Craftsman 315.220381 Basic Operation of the Radial ARM SAW, Types of Cuts, Cross Cuts, RIP Cuts

BASIC OPERATION OF THE RADIAL ARM SAW

A radial arm saw can be used for straight-linecutting operations such as cross cutting,ripping, mitering, 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 properly installed and grounded according to all local codes and ordinances. Improper connection of the equipment can result in electric shook. 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 rip cuts square to the arm (with the grain). Each can be made with the blade vertical or beveled, instructionsfor making each kind of cut are given later in this section.

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

possible injury.

CROSS CUTS

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 typos of cross cuts. A cross out shows O"on the miter scale (arm straight) and O"on the bevel scale (blade straight). A mitercutis made with the radial arm angled and the blade straight. A bevel cut is produced with the arm straight and the blade angled.

Afinal 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 rip cuts, the teeth point up as they strike the wood.

_&, WARNING: NEVER make a cross cut with the short edge of the wood parallel to the fence. Kick back is likely to occur, causing the workpieca 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 right and locked in place. The wood must ride firmly against the rip fence. There are two orientationsof rip cuts - the in-ripandthe out-rip. The in-rip position provides better visibility.Out-rip cuts can also be made with the blade beveled,

In an in-rip 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 right hand side.

In an out-rip cut, the blade is in front of the motor, and the wood is fed from the left. Out-rip cutting is recom- mended only when the blade is set 12 in. or more from the fence.

,_. 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.

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

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

CROSSCUT

Q _'__BEVEL CUT

COMPOUNDCROSSCUT

Q __ RiPCUT

@	s v,,R,PCuT
	Fig. 35

43DIAFTSMIIIFRADIALSAW315.220381