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RP 218 Press Tool
Tool And Work Area Set-Up
WARNING
Set up the press tool and work area according to
these procedures to reduce the risk of injury from
electric shock, fire, crushing injuries and other
causes, and prevent tool and system damage.
1. Check work area for:
• Adequate lighting.
• Flammable liquids, vapors or dust that may ignite.
If present, do not work in area until sources have
been identified and corrected. The press tool is
not explosion proof and can cause sparks.
• Clear, level, stable and dry place for operator. Do
not use the machine while standing in water.
2. Inspect the work to be done and determine the correct
RIDGID tool and attachment(s) for the application.
Using an incorrect attachment for an application can
cause injury, damage the tool and make incomplete
connections. For a complete listing of RIDGID attach-
ments available for this tool, see the Ridge Tool
Catalog on line at www.RIDGID.cn or call Ridge
Tool Customer Services 400-820-5695. Make sure
that the tool and attachment have been inspected as
directed in their instructions.
3. Evaluate the work area and determine if any barriers
are needed to keep bystanders out. Bystanders can
distract the tool operator during use.
4. Confirm that the battery is removed then unlock and
fully open the attachment mounting pin.
See Figure 3
and Figure 4. If there is an attachment in the tool, slide
it out of the tool.
5. Slide the correct attachment in the press tool then fully
close the attachment mounting pin and rotate into the
locked position as shown in
Figure 3.
The attachment
mounting pin must be fully closed and locked to
prevent tool damage during use.
Figure 3 – Fully Closed/Locked Mounting Pin
Figure 4 – Fully Open/Unlocked Mounting Pin
Operating Instructions
WARNING
Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes
against dirt and other foreign objects.
Keep your fingers and hands away from the tool
attachment during the press cycle. Your fingers
or hands can be crushed, fractured or amputated
in the attachment or tool or between the attachment,
work piece and other objects.
Follow operating instructions to reduce the risk of
injury from crushing and other causes and to prevent
tool damage.
These instructions are generalized practices
for several types of press tool attachments. Always follow
the specific instructions for the press tool attachment
NOTICE
Figure 6 – Placing Scissor-Style Jaw Set Around Fitting
Figure 7 – RP 218 Tool Square To Tubing
6. Make sure the jaws and tool are square to the tubing.
(Figure 7) If the jaw and tool are not square to the
tube, they will try to align as the press is made. This
could cause an improperly pressed fitting or damage
the tool.
7. Depress and release the switch one time to turn tool
ON. The LED light on the front of the tool should be
solidly illuminated indicating the tool is ready to press.
NOTE! Tool will automatically turn OFF if left unused for
150 seconds. To turn tool ON, it is necessary to
once again depress the switch.
Depress the tool trigger switch (Figure 1). Keep fingers
and hands away from the jaws to avoid crushing
injuries in jaws and between jaws and surroundings.
The press cycle takes about 3.5 seconds. Once a press
cycle begins and the rollers contact the jaw arms,
the tool will lock-on and automatically com-plete the
press cycle. Releasing the trigger will stop the tool once
the pressing process has begun. Pressing the switch
again, tool will continue until completion.This assures
consistent, repeatable press joint integrity.
being used and the fitting manufacturers specific instal-
lation instructions. Failure to follow the specific attachment
and fitting installation instructions may result in improper
press connections that can lead to extensive property
damage.
Preparing The Connection
1. Make sure that the work area is free of bystanders
and other distractions and that the tool and work
area has been properly set up.
2. Prepare the connection according to the fitting man-
ufacturers instructions.
Pressing A Fitting With Typical Scissor
Jaws
1. Make sure the RP 218 Press Tool has the correct jaw
installed and the mounting pin is fully closed and
locked.
(See Tool And Work Area Set Up Section.)
2. Insert fully charged battery into the base of the handle.
3. Squeeze jaw arms to open the jaws (Figure 5)
.
4.Place open jaws around the fitting (Figure 6). Make
sure the contour of the jaws is properly aligned with
the contour of the fitting as specified in Fitting Systems
operator's manual. Do not attempt to hang the jaws
and tool from fitting. Tool could unexpectedly drop and
cause serious injury or death.
5. Make sure the tubing is inserted to the proper depth
in fitting, as specified in the appropriate fitting system’s
instructions.
Figure 5 – Opening The Scissor-Style Jaws
Pin Sping
90°
RP 218 Press Tool