General Cutting Tips; Cutting Metal - Craftsman 320.17235 Operator's Manual

GENERAL CU'I-rlNG TIPS
1. Always place the best or "finished" side of your workpiece "face down" so it does not get
scraped or abused while sawing. ALWAYS CLAMP workpiece securely before sawing.
2. Draw your cutting lines, patterns or designs on the "backside" facing you. This means
they would be reversed or backwards from the way they will appear on the
"finished" side.
3. Always select the correct blade type for your cutting application.
4. Place front edge of saw base on the material to be cut and line up the blade with your
cutting line.
5. Hold saw firmly and turn it on. Let blade reach selected speed before starting cut.
6. Press down (to keep saw base flat against the workpiece) as you slowly push the saw
in the direction of the cut.
7. Gradually build up the blade speed, cutting as close to the line as possible (unless you
want to leave enough room for finished sanding).
8. As you cut, you may need to reposition the vise or clamps to keep the workpiece stable.
9. DO NOT force the saw because the blade teeth may rub and wear without cutting,
which may result in breaking the blade.
10. Let the saw do most of the work.
11. ALWAYS cut slowly when following curves, so the blade can cut through cross grain.
This will provide an accurate cut and will prevent the blade from wandering.
NOTE: ALWAYS apply a steady firm "DOWN" pressure on the front and body of the
saw as you cut.This will keep the saw blade from JUMPING out of the workpiece.
WARNING:
ALWAYS clamp and support workpiece securely. ALWAYS
maintain proper control of saw. Failure to clamp and support workpiece and
loss of control of saw could result in serious injury,
CUTTING METAL
When cutting metal ALWAYS clamp down the metal workpiece and ALWAYS use a
METAL cutting blade. Be extremely careful to move the saw very slowly as you cut. Use
the LOW speeds (Position 1,2 or 3 on the variable speed dial). Also use the "LOW"
position on the orbital control lever. DO NOT twist, bend or force the blade. If the saw
jumps or bounces as you cut, change to a blade with finer teeth. If the blade begins to
clog when cutting soft metal, change to a blade with coarser teeth.
For easier cutting, lubricate the blade with a stick of cutting wax (if available) or cutting oil
when cutting steel. Thin metal should be sandwiched between two pieces of wood or
tightly clamped on a single piece of wood (wood on top of the metal). Draw the cut lines
or design on the top piece of wood.
When cutting aluminum extrusion or angle iron, clamp the work in a bench vise and saw
close to the vise jaws.
When sawing tubing with a diameter larger than the blade is deep, cut through the wall of
the tubing and then insert the blade into the cut, rotating the tube as you saw.
1. When cutting metals, a suitable cooling / cutting oil must be used.
2. Spread the oil onto the blade or workpiece at regular intervals during cutting in order to
reduce wear or overheating of the blade.
3. Don't make bevel cut when cutting metal.
WARNING:
ALWAYS unplug saw from the power source BEFORE
making any adjustments or attaching accessories,
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