RIDGID Saw R3203 1 User Guide

OPERATOR’S MANUAL  
6-1/2 in. CIRCULAR SAW  
DOUBLE INSULATED  
R3203-1  
Your circular 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  
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GENERAL SAFETY RULES  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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 Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained  
cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to  
bind and are easier to control.  
influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment  
of inattention while operating power tools may result in  
serious personal injury.  
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.  
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.  
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GENERAL SAFETY RULES  
When servicing a power tool, use only identical  
replacement parts. Follow instructions in the  
Maintenancesectionofthismanual.Useofunauthorized  
parts or failure to follow Maintenance instructions may  
create a risk of shock or injury.  
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.  
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES  
DANGER! Keep hands away from cutting area and the  
blade. Keep your second hand on auxiliary handle or  
motor housing. If both hands are holding the saw, they  
cannot be cut by the blade.  
Do not reach underneath the workpiece. The  
guard cannot protect you from the blade below the  
workpiece.  
Adjust the cutting depth to the thickness of the  
workpiece. Less than a full tooth of the blade teeth  
should be visible below the workpiece.  
Never hold piece being cut in your hands or across  
your leg. Secure the workpiece to a stable platform.  
It is important to support the work properly to minimize  
body exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.  
Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces when  
performing an operation where the cutting tool may  
contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with  
a “live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of the  
power tool “live” and shock the operator.  
Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect  
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by  
taking proper precautions, as given below:  
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and  
position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position  
your body to either side of the blade, but not in line  
with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump  
backwards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the  
operator, if proper precautions are taken.  
When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut  
for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw  
motionless in the material until the blade comes to a  
completestop.Neverattempttoremovethesawfrom  
the work or pull the saw backward while the blade  
is in motion, or kickback may occur. Investigate and  
take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade  
binding.  
When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the  
saw blade in the kerf and check that saw teeth are  
not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding,  
it may walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the  
saw is restarted.  
When ripping, always use a rip fence or straight edge  
guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces  
the chance of blade binding.  
Always use blades with correct size and shape  
(diamond versus round) of arbor holes. Blades that  
do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run  
eccentrically, causing loss of control.  
Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or  
bolt. Thebladewashersandboltwerespeciallydesigned  
for your saw for optimum performance and safety of  
operation.  
Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade  
pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under  
their own weight. Supports must be placed under the  
panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the  
edge of the panel.  
Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened  
or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing  
excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.  
Bladedepthandbeveladjustinglockingleversmustbe  
tightandsecurebeforemakingcut.Ifbladeadjustment  
shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.  
Use extra caution when making a “Plunge Cut” into  
existingwallsorotherblindareas.Theprotrudingblade  
may cut objects that can cause kickback.  
Checklowerguardforproperclosingbeforeeachuse.  
Donotoperatesawiflowerguarddoesnotmovefreely  
andcloseinstantly.Neverclamportiethelowerguard  
into the open position. If saw is accidentally dropped,  
lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the  
retracting handle. Make sure it moves freely and does  
not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and  
depths of cut.  
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF  
KICKBACK:  
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound, or  
misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift  
up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.  
When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf  
closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives  
the unit rapidly back toward the operator.  
If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the  
teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top  
surface of the wood causing the blade to climb out of the  
kerf and jump back toward the operator.  
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SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES  
Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the Check damaged parts. Before further use of the  
guard and the spring are not operating properly, they  
must be serviced before use. Lower guard may operate  
sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a  
buildup of debris.  
tool, a guard or other part that is damaged should  
be carefully checked to determine that it will operate  
properly and perform its intended function. Check for  
alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts,  
breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions  
that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that  
is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced  
by an authorized service center. Following this rule will  
reduce the risk of shock, fire, or serious injury.  
Lower guard should be retracted manually only for  
special cuts, such as “Plunge Cuts” and “Compound  
Cuts.” Raise lower guard by retracting handle. As  
soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard  
must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard  
should operate automatically.  
Always observe that the lower guard is covering the  
blade before placing saw down on bench or floor. An  
unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk  
backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware  
of the time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is  
released.  
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.  
Make sure your extension cord is in good condition.  
When using an extension cord, be sure to use one  
heavy enough to carry the current your product  
will draw. A wire gage size (A.W.G.) of at least 14 is  
recommended for an extension cord 50 feet or  
less in length. A cord exceeding 100 feet is not  
recommended. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage.  
The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord. An  
undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting  
in loss of power and overheating.  
Inspect for and remove all nails from lumber before  
using this tool. Following this rule will reduce the risk of  
serious personal injury.  
Always wear safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses  
have only impact-resistant lenses; they are NOT safety  
glasses. Following this rule will reduce the risk of serious  
personal injury.  
Ifthepowersupplycordisdamaged,itmustbereplaced  
only by the manufacturer or by an authorized service  
center to avoid risk.  
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.  
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.  
Protect your hearing. Wear hearing protection during  
extended periods of operation. Following this rule will  
reduce the risk of serious personal injury.  
Inspect tool cords periodically and, if damaged, have  
repaired at your nearest authorized service center.  
Constantly stay aware of cord location. Following this  
rule will reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.  
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.  
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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  
DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION  
V
Volts  
Voltage  
Current  
A
Hz  
W
Amperes  
Hertz  
Frequency (cycles per second)  
Watt  
Power  
min  
Minutes  
Time  
Alternating Current  
Type of current  
Direct Current  
Type or a characteristic of current  
Rotational speed, at no load  
n
No Load Speed  
o
Class II Tool  
Per Minute  
Double-insulated construction  
Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits etc., per minute  
.../min  
Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations.  
Wet Conditions Alert  
To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand  
operator’s manual before using this product.  
Read The Operator’s Manual  
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields  
and, as necessary, a full face shield when operating this  
product.  
Eye Protection  
Safety Alert  
Precautions that involve your safety.  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
No Hands Symbol  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
No Hands Symbol  
No Hands Symbol  
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.  
No Hands Symbol  
Hot Surface  
To reduce the risk of injury or damage, avoid contact with any  
hot surface.  
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SYMBOLS  
The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product.  
SYMBOL  
SIGNAL  
MEANING  
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will  
result in death or serious injury.  
DANGER:  
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could  
result in death or serious injury.  
WARNING:  
CAUTION:  
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.  
CAUTION:  
SERVICE  
WARNING:  
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  
AUTHORIZEDSERVICECENTERforrepair. Whenservicing,  
use only identical replacement parts.  
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  
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ELECTRICAL  
DOUBLE INSULATION  
EXTENSION CORDS  
Double insulation is a concept in safety in electric power  
tools, which eliminates the need for the usual three-wire  
grounded power cord. All exposed metal parts are isolated  
from the internal metal motor components with protecting  
insulation. Double insulated tools do not need to be  
grounded.  
When using a power tool at a considerable distance from  
a power source, be sure to use an extension cord that has  
the capacity to handle the current the tool will draw. An  
undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in  
overheating and loss of power. Use the chart to determine  
the minimum wire size required in an extension cord. Only  
round jacketed cords listed by Underwriter’s Laboratories  
(UL) should be used.  
WARNING:  
When working outdoors with a tool, use an extension  
cord that is designed for outside use. This type of cord is  
designated with “WA” on the cord’s jacket.  
The double insulated system is intended to protect  
the user from shock resulting from a break in the  
tool’s internal wiring. Observe all normal safety  
precautions to avoid electrical shock.  
Before using any extension cord, inspect it for loose or  
exposed wires and cut or worn insulation.  
NOTE: Servicing of a tool with double insulation requires  
extreme care and knowledge of the system and should  
be performed only by a qualified service technician. For  
service, we suggest you return the tool to your nearest  
authorized service center for repair. Always use original  
factory replacement parts when servicing.  
**Ampere rating (on tool data plate)  
0-2.0  
2.1-3.4 3.5-5.0 5.1-7.0 7.1-12.0 12.1-16.0  
Cord Length  
Wire Size (A.W.G.)  
25'  
50'  
16  
16  
16  
16  
16  
16  
16  
16  
14  
16  
14  
12  
14  
14  
10  
14  
12  
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION  
100'  
This tool has a precision-built electric motor. It should be  
connected to a power supply that is 120 volts, 60 Hz, AC  
only (normal household current). Do not operate this tool  
on direct current (DC). A substantial voltage drop will cause  
a loss of power and the motor will overheat. If your tool does  
not operate when plugged into an outlet, double-check the  
power supply.  
**Used on 12 gauge - 20 amp circuit.  
NOTE: AWG = American Wire Gauge  
WARNING:  
Keep the extension cord clear of the working area.  
Position the cord so that it will not get caught on  
lumber, tools or other obstructions while you are  
working with a power tool. Failure to do so can  
result in serious personal injury.  
WARNING:  
Check extension cords before each use. If  
damaged replace immediately. Never use tool with  
a damaged cord since touching the damaged area  
could cause electrical shock resulting in serious  
injury.  
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FEATURES  
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS  
Blade Diameter......................................................6-1/2 in.  
Blade Arbor ..............................................................5/8 in.  
Cutting Depth at 90°..............................................2-1/8 in.  
Cutting Depth at 45°..............................................1-5/8 in.  
Cutting Depth at 50°..............................................1-1/2 in.  
No Load Speed ....................................6,100 r/min. (RPM)  
Input ................................120 V, 60 Hz, AC only, 12 Amps  
Net Weight................................................................. 8 lbs.  
HANDLE  
DUST CHUTE  
DEPTH OF CUT SCALE  
FRONT HANDLE  
PLYWOOD ID SYSTEM  
SWITCH TRIGGER  
SPINDLE LOCK  
DETACHABLE CORD  
POSITIVE 50°  
STOP BUTTON  
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT  
LEVER  
LIGHTED PLUG  
30  
2
1
22  
15  
EXTERNALLY  
ACCESSIBLE  
BRUSH (2)  
FULL LENGTH  
KERF INDICATOR  
HEX KEY STORAGE  
BEVEL ADJUSTMENT  
LEVER  
Fig. 1  
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FEATURES  
KNOW YOUR CIRCULAR SAW  
HEX KEY STORAGE  
See Figure 1.  
Hex key storage is located on the saw base. The storage area  
can be accessed by adjusting the saw to a bevel position.  
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.  
INDEXING LEVERS  
The lock levers on the saw can be repositioned to suit user  
preference.  
LIGHTED PLUG  
The lighted plug helps to easily identify live tools.  
DETACHABLE CORD  
The detachable cord can be easily stored or replaced quickly  
if damaged.  
PLYWOOD ID SYSTEM  
Quickly identify common plywood thicknesses using the  
plywood ID system.  
DUST CHUTE  
To direct saw dust and chips away from the operator, a dust  
chute is located on the rear of the upper blade guard.  
SHOCK ABSORBING FRONT HANDLE  
The handle is designed for durability and operator  
comfort.  
ERGONOMIC DESIGN  
The design provides for easy handling. It is designed for  
comfort when operating in different positions and at different  
angles.  
SPINDLE LOCK  
The spindle lock allows you to secure the blade when turning  
the blade screw for blade changes.  
EXTERNALLY ACCESSIBLE BRUSHES  
Externally accessible brushes extend the life of the  
machine.  
FRONT AND REAR KERF INDICATORS  
The front kerf indicator aides in following the line of cut  
when cutting the workpiece. The rear kerf indicator aids in  
aligning plunge cuts and following the kerf when exiting the  
workpiece.  
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ASSEMBLY  
UNPACKING  
This product requires assembly.  
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.  
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  
carefully inspected and satisfactorily operated the tool.  
WARNING:  
Do not connect to power supply until assembly  
is complete. Failure to comply could result in  
accidental starting and possible serious personal  
injury.  
If any parts are damaged or missing, please call  
1-866-539-1710 for assistance.  
PACKING LIST  
6-1/2 in. Circular Saw  
18-tooth Carbide Tipped Blade  
Cord Wrap  
WARNING:  
Hex Key  
A 6-1/2 in. blade is the maximum blade capacity  
of the saw. Never use a blade that is too thick to  
allow outer blade washer to engage with the flat  
on the spindle. Larger blades will come in contact  
with the blade guards, while thicker blades will  
prevent blade screw from securing blade on  
spindle. Either of these situations could result in a  
serious accident.  
Tool Bag  
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.  
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ASSEMBLY  
CAUTION:  
To prevent damage to the spindle or spindle lock,  
always allow motor to come to a complete stop  
before engaging spindle lock.  
SPINDLE  
LOCK  
ATTACHING BLADE  
See Figures 2 - 3.  
Unplug the saw.  
Depress and hold spindle lock.  
Remove blade screw by turning it counterclockwise with  
the provided hex key, while keeping the spindle lock  
depressed.  
HEX KEY  
Remove outer blade washer (“D” washer).  
WARNING:  
If inner flange bushing has been removed, replace  
it before placing blade on spindle. Failure to do  
so will prevent blade from tightening properly and  
could result in serious personal injury.  
BLADE  
SCREW  
Retract the lower blade guard into the upper blade guard  
using the lower blade guard handle. Make sure the lower  
guard spring works properly, allowing the guard to move  
freely.  
LOWER BLADE GUARD  
Fig. 2  
Check to see that the saw teeth and arrow on the saw  
blade and the arrow on the lower guard are pointing in  
the same direction.  
NOTE: The saw teeth point upward at the front of the  
saw as shown.  
Fit the saw blade inside the lower blade guard and onto  
BLADE  
the spindle.  
Replace “D” washer.  
Depress and hold spindle lock and replace blade  
screw.  
BLADE  
SCREW  
Tighten blade screw securely by turning it clockwise with  
the hex key.  
NOTE: Never use a blade that is too thick to allow the  
“D” washer to engage with the flat on the spindle.  
REMOVING BLADE  
See Figures 2 - 3.  
OUTER BLADE  
WASHER  
(“D” WASHER)  
INNER  
FLANGE  
BUSHING  
Unplug the saw.  
SPINDLE  
Depress spindle lock.  
Fig. 3  
Remove blade screw by turning it counterclockwise with  
the provided hex key, while keeping the spindle lock  
depressed.  
Remove outer blade washer (“D” washer).  
Lift lower blade guard.  
Remove blade.  
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OPERATION  
WARNING:  
Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you  
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a  
second is sufficient to inflict serious injury.  
WARNING:  
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with  
side shields when operating power tools. Failure  
to do so could result in objects being thrown into  
your eyes resulting in possible serious injury.  
KICKBACK - BLADE SET TOO DEEP  
Fig. 4  
APPLICATIONS  
You may use this tool for the purpose listed below:  
Cutting all types of wood and wood products  
NOTE: The use of abrasive cut-off wheels is not  
recommended for this saw.  
KICKBACK  
See Figures 4 - 7.  
Kickback occurs when the blade stalls rapidly and the saw  
is driven back towards you. Blade stalling is caused by any  
action which pinches the blade in the wood.  
DANGER:  
Release switch immediately if blade binds or saw  
stalls. Kickback could cause you to lose control  
of the saw. Loss of control can lead to serious  
personal injury.  
INCORRECT SUPPORT  
Fig. 5  
To guard against kickback, avoid dangerous practices such  
as the following:  
Setting blade depth incorrectly  
Sawing into knots or nails in workpiece  
Twisting the blade while making a cut  
Making a cut with a dull, gummed up, or improperly set  
blade  
Supporting the workpiece incorrectly  
Forcing a cut  
No more than 1/4 inch  
Cutting warped or wet lumber  
Operating the tool incorrectly or misusing the tool  
CORRECT BLADE DEPTH SETTING = BLADE EXPOSED 1/4 in.  
OR LESS ON UNDERSIDE OF WORKPIECE  
Fig. 6  
13  
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OPERATION  
To lessen the chance of kickback, follow these safety  
practices:  
Keep the blade at the correct depth setting. The depth  
setting should not exceed 1/4 in. below the material being  
cut.  
Inspect the workpiece for knots or nails before cutting.  
Never saw into a knot or nail.  
Make straight cuts. Always use a straight edge guide  
when rip cutting. This helps prevent twisting the blade.  
Use clean, sharp, and properly set blades. Never make  
cuts with dull blades.  
Support the workpiece properly before beginning a cut.  
Use steady, even pressure when making a cut. Never  
force a cut.  
CORRECT SUPPORT  
Fig. 7  
LOWER BLADE GUARD IS IN UP  
POSITION WHEN MAKING A CUT  
Do not cut warped or wet lumber.  
Hold the saw firmly with both hands and keep your body  
in a balanced position so as to resist the forces if kickback  
should occur.  
WARNING:  
When using the saw, always stay alert and  
exercise control. Do not remove the saw from  
the workpiece while the blade is moving.  
SAW BLADES  
The best of saw blades will not cut efficiently if they are not  
kept clean, sharp, and properly set. Using a dull blade will  
place a heavy load on the saw and increase the danger of  
kickback. Keep extra blades on hand so that sharp blades  
are always available.  
Fig. 8  
Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades will slow the  
saw down. Remove saw blade from the saw and use gum  
and pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene to remove these  
accumulations. DO NOT USE GASOLINE.  
CAUTION:  
To avoid possible serious injury, never use saw  
when guard is not operating correctly. Check the  
guard for correct operation before each use. The  
guard is operating correctly when it moves freely,  
and instantly returns to the closed position. If you  
drop the saw, check the lower blade guard and  
bumper for damage at all depth settings before  
reuse.  
BLADE GUARD SYSTEM  
See Figure 8.  
The lower blade guard attached to the circular saw is there  
for your protection and safety. Do not alter it for any reason.  
If it becomes damaged, do not operate the saw until you  
have the guard repaired or replaced. Always leave guard in  
operating position when using the saw.  
If at any time the lower blade guard does not snap closed,  
unplug the saw from the power supply. Exercise the lower  
guard by moving it rapidly back and forth from the full open  
position to the closed position several times. Normally this  
will restore the guard to its normal operating condition. If  
it does not correct a slow or sluggish closing lower guard,  
do not use the saw. Take it to an authorized factory service  
center for repair.  
DANGER:  
When sawing through work, lower blade guard  
does not cover blade on the underside of work.  
Since blade is exposed on underside of work, keep  
hands and fingers away from cutting area. Any part  
of your body coming in contact with moving blade  
will result in serious injury.  
14  
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OPERATION  
DETACHABLE CORD  
See figures 9 - 10.  
The detachable cord can be easily stored or replaced quickly  
if damaged.  
To detach:  
Push cord lock button forward and hold.  
Twist cord fully counterclockwise and pull away from the  
saw.  
DETACHABLE  
CORD  
To reattach:  
Align notch in the saw cord receptacle with the ridge in  
the cord head.  
Insert cord head into cord receptacle and twist fully  
clockwise.  
NOTE: You will hear a click when the cord is securely  
attached to the saw.  
CORD LOCK  
BUTTON  
STARTING/STOPPING THE SAW  
See Figure 11.  
Fig. 9  
To start the saw: Depress the switch trigger.  
Always let the blade reach full speed, then guide the saw  
into the workpiece.  
TO REATTACH  
WARNING:  
The blade coming in contact with the workpiece  
before it reaches full speed could cause the saw to  
“kickback” toward you, resulting in serious injury.  
To stop the saw: Release the switch trigger.  
After you release the switch trigger, allow the blade to  
come to a complete stop. Do not remove the saw from the  
workpiece while the blade is moving.  
TO DETACH  
Fig. 10  
SWITCH  
TRIGGER  
Fig. 11  
15  
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OPERATION  
ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH  
See Figures 12 - 13.  
DEPTH INDICATOR  
Always keep correct blade depth setting. The correct blade  
depth setting for all cuts should not exceed 1/4 in. below  
the material being cut. More blade depth will increase the  
chance of kickback and cause the cut to be rough.  
DEPTH OF CUT SCALE  
Unplug the saw.  
Pull depth adjustment lever upward to release.  
Determine the desired depth of cut.  
Hold base flat against the workpiece and raise or lower  
saw until the indicator mark on the saw aligns with the  
desired depth on the scale.  
Push down on depth adjustment lever to lock into  
PLYWOOD ID SYSTEM  
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT  
position.  
INDEXING LEVERS  
See Figure 13.  
LEVER  
Fig. 12  
The levers on the saw can be repositioned for the best  
tightening position.  
Pull the lever out from the saw and move to desired  
position.  
Push lever back in and down to lock into place.  
PUSH IN AND  
DOWN TO LOCK  
Check to be sure the base is clamped securely.  
PLYWOOD ID SYSTEM  
See Figure 12.  
Indicators along the elevation bracket help to quickly identify  
the following common plywood thicknesses: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2,  
5/8, 3/4, and 1 in. A “click” can be heard as the saw is moved  
from one thickness setting to the next.  
Unplug the saw.  
PULL OUT AND UP  
TO RATCHET  
Pull depth adjustment lever upward to release.  
Determine the thickness of the workpiece.  
Fig. 13  
Holdbaseflatagainsttheworkpieceandraiseorlowersaw  
until the saw clicks into the correct thickness setting.  
Push down on depth adjustment lever to lock into  
position.  
NOTE: Saw teeth will extend slightly further than the selected  
thickness setting to allow the blade to pass completely  
through the workpiece.  
16  
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OPERATION  
OPERATING THE SAW  
See Figures 14 - 16.  
Refer to the figures in this section to learn the correct and  
incorrect ways for handling the saw.  
WARNING:  
To make sawing easier and safer, always maintain  
proper control of the saw. Loss of control could  
cause an accident resulting in possible serious  
injury.  
DANGER:  
When lifting the saw from the workpiece, the blade  
is exposed on the underside of the saw until the  
lower blade guard closes. Make sure the lower  
blade guard is closed before setting the saw  
down.  
Fig. 14  
To make the best possible cut, follow these helpful hints.  
Hold the saw firmly with both hands.  
Avoid placing your hand on the workpiece while making  
a cut.  
Support the workpiece so that the cut (kerf) is always to  
your side.  
Support the workpiece near the cut.  
Clamp the workpiece securely so that the workpiece will  
not move during the cut.  
Always place the saw on the workpiece that is supported,  
not the “cut off” piece.  
Place the workpiece with the “good” side down.  
Draw a guideline along the desired line of cut before  
beginning the cut.  
Fig. 15  
Keep the cord away from the cutting area. Always place  
the cord to prevent it from hanging up on the workpiece  
while making a cut.  
DANGER:  
If the cord hangs up on the workpiece during a  
cut, release the switch trigger immediately. Unplug  
the saw and reposition the cord to prevent it from  
hanging up again.  
DANGER:  
Using a saw with a damaged cord could result  
in serious injury or death. If the cord has been  
damaged, have it replaced before using the saw  
again.  
Fig. 16  
17  
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OPERATION  
CROSS CUTTING/RIP CUTTING  
See Figures 17 - 19.  
When making a cross cut or rip cut, align the guideline with  
the full length kerf indicator on the base as shown in the  
figure. The distance from the saw blade to the saw base is  
approximately 5 in. on the left side of the saw and 1 in. on  
the right side.  
FULL LENGTH  
Since blade thicknesses vary, always make a trial cut in  
scrap material along a guideline to determine how much  
the guideline must be offset from the guide to produce an  
accurate cut.  
KERF INDICATOR  
GUIDELINE  
NOTE: The distance from the line of cut to the guideline is  
the amount you should offset the guide.  
TO RIP CUT  
See Figures 18 - 19.  
Fig. 17  
Use a guide when making long or wide rip cuts with the  
saw.  
To rip cut using optional edge guide:  
Slide edge guide into the slot.  
LOCK KNOB  
Align the guideline with the full length kerf indicator on  
the base.  
Adjust the guide so that the “0” on the guide is aligned  
with the edge of the workpiece.  
Secure the guide with the lock knob provided with the  
saw.  
EDGE GUIDE  
Secure the workpiece.  
Position the face of the edge guide firmly against the edge  
of workpiece.  
FULL LENGTH  
NOTE: The guiding edge of the workpiece must be  
straight for your cut to be straight. Use caution to prevent  
the blade from binding in the cut.  
KERF INDICATOR  
SLOT  
Fig. 18  
Saw along workpiece keeping guide firmly against edge  
to achieve a straight rip cut.  
C-CLAMPS  
To rip cut using a straight edge:  
Secure the workpiece.  
Clamp a straight edge to the workpiece using  
STRAIGHT  
EDGE  
C-clamps.  
NOTE: Position C-clamps so they will not interfere with  
the saw housing during the cut.  
Saw along the straight edge to achieve a straight rip  
cut.  
NOTE: Do not bind the blade in the cut.  
GUIDELINE  
C-CLAMPS  
Fig. 19  
WORKPIECE  
18  
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OPERATION  
BEVEL CUTTING  
See Figures 20 - 22.  
BEVEL SCALE  
To make the best possible cut, follow these helpful hints.  
Align the line of cut with the inner blade guide notch on  
BEVEL  
ADJUSTMENT  
LEVER  
the base when making 45° bevel cuts.  
Make a trial cut in scrap material along a guideline to  
determine how much you should offset the guideline on  
the cutting material.  
Adjust the angle of cut to any desired setting between zero  
and 50°. Positive stops are located at 0°, 45°, and 50°.  
Refer to To Adjust Bevel Setting later in this manual.  
NOTE: Push the positive 50° stop button in while raising  
the motor housing to set the bevel setting above 45° and  
up to 50°.  
INNER BLADE  
GUIDE NOTCH  
POSITIVE 50°  
STOP BUTTON  
TO ADJUST BEVEL SETTING  
See Figures 20 - 21.  
Fig. 20  
Unplug the saw.  
Pull the bevel adjustment lever upward until the motor  
housing moves freely.  
Raise motor housing end of saw until you reach the  
desired angle setting on bevel scale.  
PUSH IN AND  
DOWN TO LOCK  
NOTE: Positive stops are located at 0°, 45°, and 50°.  
Push the positive 50° stop button in while raising the  
motor housing to set the bevel setting above 45° and up  
to 50°.  
Push downward on the bevel adjustment lever until the  
motor housing is securely locked in place.  
INDEXING LEVERS  
See Figure 21.  
The levers on the saw can be repositioned for the best  
tightening position.  
PULL OUT AND UP  
TO RATCHET  
Pull the lever out from the saw and move to desired  
Fig. 21  
position.  
Push lever back in and down to lock into place.  
Check to be sure the base is clamped securely.  
WARNING:  
Attempting a bevel cut without having the bevel  
adjustment lever securely locked in place can  
result in serious injury.  
TO BEVEL CUT  
See Figure 22.  
Hold the saw firmly with both hands as shown.  
Rest the front edge of the base on the workpiece.  
Start the saw and let the blade reach full speed.  
Guide the saw into the workpiece and make the cut.  
Release the trigger and allow the blade to come to a  
Fig. 22  
complete stop.  
Lift the saw from the workpiece.  
19  
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OPERATION  
POCKET CUTTING  
See Figure 23.  
WARNING:  
Always adjust bevel setting to zero before making  
a pocket cut. Attempting a pocket cut at any other  
setting can result in loss of control of the saw  
possibly causing serious injury.  
Adjust the bevel setting to zero.  
Set the blade to the correct blade depth setting.  
Swing the lower blade guard up using the lower blade  
guard handle.  
NOTE: Always raise the lower blade guard with the handle  
to avoid serious injury.  
Fig. 23  
Hold the lower blade guard by the handle.  
Release the trigger and allow the blade to come to a  
Rest the front of the base flat against the workpiece with  
the rear of the handle raised so the blade does not touch  
the workpiece.  
complete stop.  
Lift the saw from the workpiece.  
Start the saw and let the blade reach full speed.  
Clear corners out with a hand saw or sabre saw.  
Guide the saw into the workpiece and make the cut.  
WARNING:  
Never tie the lower blade guard in a raised position.  
Leaving the blade exposed could lead to serious  
injury.  
WARNING:  
Always cut in a forward direction when pocket  
cutting. Cutting in the reverse direction could  
cause the saw to climb up on the workpiece and  
back toward you.  
ADJUSTMENTS  
To check positive 0° bevel stop:  
Unplug the saw.  
WARNING:  
Before performing any adjustment, make sure  
the tool is unplugged from the power supply and  
the switch is in the OFF ( O ) position. Failure to  
heed this warning could result in serious personal  
injury.  
Place saw in an upside down position on a workbench.  
Move the lower blade guard out of the way so that the  
saw blade is exposed.  
Check the squareness of the saw blade to the base of  
the saw using a combination square.  
POSITIVE 0° BEVEL STOP  
See Figure 24.  
The saw has a positive 0° bevel stop that has been factory  
adjustedtoassure0°angleofthesawbladewhenmaking90°  
cuts. However, misalignment can occur during shipping.  
20  
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ADJUSTMENTS  
To adjust positive 0° bevel stop:  
Unplug the saw.  
Pull bevel adjustment lever upward to release.  
BEVEL ADJUSTMENT  
LEVER  
Turn T8 setscrew with hex key (not provided) and adjust  
base until it is square with the saw blade.  
Securely lock the bevel adjustment lever.  
WARNING:  
Attempting a bevel cut without having the bevel  
adjustment lever securely locked in place can  
result in serious injury.  
SETSCREW  
COMBINATION  
SQUARE  
Fig. 24  
MAINTENANCE  
Electric tools used on fiberglass material, wallboard,  
spackling compounds, or plaster are subject to accelerated  
wear and possible premature failure because the fiberglass  
chips and grindings are highly abrasive to bearings, brushes,  
commutators, etc. Consequently, we do not recommend  
using this tool for extended work on these types of materials.  
However, if you do work with any of these materials, it is  
extremely important to clean the tool using compressed  
air.  
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.  
LUBRICATION  
All of the bearings in this tool are lubricated with a sufficient  
amount of high grade lubricant for the life of the unit under  
normal operating conditions. Therefore, no further lubrication  
is required.  
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.  
21  
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MAINTENANCE  
CHECKING/REPLACING EXTERNAL  
BRUSHES  
See Figure 25.  
NOTE: The saw is equipped with externally accessible  
brushes.  
BRUSH  
CAP  
Unplug the saw.  
BRUSH  
ASSEMBLY  
WARNING:  
Failure to unplug the tool could result in accidental  
starting causing possible serious injury.  
30  
1
2
22  
15  
BRUSH  
ASSEMBLY  
NOTE: Brush caps (2) are located on each side of the  
motor housing.  
Remove brush caps (2) using a screwdriver.  
BRUSH CAP  
Fig. 25  
Remove brush assemblies (2).  
Check for wear. Replace both brush assemblies when  
either has less than 1/4 in. length of carbon remaining.  
NOTE: Do not replace one side without replacing the  
other.  
Reassemble using new brush assemblies. Make sure  
curvature of brush matches curvature of motor and that  
brush moves freely in brush tube.  
Reassemble by reversing the steps listed above.  
Tighten all brush caps securely. Do not over tighten.  
ACCESSORIES  
Look for these accessories where you purchased this product:  
Edge Guide...................................................................................................................................................... 631697001  
WARNING:  
Current attachments and accessories available for use with this tool are listed above. 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.  
22  
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WARRANTY  
RIDGID® HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL  
3 YEAR LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY  
Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting  
warranty service.  
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.  
Limited to RIDGID® hand held and stationary power tools  
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.  
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.  
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  
FITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE,aredisclaimed.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.  
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.  
One World Technologies, Inc.  
P.O. Box 35, Hwy. 8  
Pickens, SC 29671  
23  
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OPERATOR’S MANUAL  
6-1/2 in. CIRCULAR SAW  
DOUBLE INSULATED  
R3203-1  
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  
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:  
R3203-1  
Model No.  
Serial No.  
987000-059  
9-28-06 (REV:00)  
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