How To Change A Ryobi Reciprocating Saw Blade? | Step by Step

Are you looking to change your reciprocating saw blade? Whether you’re a pro or a novice, there are a few key things you need to know in order to do the job right.

In general, to change the blade on a Ryobi reciprocating saw, first release the blade clamp, then remove the old blade and insert the new one. Be sure to orient the blade correctly before re-tightening the clamp.

Keep reading to find out more because in this blog post, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step. I’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right blade for the job. So, whether you’re in the market for a new blade or just looking to brush up on your skills, read on!

How To Change A Ryobi Reciprocating Saw Blade?

The Ryobi 18v power equipment set is an extremely popular choice. They are affordable, lightweight, and powerful. The one thing that stands out about their tools is the toolless blade changing system which makes swapping blades very simple.

Tools Needed:

1 New Ryobi 18v Reciprocating Saw Blade (Or compatible brand)

Step 1: Remove the guard from your saw. The guard is held in place by 2 bolts. You can use your wrench to remove these screws. They are on opposite sides of the guard, so doing them one at a time is best.

Step 2: Once the guard is off, you can see two screws on either side of the blade holder. Use your wrench to remove these screws.

Step 3: Now that all 4 bolts have been removed, you can take off the blade holder assembly (it comes out pretty easily). There is a screw that runs through the center of it. Use your wrench to remove this bolt. The blade holder will come right off.

Step 4: Remove the protective cap from your saw, you are now ready to install your new blade. Line up the post on the inside of your saw with the hole in the middle of your new blade and push it into place.

You will feel resistance, but keep pushing until the post goes through the hole (it only needs to go in about 3/4 of an inch)

Step 5: Slide your new blade guard on and tighten the bolts using your wrench. Your saw is now ready to cut again!

How To Remove The Old Blade?

To remove the old blade, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your saw is turned off and unplugged from the power source.

2. Press the green release button on top of your saw to release the blade into a retracted position inside your saw’s body.

3. Rotate the blade holder away from you about 180 degrees while pulling up on it with even pressure until it releases from its locked position.

The blade will be released from the nose of the tool and remain attached to the blade holder by a spring-loaded tang (if applicable). 

You can now see where all 4 bolts are located in Step 1 above. The 2 bolts closest to you are for securing your guard after removal remove them using a wrench.

The other 2 bolts are for holding the blade holder assembly in place. You can now remove these using your wrench or by hand.

How To Insert The New Blade?

Follow these steps:

1. Line the blade up on the opposite side of where you removed it. Make sure that the tang (if applicable) is still attached to the spring and fits securely in the hole provided on your saw’s body.

2. Slide this new blade all the way through until you hear a ‘pop’ sound, which means that it has successfully locked into place inside your tool’s nose cavity. You can now replace or tighten both bolts for Step 1 above.

How To Choose A New Ryobi Reciprocating Saw Blade? 

Choosing a new blade for your reciprocating saw depends on what kind of work you need to do with it. Here are some key considerations when choosing a blade: 

1. Utility 

This refers to the size of the blade in terms of diameter and thickness. The smaller blades are intended for more precise work, while larger blades are intended for heavy-duty jobs requiring bigger cuts. 

2. Coating 

There are different types of coating, or protection, that you’ll find on your saw blade. Titanium nitride coating is one type that makes the blade teeth resistant to rusting, chipping, and wear.

Anti-stick coatings also exist that make your job even easier by preventing material from sticking to the teeth while cutting. 

3. Material 

Most reciprocating saw blades are made out of high carbon steel (stamped), high-speed steel (for tougher jobs), and bi-metal (only for heavy-duty jobs).

How To Maintain/Care For Your Blade? 

To properly take care of your blades, there are a few key points that you’ll want to keep in mind. 

• Do not drop or hit the blade because it could break or damage the teeth. 
• After use, wipe the entire blade with a dry cloth to remove trace materials. 
• Always ensure that you store your blades in a dry place with low humidity levels, or else metal parts could corrode or rust.

Tips For Using A Reciprocating Saw Safely And Effectively:

• Ensure that you fully understand how your saw works before attempting to use it. 
• Always focus on what you’re doing and never be distracted by anything else around you. 
• Keep both hands firmly in place while using the tool to avoid having them accidentally come into contact with any sharp objects or moving parts of the blade. 
• Use steady, even strokes to get the most accurate cuts. 
• When cutting overhead, use the highest position possible on your reciprocating saw to make it easier for yourself. 
• Ensure that you wear gloves when performing any type of cutting operation with a reciprocating saw because this will help prevent injuries from flying debris or overheated metal parts. 
• Never put your hands or any other part of your body in a position where you can accidentally come into contact with the blade. 
• Always make sure that the tool is properly grounded and plugged into a power source before using it to avoid electrical shocks, electrocutions, and short circuits.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, changing the blade on your reciprocating saw is very easy and requires minimal effort. Just make sure that you keep all of these safety tips in mind before attempting to replace the blade on your power tool.

This will ensure that you’re able to use it safely and effectively without having to worry about any mistakes that could potentially result in injury.

FAQs

How often should I replace my blade?

If you’re using the correct type of blade for your application, you can expect it to last at least 5 times longer than an incorrectly-sized blade.

It’s best to replace your blades when you notice that they are starting to struggle with jobs that were once much easier or when you find yourself forcing the saw during an application.

The general rule of thumb is to replace the blade after every 25-30 minutes of use, although this can vary depending on your level of experience and expertise.

How to tighten the blade?

First, pull the trigger of your tool to activate the blade. Next, grab your blade wrench and place it on the flats of your saw’s armor plate. The flats are located near where you insert your blade.

Turn counter clockwise until you hear a click sound which means that the lock collar has successfully engaged.

You can now remove your blade wrench and tighten both bolts on the side of your saw.

How to loosen the blade?

First, pull the trigger of your tool to activate the blade. Next, grab your blade wrench and place it on top of your saw’s armor plate. Turn clockwise until you hear a click sound which means that the lock collar has successfully disengaged.

Now you can remove your blade wrench and pull your saw blade out of your tool.