OPERATOR'S MANUAL 18 in. (457 mm) Variable Speed SCROLL SAW SC180VS R GE RA TO ES AD BL Your new Scroll Saw has been engineered and manufactured to Ryobi's high standards for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. Properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator's manual. Thank you for buying a Ryobi Scroll Saw.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ■ Introduction and Product Specifications ...........................................................................................................................2 ■ Rules for Safe Operation .............................................................................................................................................. 3-5 ■ Electrical ............................................................................................................................................
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION Safe operation of this power tool requires that you read and understand this operator's manual and all labels affixed to the tool. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert, and knowing how your scroll saw works. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS ■ KNOW YOUR POWER TOOL. Read the operator's manual carefully. Learn the applications and limitations as well as specific potential hazards related to this tool.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION ■ AVOID AWKWARD OPERATIONS AND HAND POSITIONS where a sudden slip could cause your hand to move into the blade. ALWAYS make sure you have good balance. ■ ALLOW THE MOTOR TO COME UP TO FULL SPEED before starting a cut to avoid binding or stalling. ■ DO NOT USE TOOL IF SWITCH DOES NOT TURN IT ON AND OFF. Have defective switches replaced by an authorized service center. ■ REPLACEMENT PARTS.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols, and the explanations with them, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures. SYMBOL MEANING SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.
ELECTRICAL EXTENSION CORDS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Use only 3-wire extension cords that have 3-prong grounding plugs and 3-pole receptacles that accept the tool's plug. When using a power tool at a considerable distance from the power source, use an extension cord heavy enough to carry the current that the tool will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in a loss of power and causing the motor to overheat.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR WOODWORKING Bevel Cut A cutting operation made with the saw table at any angle other than 90˚ to the blade. Compound Cut A compound cut is a cut made using a miter angle and a bevel angle at the same time. Crosscut A cutting or shaping operation made across the grain or the width of the workpiece. Freehand (for scroll saw) Performing a cut without the workpiece being guided by a fence or miter gauge. Work must supported by the table. Gum A sticky, sap based residue from wood products.
LOOSE PARTS Check all loose parts from the box with the list below. Assemble according to the instructions on the following pages. ■ Blade(s) ■ Operator's Manual (not shown) PIN BLADE PLAIN BLADE Fig. 2 TOOLS NEEDED The following tools (not included) are needed for adjustments and alignment: ■ Hex Key ■ Combination Square ■ Adjustable Wrench ■ Phillips Screwdriver ■ Slotted Screwdriver ADJUSTABLE WRENCH HEX KEY PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER SMALL COMBINATION SQUARE SLOTTED SCREWDRIVER Fig.
FEATURES KNOW YOUR SCROLL SAW On/Off Knob with Variable Speed Before attempting to use your saw, familiarize yourself with all the operating features and safety requirements of your Ryobi scroll saw. See Figure 4. This versatile, variable speed scroll saw is great for making toys, puzzles, games, artwork, and jewelry. It is a handy doit-yourself tool. It cuts wood, wood composition products, plastic, and other fibrous material up to 2 in. (51 mm) thick.
ASSEMBLY Your Ryobi 18 in. (457 mm) Scroll Saw was fully assembled at the factory. Before operating this tool, it is important to check all alignments and settings. Normal handling during shipment may have changed settings. MOUNTING SCROLL SAW TO WORKBENCH WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury from unexpected tool movement, always securely mount scroll saw to a workbench.
ADJUSTMENTS SQUARING THE SAW TABLE TO THE BLADE WARNING: See Figures 7 and 8. To prevent accidental starting that could cause possible serious personal injury, turn off the saw and unplug the saw from the power source before making any adjustments. DROP FOOT See Figure 6. To prevent workpiece from lifting, the drop foot should be adjusted so it just rests on the top of the workpiece. The drop foot should not be adjusted so that the workpiece drags.
ADJUSTMENTS SETTING THE TABLE FOR HORIZONTAL OR BEVEL CUTTING HEX BOLT See Figures 8, 9 and 10. WARNING: Failure to turn the saw off and unplug the saw from the power source could result in accidental starting causing possible serious injury. A bevel scale is located under the saw table as a convenient guide for setting the approximate saw table angle for bevel cutting. When greater precision is required, make practice cuts on scrap material and adjust the saw table as necessary for your requirements.
ADJUSTMENTS INSTALLING BLADES Removing the Saw Blade: Scroll saw blades wear out quickly and must be replaced frequently for best cutting results. Expect to break some blades while you learn to use and adjust your saw. Blades generally stay sharp for 1/2 hour to 2 hours of cutting, depending on the type of material and speed of operation. ■ Pull up on the tension release. ■ Turn blade tension knob counterclockwise to decrease (or loosen) blade tension. See Figure 4. Pin End Blades See Figure 11.
ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Failure to turn the saw off and unplug the saw from the power source could result in accidental starting causing possible serious injury. ADJUSTING DROP FOOT ■ Loosen the drop foot lock knob. See Figure 4, page 9. ■ Center the drop foot around the saw blade to the desired position. ■ Tighten the drop foot lock knob. Check tension by the sound the blade makes when plucked like a guitar string.
OPERATION REMOVING JAMMED MATERIAL ON/OFF KNOB WITH VARIABLE SPEED When backing out the workpiece, the blade may bind in the kerf (cut). This is usually caused by sawdust clogging the kerf or when the blade comes out of the blade holders. If this happens: ■ Wait until the saw has come to a full and complete stop. ■ Place the switch in the OFF position. ■ Unplug the saw from the power source. See Figure 13. Your scroll saw has an easy access ON/OFF knob with variable speed.
OPERATION CHOICE OF BLADE AND SPEED The scroll saw accepts a wide variety of blade widths and thicknesses for cutting wood and other fibrous materials. Your saw uses 5 in. long blades of either the pin end or the plain end style. The blade width and thickness and the number of teeth per inch to use are determined by the type of material and the size of the radius being cut. Note: As a general rule, always select narrow blades for intricate curve cutting and wide blades for straight and large curve cutting.
OPERATION WARNING: To avoid possible serious injury from accidental starting, always turn the saw off and unplug the saw from power source before removing or replacing the blade. DRILL HOLE R INTERIOR CUT SCROLL CUTTING For general type scroll cutting, follow the pattern lines by pushing and turning the workpiece at the same time. Do not try to turn the workpiece while engaged in the blade without pushing it – the workpiece could bind or twist the blade.
MAINTENANCE MOTOR BRUSHES WARNING: When servicing, use only identical Ryobi replacement parts. Use of any other part may create a hazard or cause product damage. GENERAL MAINTENANCE ■ Keep your scroll saw clean. ■ After cleaning the table top initially, apply a thin coat of automobile type (paste) wax to the table top so the wood slides easily while cutting. ■ Do not allow pitch to accumulate on the saw table. Clean with gum and pitch remover. ARM BEARINGS See Figure 17.
MAINTENANCE WARNING: WARNING: To prevent accidental starting that could cause possible serious personal injury, turn off and unplug the saw before maintaining or lubricating your scroll saw. Failure to unplug your saw could result in accidental starting causing serious injury. TROUBLESHOOTING WARNING: For your own safety, turn saw OFF and remove plug from power outlet before adjusting or aligning your scroll saw. PROBLEM Motor will not run. CAUSE SOLUTION 1.
OPERATOR'S MANUAL 18 in. (457 mm) Variable Speed Scroll Saw SC180VS EXTENSION CORD CAUTION **Ampere rating When using a power tool at a considerable distance from a power source, be sure to use an extension cord that has the capacity to handle the current the tool will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in overheating and loss of power. Use the chart to determine the minimum wire size required in an extension cord. Only round jacketed cords should be used.
