Ryobi HT232, Operator'S Manual

10 - English

OPERATION

SPEED DIAL SETTINGS

Type of 

Accessory

Soft 

Wood 

Hard 

Wood

Laminates 

Plastics

Steel

Aluminum, 

Brass, Etc.

Shell/

Stone

Ceramic

Glass

Cut-off 

Discs

—

—

—

1-3

—

—

—

—

Fiberglass 

Cut-off 

Wheel

—

—

1-3

—

1-5

—

—

—

Sanding  

Drums

3-MAX

3-MAX

1-3

4-MAX

4-MAX

—

—

—

Felt 

Polishing 

Wheels

—

—

—

3-5

3-5

3-5

3-5

3-5

Aluminum 

Oxide 

Grinding 

Stones

—

—

—

3-5

—

—

—

—

Silicon 

Carbide 

Grinding 

Stone

—

—

—

—

1-2

1-2

4-MAX

4-MAX

Drill Bit

4-MAX

4-MAX

1-3

4-MAX

4-MAX

—

—

—

Drywall 

Cutting Bit

4-MAX (Drywall only)

OPERATING THE ROTARY TOOL

See Figure 10, page 13.

Learning to use the rotary tool:

 

Hold the tool in your hand and get used to its weight, 
balance, and the taper of the housing. This taper permits 
the tool to be grasped like a pencil.

 

Examine the rotary tool accessories carefully. Damaged 
accessories can fly apart as they come up to speed and 
should not be used. The use of damaged accessories 
can result in serious personal injury.

 

Practice on scrap materials first to see how the tool 
operates. Keep in mind that the work is done by the speed 
of the tool and by the accessory in the collet. You should 
not lean on or push the tool into the work.

It is best to make a series of passes with the tool rather than 
attempt to do all the work in one pass. To make a cut, pass 
the tool back and forth over the work like you would a small 
paint brush. Cut a little material on each pass until you reach 
the desired depth. For most work, a gentle touch is best; 
you will have greater control, make fewer errors, and get the 
most efficient work out of the accessory.

For the best control in close work, grip the tool like a pencil 
between your thumb and forefinger.
A “hand grip” method of holding the tool is used for operations 
such as grinding a flat surface or using cut-off discs.

To operate the rotary tool:





  Secure all work in a vise or clamp to a workbench to 

prevent it from moving under the tool.



  Hold the tool in front and away from you, keeping the tool 

accessory clear of the workpiece.





  Turn on the tool and let the motor and accessory build 

up to full speed.





  Lower the tool gradually until the accessory contacts the 

workpiece.



  Move the tool continuously at a steady, consistent 

pace.



  Use just enough pressure to keep the tool from chattering 

or bouncing.

NOTE:

 Heavy pressure will decrease the tool’s speed and 

put a strain on the motor. The weight of the tool alone is 
adequate for most jobs.




  Lift the tool away from the workpiece before turning off 

the tool.