OPERATION
WARNING:
To avoid blade contact, adjust the blade guide assembly to just clear the workpiece. Failure to do so could result in serious personal injury.
BASIC OPERATION OF THE BAND SAW
A band saw is basically a “curve cutting” machine that can also be used for
This band saw is designed to cut wood and wood composition products only.
Before starting a cut, watch the saw run. If you experience excessive vibration or unusual noise, stop immediately. Turn the saw off, remove the switch key, and unplug the saw. Do not restart until locating and correcting the problem.
CUTTING PROCEDURES
■Hold the workpiece firmly against the saw table.
■Use gentle pressure and both hands when feeding the work into the blade. Do not force the work; allow the blade to cut.
■The smallest diameter circle that can be cut is determined by blade width. A 1/4 in. (6 mm) wide blade will cut a minimum diameter of
■Keep your hands away from the blade. Do not hand hold pieces so small your fingers will go under the blade guard.
■Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause serious injury from contact with the blade. Never place hands in blade path.
■Use extra supports (tables, saw horses, blocks, etc.) when cutting large, small or awkward workpieces.
■Never use a person as a substitute for a table extension or as additional support for a workpiece that is longer or wider than the basic saw table.
■When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your work so it will not pinch the blade. For example, a piece of molding must lay flat on the saw table. Workpieces must not twist, rock or slip while being cut.
When backing up the workpiece, the blade may bind in the kerf (cut). This is usually caused by sawdust clogging the kerf or when the blade comes out of the guides. If this happens:
■Wait until the saw has come to a full and complete stop.
■Place the switch in the OFF position then remove the switch key from the switch assembly. Store key in a safe place.
■Unplug the saw from the power source.
■Wedge the kerf open with a flat screwdriver or wooden wedge.
■Open front cover and turn the upper wheel by hand while backing up the workpiece.
RELIEF CUTS
Relief cuts are made when an intricate curve (too small a radius for the blade) is to be cut. Cut through a scrap section of the workpiece to curve in pattern line then carefully back the blade out. Several relief cuts should be made for intricate curves before following the pattern line as sections are cutoff of curve “relieving” blade pressure.
SCROLL CUTTING
For general type scroll cutting, follow the pattern lines by pushing and turning the workpiece at the same time. Do not try to turn the workpiece while engaged in the blade without pushing it – the workpiece could bind or twist the blade.
REMOVING JAMMED MATERIAL
Never remove jammed cutoff pieces until the blade has come to a full and complete stop.
■Place the switch in the OFF position, remove the switch key from the switch assembly.
■Unplug the saw from the power source before removing jammed material.
AVOIDING INJURY
■Make sure saw is level and does not rock. Saw should always be on a firm, level surface with plenty of room for handling and properly supporting the workpiece.
■Bolt saw to the support surface to prevent slipping, walking or sliding during operations like cutting long, heavy boards.
■Turn saw off, remove switch key, and unplug cord from the power source before moving the saw.
■Do not remove jammed cutoff pieces until blade has come to a full and complete stop.
■Choose the right size and style blade for the material and type of cut you plan to do.
■Make sure that the blade teeth point down toward the saw table, that the blade guides, thrust bearings, and blade tension are properly adjusted, that the blade guide knob is tight, and that no parts have excessive play.
■To avoid accidental blade contact, minimize blade breakage, and provide maximum blade support, always adjust the blade guide assembly to just clear the workpiece.
■Use only recommended accessories.
■With the exception of the workpiece and related support devises, clear everything off the saw table before turning the saw on.
■Properly support round materials such as dowel rods or tubing because they have a tendency to roll during a cut causing the blade to “bite”. To avoid this, always use a “V” block or clamp workpiece to a miter gauge
■Before removing loose pieces from the saw table, turn saw off and wait for all moving parts to stop.
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