Ryobi P503 - Manual (Page 10)

10 - English
OPERATION
 Use clean, sharp, and properly set blades. Never make
cuts with dull blades.
 Support the workpiece properly before beginning a cut.
 Use steady, even pressure when making a cut. Never
force a cut.
 Do not cut warped or wet lumber.
 Hold the saw firmly with both hands and keep your body
in a balanced position so as to resist the forces if kickback
should occur.
WARNING:
When using the saw, always stay alert and exercise con-
trol. Do not remove the saw from the workpiece while the
blade is moving.
SAW BLADES
The best of saw blades will not cut efficiently if they are not
kept clean, sharp, and properly set. Using a dull blade will
place a heavy load on the saw and increase the danger of
kickback. Keep extra blades on hand, so that sharp blades
are always available.
Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades will slow the
saw down. Remove saw blade from the saw and use gum
and pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene to remove these
accumulations.
DO NOT USE GASOLINE.
BLADE GUARD SYSTEM
See Figure 9, page 16.
The lower blade guard attached to the circular saw is there
for your protection and safety. Do not alter it for any reason.
If it becomes damaged, do not operate the saw until you
have the guard repaired or replaced. Always leave guard in
operating position when using the saw.
DANGER:
When sawing through work, lower blade guard does not
cover blade on the underside of work. Since blade is
exposed on underside of work, keep hands and fingers
away from cutting area. Any part of your body coming in
contact with moving blade will result in serious injury.
CAUTION:
Never use saw when guard is not operating correctly.
Check the guard for correct operation before each use.
The guard is operating correctly when it moves freely and
readily returns to the closed position. If you drop the saw,
check the lower blade guard and bumper for damage at
all depth settings before reuse.
STARTING/STOPPING THE SAW
See Figure 10, page 16.
To start the saw:

Depress the lock-off button.
 Depress the switch trigger.
Always let the blade reach full speed, then guide the saw
into the workpiece.
WARNING:
The blade coming in contact with the workpiece before
it reaches full speed could cause the saw to “kickback”
towards you resulting in serious injury.
To stop the saw: release the switch trigger.
After you release the switch trigger, allow the blade to come
to a complete stop.
Do not remove the saw from the
workpiece while the blade is moving.
LOCK-OFF BUTTON
See Figure 10, page 16.
The lock-off button reduces the possibility of accidental
starting. The lock-off button is located on the handle above
the switch trigger. The lock-off button must be depressed
before you pull the switch trigger. The lock resets each time
the trigger is released.
NOTE: You can depress the lock-off button from either the
left or right side.
ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH
See Figure 11, page 16.
Always keep correct blade depth setting. The correct blade
depth setting for all cuts should not exceed 1/4 in. below
the material being cut. More blade depth will increase the
chance of kickback and cause the cut to be rough. For
more depth of cut accuracy, a scale is located on the upper
blade guard.

Loosen the depth adjustment knob.
 Determine the desired depth of cut.
 Locate the depth of cut scale on the back of the upper
blade guard.
 Hold the base flat against the workpiece and raise or
lower the saw until the indicator mark on bracket aligns
with the notch on the blade guard.
 Tighten the depth adjustment knob securely.