RIDGID Cordless Saw R8442 User Guide

OPERATOR’S MANUAL  
18 VOLT RECIPROCATING SAW  
VARIABLE SPEED  
R8442  
®
Your reciprocating saw has been engineered and manufactured to our high standards 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 buying a RIDGID product.  
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE  
1
 
GENERAL SAFETY RULES  
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance  
at all times. Proper footing and balance enable better  
control of the tool in unexpected situations.  
WARNING!  
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS.  
Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may  
result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal  
injury.  
Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.  
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing  
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.  
Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long  
hair. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be drawn  
into air vents.  
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS  
WORK AREA  
Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered  
benches and dark areas invite accidents.  
Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable  
footing on a solid surface enables better control of the  
tool in unexpected situations.  
Do not operate power tools in explosive  
atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable  
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which  
may ignite the dust or fumes.  
TOOL USE AND CARE  
Use clamps or other practical way to secure and  
support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding  
the work by hand or against your body is unstable and  
may lead to loss of control.  
Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while  
operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to  
lose control.  
Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your  
application. The correct tool will do the job better and  
safer at the rate for which it is designed.  
ELECTRICAL SAFETY  
A battery operated tool with integral batteries or a  
separate battery pack must be recharged only with  
the specified charger for the battery. A charger that  
may be suitable for one type of battery may create a risk  
of fire when used with another battery.  
Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or off.  
A tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is  
dangerous and must be repaired.  
Disconnect battery pack from tool or place the  
switch in the locked or off position before making  
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing  
the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the  
risk of starting the tool accidentally.  
Use battery operated tool only with specifically  
designated battery pack. Use of any other batteries may  
create a risk of fire.  
Store idle tools out of reach of children and other  
untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands  
of untrained users.  
When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from  
other metal objects like: paper clips, coins, keys, nails,  
screws, or other small metal objects that can make  
a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting  
the battery terminals together may cause sparks, burns,  
or a fire.  
Use battery only with charger listed.  
MODEL  
R8442  
BATTERY PACK  
130254003  
CHARGER  
140276001,140276002  
140276003, 140276004  
130254007  
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to carry  
the charger. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp  
edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged cords  
immediately. Damaged cords may create a fire.  
PERSONAL SAFETY  
Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp  
and clean. Properly maintained tools with sharp  
cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to  
control.  
Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,  
breakage of parts, and any other condition that may  
affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool  
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by  
poorly maintained tools.  
Use only accessories that are recommended by the  
manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may  
be suitable for one tool may create a risk of injury when  
used on another tool.  
Keep the tool and its handle dry, clean and free  
from oil and grease. Always use a clean cloth when  
cleaning. Never use brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-  
based products, or any strong solvents to clean your tool.  
Following this rule will reduce the risk of loss of control  
and deterioration of the enclosure plastic.  
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use  
common sense when operating a power tool. Do not  
use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs,  
alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while  
operating power tools may result in serious personal  
injury.  
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.  
Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves  
away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long  
hair can be caught in moving parts.  
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is in the  
locked or off position before inserting battery pack.  
Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or inserting  
the battery pack into a tool with the switch on invites  
accidents.  
Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning  
the tool on. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a  
rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.  
3
 
GENERAL SAFETY RULES  
When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement  
parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section  
of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to  
follow Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of  
shock or injury.  
SERVICE  
Tool service must be performed only by qualified  
repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by  
unqualified personnel may result in a risk of injury.  
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES  
Never use a battery that has been dropped or  
received a sharp blow. A damaged battery is subject to  
explosion. Properly dispose of a dropped or damaged  
battery immediately.  
Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when  
performing an operation where the cutting tool may  
contact hidden wiring. Contact with a “live” wire will  
also make exposed metal parts of the tool “live” and  
shock the operator.  
Batteries vent hydrogen gas and can explode in the  
presence of a source of ignition, such as a pilot light.  
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, never use  
any cordless product in the presence of open flame. An  
exploded battery can propel debris and chemicals. If  
exposed, flush with water immediately.  
Wait for the cutter to stop before setting the tool down.  
An exposed cutter may engage the surface leading to  
possible loss of control and serious injury.  
Know your power tool. Read operator’s manual  
carefully. Learn its applications and limitations, as well  
as the specific potential hazards related to this tool.  
Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock,  
fire, or serious injury.  
Do not charge battery tool in a damp or wet  
location. Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric  
shock.  
For best results, your battery tool should be charged  
in a location where the temperature is more than  
50°F but less than 100°F. Do not store outside or in  
vehicles.  
Always wear safety glasses with side shields.  
Everyday glasses have only impact resistant lenses. They  
are NOT safety glasses. Following this rule will reduce  
the risk of eye injury.  
Under extreme usage or temperature conditions,  
battery leakage may occur. If liquid comes in contact  
with your skin, wash immediately with soap and water,  
then neutralize with lemon juice or vinegar. If liquid  
gets into your eyes, flush them with clean water for  
at least 10 minutes, then seek immediate medical  
attention. Following this rule will reduce the risk of serious  
personal injury.  
Protect your lungs. Wear a face or dust mask if the  
operation is dusty. Following this rule will reduce the risk  
of serious personal injury.  
Protect your hearing. Wear hearing protection during  
extended periods of operation. Following this rule will  
reduce the risk of serious personal injury.  
Battery tools do not have to be plugged into an  
electrical outlet; therefore, they are always in  
operating condition. Be aware of possible hazards  
when not using your battery tool or when changing  
accessories. Following this rule will reduce the risk of  
electric shock, fire, or serious personal injury.  
Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and  
use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you  
loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions  
also.  
Do not place battery tools or their batteries near  
fire or heat. This will reduce the risk of explosion and  
possibly injury.  
4
 
SAFETY RULES FOR CHARGER  
chemicals that can damage, weaken, or destroy  
plastic.  
WARNING!  
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS.  
Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may  
result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal  
injury.  
An extension cord should not be used unless  
absolutely necessary. Use of improper extension  
cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If  
extension cord must be used, make sure:  
a. That pins on plug of extension cord are the  
same number, size and shape as those of  
plug on charger.  
Before using battery charger, read all instructions and  
cautionary markings in this manual, on battery charger,  
battery, and product using battery to prevent misuse of  
the products and possible injury or damage.  
b. That extension cord is properly wired and in  
good electrical condition; and  
c. That wire size is large enough for AC ampere  
rating of charger as specified below:  
CAUTION:  
Cord Length (Feet)  
Cord Size (AWG)  
25'  
16  
50'  
16  
100'  
16  
To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage  
to the charger and battery, charge only nickel-  
cadmium rechargeable batteries as specifically  
designated on your charger. Other types of  
batteries may burst, causing personal injury or  
damage.  
NOTE: AWG = American Wire Gauge  
Do not operate charger with a damaged cord or  
plug, which could cause shorting and electric shock. If  
damaged, have the charger replaced by an authorized  
serviceman.  
Do not use charger outdoors or expose to wet or damp  
conditions. Water entering charger will increase the risk  
of electric shock.  
Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow,  
been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way. Take  
it to an authorized serviceman for electrical check to  
determine if the charger is in good working order.  
Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the  
battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of  
fire, electric shock, or injury to persons. Following this  
rule will reduce the risk of electric shock, fire, or serious  
personal injury.  
Do not disassemble charger. Take it to an authorized  
serviceman when service or repair is required. Incorrect  
reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.  
Unplug charger from outlet before attempting  
any maintenance or cleaning to reduce the risk of  
electric shock.  
Do not abuse cord or charger. Never use the cord to  
carry the charger. Do not pull the charger cord rather than  
the plug when disconnecting from receptacle. Damage  
to the cord or charger could occur and create an electric  
shock hazard. Replace damaged cords immediately.  
Disconnect charger from the power supply when  
not in use. This will reduce the risk of electric shock or  
damage to the charger if metal items should fall into the  
opening. It also will help prevent damage to the charger  
during a power surge.  
Make sure cord is located so that it will not be stepped  
on, tripped over, come in contact with sharp edges  
or moving parts or otherwise subjected to damage or  
stress. This will reduce the risk of accidental falls, which  
could cause injury, and damage to the cord, which could  
result in electric shock.  
Risk of electric shock. Do not touch uninsulated portion  
of output connector or uninsulated battery terminal.  
Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and  
use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you  
loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions also  
to prevent misuse of the product and possible injury.  
Keep cord and charger from heat to prevent damage  
to housing or internal parts.  
Do not let gasoline, oils, petroleum-based products,  
etc. come in contact with plastic parts. They contain  
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
1. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS  
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for battery charger 140276003.  
2. Before using battery charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings on battery charger, battery, and product  
using battery.  
3. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of injury, charge only nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. Other types of batteries  
may burst, causing personal injury or damage.  
5
 
SYMBOLS  
Some of the following symbols may be used on this tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpreta-  
tion of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.  
SYMBOL  
NAME  
DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION  
V
Volts  
Voltage  
Current  
A
Hz  
W
Amperes  
Hertz  
Frequency (cycles per second)  
Watt  
Power  
min  
Minutes  
Time  
Alternating Current  
Type of current  
Direct Current  
Type or a characteristic of current  
Rotational speed, at no load  
n
No Load Speed  
o
Class II Construction  
Per Minute  
Double-insulated construction  
Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits etc., per minute  
.../min  
Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations.  
Wet Conditions Alert  
To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand  
operator’s manual before using this product.  
Read The Operator’s Manual  
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and,  
as necessary, a full face shield when operating this product.  
Eye Protection  
Safety Alert  
Precautions that involve your safety.  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
No Hands Symbol  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
No Hands Symbol  
No Hands Symbol  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in  
serious personal injury.  
No Hands Symbol  
Hot Surface  
To reduce the risk of injury or damage, avoid contact with any  
hot surface.  
6
 
SYMBOLS  
The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product.  
SYMBOL  
SIGNAL  
MEANING  
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will  
result in death or serious injury.  
DANGER:  
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could  
result in death or serious injury.  
WARNING:  
CAUTION:  
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may  
result in minor or moderate injury.  
(Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may result in  
property damage.  
CAUTION:  
SERVICE  
Servicing requires extreme care and knowledge and should  
be performed only by a qualified service technician. For  
service we suggest you return the product to your nearest  
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER for repair. When servic-  
ing, use only identical replacement parts.  
WARNING:  
To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt  
to use this product until you read thoroughly and  
understand completely the operator’s manual.  
Save this operator’s manual and review frequently  
for continuing safe operation and instructing others  
who may use this product.  
WARNING:  
The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into your eyes, which can result  
in severe eye damage. Before beginning power tool operation, always wear safety goggles or safety glasses  
with side shields and, when needed, a full face shield. We recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask for use  
over eyeglasses or standard safety glasses with side shields. Always use eye protection which is marked  
to comply with ANSI Z87.1.  
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS  
7
 
FEATURES  
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS  
Strokes Per Minute.........................................0-2, 500/min.  
Charger Input ................................... 120 V, 60 Hz, AC only  
Charge Rate ...................................................... 30 minutes  
Length of Stroke...................................................1-3/16 in.  
Motor..................................................................18 Volt DC  
Switch..........................................................Variable Speed  
LOCK-OFF  
BUTTON  
SWITCH  
TRIGGER  
SHOE  
ASSEMBLY  
®
SAW  
BLADE  
BATTERY  
PACK  
BLADE CLAMP  
LOCK / RELEASE  
LEVER  
CHARGER  
4-1/8 in.  
Fig. 1  
8
 
FEATURES  
KNOW YOUR RECIPROCATING SAW  
TOOLLESS BLADE CLAMP  
Your saw has a blade clamp design that does not require  
the use of a tool (blade wrench) when installing or removing  
the blade.  
See Figure 1.  
Before attempting to use this product, familiarize yourself  
with all operating features and safety rules.  
VARIABLE SPEED  
The variable speed switch trigger delivers higher speed  
with increased trigger pressure and lower speed with  
decreased trigger pressure.  
CHARGER  
The charger has a key-hole hanging feature for convenient,  
space-saving storage. Screws should be installed so that  
the center distance is 4-1/8 in.  
LOCK-OFF BUTTON  
Your saw is equipped with a “lock-off” button which reduces  
the possibility of accidental starting. The lock-off button is  
located on the handle above the switch trigger.  
ASSEMBLY  
UNPACKING  
This product has been shipped completely assembled.  
WARNING:  
If any parts are damaged or missing, do not  
operate this tool until the parts are replaced.  
Failure to heed this warning could result in serious  
personal injury.  
Carefully remove the tool and any accessories from the  
box. Make sure that all items listed in the packing list are  
included.  
Inspect the tool carefully to make sure no breakage or  
damage occurred during shipping.  
Do not discard the packing material until you have  
WARNING:  
carefully inspected and satisfactorily operated the tool.  
Do not attempt to modify this tool or create  
accessories not recommended for use with this  
tool. Any such alteration or modification is misuse  
and could result in a hazardous condition leading  
to possible serious personal injury.  
If any parts are damaged or missing, please call  
1-866-539-1710 for assistance.  
PACKING LIST  
18 Volt Reciprocating Saw  
Saw Blade Pack (2)  
Battery  
Charger  
WARNING:  
To prevent accidental starting that could cause  
serious personal injury, always remove the battery  
pack from the tool when assembling parts.  
Tool Bag  
Operator’s Manual  
9
 
OPERATION  
WARNING:  
Do not allow familiarity with your tool to make you  
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a  
second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.  
WARNING:  
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with  
side shields when operating tools. Failure to do so  
could result in objects being thrown into your eyes  
resulting in possible serious injury.  
WARNING:  
Do not use any attachments or accessories  
not recommended by the manufacturer of this  
tool. The use of attachments or accessories not  
recommended can result in serious personal injury.  
Fig. 2  
APPLICATIONS  
Attach the battery pack to the charger by aligning the  
raised ribs on the battery pack with the grooves in the  
charger, then slide the battery pack onto the charger. See  
Figure 2.  
You may use this tool for the purposes listed below:  
Cutting all types of wood products (lumber, plywood,  
paneling, composition board, and hard wood)  
Cutting masonite and plastic  
The battery pack will become slightly warm to the touch  
while charging. This is normal and does not indicate a  
problem.  
Do not place the charger in an area of extreme heat or  
cold. It will work best at normal room temperature.  
FFoorr averaaggee charge times, refer to the chart on the  
following page.  
When tthhee batteries become fully charged, unplug the  
charger from the power supply and remove the battery  
pack.  
Cutting drywall  
Cutting metals such as sheet steel, pipe, steel rods,  
aluminum, brass, and copper  
CAUTION:  
If at any point during the charging process none  
of the LEDs are lit, remove the battery pack from  
the charger to avoid damaging the product. DO  
NOT insert another battery. Return the charger and  
battery to your nearest service center for service  
or replacement.  
CHARGING A HOT BATTERY PACK  
When using the tool continuously, the batteries in the  
battery pack will become hot. You should let a hot  
battery pack cool down for approximately 20 minutes before  
attempting to recharge.  
CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK  
If the battery pack is above normal temperature range, the  
red LED will begin flashing and the green LED will be off.  
When the battery pack cools down to approximately 104°F  
(40°C), the charger will automatically begin fast charge mode.  
The battery pack for this tool has been shipped in a low  
charge condition to prevent possible problems. Therefore,  
you should charge it until the light on front of charger changes  
from flashing green to continuous green.  
NOTE: Batteries will not reach full charge the first time they  
are charged. Allow several cycles (operation followed by  
recharging) for them to become fully charged. This is normal  
for nickel-cadmium batteries.  
CHARGING A COOL BATTERY PACK  
If the battery pack is below normal temperature range, the  
red LED will begin flashing and the green LED will be off.  
When the battery warms to a temperature of more than 41°F  
(5°C), the charger will automatically begin fast charge mode.  
TO CHARGE  
Charge the battery pack only with the charger provided.  
Make sure the power supply is normal household voltage,  
120 volts, 60 Hz, AC only.  
NOTE: Refer to CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK for  
normal recharging of batteries. If the charger does not charge  
your battery pack under normal circumstances, return both  
the battery pack and charger to your nearest repair center  
for electrical check. For the location of your nearest repair  
center, please call 1-866-539-1710.  
Connect the charger to a power supply.  
10  
 
OPERATION  
LED FUNCTION OF CHARGER  
See Figure 3.  
LED  
INDICATOR  
BATTERY  
PACK  
RED  
LED  
GREEN  
LED  
ACTION  
Power  
Without battery pack ON  
OFF  
Ready to charge battery pack  
When battery pack reaches cooled  
temperature, charger begins fast  
charge mode  
Evaluate  
Evaluate  
Hot battery pack  
Cold battery pack  
Flashing  
OFF  
OFF  
When battery pack reaches warmed  
temperature, charger begins fast  
charge mode  
Flashing  
Charger pre-charges battery until nor-  
mal voltage is reached, then begins  
fast charge mode  
Evaluate  
Defective  
Deeply discharged  
Defective  
Flashing  
Flashing  
OFF  
Flashing  
Battery pack or charger is defective.  
• If defective, try to repeat the conditions a second time by removing and reinstalling the battery  
pack. If the LED status repeats a second time, try charging a different battery.  
• If a different battery charges normally, dispose of the defective pack (see Maintenance section).  
• If a different battery also indicates “Defective,” the charger may be defective.  
Charging  
Full  
Fast charging  
Slow charging  
ON  
Flashing  
ON  
See chart below for charge times  
Fast charging is complete.  
Charger maintains charge mode.  
OFF  
GREEN LED  
POWER  
BATTERY  
AVERAGE CHARGE TIME  
RED LED  
INDICATOR  
COMPACT SERIES  
18 min.  
27 min.  
34 min.  
EVALUATE  
INDICATOR  
HC  
HC 2.5  
DEFECTIVE  
INDICATOR  
CHARGING  
INDICATOR  
NOTE: The 9.6 Volt, 12 Volt, and 14.4 Volt battery  
packs will not slide all the way down onto the char-  
ger port. Insert 9.6 Volt, 12 Volt, and 14.4 Volt battery  
packs until they click into place and are aligned with  
the line on the charger, shown at left.  
FULL  
INDICATOR  
Allow up to 5 seconds for the “charge” light to come  
on after the battery pack is inserted.  
Fig. 3  
11  
 
OPERATION  
TO INSTALL BATTERY PACK  
See Figure 4.  
Place the battery pack in the saw aligning raised rib on  
®
battery pack with groove in the saw’s battery port.  
Make sure the latches on each side of the battery pack  
snap into place and the battery pack is secured to saw  
before beginning operation.  
CAUTION:  
RAISED RIB  
When placing battery pack in the tool, be sure  
raised rib on battery pack aligns with the grooves  
in the bottom of the saw and latches into place  
properly. Improper installation of the battery pack  
can cause damage to internal components.  
Fig. 4  
BATTERY PACK  
®
TO REMOVE BATTERY PACK  
See Figure 5.  
Locate the latches on the side of the battery pack and  
depress both sides to release the battery pack from the  
saw.  
Remove the battery pack from the saw.  
DEPRESS LATCHES TO  
RELEASE BATTERY PACK  
Fig. 5  
SHOE ASSEMBLY  
See Figure 6.  
HEX KEY  
The shoe assembly of the reciprocating saw pivots up and  
down in both directions. The base is adjustable, allowing the  
use of the blade teeth at different positions on the blade.  
CHANGING POSITIONS OF THE BASE  
ASSEMBLY  
See Figure 6.  
Remove the battery pack.  
Loosen the screws in the gear frame with the hex key.  
SCREWS  
Reposition the base assembly.  
Retighten the button head screws securely. Do not  
overtighten screws or use an aid with the hex key.  
BASE ASSEMBLY  
Fig. 6  
Remove the hex key.  
TO INSTALL SAW BLADE  
See Figure 7.  
Remove the battery pack from the saw.  
®
Lift the blade clamp lock/release lever located on the side  
of the saw.  
Insert saw blade between blade clamp and saw bar.  
BLADE  
CLAMP  
BLADE  
Lock the blade clamp lever.  
GENERAL CUTTING  
See Figure 8.  
Rest the front of the saw shoe on the workpiece and align  
cutting edge of the blade with the line on the workpiece.  
Startthesawandmoveitforwardontheworksurface. Apply  
downwardpressuretokeepthesawsteadyandonlyenough  
forward pressure to keep the blade cutting.  
Fig. 7  
12  
 
OPERATION  
CAUTION:  
Do not force the saw. Forcing the saw may  
overheat the motor and break saw blades.  
PLUNGE CUTTING  
See Figure 9.  
®
WARNING:  
To avoid loss of control, broken blades, or dam-  
age to the material being cut, always use extreme  
caution when making plunge cuts. It is not rec-  
ommended to plunge cut materials other than  
wood.  
Mark the line of cut clearly on the workpiece.  
Fig. 8  
Tilt the saw forward so that it rests on the front edge  
of the shoe and blade will not come in contact with the  
workpiece when the saw is turned on.  
Make sure the blade is inside the area to be cut.  
Using high speed, start the saw and slowly lower the  
blade into the workpiece until the blade cuts through the  
wood.  
®
Continue lowering the blade into the workpiece until the  
shoe rests flat on the work surface, then move the saw  
forward to complete the opening.  
Use only the 7 teeth per inch blade for this type of cut.  
METAL CUTTING  
See Figure 10.  
Many kinds of metals can be cut with the saw. Be careful  
not to twist or bend the blades. Do not force. If the blade  
chatters or vibrates excessively, use a finer-tooth metal-  
cutting blade. If blade heats excessively, use lower speed. If  
blade teeth become filled or clogged when cutting soft met-  
als, such as aluminum, use a coarser-tooth blade or lower  
speed.Werecommenduseofoilwhencuttingmetalstokeep  
blades cool, increase cutting action, and prolong blade life.  
Clamp the work firmly and saw close to the clamping point  
to eliminate any vibration of the work being cut.  
Fig. 9  
®
When cutting conduit, pipe, or angle iron, clamp work in a  
vise if possible and saw close to the vise. To cut thin sheet  
materials, “sandwich” the material between hardboard or  
plywood and clamp the layers to eliminate vibration and  
material tearing. By doing this, the material will be cut  
smoothly. Lay out your pattern or line of cut on top of the  
“sandwich.”  
NOTE: When cutting metal, keep exposed portion of saw  
blade clean and free of metal chips by wiping frequently with  
an oily cloth. Use extreme caution in disposing of oily cloth  
after completion of job to prevent potential fire hazard.  
Fig. 10  
13  
 
MAINTENANCE  
GENERAL MAINTENANCE  
WARNING:  
When servicing use only identical RIDGID  
replacement parts. Use of any other parts may  
create a hazard or cause product damage.  
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.  
WARNING:  
WARNING:  
Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline,  
petroleum-based products, penetrating oils, etc.,  
come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals can  
damage, weaken or destroy plastic which may  
result in serious personal injury.  
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with  
side shields during power tool operation or when  
blowing dust. If operation is dusty, also wear a  
dust mask.  
Only the parts shown on the parts list are intended to be  
repaired or replaced by the customer. All other parts should  
be replaced at a RIDGID authorized service center.  
WARNING:  
To avoid serious personal injury, always remove  
the battery pack from the tool when cleaning or  
performing any maintenance.  
BATTERY PACK REMOVAL AND PREPARATION  
BATTERIES  
The battery pack for this tool is equipped with nickel-cad-  
mium rechargeable batteries. Length of service from each  
charging will depend on the type of work you are doing.  
FOR RECYCLING  
To preserve natural resources, please  
recycle or dispose of batteries  
properly.  
The batteries in this tool have been designed to provide  
maximum trouble-free life. However, like all batteries, they  
will eventually wear out. Do not disassemble battery pack  
and attempt to replace the batteries. Handling of these  
batteries, especially when wearing rings and jewelry, could  
result in a serious burn.  
This product contains nickel-cadmium  
batteries. Local, state or federal  
laws may prohibit disposal of nickel-  
cadmium batteries in ordinary trash.  
Consult your local waste authority for information regarding  
available recycling and/or disposal options.  
To obtain the longest possible battery life, we suggest the  
following:  
Remove the battery pack from the charger once it is fully  
WARNING:  
charged and ready for use.  
Upon removal, cover the battery pack’s terminals  
with heavy-duty adhesive tape. Do not attempt  
to destroy or disassemble battery pack or  
remove any of its components. Nickel-cadmium  
batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly.  
Also, never touch both terminals with metal objects  
and/or body parts as short circuit may result. Keep  
away from children. Failure to comply with these  
warnings could result in fire and/or serious injury.  
For battery pack storage longer than 30 days:  
Store the battery pack where the temperature is below  
80°F.  
Store battery packs in a “discharged” condition.  
14  
 
WARRANTY  
RIDGID® HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL  
3 YEAR LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY  
Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting war-  
ranty service.  
WHAT IS NOT COVERED  
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser at retail  
and may not be transferred. This warranty only covers de-  
fects arising under normal usage and does not cover any  
malfunction, failure or defect resulting from misuse, abuse,  
neglect, alteration, modification or repair by other than an  
authorized service center for RIDGID® branded hand held  
and stationary power tools. Consumable accessories pro-  
vided with the tool such as, but not limited to, blades, bits  
and sand paper are not covered.  
Limited to RIDGID® hand held and stationary power tools  
purchased 2/1/04 and after. This product is manufactured  
by One World Technologies, Inc. The trademark is licensed  
from RIDGID, Inc. All warranty communications should be  
directed to One World Technologies, Inc., attn: RIDGID Hand  
Held and Stationary Power Tool Technical Service at (toll  
free) 1-866-539-1710.  
90-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE POLICY  
During the first 90 days after the date of purchase, if you are  
dissatisfied with the performance of this RIDGID® Hand Held  
and Stationary Power Tool for any reason you may return  
the tool to the dealer from which it was purchased for a full  
refund or exchange. To receive a replacement tool you must  
present proof of purchase and return all original equipment  
packaged with the original product. The replacement tool  
will be covered by the limited warranty for the balance of  
the 3 YEAR service warranty period.  
RIDGID, INC. AND ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  
MAKE NO WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR  
PROMISES AS TO THE QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE  
OF ITS POWER TOOLS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFI-  
CALLY STATED IN THIS WARRANTY.  
ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS  
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all implied war-  
ranties, including warranties of MERCHANTABILITY or FIT-  
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, are disclaimed. Any  
implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability  
or fitness for a particular purpose, that cannot be disclaimed  
under state law are limited to three years from the date of  
purchase. One World Technologies, Inc. and RIDGID, Inc.  
are not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or conse-  
quential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on  
how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the  
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential dam-  
ages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This  
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also  
have other rights which vary from state to state.  
WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE 3 YEAR  
LIMITED SERVICE WARRANTY  
This warranty on RIDGID® Hand Held and Stationary Power  
Tools covers all defects in workmanship or materials and nor-  
mal wear items such as brushes, chucks, motors, switches,  
cords, gears and even cordless batteries in this RIDGID®  
tool for three years following the purchase date of the tool.  
Warranties for other RIDGID® products may vary.  
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE  
To obtain service for this RIDGID® tool you must return it;  
freight prepaid, or take it in to an authorized service center  
for RIDGID® branded hand held and stationary power tools.  
You may obtain the location of the authorized service center  
nearest you by calling (toll free) 1-866-539-1710 or by log-  
ging on to the RIDGID® website at www.ridgid.com. When  
requesting warranty service, you must present the original  
dated sales receipt. The authorized service center will re-  
pair any faulty workmanship, and either repair or replace  
any part covered under the warranty, at our option, at no  
charge to you.  
One World Technologies, Inc.  
P.O. Box 35, Hwy. 8  
Pickens, SC 29671  
15  
 
OPERATOR’S MANUAL  
18 VOLT RECIPROCATING SAW  
VARIABLE SPEED  
R8442  
Customer Service Information:  
For parts or service, contact your nearest RIDGID authorized service center. Be  
sure to provide all relevant information when you call or visit. For the location of  
the authorized service center nearest you, please call 1-866-539-1710 or visit us  
The model number of this tool is found on a plate attached to the motor housing.  
Please record the serial number in the space provided below. When ordering repair  
parts, always give the following information:  
R8442  
Model No.  
Serial No.  
983000-768  
3-24-06 (REV:01)  
 

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