Ridgid R4512 riving knife lever hard to move

On my R4510, I had to remove the riving knife mount (two large allen screws to the right of the knife) – then I could see and adjust the clamp tightness, then rte-align the knife with the blade. I think I decided later that I could tip the saw up on end, and access the adjustment from under the saw (the 4510 is on a cart).

-- Peter

i have the 4510 ,and mine is real stiff also i use an open end wrench to hook onto it in order to get it to move. can’t remember if it is 7/16 or 3/8 inch

-- may not always be right,but,never in doubt.

Thanks guys, I suppose knowing I’m not the only one with the issue makes me feel a bit better. I suppose I’m going to just keep using pliers to grab it and pull up/down on it. I can always hit the pliers with the mallet I suppose. Peter, I’m not sure I feel comfortable taking the whole assembly apart.

-- Matt, Illinois, http://www.reintroducing.com

i have the 4512.i think your talking about the orange lever to loosen the riving knife if i read this correctly.mine has become harder to move but i can still loosen it with my hands but now i prefer a small piece of wood.i just wedge it under the lever and lift,and then to tighten i tap it down with a rubber mallet because i don’t want to rack my knuckles.i also use my air compressor frequently to clean out the inside.remember the 4512 has a warranty and i wouldn’t hesitate to call the Rigid people.wish i could help more.

-- Jeff,Tucson,Az.

@Jeff: that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I also use my compressor to clean it out quite often. I don’t tighten the back six bolts down so I can easily open them and clean out the insides about bi-weekly. You’re right, I should just call Ridgid and ask them about it, good call.

-- Matt, Illinois, http://www.reintroducing.com

I have the same problem with my R4512 which I purchased in December. I just use leverage to compensate. If you hear anything from Ridgid, please keep us posted!

I have a solution for everyone—it’s really easy, or at least it is for the r4510. The riving knife lever pivots on a bolt that passes through the full mechanism with a nylon locknut on the other end. All you need to do is loosen that nut a little bit so the lever clamps the knife firmly but isn’t impossible to lock down. To get to it, lower the blade completely and (for the r4510) put the saw in the stand’s upright mode. Remove the plastic shroud that covers the blade and channels the sawdust to the exhaust port (this is so you can access the lever to fine-tune the nut). You’ll see the lever on the top side of the blade housing and the bolt going through it passing downward. Look underneath the blade housing and you’ll see the locknut on the other side. Adjust the nut as needed. The locknut isn’t the tightest fit, and I was able to tighten/loosen it by hand with a 12mm socket—which makes it easy to adjust, but probably also explains why it so readily goes out of whack, and it’ll probably always require occasional adjustment.