Your one stop destination for tips & techniques, manuals, troubleshooting, FAQs and more!
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If your saw has an adjustable shoe feature, adjust the shoe to use different sections of the blade. This will allow your blade to last much longer!
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Insert the blade upside down but always hold saw right side up for a firm grip. This will allow you to accomplish cuts at tricky angles.
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Some saws include orbital action. This feature makes a faster, more aggressive cut with a rougher finish. This should only be used when cutting wood.
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Use only enough pressure to keep the saw cutting. Let the blade and saw do the work. Keep pressure on the shoe, against the workpiece.
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You can saw through nails to break down pallets much easier than using a pry bar or a hammer.
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Cut metal more smoothly by rubbing a little bar lubricant on the blade. (Remember never to handle the blade when the power source is connected)
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When your blade is dull and having trouble making it through materials with ease, it's time for a new one. Most reciprocating saws have tooless blade clamps. Lift the lever and insert the blade as far as it will go. Release the lever and tug the blade to make sure it's secure.
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If you have chosen the correct length blade, a small amount of the blade should extend past the other side of the material. You should always have a long enough blade to comfortably cut through your material with out the tip of the blade catching. Longer blades are for cutting larger material or for use of their flexibility.
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Plunge cuts may be less intimidating if you drill a good sized hole into the material at the point where you want to start your cut. This gives the saw a place to start.
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Reciprocating saws are great for trimming/pruning small trees and branches. Make sure you stick to the safety rules; wear eye protection, have solid footing, etc…Be reasonable about the size of the branch you decide to cut.
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Reciprocating saws can bounce and shake. Be ready to control the saw with a firm grip at all times. Due to the back and forth reciprocating motion, firmly controlling the saw at all times is key!
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Rest the bottom of the shoe on the material with the blade resting on the materials surface. Start the blade. Once it's reaches full speed, slowly tilt the blade into the surface of the material. When the blade catches the material, continue tilting until the blade fully plunges through the material and the shoe is completely resting on the surface. Make your cut. Once finished release the trigger and wait for the blade to completely stop before removing from the material.
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This website and the information contained in it is NOT designed to replace your manual. You need to read your manual and completely understand all requirements before operating your Recip Saw.
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Recip blades heat up during cutting. Give the blade time to cool before touching.
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Adjustable shoe
A feature that allows the user to move the shoe forward or back, exposing more or less of the saw blade.
Instructions: Adjust the shoe forward or backward depending on how much blade length you want to use. Remember- shorter blade length is easier to control, while longer blade lengths can go deeper into materials.
Bi-metal
Bi-Metal blades are manufactured with two types of metal. This provides a much stronger, longer lasting blade.
Blade Clamp
This is the part of the saw that holds the blade in place. Most blade clamps are tool-less and spring loaded.
Instructions: Unplug or remove the battery pack from the saw, then pull back (or lift up) the blade clamp. Insert the blade, and release the blade clamp. Make sure the blade is secure. You should never operate a saw with a loose blade.
Flush Cut
Cutting a nail or screw to lay flush against a surface. May be used for tidying up rough or sloppy work
Instructions: Using a long-length flexible blade, bend the blade until it curves with part lying flat on the surface. Pull the trigger, and the bent blade will cut the nail/screw flush against the material.
Kickback (Recip Saws)
The unexpected action of the saw hurling the material being cut or the saw in the direction of the user.
Orbital Action/Oscillation
An additional setting on some Jig Saws and Reciprocating Saws that provide an orbital action for more aggressive cuts.
Instructions: Only use this function on wood- never metal or plastic.
Pivoting shoe
A feature that allows you to rock the saw back and forth during cutting without lifting the shoe off the cutting material. This helps you get through tougher cuts.
Plunge Cut
A cut made directly into a piece of material. It starts inside the material, not on the edge. May be used for: Taking down drywall, cutting slots for doors, windows and outlets
Instructions: Without the blade touching the material, rest the shoe of the saw on the material. Pull the trigger and slowly lower the blade into the material until the blade fully enters the material.
Pocket Cut
Cutting a square or rectangle shape out of the material; may be used for creating a space for electrical outlets.
Shoe
This is the part of the saw that rests against the material you are cutting. The shoe should always be flat against the material. It reduces vibration and gives you better control.
Instructions: Rest the shoe against the material before pulling the trigger. The blade should not touch the material until moving at full speed. Once the shoe is in place, you can start the saw.
TPI
TPI stands for Teeth Per Inch. This is the way saw blades are measured. The lower the TPI, the more aggressive the cut.
Instructions: If you're cutting wood, choose a 6-10 TPI blade. For metal, choose a higher TPI such as 18.
Variable Speed Trigger/Adjustment
Allows user to control the speed of the blade. This feature gives the user greater cut control.
Instructions: If you're sawing and you hit a particularly hard patch of material, simply adjust the speed of the saw to help you get through it.
12 Amp Reciprocating Saw - rj186v, rj1861v, rj186vvn, rj1861vvn
12 Amp Reciprocating Saw - rj186v, rj1861v, rj186vvn, rj1861vvn
12 Amp Reciprocating Saw - rj186v, rj1861v, rj186vvn, rj1861vvn
All RYOBI Outdoor Products purchased on or after 1.1.09 are covered by a 3-year warranty. All RYOBI Portable Power Tools and Bench/Stationary tools purchased on or after 1.1.11 are covered by a 3-year warranty.
Visit our replacmeent part store or our authorized service center locator for assistance with service and repairs.
