Ryobi Radial Arm Saws Recalled for Blade Detachment Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Ryobi Radial Arm Saws

Units: About 145,000

Manufacturer: Ryobi Motor Products Corp. formerly of Anderson, S.C. ("RMP"); Ryobi Electric Tool Manufacturing, Inc. formerly of Chandler, Ariz.; and Ryobi Limited, of Hiroshima, Japan.

Hazard: Cracking of the plastic motor housing can cause the blade assembly to fall during operation, posing a risk of laceration to the operator or bystanders. The detachment may occur unexpectedly and without warning.

Incidents/Injuries: RMP has received five reports of detached blade assemblies, including four reports of lacerated fingers to the saw operators.

Description and Models: The recall involves all RA200 and RA202 radial arm saws. These are bench top models with 8 ¼-inch blades. Each unit has a data plate immediately behind the operator grip for the saw, which says "RYOBI 8 1/4" Radial Arm Saw" and either "RA200" or "RA202."

Sold at: Home and hardware stores nationwide from 1986 through 1997 for between $200 and $300, and higher in some instances.

Manufactured In: The United States and Japan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these radial arm saws and contact Ryobi customer service to arrange to return part of the saw for a payment of $75. No repair is available.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ryobi Customer Service at (800) 525-2579 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET any day of the week, or visit the following Web site: www.ryobi.com