dust buildup around motor and switch box.
•Keep blades sharp. Dull or nicked blades tend to “pound” and chew at the wood, causing kickbacks.
•Make sure the cutter guard works properly. With the switch off and key removed, pull the cutter guard open and let go. If the guard doesn’t smoothly swing closed, contact an Authorized Service Center.
•Don’t force the tool. It will do the job better and safer at the rate for which is was designed.
Push blocks and push sticks
Two plastic push blocks are supplied with your jointer/ planer. Use them when practical. The rubber sole of the push blocks give better traction with the wood than your hands do. If they become slippery, they can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol, paint thinner or sandpaper.
WARNING: Use rubbing alcohol or paint thinner only as described on their containers. Use only in well ventilated areas away from open flames, sparks or heat sources to prevent serious personal injury.
Push blocks can’t always be used. With larger work- pieces, you may have better control of the workpiece using your hands. Always make a test pass first to deter- mine which method gives you better control.
Before you make any cut, plan your hand positions. If a kickback should occur, plan so that your hands will not fall or be forced into the cutters.
Three Inch Rule (3")
Generally, if your hands are closer than three inches to the blade as you feed the wood, use push blocks. This gives extra protection to your hands by placing the push blocks between your hands and the cutters.
Always Use Push Blocks When Planing, Beveling Or Chamfering
When jointing, test for workpiece stability before actually jointing, and use push blocks when you can without sacri- ficing control.
Feeding the Workpiece (All Operations)
WARNING: Plan your work carefully. Use push- blocks for all jointing and planing operations for which such blocks are appropriate to prevent serious per- sonal injury.
•Support long workpieces at both infeed and outfeed, as shown on page 30.
•Feed with grain whenever possible. When necessary to feed against grain, take very light cuts and feed slowly to minimize workpiece splintering, breakage or dangerous kickback.
•Keep steady pressure down on table and back against fence.
•As leading edge of board passes by cutterhead, slightly shift pressure to above cutterhead and outfeed
table, away from infeed table. Keep pressure at out- feed table and near cutterhead for remainder of cut.
•Use
•Feed the board at a continuous rate until the cut is made along the entire length of the board. Any hesita- tion or stopping could cause a “step” on the edge of the board, resulting in an uneven edge as the cut is completed.
•If it is difficult to maintain steady rate, table or fence may need waxing (see Maintenance Section of man- ual.)
To Reduce the Risk of Injury From Jams, Slips Or Thrown Pieces (Kickbacks Or Throwbacks)
•Use this jointer/planer to cut only wood.
•Plan your hand placement so your fingers will not be anywhere a sudden slip could cause them to slide or fall into the cutter head. When using only one hold-
•Make sure the clamps and locks are tight and there is not excessive play in any parts.
•To reduce the risk of injury from thrown pieces, make sure the blades are properly installed and the cutter blade wedge screws are tight.
•Adjust the depth of cut to between 1/32 and 1/16 of an inch for best results in most operations. A deep cut makes feed- ing the wood harder and can cause the wood to kickback. To be sure you will make a depth of cut you planned, always lower the infeed table slightly farther than you wanted. Then, raise the table to the desired depth.
•Use The Right Tool. Don’t force tool or attachment to do a job it was not designed for.
Inspect your work area.
•Keep work area clean.
•Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents. Floor must not be slippery from wax or sawdust.
•To reduce the risk of burns or other fire damage, never use the jointer/planer near flammable liquids, vapors or gases.
•Before using the jointer/planer, clear the table of all objects not needed to feed the workpiece.
•To reduce the risk of injury, don’t do layout, assembly, or setup work on the jointer/planer.
•Maintain tools with care. Keep tools sharp and clean for best and safest performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
Plan your work
•Before trying a new or little used operation, carefully plan your hand placement. Make sure you have proper
•To reduce the risk of injury from unsafe accessories, use only recommended accessories.
27
