Cutting Operations; Ripping; Avoid Kickback - Craftsman 137.218300 Operator's Manual

CUTTING OPERATIONS
There are two basic types of cuts: ripping and
crosscutting. Ripping is cutting along the length and the
grain of the workpiece. Crosscutting is cutting either
across the width or across the grain of the workpiece.
Neither ripping nor crosscutting may be done safely
freehand. Ripping requires the use of the rip fence, and
crosscutting requires the miter gauge.
Fig. V
Before using the saw each and every time, check
the following:
1. The blade is tightened to the arbor.
2. The bevel angle lock knob is tight.
3. If ripping, the fence is locked into position & is
parallel to the miter gauge groove.
4. The blade guard is in place and working properly.
5. Safety glasses are being worn.
The failure to adhere to these common safety rules,
and those printed in the front of this manual, can
greatly increase the likelihood of injury.
RIPPING (FIG. V, W)
To prevent serious injury:
• Never use a miter gauge when ripping.
• Do not allow familiarity or frequent use of your table
saw to cause careless mistakes. Remember that
even a careless fraction of a second is enough to
cause a severe injury.
• Keep both hands away from the blade and clear from
the path of the blade.
• The workpiece must have a straight edge against the
fence and must not be warped, twisted, or bowed
when ripping.
1. Remove the miter gauge and store it in the "storage"
compartment in the base of the saw.
2. Secure the rip fence to the table.
3. Raise the blade so it is about 1/8" higher than the top
of the workpiece.
4. Place the workpiece flat on the table and against the
fence. Keep the workpiece away from the blade.
5. Turn the saw ON and wait for the blade to come to
full speed.
6. Slowly feed the workpiece into the blade by pushing
forward only on the workpiece section (1) that will
pass between the blade and the fence. (Fig. V)
NOTE: Always use a push stick. When width of the rip is
narrower than 2" the push stick cannot be used because
the guard will interfere...therefore, use the auxiliary fence
so the push stick can be used as shown on page 20.
7. Keep your thumbs off the table top. When both of your
thumbs touch the front edge of the table (2), finish the
cut with a push stick. To make an additional push stick,
use the pattern on page 23.
8. The push stick (3) should always be used. (Fig. W)
9. Continue pushing the workpiece with the push stick (3)
until it passes through the blade guard and clears the
rear of the table.
10. Never pull the piece back when the blade is turning.
Turn the switch OFF. When the blade completely
stops, you can then remove the workpiece.
Fig. W
2 1
AVOID KICKBACK by pushing forward on the section
of the workpiece that passes between the blade and the
fence. Never perform any freehand operations.
IS