Operating Instructions - Makita 3901 Instruction Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Dust bag (Fig. 1)
When the dust bag is about half full, switch off and unplug the tool. Remove the dust bag from the tool and pull
the bag's fastener out. Empty the dust bag by tapping it lightly.
Note: If you connect a Makita vacuum cleaner to your plate joiner, more efficient and cleaner operations can
be performed.
Adjusting the depth of cut (Fig. 2)
6 cutting depths can be preset. Rotate the stopper until the pointer points to the appropriate size marked on
the stopper. Refer to the table below for the correspondence between the sizes marked on the stopper and the
biscuit size. Fine adjustments to the cutting depth can be made by turning the adjusting screw after loosening
the hex nut.
Size on stopper
Biscuit size
Depth of cut
Angle guide (Fig. 3 & 4)
The angle guide can be moved up and down to
adjust the position of the blade in relation to the top of
the workpiece. To adjust the angle guide height,
loosen the lock lever and rotate the knob until the
pointer points to the desired scale graduation marked
on the angle guide. Then tighten the lock lever to
secure the angle guide. The scale on the angle guide
indicates the distance from the top of the workpiece
to the center of the blade thickness.
Fence (Fig. 5 & 6)
The angle of the fence can be adjusted between 0°
and 90° (positive stops at 0°, 45° and 90°). To adjust
the angle, loosen the lock lever and tilt the fence until
the pointer points to the desired graduation on the
angle scale. Then tighten the lock lever to secure the
fence. When the fence is set at 90°, both the distance
from the center of the blade thickness to the fence
and the distance from the center of the blade thick-
ness to the bottom of the base are 10 mm.
Set plate (Fig. 7 & 8)
Use the set plate as shown in Fig. 7 & 8 when cutting
slots in thin workpieces.
Switching ON and OFF (Fig. 9)
CAUTION:
Before plugging in the tool, always check to see that
the switch actuates properly and returns to the "OFF"
position when the "OFF" side of the switch lever is
depressed.
To switch on, slide the switch lever toward the "ON"
position.
To switch off, depress the "OFF" side of the switch
lever.
0 10
0 10
8 mm 10 mm
How to make joints
To make joints, proceed as follows:
1. Fit the two workpieces together as they will
appear in the finished joint position. Corner Joint
(Fig. 10), T-Butt Joint (Fig. 11), Miter Joint
(Fig. 12), Frame Joint (Fig. 13) and Edge-To-
Edge Joint (Fig. 14).
2. Mark the center of the intended biscuit slots on
the workpiece using a pencil.
(Note)
• The center of slots should be at least 50 mm from
the outer edge of the workpieces.
• Allow 100 mm – 150 mm between slots in multiple
biscuit application.
3. For Corner Joint and T-Butt Joint only
(Fig. 15)
Clamp the vertical workpiece to the workbench.
For Miter Joint, Frame Joint and Edge-To-
Edge Joint only (Fig. 15)
Clamp one workpiece to the workbench.
4. Set the depth of cut according to the size of bis-
cuit to be used.
5. Adjust the angle guide height so that the blade is
centered in the board thickness.
6. Align the center mark on the base with the pencil
line on the workpiece. (Fig. 16)
7. Switch on the tool and gently push it forward to
extend the blade into the workpiece. (Fig. 16)
8. Gently return the tool to the original position after
the adjusting screw reaches the stopper.
9. For Corner Joint and T-Butt Joint only
(Fig. 15)
Clamp the horizontal workpiece to the work-
bench.
For Miter Joint, Frame Joint and Edge-To-
Edge Joint only (Fig. 15)
Clamp the other workpiece to the workbench.
20 S
20 —
12.3 mm 13 mm
D MAX
— —
14.7 mm 20 mm
9