Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

[mtaero]

The protection guard on the model MS1290LZA miter saw will not move up out of the way when making a cut. The guard hits the material being cut or the throat plate on the deck of the saw. All the components seem to be ok. Nothing is broken or bent. The guard moves freely by hand. Any ideas what the problem may be? Is there an adjsutment I have over looked?

Thanks,

Darrel

[mustang09]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

I am having the same issue with my 12 " sliding compound mitre saw and I have taken it apart several times now . I am wondering if this was a problem for ridgid and hense the reason for inverting the slides on the newer models . I am at this point wanting to remove it but I really don't want to do that : re safty ??????? has anyone said how to fix the problem assd of yet . I would like to hear from you if so tks

[RidgidMANJames]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

My saw did the same thing!! I ordered the black arm piece if possibly mine was bent. If it doesn't fix it, it's going on craigslist and I'm going with the Bosch 12" slider.

I used to be a big fan of Ridgid but every tool I've owned from them has had some sort of problem, My 12" miter is the last tool I have made by Ridgid and I used to have alot. I mostly have Bosch now and have had zero problems.

[isellpower]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

Old thread I know, but has anyone figured this out? After pulling the trigger my saw was hard to pull down toward the material due to how the guard is raised. Now it hardly raises at all. The guard will actually hit the table before it starts to open. Everything looks ok and not bent.

I happened to be at Home Depot yesterday and Ridgid had a huge display there and had a bunch of reps there also. I asked them about the problem and they claim to have never hear of it. We walked over to try both of the 12" sliding miters they had on display and both were very hard to lower the blade once the guard mechanism started to engage. We walked over to the Bosch 12" slider and the guard mechanism was almost totally hidden from sight and you can place one finger on the handle and lower the blade and never notice the guard mechanism activating.

I happened to have mine in the bed of my truck and two guys walked out there with me and said they saw noting wrong with the guard mechanism, yet you literally have to put two hands on it to get the blade to lower.

Very frustrating, anyone have a fix yet?

Thanks,
Jason

[CWSmith]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

Jason,

Welcome to the Ridgid forum!

I wish that I could help, but I don't have that particular tool. Seems ridiculous though that the Ridgid reps, who looked at it, couldn't figure out what was wrong. Frustrating!

Without seeing the tool first hand, or having the problem myself, it would be almost impossible to offer advice, but hopefully some other forum member with experience with this tool will have a resolution for you.

Have you looked to your local Service Center for assistance? Hopefully you are under warranty or have your tool registered with the Limited Lifetime Service Agreement.

Good luck and again, welcome to the forum,

CWS

[texan168]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

Sometimes a ridge will develop on the throw arm or the bearing that it rides on preventing it from operating correctly.

[frank6123]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

I too am having the exact same problem all of you are having....the saw guard will not retract enough to allow cutting of the material....mine is out of warranty (ms1290lza model)

[Steve Newhook]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

I'm having the same issue, Guard starts to raise then stops just short of going up enough to clear material. I spoke with tech for Rigid and he suggested that it may be the white spacer that runs inside the guard arm. The Tech couriered a couple spare spacers to me and I changed out the old one. The old one was in rough shape but changing it for a new one didn't solve the problem.

Bump this to the top in hopes that someone has an idea.

[Steve Newhook]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

Given the original date this thread was posted someone must have some insight into this problem by now!!!

[WorseCase Ontario]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding miter saw

It's the plastic bearing or a bent arm. Most likely the bearing. The bearing is located at the end of the arm held in place with a philips screwhead / 2 washers. I've had this problem aswell ... not a big deal really just poor a design. The bearing wears out (plastic) or becomes deformed by to much pressure from pulling down on the handle... this i know because i watched my boss one time use my 12" impropperly and it was fooked there after.
THE FIX ... have your local ridgid service rep replace the whole assembly arm and bearing for free, providing we all filled out our warrantees, or do what i did and replace the plastic bearing with an aluminium bearing, wasn't easy to find the proper size but ... any good fastener store should have. Make sure to grease the new bearing

ANOTHER good tip for ridgid's 12"sliding compound mitre saw users: Does your saw squeak on startup? This could be due to a loose or worn out belt. The quick fix is to remove the cover plate and spray some automotive belt dressing ... squeak be gone.

[bbradshaw]

Re: Problem with guard adjustment on compound sliding mitre saw

Though most won't say, the issue is Ridgid has built (what I will refer to as the control arm) on the 'cheap'. That sticking feeling that you experienced when that guard was operating properly was the first sign of problems. This was a clear indicator that operation movement was being forced, which of course led to strain and metal fatigue -thus bending. If you look at the control arm the nicely rounded arch is now gone, you will probably see what looks like a small bump. This means the arm has reshaped itself to something with less strain and friction leaving you with a smoother moving part and limited guard movement.

SOLUTION: Yes you needs a new part as bending it will only further weaken the arm. ( I reshaped mine as a temporary fix)

MANUFACTURE SOLUTION: Do not design/use cheap metal on parts subjected to simple physics.

CONCLUSION: I do like the Ridgid product, however this is a safety issue which Ridgid should take seriously, as it leads the product user to consider removing the guard to get the job done. If Ridgid is serious about safety they would remanufacture a replacement part (more "rigid") and make it available at all Home Depot locations with out the need of receipts. I say this all without prejudice and as an end user.

[mrkcrne]

After almost selling this saw, I read the post above and decided to spend the money on a new guard assembly. I couldn't beliveve it when I compared the new control arm to the old one, now I get why it wasn't working.

[Species847]

The link arm for guard bends as to why it wont come down. Problem exist from factory/design. I am buying a new arm and changing profile where idler first touches it when pushing down. Guard opening is very smooth after just starting to open. Profile change is by welding some metal onto link arm to cause guard to slightly open at top end. Note: those posting that guard does not open enough when cutting is same problem. Buy a new link arm...but if not modified problem returns

[SactoPatrick]

Wow, this problem has been going on since prior to 2009 and nothing is being done> My saw has performed flawlessly until today in the middle of a job, I experienced what so many others have reported here. The work around is to manually raise the guard which I can't imagine is near safe.

How about it Ridgid? Shouldn't this be a safety recall item?

[ConstructionHero]

I have replaced the arm twice. Bought the parts at E-parts. The saw works fine for a short time then the arm begins bending again. I am completely frustrated with this saw, it is only a year old, and I noticed Home Depot no longer sells it. It is still under warranty, but Rigid wants me to ship the saw to their factory service center in Ohio. I live in California and it would be way to costly to ship this monster of a saw that far. This is definitely the last Rigid tool I will ever buy. The saw is completely unsafe to use with the guard pinned back, so I have been having to borrow other chop saws in the mean time. If Rigid does not issue a recall, they are asleep at the wheel. Guess I'll have to go back to DeWalt or Bosch for my next slider.