relevant information when you call or visit. For the location of
the authorized service center nearest you, please call 1-866-539-1710 or visit us
online at www.ridgid.com.

The model number of this tool is found on a plate attached to the motor housing.

Please record the serial number in the space provided below. When ordering repair
parts, always give the following information:

Model No.

Serial No.

R884

20