Blade Guides

Material chips or shavings are the best indicator of proper blade speed and downfeed rate. The ideal chip is thin, tightly curled and warm to the touch. Chips that range from golden brown to black indicate excessive force. Blue chips indicate extreme heat from too high a blade speed, which will shorten blade life. Thin or powdered chips indicate insufficient downfeed rate.

Loosen the handle (Figure 17) and slide the guide assembly as close to the workpiece as possible. This will prevent excessive exposure of the blade during operation.

[NOTE: The handle (Figure 17) can be adjusted out of the way. Lift up on the handle and rotate it on the pin. Release the handle, making sure it seats itself properly on the pin.]

The guide bearings and carbide guide blocks come pre-adjusted from the factory, but should be inspected frequently and adjustments made as needed. For most efficient operation and maximum accuracy, provide 0.001” clearance between the blade and the guide bearings. The bearings will still turn freely with this clearance. If the clearance is incorrect, the blade may track off the drive wheel.

1.Disconnect machine from power source.

2.Loosen the two socket head cap screws (A, Figure 18) and move the guide seat (B, Figure 18) up or down until the guide blocks (D, Figure 18) are positioned adequately across the width of the blade.

3.Loosen the socket head cap screws (C, Figure 18) on the carbide guide blocks (D, Figure 18) and shift both guide blocks until they place a light pressure on the blade. Re- tighten the socket head cap screws (C, Figure 18).

4.The outer guide bearing (E, Figure 18) is mounted to an eccentric bushing and is adjustable. Loosen the hex nut (F, Figure

18)and rotate the bearing shaft (G, Figure

18)with a wrench until the bearing (E, Figure 18) clears the blade by approximately .001”. Do not pinch the blade.

5.Re-tighten hex nut (F, Figure 18).

6.Repeat these steps for the other blade guide assembly.

Figure 17

Figure 18