Table saws are one of the most popular tools in any workshop, and with good reason, they’re incredibly versatile. But like all machines, they need occasional maintenance to keep them running smoothly. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to change the blade on a Ridgid table saw. Keep reading to learn more!
How to change blade on Ridgid Table Saw – Step by Step
Here are some important steps:
Step 1: Ensure the Saw is Unplugged
Ensure that your table saw is unplugged before performing any maintenance or repairs. People have been injured while operating table saws because they forgot they had plugged in their machine before working on it! This is an important safety measure that should not be ignored.
Step 2: Remove the Blade Cover
Before removing the current blade from your table saw, it’s important to remove the blade cover. This will protect you from any hazardous materials that might be under or around your table saw, not to mention it makes changing the blade much easier. Read more here about How to change the table saw blade.
Step 3: Remove the Blade Cover
To remove the blade cover, hold your thumb on top of one of the three fasteners directly below where the blade enters. Push down and pull out towards you with your other hand. After removing each fastener, make sure they are in a safe place so you don’t lose them!
After removing all three fasteners, push up on the backside of the blade cover until it pops off. Once removed, set it aside (preferably somewhere safe). Note: if your current blade is still in place, you can skip this step.
Step 4: Remove the Current Blade
Place the appropriate wrench onto the hex bolt in the center of your saw’s blade (most modern table saw blades utilize a 5/8″ x 11 TPI threaded rod). Hold the wrench like you would when turning it with your hand gripping it firmly but not too tightly. Hand-tighten the hex bolt counterclockwise until loose; then, loosen it another 1/4 of a turn or so.
Step 5: Grip the Blade Tightly
While holding the hex bolt loosely, grip the current blade at its base and pull up while keeping your other hand on top of the wrench handle to keep everything in place. After removing about an inch or so of the blade, you should feel resistance and be able to stop pulling up. At this point, it’s time to get your new blade ready for installation. Read more here How to change a Ryobi table saw blade.
Step 6: Replace the Blade
To replace the current blade with a new one: line up the three large holes at the base of your saw’s table with the three threaded holes in your replacement blade’s arbor (the T-shaped piece that goes through all blades). Hold both pieces tightly together while removing the center hex bolt from your old blade and inserting it into place on your new one. Hand-tighten until snug before continuing with step 4 below.
Step 7: Tighten the Threaded Rod
After installing your new blade onto your Saw’s arbor (following steps 2 & 3), tighten the hex bolt into place using both hands simultaneously. Grip the hex bolt firmly and twist counterclockwise until it is securely fastened.
Step 8: Replace the Blade Cover
To reattach your blade cover, hold it in place and rotate each of the fasteners into their original holes underneath the table saw’s upper assembly; then snap them back into place. Be sure to line up all three holes before inserting each fastener – this ensures that they will go in easily and quickly! Once all three are locked in, you’re done! Plug your saw back in and enjoy.
Shut off the saw and unplug it from the power source:
This is an important safety measure that should not be ignored.
1. Hold your thumb on top of one of the three fasteners directly below where the blade enters:
2. Push down and pull out towards you with your other hand:
3. After removing each fastener, make sure they are in a safe place so you don’t lose them!
4. Place the appropriate wrench onto the hex bolt in the center of your saw’s blade (most modern table saw blades utilize a 5/8″ x 11 TPI threaded rod):
5. Hand-tighten the hex bolt counterclockwise until loose; then, loosen it another 1/4 of a turn or so:
6. While holding the hex bolt loosely, grip the current blade at its base and pull up while keeping your other hand on top of the wrench handle to keep everything in place. After removing about an inch or so of the blade, you should feel resistance and be able to stop pulling up:
7. To replace the current blade with a new one: line up the three large holes at the base of your saw’s table with the three threaded holes in your replacement blade’s arbor (the T-shaped piece that goes through all blades). Hold both pieces tightly together while removing the center hex bolt from your old blade and inserting it into place on your new one. Hand-tighten until snug before continuing: Read more here How to change table saw blade without a wrench.
8. After installing your new blade onto your Saw’s arbor (following steps 2 & 3), tighten the hex bolt into place using both hands simultaneously. Grip the hex bolt firmly and twist counterclockwise until it is securely fastened.:
9. To reattach your blade cover, hold it in place and rotate each of the fasteners into their original holes underneath the table saw’s upper assembly; then snap them back into place. Be sure to line up all three holes before inserting each fastener this ensures that they will go in easily and quickly! Once all three are locked in, you’re done!
10. Plug your saw back in and enjoy. You are now finished!
Remove the blade guard
1. Turn the saw off and unplug it from the power source.
2. Press both ‘pawls’ that are located on each side of the blade guard down to disengage them, then pull up on either one to remove them from the arbor assembly.
3. Now you are ready for the complete removal of the blade guard! Carefully grip your blade guard around its entire perimeter (do not touch any part of the actual machinery underneath) and lift it straight out towards you; then, grasp onto the base of it firmly with your other arm’s hand and keep lifting upwards until it is completely removed.
4. You will now see a silver (or grey in some cases) arbor assembly; this is the blade spinning mechanism located below your saw. Be very careful not to touch it or let your fingers fall inside of it.
5. To reattach the blade guard, simply reapply pressure downwards on both pawls and slide your blade guard back onto the arbor assembly until it is firmly in place. If you have trouble, check to see if there are any obstructions under or around where you must slide the guard they may be preventing proper installation.
Tips for safety when changing blades
- unplug your saw from the power source before changing the blades
- do not use your hands to hold the blade, use a piece of wood instead
- be careful not to touch any part of the actual machinery underneath while removing or attaching anything
- do not let your fingers fall into the arbor assembly (the part that spins)
- after changing blades, make sure to replace the blade guard properly
Final Thoughts
Changing the blade on a Ridgid Table Saw is not as difficult as it may seem. You will need to have a few basic tools and follow these simple steps to complete the task. Be sure to always unplug the saw before beginning any repairs or adjustments. I hope you found this guide helpful and that it allows you to get back up and running with your table saw as quickly as possible. Thanks for reading!