Changing The Saw Blade - Axminster SBW3501B Instruction Manual

Operating Instructions
in hand. Change the blade if necessary. Check the blade
is not damaged; is clean, sharp, tracks properly and is
correctly tensioned.
3. Set the upper blade guide to approximately 12mm
(1/2") above the height of the work piece.
4. Check, especially on site, that there are no foreign
objects e.g. old nails, screws, small stones etc
embedded in the material you are about to cut.
5. Check that all accessories, tools etc., that have been
used to set the machine up, are removed and set
carefully aside or stowed away correctly.
6. Ensure the machine is switched off. Plug the power
cable into a correctly rated switched socket outlet. If
extension leads are being used, check these for damage,
do not use if damaged; if you are working outside, check
that any extension cables in use are rated for outside
work. Switch on. Allow the saw to run up to speed.
7. Make sure that the material you are about to cut is
within the machine's capacity, and the cut you are
about to make is within the blades' capabilities, e.g.
do not try to cut a 1" radius curve using a 5/8" blade.
8. Make sure the blade is not in contact with the material
when you start the saw. Start the cutting operation. Do
not try to cut too quickly; the correct cutting speed, if one
could be so precise, would never see the blade pushed
back against the thrust be aring, the saw would cut and
clear the saw line at the rate the work piece was fed into
it. If you notice that you require more and more pressure
to effect the cut, and the blade is in continual contact
with the thrust bearing, the chances are the blade is
becoming blunt. Check and change if necessary.
Do not let go of the work piece, if you have to change
your grip, make sure one hand is holding the material at
all times.

Changing the Saw Blade

Put the table back to the level position if it has been
tilted. Set the upper blade guide assembly approximately
midway in the throat. Open the top and bottom covering
doors and remove the table insert.
Remove the table stabilising bolt, release the blade
tension by pulling the quick release lever towards you,
see fig 83, the blade can be easily slipped off the wheels.
Remove the blade carefully, 'wiggling' it clear of the upper
blade guard and through the plastic lower blade guard
9. If you are cutting long pieces of material think about
sawing cutouts (i.e. a saw cut from the edge of the
material to the saw line) along the saw line so that you
can discard the off cuts as you progress down the saw
line.
10. Observe the old woodworkers' adage of never
allowing your hand/fingers within one handbreadth
of the blade.
11. If you have to cut very small pieces of material,
arrange or manufacture some form of 'shoe' to carry
the timber. If the work piece is exceptionally small, find
something to use as a sacrificial carrier and mount the
work piece on it with double sided tape, or similar.
12. Remember to check the blade tension after a new
blade has been 'working' for 30-60 mins. The blade will
'stretch' slightly when new.
13. Do not release the tension on the saw blade when
work is complete. The blades and the main saw frame
do not respond kindly to constant changes in stress and
tension. Only release the tension to change the blade or
once work has finished for the day. The blade in tension
over a long period of non-use will cause the tyres to
develop 'flat' spot. Open the saw cut, either by pulling
apart or driving a wedge in close to the back of the blade.
Try to wriggle the blade free of the saw. If this is not
possible; check that the saw is free in the cut, start the
saw, allow it to run up to speed and 'cut out' as quickly as
possible. The removal of the 'off cut' may well prevent the
saw jamming again if you resume the original cut).
WARNING! IF THE SAW JAMS!
SWITCH OFF IMMEDIATELY.
and out through the slot in the table. NOW is an excellent
time to clean out the interior of the machine; remove the
impacted 'crud' from the tyres, apply a little light oil to the
screw threads of the blade and drive belt tensioners and
the tracking control. The pivots and the slides of the top
wheel mounting assembly and the captive stub axle of
the drive belt tensioner in its slot could likewise be lightly
oiled. If you are fitting a new blade, it will have been
supplied to you "folded" , bound together in this
configuration with tape or tie wrap.
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