Whether it’s come from Makita or RIDGID, owning a reciprocating saw provides a ton of benefits. First off, you can take the saw wherever you go and cut multiple materials with ease. Secondly, you don’t need to rely on electricity to operate this unit. Above all, a reciprocating saw is safe to use.
Despite having these advantages, it may start malfunctioning over time due to misuse or other issues. What if you discover reciprocating saw is not working? Or what do you do if the reciprocating saw won’t turn on?
This guide on RIDGID Reciprocating Saw Troubleshooting will help find the reasons behind a malfunctioning saw. Also, you can learn how to fix those issues from this article. So, keep reading till the end.
Ridgid Reciprocating Saw Troubleshooting Guide
Your RIDGID Reciprocating Saw won’t work for multiple reasons. And this chapter will help you with what causes your saw to malfunction. Also, you can learn how to get rid of those issues.
Troubleshoot 1: Difficult to Change the Blade
Either you are new to using a reciprocating saw or a professional, you might have trouble inserting a new blade. You rotate the blade clamp and hold it to open. But you get no luck and fail to pop in a new blade.
This issue could happen because of the stuck debris inside the blade holder or the locking mechanism. Alternatively, the outer collar of your Ridgid Saw may gum up from whatever you cut.
Solution:
As the debris locks the blade holder, cleaning the blade holder will be your best trait. Make sure you keep the clamp open. Then, spray a good solvent inside the blade holder or locking mechanism and around the outer collar.
Afterward, take an air compressor and blast the saw with it to blow away everything that is stuck inside the blade holder. Finally, lube the blade holder, lock mechanism, and outer collar of your saw to keep everything moving well.
Troubleshoot 2: Trigger is not functioning
A non-functional trigger is also an issue you might encounter. Your saw’s trigger may stop working if the switch gets jammed by dust. Due to a faulty trigger and defective saw contacts, the saw trigger could malfunction.
Solution:
For a clogged saw switch, we recommend you use an air compressor or a brush to remove the contaminants from the switch.
On the other hand, repairing the faulty trigger is a must to let the trigger function properly. Regarding this, pull the right half of your saw handle out and inspect the voltage where the cord connects with the switch. Don’t forget to check the continuity of the trigger. If it doesn’t move freely, it will be better to replace the trigger.
If the spring contacts of the saw get corroded over time, the trigger will not work. Dust, tree gunk, and debris can make the contacts dirty. So, cleaning the contacts will help you to get continuity and allow your trigger to function.
Troubleshoot 3: Saw Won’t Hold A Blade
You use the RIDGID Reciprocating Saw regularly. But suddenly, you discover it won’t hold a blade. Well, it might be happening for two reasons- corrosion in the blade holder and something in the blade securement may break down.
Solution:
Removing the corrosion in the blade holder is a breeze. Just get penetrating oil from your local saw equipment store and spray it in the blade holder. Then, open and close the holder repeatedly. We hope it will fix the issue.
For fixing broken parts, you need to repair or replace them to let your saw hold the new blade. If you are mechanically inclined, it will not be challenging for you to reconstruct the broken parts. What you need to do is- just take off the snap ring spring from the front. Then, the blade holder comes right apart.
On the other hand, we recommend replacing the broken parts with the help of a mechanic for an easy fix if you can’t do it.
Troubleshoot 4: Difficult to Operate the Saw Properly
Your saw doesn’t function properly for multiple reasons. But two inter-related issues are the main culprit that doesn’t allow you to cut any materials with your saw.
Those two culprits are- a faulty engine shaft and defective bearings. The significant fact is faulty bearings are responsible for both problems.
Solution:
If you find the engine shaft is not rotating or struggle to rotate, understand it is due to the defective engine shaft. Failure bearings are responsible for this.
To fix this issue, turn your reciprocating saw off. Then, take the engine and gearbox apart from the unit. Next, look for the bearings that have failed. Finally, change the defective bearings to solve the issue.
If you don’t have any mechanical knowledge, you can hire a professional to do this trick for you.
Troubleshoot 5: Battery-powered Ridgid Saw Keeps Shutting Down
You will experience this problem later or sooner if you own a battery-powered reciprocating saw. The saw keeps shutting down if the batteries don’t seat properly. Also, if you have a less powerful battery, it doesn’t last for a long period.
Therefore, your battery-powered RIDGID Saw will shut down if you use compact batteries for thick stuff.
Solution:
To prevent your saw from shutting down, ensure the batteries sit properly in the battery compartment. For operating the saw for an extended time, use powerful batteries. Nonetheless, avoid using compact batteries when cutting down real thick materials.
Troubleshoot 6: Motor Rotor Makes Strange Noise
When you operate your saw, it may generate unusual crashing noise. The source of this annoying noise can be the unbalanced voltage, improper motor alignment, and faulty motor bearings.
Solution:
First off, make sure every wiring connection is in good condition. Also, don’t forget to check whether you plug the unit into the outlet properly or not.
On the other hand, realign and mount the motor properly to stop your saw from making strange noises. Therefore, replace the bad couplings as well as the motor rotor.
For fixing faulty bearings, inspect the bearings first to figure out any visible damage. Also, loose bearings can cause your motor rotor to make noise. In this case, tightening them (bearings) will solve the problem.
Troubleshoot 7: Blade Won’t Lock
We noticed some users find their reciprocating saw blade won’t lock. It may happen due to a clogged ball lock. Because of this, the blade of your saw keeps popping out, and it won’t lock properly.
Solution:
We learned because of a jammed ball lock- your saw blade won’t lock or sit properly. To get rid of this issue, just release the stuff that makes your ball lock clogged. In this case, just apply WD-40 to clean the blockage to let the ball free.
FAQs
Why did my reciprocating saw stop working?
If your reciprocating saw stops working, the teeth of its gear may get broken. Also, broken bearings, faulty switches, and defective triggers are responsible for a malfunction saw.
What is orbital action on a reciprocating saw?
It means the movement of your reciprocating saw.
Why is my reciprocating saw blade bending?
The blade you are using to cut trees or any stuff may be too short or its tip is taking back, causing the tip to hit. Consequently, your reciprocating saw blade will bend.
Does a reciprocating saw need oil?
Yes, a reciprocating saw needs oil to lube its moving parts like a blade and keep the blade cool while cutting any materials.
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Conclusion
From top to bottom, we broke down what causes your RIDGID reciprocating saw to malfunction. As a result, you can easily avoid any potential issues by taking care of your saw.
Therefore, we also broke down the solution for each of the saw problems. So, you don’t need to worry about a faulty saw and the way to fix it.
Just bookmark this guide and read it when you need it.