OPERATOR’S MANUAL 10 in. TABLE SAW RTS21/RTS21G Your table 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. Thank you for your purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................2 Warranty............................................................................................................................................................................2 General Safety Rules............................................................................
GENERAL SAFETY RULES SECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold work when practical. It’s safer than using your hand and frees both hands to operate tool. DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp and clean for better and safer performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. DISCONNECT TOOLS. When not in use, before servicing, or when changing attachments, blades, bits, cutters, etc.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES STAY ALERT AND EXERCISE CONTROL. Watch what you are doing and use common sense. Do not operate tool when you are tired. Do not rush. DO NOT USE TOOL IF SWITCH DOES NOT TURN IT ON AND OFF. Have defective switches replaced by an authorized service center. USE ONLY CORRECT BLADES. Do not use blades with incorrect size holes. Never use blade washers or blade bolts that are defective or incorrect. The maximum blade capacity of your saw is 10 in. (254 mm).
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES NEVER perform any operation “freehand” which means using only your hands to support or guide the workpiece. Always use either the rip fence or miter gauge to position and guide the work. NEVER stand or have any part of your body in line with the path of the saw blade. NEVER reach behind, over, or within three inches of the blade or cutter with either hand for any reason. MOVE THE RIP FENCE out of the way when cross cutting.
SYMBOLS The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product. SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
ELECTRICAL EXTENSION CORDS SPEED AND WIRING Use only 3-wire extension cords that have 3-prong grounding plugs and 3-pole receptacles that accept the tool's plug. When using a power tool at a considerable distance from the power source, use an extension cord heavy enough to carry the current that the tool will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in a loss of power and causing the motor to overheat.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS Anti-Kickback Pawls (radial arm and table saws) A device which, when properly installed and maintained, is designed to stop the workpiece from being kicked back toward the front of the saw during a ripping operation. Arbor The shaft on which a blade or cutting tool is mounted. Bevel Cut A cutting operation made with the blade at any angle other than 90° to the table surface. Compound Cut A cross cut made with both a miter and a bevel angle.
FEATURES PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Input......................................................................15 Amps No Load Speed..................................... 5,000 r/min. (RPM) Cutting Depth at 0˚....................................................... 3 in. Cutting Depth at 45˚...............................................2-1/2 in. Blade Arbor............................................................... 5/8 in. Blade Diameter........................................................... 10 in.
FEATURES KNOW YOUR TABLE SAW HEIGHT/BEVEL ADJUSTING HANDWHEEL - Located on the front of the cabinet, use this handwheel to lower and raise the blade for height adjustments or blade replacement. This handwheel also makes the adjustment for bevel angles easy. See Figure 2. 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.
FEATURES OPERATING COMPONENTS WARNING: The upper portion of the blade projects up through the table and is surrounded by an insert called the throat plate. The height of the blade is set with a handwheel on the front of the cabinet. Detailed instructions are provided in the Operation section of this manual for the basic cuts: cross cuts, miter cuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts. ALWAYS remove the switch key when the tool is not in use and keep it in a safe place.
FEATURES BLADES WARNING: For maximum performance, it is recommended that you use the 24-tooth, 10 in. carbide-tipped combination blade provided with your saw. Additional blade styles of the same high quality are available for specific operations such as ripping. Your local dealer can provide you with complete information. Do not use blades rated less than the speed of this tool. Failure to heed this warning could result in personal injury.
LOOSE PARTS The following items are included with your table saw: C K N A B H I L F I Q D P E O J M G Fig. 5 A. Anti-Kickback Pawls................................................ 1 I. Screw........................................................................2 B. Blade Guard............................................................. 1 J. Stand Legs................................................................2 C. Miter Gauge.........................................................
ASSEMBLY UNPACKING WARNING: This product requires assembly. Carefully lift saw from the carton and place it on a level work surface. Do not lift the saw without help. Hold it close to your body. Keep your knees bent and lift with your legs, not your back. Ignoring these precautions can result in back injury. NOTE: This tool is heavy. To avoid back injury, keep your knees bent and lift with your legs, not your back, and get help when needed.
ASSEMBLY LOCK NUT ARROWS LEG BRACE SCREW Fig. 7 LOCKING KNOB HOLE Fig. 6 MOUNTING THE TABLE SAW BASE TO THE QUICKSTAND® See Figure 8. Place the table saw base on the leg stand. Position the locking knob over the holes in the top of the leg stand. Insert the screw on the locking knob into the hole and turn the locking knob clockwise to secure the table saw base to the leg stand. Repeat with the other three locking knobs. Fig. 8 NUT TO INSTALL THE HANDLE See Figure 9.
ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE/REPLACE THE THROAT PLATE THROAT PLATE See Figure 10. Lower the blade by turning the height/bevel adjusting handwheel counterclockwise. RIVING KNIFE To remove the throat plate, place your index finger in the hole and lift the front end pulling the throat plate out toward the front of the saw. To reinstall the throat plate, first slip the tab into the slot at the back of the saw and then push down to secure in place. TO CHANGE RIVING KNIFE POSITIONS See Figure 11.
ASSEMBLY TO CHECK SAW BLADE INSTALLATION BLADE WRENCH See Figure 12. BLADE WRENCH NOTICE: To work properly, the saw blade teeth must point down toward the front of the saw. Failure to do so could cause damage to the saw blade, the saw, or the workpiece. Unplug the saw. Lower the saw blade and remove the throat plate. Make sure the bevel locking lever is securely pushed to the left, see figure 29. Raise the saw blade to its full height by turning the height/bevel adjusting handwheel clockwise.
ASSEMBLY To install anti-kickback pawls: Press and hold the button on the right side of the antikickback pawls. Align the slot in the pawls over the rear hole in the riving knife. Push the pawl handle down snapping them into place and release the button. NOTE: Pull on the pawl handle to make sure pawls are securely locked. To install blade guard: Lift the guard lever up to unlock.
ASSEMBLY T O A S S E M B L E T H E S L I D I N G TA B L E ASSEMBLY REAR EXTENSION ROD See Figures 17 - 18. To install sliding table assembly: Locate the sliding table assembly. Unlock the front and back table locking levers. Insert sliding table assembly into table locking levers. Push the table assembly until it rests against the saw table and is completely closed. Install phillips head screw into hole on the bottom of the rear extension rod to hold sliding table assembly into locking levers.
ASSEMBLY TO STORE THE TABLE SAW ACCESSORIES AND LEG STAND PUSH STICK See Figures 19 - 20. The table saw has two convenient storage areas (one on either side of the saw cabinet) specifically designed for the saw’s accessories. When not in use, store the accessories securely by snapping each accessory in place. To store the leg stand, close the stand and secure in back of saw cabinet using hook and look straps. STORAGE HOOK RIP FENCE BLADE WRENCHES MITER GAUGE Fig. 20 Fig.
OPERATION Kickback can be caused by any action that pinches the blade in the wood such as: WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict severe injury. WARNING: Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes, resulting in possible serious injury.
OPERATION CUTTING AIDS See Figure 21. Push sticks are devices that may be used for pushing a workpiece through the blade in any rip cut. When making non-through cuts or ripping narrow stock, always use a push stick, push block, and/or featherboard so your hands do not come within 3 inches of the saw blade. They can be made in various sizes and shapes from scrap wood and used in a specific project.
OPERATION FEATHERBOARD WARNING: A featherboard is a device used to help control the workpiece by holding it securely against the table or fence. Featherboards are especially useful when ripping small workpieces and for completing non-through cuts. The end is angled with a number of short kerfs to give a friction hold on the workpiece and locked in place on the table with a C-clamp. Test to ensure it can resist kickback. Mount the featherboard in front of the saw blade.
OPERATION TYPES OF CUTS See Figure 26. There are six basic cuts: 1) the cross cut, 2) the rip cut, 3) the miter cut, 4) the bevel cross cut, 5) the bevel rip cut, and 6) the compound (bevel) miter cut. All other cuts are combinations of these basic six. Operating procedures for making each kind of cut are given later in this section. 1 CROSS CUT WARNING: Always make sure the blade guard and anti-kickback pawls are in place and working properly when making these cuts to avoid possible injury.
OPERATION TO CHANGE BLADE DEPTH GULLET See Figure 27. The blade depth should be set so that the outer points of the blade are higher than the workpiece by approximately 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. but the lowest points (gullets) are below the top surface. Raise the blade by turning the height/bevel adjusting handwheel clockwise or lower it by turning the handwheel counterclockwise. TO CHANGE BLADE ANGLE (BEVEL) See Figured 28 - 29. NOTE: A 90° cut has a 0° bevel and a 45° cut has a 45° bevel. Fig.
OPERATION LOCKING LEVER WARNING: RIP FENCE To reduce the risk of injury, always make sure the rip fence is parallel to the blade before beginning any operation. TO USE THE RIP FENCE See Figure 30. Place the rear lip on the rear of the saw table and pull slightly toward the front of the unit. Lower the front end of the rip fence onto the guide surfaces on top of the front rail. With the rip fence flat on the saw table, push the fence towards the front rail to align the fence to the saw table.
OPERATION TO USE THE MITER GAUGE MITER GAUGE BODY See Figure 31. The miter gauge provides greater accuracy in angled cuts. For very close tolerances, test cuts are recommended. MITER GAUGE There are two miter gauge grooves, one on either side of the blade. When making a 90° cross cut, you can use either miter gauge groove.
OPERATION HEELING (PARALLELING) THE BLADE TO THE MITER GAUGE GROOVE RIGHT MITER GAUGE GROOVE See Figures 34 - 35. WARNING: The blade must be parallel to the miter gauge groove so the wood does not bind resulting in kickback. Failure to do so could result in serious personal injury. Do not loosen any bolts for this adjustment until you have checked with a square and made test cuts to be sure adjustments are necessary. Once the bolts are loosened, these items must be reset.
OPERATION MAKING CUTS CROSS CUT This table saw can perform a variety of cuts that are not all mentioned in this manual. DO NOT attempt to make any cuts not covered here unless you are thoroughly familiar with the proper procedures and necessary accessories. Your local library has many books on table saw usage and specialized woodworking procedures for your reference.
OPERATION MAKING A RIP CUT RIP CUT See Figure 38. WARNING: BLADE RIP FENCE Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and working properly to avoid serious possible injury. WARNING: Taper cuts must only be made with a special jig, which is commercially available. Do not attempt a free hand taper cut on this saw. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious personal injury. SCALE Set the blade to the correct depth for the workpiece.
OPERATION MAKING A BEVEL CROSS CUT VIEWED FROM THE FRONT, BELOW THE TABLE SAW See Figures 40 - 41. WARNING: Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and working properly to avoid possible serious injury. HEIGHT/BEVEL ADJUSTING HANDWHEEL WARNING: The miter gauge must be on the right side of the blade to avoid trapping the wood and causing kickback. Placement of the miter gauge to the left of the blade will result in kickback and the risk of serious personal injury.
OPERATION Position the workpiece flat on the table with the edge flush against the rip fence. Let the blade build up to full speed before feeding the workpiece into the blade. BEVEL RIP CUT BLADE ANGLED Once the blade has made contact with the workpiece, use the hand closest to the rip fence to guide it. Make sure the edge of the workpiece remains in solid contact with both the rip fence and the surface of the table.
OPERATION MAKING A LARGE PANEL CUT LARGE PANEL CUT See Figure 44. Make sure the saw is properly secured to a work surface to avoid tipping from the weight of a large panel. RIP FENCE WARNING: Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and working properly to avoid possible serious injury. SUPPORT WARNING: Never make freehand cuts (cuts without the miter gauge or rip fence). Unguided workpieces can result in serious injury.
OPERATION MAKING A DADO CUT NON-THROUGH CUT See Figure 46. An optional dado throat plate is required for this procedure (see the Accessories section of this manual and check with the retailer where the table saw was purchased). All blades and dado sets must not be rated less than the speed of this tool. This saw is designed for use with a 6 in. stack dado (up to width of 1/2 in.). Do not use an adjustable dado or molding cutters on this saw.
ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: BLADE WRENCH BLADE WRENCH Before performing any adjustment, make sure the tool is unplugged from the power supply and the switch is in the OFF position. Failure to heed this warning could result in serious personal injury. The table saw has been adjusted at the factory for making very accurate cuts. However, some of the components might have been jarred out of alignment during shipping. Also, over a period of time, readjustment will probably become necessary due to wear.
ADJUSTMENTS TO SET THE BLADE AT 0° AND 45° 0° ADJUSTMENT SCREW See Figures 50 - 51. The angle settings of the saw have been set at the factory and, unless damaged in shipping, should not require setting during assembly. After extensive use, they may need to be checked. Unplug the saw. BLADE Raise the blade. COMBINATION SQUARE Remove the blade guard assembly. If the blade is not perfectly vertical (0°): Unlock the bevel locking lever. Loosen the 0° adjustment screw.
ADJUSTMENTS TO CHECK THE ALIGNMENT OF THE RIP FENCE TO THE BLADE RIP FENCE BLADE BOLTS See Figure 52. Unplug the saw. Raise the locking lever to permit the rip fence to be moved. Place a framing square beside the blade and move the rip fence up to the square. Take the dimension on the rip scale. Move the fence back and turn the framing square 180° to check the other side. If the two dimensions are not the same, loosen the two bolts on the fence and align it. Retighten the two bolts.
ACCESSORIES The following recommended accessories are currently available at retail stores: 089037011021 Dado Throat Plate 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. TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Blade is out of balance. Replace blade. Blade is damaged.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Saw does not make accurate 90˚ or 45˚ cuts. CAUSE SOLUTION Positive stops inside cabinet need adjusting (Bevel Cuts). Adjust positive stops. Miter gauge is misaligned (Miter Cuts). Adjust the miter gauge. Height/bevel adjusting handwheel is hard to turn. Gears or screw post inside cabinet are clogged with saw dust. Clean the gears or screw post. Saw does not start. Motor cord or wall cord is not plugged in. Plug in motor cord or wall cord. Circuit fuse is blown.
OPERATOR’S MANUAL 10 in. TABLE SAW RTS21/RTS21G 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.
