A How-To Guide: How To Change Blade On Ridgid Table Saw

To figure out how to change blade on ridgid table saw, all you’ve got to do is follow the steps: shut down the saw, remove the blade guard and the blade as well as the blade panel, change the nuts, and, finally, reattach the blade cover.

After all, you may face malfunctioning or unusable blades at some point in your woodworking journey, and even if you’re not facing this problem right now, it’s always good to have this knowledge. So, if you want to know how to deal with a dull blade on your table saw, we’ve got a guide to help you learn how to replace it!

Prior note, though: If you’re looking for a guide on how to change the blade on the Ryobi table saw instead, head on over to the guide we’ve written on that topic.

Step 1: Shut Down The Saw

First, make sure that your saw is not plugged into any outlets. This is a safety precaution because when you’re tinkering with your blade, there is a chance of causing harm or injury to your body via the blade teeth.

Step 2: Remove The Blade

To change your table saw, you will need to remove the blade cover. To remove the cover, hold your thumb on top of one of the three fasteners placed below the part where the blade enters.

This can be an arbor nut, which is often used to secure the blade of the saw to the shaft with the help of a hex socket wrench. On the other hand, traditional fasteners can also be used.

Push down and pull the cover out towards yourself with your other hand. You will have to remove the fasteners one by one so that the blade is loose from its placement. After removing each fastener, be sure to store them in a safe and reachable location, as they will be used to adjust your new blade in place in the same direction as the old one.

Next, you will push up the blade cover from its backside so that it can be removed from the saw itself. Place it somewhere safe so that you don’t lose it because a cover is the best protection against rust and other problems that necessitate changing the table saw blades.

Step 3: Remove The Blade Panel.

Your next step includes removing the blade panel in order to be able to replace it. For that, you can use hex wrenches to loosen the screws from their place in order to replace them with new ones.

The bolts will loosen when turned counter-clockwise (a rotation to the left side), and once they are loose, you need to grip the blade from its base very tightly whilst simultaneously making sure to keep the other hand on the wrench so things stay in place.

Step 4: Change The Nuts And Bolts.

Once you have a good grip on the saw, push it upward until you start to feel some resistance. Do not try to force the entire insert out because it is at this point that you need to grab and link up the new blade by aligning it with the holes at the base of the saw via the open end.

You have to hold everything in place at this point, including the saw arbor. Align it tightly and remove the hex bolts from your previous, worn-out blade post. Lock the new blade post into place, first by screwing the nuts with your hands and then tightening them using your wrench.

You can then put aside the old blade. Next, the arbor nut will have to be twisted counter-clockwise until it is fastened on the saw as a whole.

All this work may seem a little complicated, but don’t worry – once you’re done, you’ll be able to easily use the table saw as you wish. Of course, there are simpler steps before you resort to changing the blade itself, such as adjusting the table saw, so remember to keep that in mind before you start.

Step 5: Finish off Learning How To Change Blade On Ridgid Table Saw

Your new blade should now be inserted in place. To re-attach your blade’s cover, place it over the saw, on the original holes, and fasten them using the previous bolts.

Now your tool is back in its original condition with a better, newer blade!

And if you’re still a little worried about going through with changing the blade, we recommend watching a YouTube video for a practical demonstration:

FAQs

How do I make sure I go through the process of how to change blade on ridgid table saw?

All you need to do is follow the steps given above carefully while keeping a few important concerns in mind.

1. First, turn off the power before attempting to dismantle the machine.
2. Second, always remember to use a secure blade cover, which you reattach to the device once the blade has been removed.
3. Keeping bare fingers away from the parts of the blade that take part in sawing or rotation is also always a safe decision.
4. And, of course, you can use a different material to hold your blade in place rather than your hands to make sure you don’t touch the teeth directly.

On the other hand, before changing the blade, you might want to make sure if you can use the blade as is with a little adjustment. For this, do check out our guide on aligning a table saw blade for more information.

How do you unlock a Ridgid table saw?

There is a knob and a pin that controls the lock. In order to unlock the saw, you need to pull at the knob on the end of the pin so that the blade is released. Some models may require you to twist the knob inwards – you can always find out more information on those through the instruction manual of the device.

Moreover, you can always check out the Ridgid Table Saw manual to use your table saw more effectively.

How can you keep the blade usable for longer periods of time?

There is no set method since different companies have different features for their saws, affecting useability limits, but there are a few tips you can use to ensure maximum efficacy.

1. First, keep your blade dry at all times, especially when it is not in use. This is to make sure rust does not build on the metal.
2. Second, keep it away from high heat because it is likely to cause damage, especially to the teeth.
3. Moreover, clean the blades regularly so there is no debris left sticking to them and making them unusable for the next time. We recommend checking out a guide on cleaning the table saw blade for more information.
4. And lastly, you’ll need to ensure the edge you’re using is the right one for the job because using the wrong blade can damage your machine and cause the blade teeth to dull faster.

What are different blade sizes meant for, and how will you know which one to use?

Wider and larger blades are meant to be used for harder materials, such as bars of wood, while narrower blades are used to make smaller cuts. Some are meant to cut wood; others cut metal.

At a distance, there are 2 types. The standard metal blade is meant for general cutting purposes, including plastics, plywood, softwoods, etc., while the ripping blade (made of aluminum) is harsher, for it cuts through harder materials like lumber and sheet goods.

The thickness and length of your material also matter when considering which blade to replace your old one with, so make sure to understand the need of figuring out how to change blade on ridgid table saw. We recommend checking out “How thick should a table saw blade be?” for more information.