How Do You Change the Blade on a Ridged Miter Saw?

Unplug the saw. Rotate the lower plastic guard in an upward direction by hand. Loosen the cover plate stop screw using the Phillips head end of the combination tool that came with the saw. Ensure that the screw is only loosened and not removed.

Lift up the lower guard until the assembly is far enough back that the arbor screw is clearly visible and accessible.

Loosen and remove the arbor screw by turning it in a clockwise direction with a 1/2-inch box wrench while depressing the arbor lock button, which is located between the upper blade guard and the saw handle. The arbor lock engages within one full turn of the arbor. Remove the arbor washer, the outer blade collar and the saw blade.

Install the new 12-inch saw blade on the arbor with the arrow, printed on the saw blade, facing in the same direction as the arrow on the upper blade guard. Ensure that the inner blade collar is clean and free of saw dust before the new saw blade is installed.

Reinstall the outer collar ensuring that it is clean and free of saw dust. Reinstall the arbor washer ensuring that the hollow side is facing the blade.

Insert the arbor screw in the arbor and thread it into the arbor by rotating it in a counterclockwise direction until the arbor screw is hand-tightened. Firmly tighten the arbor screw with the 1/2-inch box wrench while depressing the arbor lock button. Do not over tighten the arbor screw.

Depress the lower blade guard so that the cover plate screw rests completely in the slot in the cover plate. Tighten the cover plate stop screw by turning in a clockwise direction with the combination wrench, completing the blade replacement.