Metal Cutting - Craftsman 320.17196 Operator's Manual

12.
13.
Release the trigger switch. Allow the saw to come to a complete stop
before removing the blade from the workpiece.
If sawing fiberglass, plaster, wallboard, or spackling compound, clean the
motor vents frequently with a vacuum or compressed air. These materials are
highly abrasive and may accelerate the wear on motor bearings and brushes.
NOTE: Cutting speeds should vary with the workpiece. Hard materials, such as
metals, require lower speeds; for softer materials use higher speeds.
_, WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with the saw to make you careless. One
careless fraction of a second is enough to inflict serious injury.
PLUNGE CUTTING (Fig.11)
Your Craftsman reciprocating saw is ideal for plunge cutting directly into
Fig. 11
surfaces that cannot be cut from an edge, such as walls or floors. Plunge cutting
may be done two ways, depending on how the blade is inserted. Column A
shows how to plunge cut with the teeth of the blade facing down. Column B
shows how to plunge cut with the teeth of the blade facing up.
_, WARNING: Do not plunge cut into metal surfaces.
1. Unplug the saw
2. Insert the blade into the tool. If the blade was inserted with the teeth facing
down toward the lower surface of the tool, hold the tool as shown in Column
A, resting the edge of the shoe on the workpiece. If the blade was inserted
with the teeth facing up toward the upper surface of the tool, hold the tool
as shown in Column B, resting the edge of the shoe on the workpiece as
shown.
3. With the tip of the blade just above the workpiece, pull the trigger and allow
the tool to come to the desired speed.
4. Carefully pivot the tool on the edge of the shoe, so that the moving saw
blade pierces the workpiece.
5. As the blade starts cutting, continue to pivot the tool until the entire shoe
rests firmly on the workpiece. The guide the tool along your cutting line to
make the desired cut.
NOTE: To make plunge cutting easier, use a heavy gauge blade and install the
blade with the teeth facing upward as show in column B.
_, WARNING: To reduce the risk of explosion, electric shock and property
damage, always check the work area for hidden gas pipes, electrical wires or
water pipes when making blind or plunge cut.
6. Release the trigger switch. Allow the saw to come to a complete stop before
removing the blade from the workpiece.
,_, WARNING: To avoid loss of control and serious injury, make sure that the
blade reaches maximum speed before touching it to the workpiece.
A_, WARNING: Do not make plunge cuts in metal materials.
METAL CUTTING
The saw can be used to cut metals, such as sheet steel, pipe, steel rods,
aluminum, brass, and copper. Be careful not to twist or bend the saw blade. Do
not force.
The use of cutting oil is recommended when cutting soft metals and steel. Cutting
oil will keep the blade cool, increase cutting action, and prolong blade life.
_, WARNING: Never use gasoline, because normal sparking could ignite the
fumes.
1. Securely clamp the workpiece in position, and make the cut close to the
clamping point in order to minimize workpiece vibration.
2. When cutting conduit pipe or angle iron, clamp the workpiece in a vise, if
possible, and cut close to the vise.
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