Learning how to change your blades on your Ridgid reciprocating saw is a man’s right of passage. So when I wasn’t 100% sure on how to change out my blade I took a quick look at the manual.
How Do You Change The Blade On A Ridgid Reciprocating Saw?
- Remove the battery pack or power cord.
- Rotate the blade clamp counterclockwise and hold to open.
- Remove the blade from the saw.
- Insert the saw blade until it is fully seated. NOTE: The blade can be installed with teeth facing either up or down.
- Release the blade clamp to secure.
If you want to learn more about how to work with and troubleshoot Ridgid reciprocating saws then keep reading below.
Table of Contents
How Do You Change The Blade On A Ridgid Reciprocating Saw?
The new Ridgid reciprocating saws all have the “No Tool” blade change clamp system. It makes it so much easier to change from wood to metal blades during a project or if you need to replace a dull blade out for a new one.
If your reciprocating saw has the “No Tool” system then here is how to change a blade out.
- Remove the battery pack or power cord.
- Rotate the blade clamp counterclockwise and hold to open.
- Remove the blade from the saw.
- Insert the saw blade until it is fully seated. NOTE: The blade can be installed with teeth facing either up or down.
- Release the blade clamp to secure.
If your reciprocating saw has the “Hex Key” system then here is how to change a blade out.
- Remove the battery pack or power cord.
- Locate the blade clamp screw on the right or left side of the spindle.
- Use the Hex Key and insert it into the blade clamp screw.
- Rotate it counterclockwise to loosen the screw. (Don’t remove the screw just loosen it)
- Remove the blade from the saw.
- Insert the saw blade until it is fully seated. NOTE: The blade can be installed with teeth facing either up or down.
- Use the Hex Key to turn the blade clamp screw clockwise to tighten until the blade is held securely in the spindle.
If your reciprocating saw has the “Quick Release Lever” system then here is how to change a blade out.
- Remove the battery pack or power cord.
- Locate the quick release lever located at the end of the blade and pull it.
- Remove the blade from the saw.
- Insert the saw blade until it is fully seated while holding down the lever. NOTE: The blade can be installed with teeth facing either up or down.
- Release the lever after the blade is placed securely in it’s place.
How To Change The Position Of The Shoe Assembly?
The length of the shoe is adjustable, and the pivot angle of the shoe can be set to one of three positions.
How To change length of the shoe assembly:
- Remove the battery pack from the saw.
- Unlock the shoe release lever by pulling it downward.
- Reposition the shoe assembly.
- Lock the shoe release lever by pushing it toward the saw.
- The shoe assembly will not lock into place if it is extended too far. Make sure the shoe assembly is securely locked before replacing the battery pack.
How To change the pivot angle of the shoe assembly:
- Remove the battery pack from the saw.
- Push the locking pin all the way to the right to loosen the shoe.
- Select the position you wish to use.
- Push the locking pin all the way to the left until it clicks back into locked position.
- Make sure the shoe is securely locked before reinstalling the battery pack.
How Do You Take Apart A Ridgid Sawzall?
If you have a LED light on the front then it taking apart can be a little more challenging.
Here Are The Steps: See video for steps also.
- Start by removing the shoe and the lever that locks the shoe.
- Remove the rubber boot from the front of the saw by sliding off.
- Remove the plastic housing with a screwdriver.
- Remove the metal housing with a screwdriver.
Ridgid Cordless Reciprocating Saw Repair
Subscribe to Fix.com on Youtube
Reciprocating Saw Blade Won’t Lock.
If your reciprocating saw blade won’t lock into place try these troubleshooting processes to help it lock into place. Always make sure the battery is removed or the cord is unplugged so there is no power to the saw.
- Use compressed air to blow out the mechanism to make sure any and all debris is removed from the blade clamp.
- Brush off some of the paint on the blade end to help it fit into place. Sometimes too much paint can be applied to the blade during the production process.
- Give the blade an additional push to lock into place. Once the saw is gets broken in the problem should go away.
- Sometimes dirt can accumulate in the blade clamp try using WD-40 as a lubricant to help get the blade to lock.
- If these options fail then take it into a local service center to help solve the problem.
Rigid Sawzall/Reciprocating Saw Blade Stuck.
When working on various projects you are going to get debris in almost every crack and crevice. Just like any good barber cleans their clippers after using them it is a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your tools after each project.
If you are in the situation where your reciprocating saw blade gets stuck here are some steps to help remove it.
- Use compressed air to blow out any and all debris from the blade clamp.
- Use a brush to remove any dried debris in the blade clamp.
- Strategically use WD-40 in the blade clamp pore on the top of the blade side then angle the saw down so the WD-40 can drain out. Do this 2 to 3 times.
- Wiggle the blade side to side. Do not wiggle up and down or in and out.
- You may have to let the WD-40 sit over night.
- Once the blade comes free spray more WD-40 and work the blade clamp back and forth.
Woodworking Joke:
The members of the wood club were all getting on in years. At the annual Christmas dinner at Denny’s, there were now more widows than woodworkers. And the old guys left could hardly remember anything.
Just before he stood up to make his address, the president had an idea. He and the wife had been in a furniture store earlier in the day and he had seen an unusual wood species, but he couldn’t quite recall what it was.
He turned to the treasurer. “What do you call those fancy red flowers that fellers give to girls?” he asked.
“Um…roses?”
“Yes,that’s it!”
Then he looked over at his wife.
“Rose, remember that store we were in today?”
