How To Take Apart A Ridgid Sawzall – A Step-By-Step Guide

Are you a DIY enthusiast looking to take apart your Ridgid Sawzall?

Whether you need to change the blade or perform some maintenance, it’s important to know the right steps to take.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of disassembling your sawzall, step by step.

From removing the blade clamp lever assembly to accessing the drive assembly, we’ve got you covered.

So grab your tools and let’s get started!

How To Take Apart A Ridgid Sawzall

Step 1: Remove the Blade Clamp Lever Assembly

The first step in taking apart your Ridgid Sawzall is to remove the blade clamp lever assembly. To do this, locate the philips head screw underneath the front of the saw and unscrew it.

Next, remove the cage-like shoe assembly from the front of the saw using a torx 20 bit on the four screws inside the cage. You’ll need a six-inch extension bit to get in there.

Finally, slide off the boot cover assembly to access the blade clamp lever assembly.

Step 2: Remove the Drive Assembly

Once you’ve removed the blade clamp lever assembly, you can access the drive assembly. To do this, undo the four screws that are holding the drive assembly onto the motor.

Before removing the armature, be sure to take out the brushes first. This will prevent any damage to them during disassembly.

Step 3: Change The Blade

If you’re looking to change out your blade, it’s a simple process. First, remove the battery pack or power cord from your sawzall.

Next, rotate the blade clamp counterclockwise and hold it open. Remove the old blade from your sawzall and insert a new one until it’s fully seated.

Note that blades can be installed with teeth facing either up or down. Finally, release the blade clamp to secure your new blade in place.

Gathering The Necessary Tools And Materials

Before you begin disassembling your Ridgid Sawzall, it’s important to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Philips head screwdriver

2. Torx 20 bit

3. Six-inch extension bit

4. Work gloves (optional)

5. Replacement blade (if needed)

Make sure your sawzall is unplugged or the battery pack is removed before starting any disassembly. If you’re changing out the blade, be sure to have a new one on hand before beginning the process.

Additionally, wearing work gloves can help protect your hands from any sharp edges or hot blades that may be encountered during disassembly.

Removing The Blade Clamp Lever Assembly

Removing the blade clamp lever assembly is an important step in disassembling your Ridgid Sawzall. This assembly is responsible for securing the blade in place and allowing you to change it out when necessary.

To remove the blade clamp lever assembly, start by locating the philips head screw underneath the front of the saw. Use a screwdriver to unscrew it and remove it from the saw.

Next, you’ll need to remove the shoe assembly from the front of the saw. This cage-like structure is held in place by four screws that require a torx 20 bit to remove. Use a six-inch extension bit to get in there and unscrew the four screws.

Once the shoe assembly is removed, you can slide off the boot cover assembly to access the blade clamp lever assembly. This lever assembly can be removed by gently pulling it out of its socket.

It’s important to handle this assembly with care and avoid any damage to it during removal. If you encounter any resistance while removing it, try spraying the clamp assembly with WD40 and gently tapping the front down against a work surface while holding open the clamp lever.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to successfully remove the blade clamp lever assembly from your Ridgid Sawzall and move on to the next step of disassembly.

Detaching The Front Housing And Handle

If you need to detach the front housing and handle of your Ridgid Sawzall, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the Shoe and Lever

If your saw has an LED light on the front, removing the housing can be a bit more challenging. Start by removing the shoe and the lever that locks the shoe in place.

Step 2: Remove Screws

Next, remove screws one at a time and place them in a dish to keep track of their size and length. This will help you remember where they were removed from the handle.

Step 3: Pull Handle Apart

Slowly pull apart the handle, exposing the switch and wires. Be careful not to damage any wires during this process.

Step 4: Remove Wires

Remove the screws holding the black and white wires, keeping track of which wire goes where.

Step 5: Thread New Power Cord

Thread the new power cord through the handle in the same way the old one was positioned. Then, reassemble the handle and test your saw to make sure it’s working properly.

By following these steps, you can easily detach the front housing and handle of your Ridgid Sawzall for maintenance or repair purposes.

Accessing The Drive Assembly

Accessing the drive assembly of your Ridgid Sawzall is an important step in performing maintenance or repairs on your tool. To access the drive assembly, you must first remove the blade clamp lever assembly as described in Step 1.

Once the blade clamp lever assembly is removed, you’ll be able to see the drive assembly which is held in place by four screws. Use a screwdriver to undo these screws and remove the assembly from the motor.

Before removing the armature from the drive assembly, it’s important to take out the brushes first. This will prevent any damage to them during disassembly. Once the brushes are removed, you can proceed with removing the armature.

To reassemble the drive assembly, simply reverse the steps above. Make sure to insert the brushes back into their proper location before reattaching the drive assembly to the motor.

By following these steps, you can easily access and maintain your Ridgid Sawzall’s drive assembly for optimal performance and longevity.