OPERATOR’S MANUAL 12 inch Max Reach Miter Saw R4231 Your saw has been engineered and manufactured to our high standard 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES....................................................................... 2 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS............................................ 2 KNOW YOUR COMPOUND MITER SAW............................ 5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS....................... 6 SAFETY LOGOS............................................................... 6 GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS.......... 7 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR MITER SAWS............ 8 PROPOSITION 65 WARNING................................
FEATURES F1 F2 F14 F13 F3 F12 F11 F4 F10 F5 F9 F6 F8 F7 Figure 1 F15 F1 On/Off Switch and Lockout Hole F9 Work Table F2 Safety Switch F10 Work Clamp F3 Dust Bag F11 Blade F4 Depth Stop Screw/Depth Stop Plate F12 Lower Guard F5 Bevel Scale and Indicator F13 Spindle Lock F6 Sliding Fence F14 Upper Guard F7 Base F15 Back Fence Support F8 Throat Plate F16 T30 Torx/Blade Wrench 3 F16
FEATURES F17 F28 F18 F27 F19 F20 F26 F25 F24 F23 F21 F22 Figure 2 F17 Motor End Cap F23 Miter Lock Knob F18 Carrying Handle F24 Miter Detent Lock/Unlock Button F19 Slide Lock Lever F25 Mounting Holes (4) F20 Saw Head Lock Pin F26 Bevel Lock/Unlock Handle F21 Miter Scale and Indicator F27 Bevel Detent Latch F22 Miter Detent Override Button F28 Slide Resistance Adjustment 4
FEATURES KNOW YOUR COMPOUND MITER SAW 1. On/Off Switch and Lockout Hole: This saw is activated by an easy to use, hand operated, power switch. When not in use the saw should be disconnected from the power supply and locked using a padlock inserted through the lockout hole located on the power switch. 2. Safety Switch: This switch helps prevent accidental start, must be engaged along with power switch to operate machine. 3.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR PRODUCT AND IN THIS MANUAL. SAVE THIS MANUAL. MAKE SURE ALL USERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING THE TOOL. Improper operation, maintenance or modification of tools or equipment could result in serious injury and/or property damage. SAFETY LOGOS This manual contains information that is important for you to know and understand.
GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or BATTERY-operated (cordless) power tool. 1. Work area safety a. Keep work area clean and well lit.
GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS d. 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. e. Maintain power tools and accessories. 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.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR MITER SAWS l. Provide adequate support such as table extensions, saw horses, etc. for a workpiece that is wider or longer than the table top. Workpieces longer or wider than the miter saw table can tilt if not securely supported. If the cut-off piece or workpiece tips, it can lift the lower guard or be thrown by the spinning blade. m. Do not use another person as a substitute for a table extension or as additional support.
POWER CONNECTIONS This saw is equipped with a 15-amp motor for use with a 120volt, 60-HZ alternating current. For voltage, the wiring in a shop is as important as the motor’s rating. A line intended only for lights may not be able to properly carry the current needed for a power tool motor; wire that is heavy enough for a short distance may be too light for a greater distance; and a line that can support one power tool may not be able to support two or three.
UNPACKING REMOVING CONTENTS FROM PACKAGING Check shipping carton and machine for damage before unpacking. Carefully remove packaging materials, parts and machine from shipping carton. ALWAYS check for and remove protective shipping materials around motor and moving parts. Lay out all parts on a clean work surface. • Compare package contents to Component Parts List and Hardware Package List prior to assembly to make sure all items are present.
ASSEMBLY TOOLS NEEDED T20 Torx Wrench 4mm Hex Wrench Framing Square Flat Head Screwdriver (for the dust port adapter) 17mm Combination Wrench 10mm Combination Wrench T40 Torx Wrench (L-Shape) Combination Square Figure 4 • D O 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. • D O NOT connect to power supply until assembly is complete.
ASSEMBLY WORK CLAMP See Figure 5 F10 The vertical Work Clamp F10 secures the workpiece to the table to provide more stability and keeps the workpiece from creeping toward the saw blade. To install the vertical Work Clamp 1. Place the Clamp Shaft A Miter Base. F10 do the following: in either hole B on the A 2. Slide the clamp arm so the pad touches the workpiece. 3. Rotate the knob C clockwise to secure the workpiece. C To loosen, turn Counter Clock Wise. B Figure 5 DUST BAG See Figure 6.
ASSEMBLY INSTALL/REMOVE BLADE A 12 inch Blade is the required blade size for the Saw. Larger blades will come into contact with the Blade Guards and smaller blades will not be adequately guarded. F12 See Figures 8-10. 1. Make sure the Saw is unplugged. 2. Raise the Saw Arm to the full upright position. 3. Rotate the Lower Blade Guard F12 up to expose the Blade Bolt A . Hold the Lower Blade Guard with the Right thumb, and press the Spindle Lock Button F13 with the Right index finger at the same time.
ADJUSTMENTS ALIGN THE BLADE TO TABLE Your saw is calibrated at the factory to cut true. Over time the saw’s calibration may drift and will need to be re-calibrated. See Figure 11. C 1. Unplug the Saw 2. Lower the saw head all the way down to the transport position and engage the saw head lock pin to hold it in place. Push the saw head into the fully retracted position and engage the slide lock lever F15 to hold it in place. 3.
ADJUSTMENTS ALIGN THE BLADE TO FENCE Your saw is calibrated at the factory to cut true. Over time the saw’s calibration may drift and will need to be re-calibrated. UNLOCK See Figure 12. F19 1. Unplug the Saw. 2. Lower the saw head all the way down to the transport LOCK position and engage the saw head lock pin F20 to hold it in place. Push the saw head into the fully retracted position and engage the slide lock lever F19 to hold it in place. F20 3.
ADJUSTMENTS DEPTH STOP ADJUSTMENT This miter saw is equipped with an adjustable depth stop for making non-through cuts. Refer to Figure 14 and follow these instructions in order to set the depth stop at a specific cut depth: 1. Rotate the depth stop plate the down position. F4 counterclockwise into F4 F4 2. The cut depth can now be adjusted by turning the depth stop screw F4 . 3. Lock the depth stop screw C by turning the Wing-Nut until snug against the depth stop plate F4 .
ADJUSTMENTS SLIDE RESISTANCE ADJUSTMENT See Figure 17. The slide resistance (friction) on your saw is adjustable. 1. Use the supplied 4mm Hex wrench. Locate the friction F28 adjustment screw on the saw slide F28 . Turn right to tighten the sliding friction. Turn left to loosen the sliding friction. LOOSEN TIGHTEN Figure 17 MITER LOCK ADJUSTMENT See Figure 18. If your saw’s miter lock does not lock securely, you need to tighten the miter lock adjustment.
ADJUSTMENTS THROAT PLATE See Figures 19. ONLY use RIDGID® authorized service parts. Using non-authorized parts can results in damage to your machine and serious personal injury. In the event that your throat plate needs to be replaced for any reason, follow these instruction. 1. Loosen the fence lock knobs. Slide both fences away from center. 2. Remove the six screws which hold the throat plate. Lift the throat plate off the work table. A A 3.
MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTATION Before moving/transporting your saw it is important to make sure all of the following steps have been followed to ensure a safe condition for transportation. Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury. • A LWAYS turn the power off and unplug saw before transporting. • Secure power cord to avoid any snags or hang ups during transportation. • ALWAYS lift using the strength of your legs to lift saw; never use your back muscles to lift saw.
MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTATION MOUNTING SAW TO STABLE SURFACE To ensure safe and accurate operation, this saw should be mounted to a stable and level surface such as a sturdy workbench. To mount the tool to a stable surface, refer to Figure 22 and do the following: 1. Locate the four mounting holes in the base of the saw F25 . 2. Secure the tool to the mounting surface using 3/8 inch F25 F25 diameter machine bolts, lock washers, and hex nuts (not included).
OPERATION • O NOT allow familiarity with tools to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to D inflict serious personal injury. • LWAYS wear eye protection with side shields and marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 Failure to do so could result in objects A being thrown into your eyes, resulting in possible serious personal injury. • O NOT use any attachments or accessories not recommended by the manufacturer of this tool.
OPERATION CUTTING WARPED MATERIAL See Figure 25. When attempting to cut warped material, the CONVEX face should be against the fence. See Figure 26. NEVER position a piece of warped material with the CONCAVE face or edge against the fence. It will pinch the blade near the completion of the cut. To avoid a kickback and to avoid serious personal injury, NEVER position the concave edge of bowed or warped material against the fence.
OPERATION SUPPORTING LONG WORKPIECES Additional support A may be used to make the workpiece lay flat on the saw table. Use the included work clamp or a C-clamp B to secure the workpiece to the miter saw table. See Figure 28. A B Figure 28 POWER SWITCH LOCK To prevent any unauthorized person from operating this saw, a padlock (not included) should be installed into the lock hole located on the power switch. See Figure 29. Be sure padlock is fully closed and locked before leaving this saw unattended.
OPERATION Before turning the saw power ON, check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation. Position the work clamp and fence to avoid contact with the miter saw head. F24 LOCK NON-SLIDING CUTS F22 ALWAYS engage the slide lock lever F19 before making any non-sliding cuts. Failure to engage this lock could result in saw head movement during the cutting operation. UNLOCK F23 FOR CROSS CUTS See Figures 30 and 31. 1.
OPERATION BEVEL CUTS To avoid serious personal injury, before turning the saw power ON, check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation. Position the work clamp and fence to avoid contact with the miter saw head. ALWAYS lock the bevel lock handle before any cutting operation. Failure to do so may result in serious personal injury. F27 UNLOCK F6 See Figure 32. UNLOCK 1.
OPERATION COMPOUND MITER CUTS To avoid serious personal injury, before turning the saw power ON: 1. Check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation. 2. Position the work clamp and fence to avoid contact with the miter saw head. See Figure 34. A compound miter cut uses a combination of a miter angle adjustment and bevel angle adjustment.
OPERATION SLIDE CUTS A slide cut should NEVER be performed by pulling the saw toward you. Due to the blade rotation direction, this can cause the saw blade to climb over the workpiece and towards the operator. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious personal injury. F20 Before turning the saw power ON, check to make sure saw head and blade will not make contact with the provided work clamp or fence during the cutting operation.
OPERATION TIPS FOR CUTTING CROWN MOLDING • The two edges of the molding that contact the ceiling and the wall are at angles that, when added together, equal exactly 90°. Most crown molding has a top rear angle (the section that fits flat against the ceiling) of 52° and a bottom rear angle (the section that fits flat against the wall) of 38°. • To accurately cut crown molding for a 90° inside or outside corner, lay the molding with its broad back surface flat on the miter table and against the fence.
OPERATION AUXILIARY FENCE See Figure 37. For cutting certain workpieces, you may require a larger fence surface area to accommodate an auxiliary fence with a workpiece. The auxiliary fence should be made using 3/4 inch thick wood. Use the mounting holes (in bold) which are predrilled in the fence to attach an auxiliary fence. NEVER use auxiliary fence which interferes or makes contact with saw head. ALWAYS check for clearance between auxiliary fence and saw head before making cuts.
OPERATION EXPAND WORKTABLE AREA This saw is designed to allow for large capacity cuts up to 2 x 12 inch. In order to make these cuts you will need to configure your saw appropriately. X B DO NOT use an auxiliary table board which will not fully support the workpiece during cutting operation. 1. Loosen the fence lock knob . Slide the upper fences completely out of their tracks and set them to the side. See Figure 39. A B 2. Flip the back fence support tabs TIGHTEN into position.
MAINTENANCE To reduce the risk of injury, turn unit off and disconnect it from power source before cleaning or servicing, before installing and removing accessories, before adjusting when making repairs. An accidental start-up can cause serious injury. KEEP MACHINE CLEAN Periodically blow out all air passages with dry compressed air. All plastic parts should be cleaned with a soft damp cloth. NEVER use solvents to clean plastic parts. They could possibly dissolve or otherwise damage the material.
TROUBLESHOOTING For assistance with your machine, visit our website at www.ridgid.com for a list of service centers or call RIDGID® Customer Service at (toll free) 1-888-359-4778 or email at RidgidMiterSaws@ridgidproducts.com. FAILURE TO START If your machine fails to start, check to make sure the prongs on the cord plug are making good contact in the receptacle, and check reset button on GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (If applicable).
PARTS, SERVICE OR WARRANTY ASSISTANCE RIDGID® STATIONARY POWER TOOL 5 YEAR LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting warranty service. Limited to RIDGID® stationary power tools purchased 2/1/21 and after. This product is manufactured by DPEC. The trademark is licensed from RIDGID®, Inc. All warranty communications should be directed to Customer Service attn: RIDGID® Stationary Power Tool Technical Service at (toll free) 1-888-359-4778.
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OPERATOR’S MANUAL 12 inch Max Reach Miter Saw R4231 Customer Service Information: For parts or service, do not return this product to the store. 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 1-888-359-4778 or email us at RidgidMiterSaws@Ridgidproducts.com. MODEL NO.*_____________________SERIAL NO.
