Craftsman 315.22038 Basic Operation of the Radial ARM SAW, Types of Cuts, Crosscuts, RIP Cuts

BASIC OPERATION OF THE RADIAL ARM SAW

A radial arm saw can be used for straight-line cutting operations such as cross cutting, dpping, mitedng, beveling, compound cutting, and resawing. It can make dado or molding cuts with special attachments.

This saw is designed to cut wood and wood composi- tion products only.

The three-prong plug must be plugged into a match- ing outlet that is propedy installed and grounded according to all local codes and ordinances. Improper connection of the equipment can result in electric shock. Check with an electrician or service personnel if you are unsure about proper grounding. Do not modify the plug; if it will not fit the outlet, have the correct outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Refer to the Electrical page of this manual.

TYPES OF CUTS

See Figure 35.

The radial saw makes cross cuts parallel with the arm (across the grain), and dp cuts square to the arm (with the grain). Each can be made with the blade vertical or beveled. Instructions for making each kind of cut are given later in this section.

,_ WARNING: All blades and cutting accessodes must be rated for at least 5,000 rpm to prevent

possible injury.

CROSSCUTS

Cross cuts are made parallel to the arm. The blade is

pulled along the length of the radial arm with the wood secured.

There are several types of cross cuts. A cross cut shows 0" on the miter scale (arm straight) and 0" on the bevel scale (blade straight). A miter cut is made with the radial arm angled and the blade straight. A bevel cut is produced with the arm straight and the blade angled.

A final type of cross cut is the compound cross cut. Both the arm and the blade are angled. Be thoroughly familiar with making cross cuts, bevel cuts, and miter cuts before trying a compound miter cut.

Note: In cross cuts, the blade teeth point down as they strike the wood. In dp cuts, the teeth point up as they strike the wood.

AWARNING: NEVER make a cross cut with the short edge of the wood parallel to the fence. Kick back is likely to occur, causing the workpiece to be thrown back at you. Treat such a workpiece as a rip cut.

RIP CUTS

In rip cuts, the yoke is rotated 90 ° left or dght and locked in place. The wood must dde firmly against the rip fence. There are two orientations of dp cuts - the in-rip and the out-rip. The in-rip position provides better visibility.Out-dp cuts can also be made with the blade beveled.

In an in-dp cut, the yoke is rotated to the left, which puts the blade in between the column and the motor. The wood is fed from the dght hand side.

In an out-rip cut, the blade is in front of the motor, and the wood is fed from the left. Out-dpcutting is recom-

mended only when the blade is set 12 in. or more from the fence.

A WARNING: Always make sure the blade guard and anti-kickback pawls are in place and working properly when making rip cuts to avoid possible injury.

_1, WARNING: Always use a pushstick with small pieces of wood, and also to finish the cut when

ripping a long narrow piece of wood, to prevent your hands from getting close to the blade.

CROSSCUT

Q __ MITERCUT

BEVELCUT

COMPOUNDCROSSCUT

__RIP CUT

Q ___BEVEL RiP CUT

Fig. 35

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