Skil BW9501-00 Owner's Manual page 24

Basic Operation
A band saw is basically a "curve cutting" machine that can also be used for straight-line cutting
operations like cross cutting, mitering, beveling, compound cutting, and resawing. When using
the band saw for straight line cutting, the user can install a fence using an appropriately sized
piece of wood clamped to the table with "C" clamps. It is not capable of making inside or non-
through cuts.
Before starting a cut, keep the saw running for several minutes. If you find excessive vibration
or unusual noise, stop immediately. Turn the saw off, remove the safety key, and unplug the
saw. Do not restart until the problem the problem is located and corrected.
Cutting Procedures
a. Hold the workpiece firmly against the saw table.
b. Use gentle pressure and both hands when feeding the work into the blade. Do not force the
work – allow the blade to cut.
c. Keep your hands away from the blade. Do not hold small workpieces by hand. There is an
increased risk of an injury resulted from accidental contact with the blade.
d. Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause serious
injury from contact with the blade. Never place hands in blade path.
e. Use extra supports (tables, sawhorses, blocks, etc.) when cutting large, small, or awkward
workpieces.
f. Never use a person as a substitute for a table extension or as additional support for a
workpiece that is longer or wider than the basic saw table.
g. When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your work so it will not pinch the blade.
For example, a piece of molding must lay flat on the saw table. Workpieces must not twist,
rock, or slip while being cut.
h. When backing up the workpiece, the blade may bind in the kerf (cut). This is usually caused
by sawdust clogging the kerf or when the blade comes out of the guides. If this happens:
Place the switch in the OFF position. Wait until the saw has come to a full and complete
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stop, then remove the safety key from the switch assembly. Store the key in a safe place.
Unplug the saw from the power source.
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Wedge the kerf open with a flat screwdriver or wooden wedge.
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Open the upper door and turn the upper wheel by hand while backing up the workpiece.
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Relief Cuts
Relief cuts are made when an intricate curve (too small a radius for the blade) is to be cut. Cut
through a scrap section of the workpiece to curve in pattern line then carefully back the blade
out. Several relief cuts should be made for intricate curves before following the pattern line as
sections are cut off of curve "relieving" blade pressure.
Cutting Curves
When cutting curves, carefully turn the workpiece so the blade follows without twisting. If the
curve is so sharp that you repeatedly back up and cut new kerf, use a narrower blade, or a
blade with more set (teeth further apart). When a blade has more set, the workpiece turns
easier but the cut is rougher.
When changing a cut, do not withdraw the workpiece from the blade. The blade may get
drawn off the wheels. To change a cut, turn the workpiece and saw out through the scrap
material area.
When cutting long curves, make relief cuts as you go along.
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