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23

Fig. 24

2-1/2 in.

3/4 in.

1/4 in.

1/8 in.

1-1/16 in.

12 in.

70°

OPERATION

FEATHERBOARD

A featherboard is a device used to help control the 
workpiece by holding it securely against the table or fence. 
Featherboards are especially useful when ripping small 
workpieces and for completing non-through cuts. The end 
is angled with a number of short kerfs to give a friction hold 
on the workpiece and locked in place on the table with a 
C-clamp. Test to ensure it can resist kickback.

HOW TO MAKE A FEATHERBOARD

See Figure 24.

The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw.  
Select a solid piece of lumber approximately 3/4 in. thick, 
2-1/2 in. wide and 12 in. long. Mark the center of the width 
on one end of the stock. Miter the width to 70° (see page 
30 for information on miter cuts). 
Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 30. Set 
the rip fence to allow approximately a 1/4 in. “finger” to be 
cut in the stock. Feed the stock only to the mark previously 
made at 6 in. Turn the saw 

OFF 

and allow the blade to com-

pletely stop rotating before removing the stock. Reset the 
rip fence and cut spaced rips into the workpiece to allow 
approximately 1/4 in. fingers and 1/8 in. spaces between 
the fingers.

WARNING:

Mount the featherboard in front of the saw blade. If 
positioned improperly, kickback can result from the 
featherboard pinching the workpiece and binding the 
blade in the saw kerf. Failure to heed this warning can 
result in serious personal injury.

HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD

See Figure 25.

Completely lower the saw blade. Position the rip fence to 
the desired adjustment for the cut to be performed and lock. 
Place the workpiece against the fence and over the saw 
blade area. Adjust the featherboard to apply resistance to 
the workpiece just forward of the blade. Attach C-clamps to 
further secure the featherboard to the edge of the saw table.

PUSH 

BLOCK

Fig. 25

FEATHER- 

BOARD

PUSH 

STICK

BEVEL 

LOCKING 

LEVER

Summary of Contents for RTS21

Page 1: ...and manufactured to our high standard for dependability ease of operation and operator safety When 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 before using this product Thank you for your purchase ...

Page 2: ... for ninety 90 days Batteries are warranted for three years HOW TO GET SERVICE Just return the power tool properly packaged and postage prepaid to an Authorized Service Center You can obtain the location of the Service Center nearest you by contacting a service representative at One World Technologies Inc P O Box 1207 Anderson SC 29622 1207 by calling 1 800 525 2579 or by logging on to www ryobito...

Page 3: ...ES WITH SIDE SHIELDS Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses they are NOT safety glasses SECURE WORK Use clamps or a vise to hold work when practical It s safer than using your hand and frees both hands to operate tool DON T OVERREACH Keep proper footing and balance at all times MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE Keep tools sharp and clean for better and safer performance Follow instructions f...

Page 4: ...LARGE PANELS To minimize risk of blade pinching and kickback always support large panels REMOVE ALL FENCES AND AUXILIARY TABLES before transporting saw Failure to do so can result in an accident causing possible serious personal injury STAY ALERT AND EXERCISE CONTROL Watch what you are doing and use common sense Do not operate tool when you are tired Do not rush DO NOT USE TOOL IF SWITCH DOES NOT ...

Page 5: ... be replaced only by the manufacturer or by an authorized service center to avoid risk AVOID AWKWARD OPERATIONS AND HAND POSITIONS where a sudden slip could cause your hand to move into the cutting tool USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES listed in this manual or addendums Use of accessories that are not listed may cause the risk of personal injury Instructions for safe use of accessories are include...

Page 6: ...Current Hz Hertz Frequency cycles per second min Minutes Time Alternating Current Type of current no No Load Speed Rotational speed at no load min Per Minute Revolutions strokes surface speed orbits etc per minute SYMBOL NAME DESIGNATION EXPLANATION The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING DANGER Indicates...

Page 7: ... loss of power and the motor will overheat If the saw does not operate when plugged into an outlet double check the power supply SPEED AND WIRING The no load speed of this tool is approximately 5 000 rpm This speed is not constant and decreases under a load or with lower voltage For voltage the wiring in a shop is as important as the motor s horsepower rating A line intended only for lights cannot...

Page 8: ... in contact with the blade Workpiece or Material The item on which the operation is being done Worktable Surface where the workpiece rests while performing a cutting drilling planing or sanding operation Anti Kickback Pawls radial arm and table saws A device which when properly installed and maintained is designed to stop the workpiece from being kicked back toward the front of the saw during a ri...

Page 9: ...r min RPM Cutting Depth at 0 3 in Cutting Depth at 45 2 1 2 in Fig 2 MITER GAUGE BLADE GUARD STORAGE BRACKET S FRONT RAIL LOCKING LEVER SWITCH SCALE HEIGHT BEVEL ADJUSTING HANDWHEEL BEVEL LOCKING LEVER BEVEL SCALE BEVEL INDICATOR RIP FENCE SLIDING TABLE EXTENSION OUTFEED SUPPORT TABLE LOCKING LEVER RIVING KNIFE BLADE WRENCH STORAGE ANTI KICKBACK PAWLS ...

Page 10: ... HEIGHT BEVEL ADJUSTING HANDWHEEL Located on the front of the cabinet use this handwheel to lower and raise the blade for height adjustments or blade replace ment This handwheel also makes the adjustment for bevel angles easy MITER GAUGE The miter gauge aligns the wood for a cross cut The easy to read indicator shows the exact angle for a miter cut MITER GAUGE GROOVES The miter gauge rides in the ...

Page 11: ...t unauthorized and possible hazardous use by children and others TO TURN YOUR SAW ON With the switch key inserted into the switch lift the switch to turn on l TO TURN YOUR SAW OFF Press the switch down to turn off O TO LOCK YOUR SAW Press the switch down Remove the switch key from the switch and store in a safe secure location Fig 3 SWITCH KEY SWITCH IN LOCKED POSITION SWITCH OFF SWITCH ON WARNING...

Page 12: ...onal blade styles of the same high quality are available for specific operations such as ripping Your local dealer can provide you with complete information Kerf width must be within the limits stamped on the riving knife WARNING Do not use blades rated less than the speed of this tool Failure to heed this warning could result in personal injury Fig 4 FRAMING SQUARE PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER FLATHEAD S...

Page 13: ...B Blade Guard 1 C Miter Gauge 1 D Blade Wrench 2 E Handle Assembly 1 F Rip Fence 1 G Push Stick 1 H Indicator 1 I Screw 2 J Stand Legs 2 K Sliding Table Assembly 1 L End Cap 1 M Hex Key 1 N Switch Key 1 O Leg Brace 2 P Screw 8 Q Lock Nut 8 B C F J D H E G A I K M N L I O Q P LOOSE PARTS ...

Page 14: ...ARNING Do not lift the saw without help Hold it close to your body Keep your knees bent and lift with your legs not your back Ignoring these precautions can result in back injury WARNING Never stand directly in line with the blade or allow hands to come closer than 3 in to the blade Do not reach over or across the blade Failure to heed this warning can result in serious personal injury WARNING To ...

Page 15: ...ALL THE HANDLE See Figure 9 Hold the nylon nut securely and turn the screw counter clockwise to remove the nut completely NOTE Do not remove the screw from the handle Place the nylon nut into the recessed hole on the back of the height bevel adjusting handwheel and hold in place Slide the handle and screw into the hole on the height bevel adjusting handwheel Using a flathead screwdriver turn the s...

Page 16: ... riving knife and pull it towards the right side of the saw to release the riving knife from the spring loaded riving clamp Pull the riving knife up until the internal pins are engaged and the riving knife is above the saw blade Lock the release lever by pushing the lever down Reinstall the throat plate To place in riving knife down position for all non through cutting Remove the throat plate Rais...

Page 17: ...he closed end of the blade wrench over the blade nut Holding both wrenches firmly pull the wrench right side forward to the front of the machine To tighten the blade Using the blade wrench place the flat open end into the flats on the arbor shaft Insert the closed end of the blade wrench over the blade nut Holding both wrenches firmly push the wrench right side to the back of the machine Make sure...

Page 18: ...nment of the riving knife Unplug the saw Raise the saw blade by turning the height bevel adjusting handwheel clockwise Remove the anti kickback pawls and blade guard assembly Placeaframingsquareorstraightedgeagainst both the saw blade and the riving knife NOTE Place framing square between carbide teeth and measure from blade This step will insure framing square is square against blade from the fro...

Page 19: ...nto locking levers Lock the front and back table locking levers To install indicator Press the end cap over the front extension rod as shown in figure 18 Locate the indicator Slip the indicator in the slot on the front rail Fit the top slot in the indicator over the detent on the end plug and the bottom slot over the screw hole on the end plug Insertascrewintothebottomslotoftheindicator thehole in...

Page 20: ...as two convenient storage areas one on either side of the saw cabinet specifically designed for the saw s accessories When not in use store the accessories securely by snapping each accessory in place To store the leg stand close the stand and secure in back of saw cabinet using hook and look straps Fig 20 RIP FENCE Fig 19 PUSH STICK ...

Page 21: ...e Always use the riving knife for every operation where it is allowed The use of this device will greatly reduce the risk of kickback OPERATION WARNING Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you careless Remember that a careless fraction of a second is suf ficient to inflict severe injury WARNING Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87 1 Failure to do so co...

Page 22: ...in or thinner HOW TO MAKE AND ATTACH AN AUXILIARY FE NC E FOR RIP CUTTING THIN WORKPIECE See Figure 22 Rip fence holes are used to secure an auxiliary fence which requires a piece of wood 3 4 in thick 3 1 2 in wide and 21 in long to make To attach the auxiliary fence to the rip fence Place the wood against the rip fence and resting firmly on the saw table From the back side of the rip fence secure...

Page 23: ...ow approximately a 1 4 in finger to be cut in the stock Feed the stock only to the mark previously made at 6 in Turn the saw OFF and allow the blade to com pletely stop rotating before removing the stock Reset the rip fence and cut spaced rips into the workpiece to allow approximately 1 4 in fingers and 1 8 in spaces between the fingers WARNING Mount the featherboard in front of the saw blade If p...

Page 24: ...the miter gauge WARNING Always use a push stick with small pieces of wood and also to finish the cut when ripping a long narrow piece of wood to prevent your hands from getting close to the blade Bevel cuts are made with an angled blade Bevel cross cuts are across the wood grain and bevel rip cuts are with the grain Compound or bevel miter cuts are made with an angled blade on wood that is angled ...

Page 25: ...E ANGLE BEVEL See Figured 28 29 NOTE A 90 cut has a 0 bevel and a 45 cut has a 45 bevel Unplug the saw Loosen bevel control by pulling the bevel locking lever up Tighten bevel control by pushing the bevel lock lever down TO ADJUST THE BEVEL INDICATOR See Figure 29 If the bevel indicator is not at zero when the saw blade is at 90 adjust the indicator by loosening the screw and setting it at 0 on th...

Page 26: ...he cuts are not true repeat the alignment process NOTE The rip fence must be secure when the locking handle is engaged To increase the grip of the rip fence on the rear lip of the table tighten the clamp screw on the rear of the rip fence by turning it clockwise TO SET THE RIP FENCE SCALE INDICATOR TO THE BLADE See Figure 30 Use the indicator on the rip fence to position the fence along the scale ...

Page 27: ...ck knob TO USE THE SLIDING TABLE EXTENSION See Figure 32 Increase the length of the saw table by using the table extension Set the rip fence to 14 in Pull the front table locking lever toward you to unlock the lever Repeat with the back lever Slide the table extension to the desired width NOTE Use the scale on the front rail when a specific width is desired Once the extension table are set to the ...

Page 28: ...oth is at the back Move the combination square to the rear and again measure the distance If the distances are the same the blade is square If the distances are different Extend the extension table see page 27 Place riving knife in down position Loosen the locking bolts by turning towards the left NOTE The bolts are located above the height bevel adjusting handwheel and under the saw table in the ...

Page 29: ... piece to be saved on the left side of the blade and that you make a test cut on scrap wood first TO MAKE A CROSS CUT See Figures 36 37 WARNING Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and working properly to avoid serious possible injury WARNING Using the rip fence as a cutoff gauge when cross cutting will result in kickback which can cause serious personal injury Remove the rip fence Set ...

Page 30: ...s in solid contact with both the rip fence and the surface of the table If ripping a narrow piece use a push stick and or push blocks to move the piece through the cut and past the blade When the cut is made turn the saw off Wait for the blade to come to a complete stop before removing the workpiece MAKING A MITER CUT See Figure 39 WARNING Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and workin...

Page 31: ...ade should be placed on the workpiece When the cut is made turn the saw off Wait for the blade to come to a complete stop before removing the workpiece MAKING A BEVEL RIP CUT See Figure 42 WARNING Make sure the blade guard assembly is installed and working properly to avoid serious personal injury WARNING The rip fence must be on the right side of the blade to avoid trapping the wood and causing k...

Page 32: ...the wood and causing kickback Place ment of the miter gauge to the left of the blade will result in kickback and the risk of serious personal injury Remove the rip fence Unlock the bevel locking lever Adjust the bevel angle to the desired setting Lock the bevel locking lever Set the blade to the correct depth for the workpiece Set the miter gauge to the desired angle and tighten the lock knob Make...

Page 33: ...as the top of the saw table behind the saw for the cut work Add supports to the sides as needed Depending on the shape of the panel use the rip fence or miter gauge If the panel is too large to use either the rip fence or the miter gauge it is too large for this saw Make sure the wood does not touch the blade before you turn on the saw Turn the saw on Position the workpiece flat on the table with ...

Page 34: ...Make sure the blade nut is fully engaged and the arbor extends past a securely tightened blade nut Place release lever in locked position Install the dado throat plate and rotate the blade by hand to make sure it turns freely then lower the blade Depending on the shape and size of the wood use either the rip fence or miter gauge Turn the saw on NOTE Make sure the wood does not touch the blade befo...

Page 35: ...ove the throat plate Make sure the bevel locking lever is locked Raise the saw blade to full height Insert the open end of the blade wrench onto the flats on the arbor shaft Insert the closed end of the blade wrench over the blade nut Holding both wrenches firmly pull the outside wrench right side forward while pushing the inside left side to the back of the saw Remove the blade nut and blade wash...

Page 36: ...eness and continue to adjust if needed If the blade is not an exact 45 Unlock the bevel locking lever Loosen the 45 adjustment screw Place a combination square beside the blade on the right The edge of the square and the saw blade should be parallel NOTE Make sure that the square contacts the flat part of the saw blade not the blade teeth Lock the bevel locking lever Tighten the adjustment screw C...

Page 37: ...sult in serious personal injury GENERAL MAINTENANCE Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use Use clean cloths to remove dirt dust oil grease etc MAINTENANCE WARNING Do not at any time let brake fluids gasoline petroleum based products penetrating oils etc come in contact with p...

Page 38: ...urface Adjust legs of optional stand Check saw blade installation Replace blade if necessary Remount the rip fence Clean and wax rails Adjust clamp screw counterclockwise Adjust clamp screw clockwise Replace or sharpen blade See page 28 on Heeling the Blade Slow the feed rate Align the rip fence Replace the wood Always cut with convex side to table surface See To check and align the riving knife a...

Page 39: ...ccurate 90 or 45 cuts Height bevel adjusting hand wheel is hard to turn Saw does not start Blade makes poor cuts Blade does not lower when turning height bevel adjusting handwheel Motor labors in rip cut Positive stops inside cabinet need adjusting Bevel Cuts Miter gauge is misaligned Miter Cuts Gears or screw post inside cabinet are clogged with saw dust Motor cord or wall cord is not plugged in ...

Page 40: ... filter out microscopic particles ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES INC 1428 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson SC 29625 Phone 1 800 525 2579 www ryobitools com PARTS AND SERVICE Prior to requesting service or purchasing replacement parts please obtain your model and serial number from the product data plate MODEL NUMBER SERIAL NUMBER HOW TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS Replacement parts can be purchased online at www ...

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