Plunge Cutting
Plunge cutting is used when the cut does not start at the edge of the workpiece; it starts in the middle of the workpiece. There is a wide variety of applications for plunge cuts. The example shown below is for insetting a maple butcherblock into an existing countertop. A square cutout is made in the middle of the countertop, and the butcherblock piece is inserted into the cutout.
Notes
►Always use the guide stop when making a plunge cut to prevent an unexpected kickback (see page 15).
►Whenever possible, put the guide rail on the side of the cut that will be saved. If the guide rail is placed on the offcut side, you must remember to account for the blade thickness when positioning the guide rail (typically 2.2 mm).
►Whenever possible, set the saw depth to its maximum setting to minimize the amount of material that is not cut by the blade. Make sure there is nothing below the cut that you don’t want to cut into.
►Mark the beginning and end of the cut (red tape in picture below). If the blade is at full depth, there are index marks on the saw that indicate where the blade is positioned.
►For cuts similar to the example below, support the offcut piece before cutting all four sides to prevent it from breaking the corners. Trim the corners (see image to the left) with a handsaw.
General Procedure
1.Place the guide rail on the cutline.
2.Place the saw on the guide rail, and position it at the start of the cut.
3.Install the guide stop on the guide rail, slide it up to the back of the saw, and lock it in place.
4.Start the saw and slowly plunge it down.
5.Advance the saw through the cut until the end is reached. Never back the saw up, as this can result in a kickback.
Instruction Manual | 19 |
