Important Notice - Craftsman CMEE531 Instruction Manual

• Store idle tools out of the reach of children. Do not
allow persons unfamiliar with the tool or these
instructions to operate the tool. Tools are dangerous in
the hands of untrained users.
• Have your tool serviced by a qualified repair person
using only identical replacement parts. This will
ensure that the safety of the tool is maintained.
• DO NOT wrap the cord on the tool body
Persons Removing Paint Should Always
Follow These Guidelines:

WARNING: Extreme care should be taken when
stripping paint. The peelings, residue and vapors of
paint may contain lead, which is poisonous. Any
pre-1977 paint may contain lead and paint applied
to homes prior to 1950 is likely to contain lead. Once
deposited on surfaces, hand to mouth contact can
result in the ingestion of lead. Exposure to even low
levels of lead can cause irreversible brain and nervous
system damage; young and unborn children are
particularly vulnerable.
Before beginning any paint removal process you should
determine whether the paint you are removing contains
lead. This can be done by your local health department or by
a professional who uses a paint analyzer to check the lead
content of the paint to be removed. LEAD-BASED PAINT
SHOULD ONLY BE REMOVED BY A PROFESSIONAL AND
SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED USING A HEAT GUN. Persons
removing paint should follow these guidelines:
1. Move the workpiece outdoors. If this is not possible,
keep the work area well ventilated. Open the windows
and put an exhaust fan in one of them. Be sure the fan is
moving the air from inside to outside.
2. Remove or cover any carpets, rugs, furniture, clothing,
cooking utensils and air ducts.
3. Place drop cloths in the work area to catch any paint
chips or peelings. Wear protective clothing such as extra
work shirts, overalls and hats.
4. Work in one room at a time. Furnishings should be
removed or placed in the center of the room and
covered. Work areas should be sealed off from the rest
of the dwelling by sealing doorways with drop cloths.
5. Children, pregnant or potentially pregnant women and
nursing mothers should not be present in the work area
until the work is done and all clean up is complete.
6. Wear a dust respirator mask or a dual filter (dust and
fume) respirator mask which has been approved by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), the National Institute of Safety and Health
(NIOSH), or the United States Bureau of Mines. These
masks and replaceable filters are readily available at
major hardware stores. Be sure the mask fits. Beards
and facial hair may keep masks from sealing properly.
Change filters often. DisPOsABlE PAPER MAsKs ARE
nOT ADEQUATE.
7. Use caution when operating the heat gun. Keep the
heat gun moving as excessive heat will generate fumes
which can be inhaled by the operator.
8. Keep food and drink out of the work area. Wash hands,
arms and face and rinse mouth before eating or
drinking. Do not smoke or chew gum or tobacco in the
work area.
9. Clean up all removed paint and dust by wet mopping
the floors. Use a wet cloth to clean all walls, sills and
any other surface where paint or dust is clinging. DO
nOT sWEEP, DRY DUsT OR VACUUM. Use a high
phosphate detergent or trisodium phosphate (TSP) to
wash and mop areas.
10. At the end of each work session put the paint chips and
debris in a double plastic bag, close it with tape or twist
ties and dispose of properly.
11. Remove protective clothing and work shoes in the work
area to avoid carrying dust into the rest of the dwelling.
Wash work clothes separately. Wipe shoes off with a wet
rag that is then washed with the work clothes. Wash
hair and body thoroughly with soap and water.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

In order for this tool to be an effective paint stripper, it must
produce extremely high temperatures. As a consequence, the
stripper is capable of igniting paper, wood, paint and varnish
residue and similar materials.
As you become more familiar with the tool and develop the
proper technique, the danger of accidental ignition will be
greatly reduced. In establishing the proper technique, the best
thing to do is PRACTICE! Work on simple stripping projects,
preferably outdoors, until you get a "feel" for how to use your
stripper safely and effectively.
As You Practice, Observe the Following
Procedures for Safety
• Always be sure the tool is turned off and disconnected
from power supply when unattended.
• Clean the scraper blade often during use. Built up residue
on the blade is highly flammable.
• Experiment to find the optimum distance from the tool's
nozzle to the surface being stripped. This distance [1"–2"
(25.4 mm–50.8 mm)] will vary depending on the material
being removed.
• Keep the heat gun moving ahead of the scraper blade at
all times.
• As you work, clean up loose pieces of paint as they
accumulate around the work area.
• When working indoors, keep away from curtains, papers,
upholstery and similar flammable materials.
• Above all, remember that this is a serious tool that is
capable of producing excellent results when used properly.
Practice on simple projects until you feel comfortable
with your stripper. Only then will you have mastered the
proper technique.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE USE
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