Metal Cutting

OPERATION

See Figure 11.

Many kinds of metals can be cut with the saw. Be careful not to twist or bend the blades. Do not force. If the blade chatters or vibrates excessively, use a finer-tooth metal- cutting blade. If blade heats excessively, use lower speed. If blade teeth become filled or clogged when cutting soft met- als, such as aluminum, use a coarser-tooth blade or lower speed. We recommend use of oil when cutting metals to keep blades cool, increase cutting action, and prolong blade life. Clamp the work firmly and saw close to the clamping point to eliminate any vibration of the work being cut.

When cutting conduit, pipe, or angle iron, clamp work in a vise if possible and saw close to the vise. To cut thin sheet materials, “sandwich” the material between hardboard or plywood and clamp the layers to eliminate vibration and material tearing. By doing this, the material will be cut smoothly. Lay out your pattern or line of cut on top of the “sandwich.”

NOTE: When cutting metal, keep exposed portion of saw blade clean and free of metal chips by wiping frequently with an oily cloth. Use extreme caution in disposing of oily cloth after completion of job to prevent potential fire hazard.

Fig. 11