WEN BA1487 - 14-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand Manual

INTRODUCTION

We know you are excited to put your tool to work, but first, please take a moment to read through the manual. Safe operation of this tool requires that you read and understand this operator's manual and all the labels affixed to the tool. This manual provides information regarding potential safety concerns, as well as helpful assembly and operating instructions for your tool.

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning, or caution. The safety symbols and the explanations with them deserve your careful attention and understanding. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury. However, please note that these instructions and warnings are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures.

NOTE: The following safety information is not meant to cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. WEN reserves the right to change this product and specifications at any time without prior notice.

At WEN, we are continuously improving our products. If you find that your tool does not exactly match this manual, please visit wenproducts.com for the most up-to-date manual or contact our customer service at 1-800-232-1195.

Keep this manual available to all users during the entire life of the tool and review it frequently to maximize safety for both yourself and others.

SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works. The term "power tool" in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.

WORK AREA SAFETY

1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

1. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
2. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
3. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
4. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
5. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
6. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
2. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a respiratory mask, non-skid safety shoes and hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce the risk of personal injury.
3. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
4. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
6. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
7. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE

1. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
2. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
3. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
4. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
5. Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
7. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits, etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
8. Use clamps to secure your workpiece to a stable surface. Holding a workpiece by hand or using your body to support it may lead to loss of control.
9. KEEP GUARDS IN PLACE and in working order.

SERVICE

1. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities may contain chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-based paints.
• Crystalline silica from bricks, cement, and other masonry products.
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, work in a well-ventilated area with approved safety equipment such as dust masks specially designed to filter out microscopic particles. and the warning labels.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR YOUR BAND SAW

Do not operate the power tool until you have read and understood the following instructions and the warning labels.

SAW BLADE SAFETY

1. Always wear protective gloves when handling saw blades.
2. Only use blades with correct size and type for both your band saw and your workpiece.
   • See the blade specifications.
   • Make sure the blade is installed in the proper direction.
3. Never use damaged or deformed saw blades. Only use sharp blades.
4. Install the saw blade in the correct orientation indicated in the instructions (see "Changing the Saw Blade").
5. Keep hands out of path of saw blade. Never use your hands to remove sawdust or scrap wood. Use a brush at all times.
6. Never reach around saw blade or reach in back of the saw blade.
7. The use of accessories or attachments not recommended by the manufacturer may result in a risk of personal injury.

PERSONAL SAFETY

1. Operate in a well ventilated area. Keep the floor area around the band saw level and free of slippery substances or other tripping hazards.
2. Wear ANSI Z87.1-approved safety goggles to protect your eyes from saw dust. Use hearing protection to protect yourself from hearing loss.
3. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to pacemakers could cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure.
4. Wear work gloves when handling saw blades. DO NOT wear gloves, neckties, jewelry, or loose clothing while operating the saw.
5. Saw dust is harmful to your health. Use NIOSH-approved dust masks or other respiratory protection during operation and cleaning.
6. Always turn off and unplug the band saw before making any adjustments or repair tasks. Never adjust the band saw or the workpiece while the saw is running.
7. Only use the band saw to cut wood.

PREPARING THE BAND SAW

1. When transporting the band saw, never carry the device by its guards or its accessories.
2. Examine the band saw for any damaged or missing parts. Replace or repair damaged parts before operation. Periodically check that all nuts, bolts and other fasteners are properly tightened.

SECURE YOUR WORKPIECE

1. To avoid blade binding or loss of control, always secure the workpiece to a stable platform, ensuring that body exposure is minimized.
2. Ensure that work is correctly supported. Supports must be placed under the workpiece on both sides, close to the line of cut and near the edge of the workpiece.
3. For accuracy of cut, and to avoid blade binding, always use a rip fence or straight edge guide.
4. Use extra caution with very large, very small, or awkwardly-shaped workpieces. Small pieces should be secured with clamps. Do not hold small pieces with your hand because your fingers might go under the blade guard.
5. Never hand-hold a workpiece that is too small to be clamped, as it can be launched away and cause injury. Use proper support and guides to secure the small workpiece.
6. Support round work properly (use a V block or press it against the miter gauge) to prevent it from rolling and the blade from biting.
7. Plan intricate or small work carefully to avoid pinching the blade. Avoid awkward operations and hand positions to prevent accidental contact with the blade.

DURING CUTTING OPERATIONS

1. Always stand to one side when operating the saw. Never have any part of the body in line with the path of the saw. Never hold a workpiece in your hand or across your legs while cutting.
2. Ensure hands are away from the cutting area and blade.
3. Feed work into the blade against the direction of rotation of the blade only.
4. If you are interrupted when operating the saw, complete the process and switch the saw off before looking up.
5. Power tools must always be held by the insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation, ensuring protection if the cutting tool makes contact with its own cord or hidden wiring. Contact with a 'live' wire will make exposed metal parts of the power tool 'live' and shock the operator if the insulated gripping surfaces are not used.
6. Do not use the band saw unless all guards are in place. Do not operate with any guard disabled, damaged, or removed. Moving guards must move freely and close instantly.
7. Blade guide, supports, bearings, and blade tension must be properly adjusted to avoid accidental blade contact and to minimize blade breakage. To maximize blade support, always adjust the upper blade guide and blade guard so that it barely clears the workpiece.
8. Turn on the band saw and let it reach full speed, then slowly slide the workpiece into the blade. This will help produce safer and cleaner cuts.
9. Never cut more than one piece at a time. Do not stack workpieces together. Do not attempt to cut material thicker than specified in this manual. Adjust the upper blade guide to suit the thickness of the workpiece.
10. If a cut does not extend to the edge of the workpiece, or if the blade binds in the cut, allow the blade to come to a complete stop and lift the workpiece away from the blade.
11. Turn off tool and wait for saw blade to stop before moving workpiece or changing settings. Do not slow or stop a blade with a piece of wood or by hand. Let the blade come to rest naturally. Do not attempt to free a jammed blade while the machine is still running and connected to power.
12. Always adjust the upper blade guide to cover the blade after use.

ELECTRICAL INFORMATION

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides the path of least resistance for an electric current and reduces the risk of electric shock. This tool is equipped with an electric cord that has an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug MUST be plugged into a matching outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with ALL local codes and ordinances.

1. Do not modify the plug provided. If it will not fit the outlet, have the proper outlet installed by a licensed electrician.
2. Improper connection of the equipment grounding conductor can result in electric shock. The conductor with the green insulation (with or without yellow stripes) is the equipment grounding conductor. If repair or replacement of the electric cord or plug is necessary, DO NOT connect the equipment grounding conductor to a live terminal.
3. Check with a licensed electrician or service personnel if you do not completely understand the grounding instructions or whether the tool is properly grounded.
4. Use only three-wire extension cords that have three-pronged plugs and outlets that accept the tool's plug. Repair or replace a damaged or worn cord immediately.
   

In all cases, make certain the outlet in question is properly grounded. If you are not sure, have a licensed electrician check the outlet.

GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTENSION CORDS

When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. The table below shows the correct size to be used according to cord length and ampere rating. When in doubt, use a heavier cord. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord.

1. Examine extension cord before use. Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good condition. Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualified person before using it.
2. Do not abuse extension cord. Do not pull on cord to disconnect from receptacle; always disconnect by pulling on plug. Disconnect the extension cord from the receptacle before disconnecting the product from the extension cord. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat and damp/wet areas.
3. Use a separate electrical circuit for your tool. This circuit must not be less than a 12-gauge wire and should be protected with a 15A time-delayed fuse. Before connecting the motor to the power line, make sure the switch is in the OFF position and the electric current is rated the same as the current stamped on the motor nameplate. Running at a lower voltage will damage the motor.

UNPACKING & PACKING LIST

Do not plug in or turn on the tool until it is fully assembled according to the instructions. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury.

UNPACKING

With the help of a friend or trustworthy foe, carefully remove the band saw from the packaging. Make sure to take out all contents and accessories. Do not discard the packaging until everything is removed. Check the packing list below to make sure you have all of the parts and accessories. If any part is missing or broken, please contact our customer service at 1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8-5 CST), or email techsupport@wenproducts.com.

PACKING LIST

1. Band Saw (1)
2. Guide Rail (1)
3. Table with Insert (1)
4. Rip fence (1)
5. Short Brace (2)
6. Leg (4)
7. Long Brace (2)
8. Miter Gauge (1)
9. Accessory Tools (1)
10. Knob (4)
11. Hook with Hex Nut (1)
12. Push Stick (1)

Circle Cutting Accessories:

13. Sliding Bracket
14. Center Pin
15. Lock Knob A
16. Lock Knob B

Hardware Bag (Not Shown):

17. M8x12 Socket Head Bolts (8)
18. 8mm Flat Washers (12)
19. M6x12 Carriage Bolts (8)
20. 6mm Flat Washers (8)
21. M6 Hex Nut (8)
22. M4x10 Socket Head Bolts (2)

Tools Required for Assembly & Adjustments

The tools listed below are not included but are required for either assembly or adjustment.

• Two 13mm Open End Wrenches
• One Phillips Head Screw Driver
• One Combination Square

KNOW YOUR BAND SAW

TOOL PURPOSE

Band saws are used to cut wood. Refer to the following diagrams to become familiarized with all the parts and controls of your band saw. The components will be referred to later in the manual for assembly and operation instructions.

ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS

Do not plug in or turn on the tool until it is fully assembled according to the instructions. Read through and become familiarized with the following procedures of handling and adjusting your tool. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury.

TO ASSEMBLE THE STAND

1. Carefully place the band saw on its back as shown above (Fig. 2), either on the floor or on a workbench. Prop the bottom of the band saw up on a wooden block in order to have space to assembly the band saw's stand.
   
2. Attach legs to saw body using M8x12 socket head bolts and 8mm flat washers (Fig. 3).
   
3. Fix the short braces and the long braces by using M6x12 carriage bolts, 6mm flat washers and M6 hex nuts. DO NOT TIGHTEN THE NUTS (Fig. 4).
   
4. Place the band saw upright and tighten all nuts. Make sure there is no wobbling or tilting in the stand after fully tightening the nuts.

TO ASSEMBLE THE TABLE

1. After attaching the stand, assemble the table to the bandsaw by using M8x10 socket head bolts and 8mm flat washers (Fig. 5).
   
2. Make sure the saw blade is in the center of the table insert slot.
3. Install the guide rail, securing it with the four knobs to the table (Fig. 6).
   

INSTALLING THE ACCESSORY TOOLS

1. Install the accessory tools assembly to the frame by using M4x10 socket heat bolts (Fig. 7 - 1).
   
2. Secure the hook with a hex nut to the frame (Fig. 7 - 2).
3. Set the rip fence onto the table. Lock it in place with the Fence Lock (Fig. 8 - 1).
   
   NOTE: To reverse the rip fence, remove the fence from the rip fence by loosening the four bolts holding it to the rip fence, reversing the fence, and reattaching the bolts. (Fig. 9)
   
4. Set the miter gauge into the onboard storage along the base of the bandsaw (Fig. 8 - 2).
5. Set the push stick on the hook (Fig. 8 - 3, Fig. 7 - 2).

INSTALLING THE CIRCLE CUTTING GUIDE

1. Insert the center pin into the hole of the sliding bracket. Fix it with Lock Knob A. This center pin will serve as the pivot point for making circular cuts (Fig. 10).
   
2. Fix the sliding bar into the bearing bracket of the upper guard assembly. Slide it into the desired position and secure it with tightening Lock Knob B (Fig. 11).
   

Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unplugged before making any adjustments.

TILTING THE TABLE

1. Find and loosen the table bevel lock located in back under the saw table (Fig. 12 - 1).
   
2. Adjust the table to the desired angle using the table tilting knob (Fig. 12 - 2) and the angle indicator (Fig. 12 - 3).
3. Use the angle indicator to confirm the desired angle and tighten the lock handle.
   NOTE: A table perpendicular (90°) to the blade corresponds to a scale indication of 0°).

ADJUSTING THE SAW BLADE

If the blade does not run in the middle of the rubber tire band, the tracking needs to be corrected by adjusting the tilt of the upper band saw wheel.

1. Turn of the bandsaw and unplug it from the power supply. Open both the upper and lower wheel covers once the blade has stopped moving (Fig. 13).
   
2. Loosen the tracking lock knob (Fig. 14 - 1) and manually rotate the upper wheel, making sure not to touch the blade. Watch to see which direction the blade tends to veer off towards in order to best adjust the tracking set knob to resolve the problem.
   
3. Turn tracking set knob (Fig. 14 - 2) in the desired direction until the blade is centered over the upper and lower wheels. Spin the wheel manually to ensure that the blade is now running in the center.
4. Tighten the tracking lock knob and close the covers (Fig. 14 - 1).

ADJUSTING BLADE TENSION

If the tension in the blade is too high, it runs the risk of breaking. If the tension is too low, there is a risk of the blade slipping and stopping during a cut.

1. Raise the upper blade guide fully using the saw blade tension knob located on the top of the machine (Fig. 15 - 1). Take the blade width into consideration during the adjustment.
   
2. Check the tension by pushing with a finger against the side of the blade halfway between the table and the upper guide. The blade should not flex more than 2 mm.
3. Check the adjustment using the blade tension indicator on the inside of the upper housing. The scale indicates the correct adjustment for a certain width of blade. The indicator should be pointing towards the width of blade being used.
4. Turning the setting knob clockwise increases the blade tension while turning the setting knob counterclockwise decreases tension.
5. After achieving the desired tension, the tension release lever can be used to easily loosen and tighten the spindles without changing the amount of tension (Fig. 15 - 2).

ADJUSTING THE BLADE TENSION INDICATOR

The blade tension indicator can be adjusted for blades known to be cut over or under length by different manufacturers. With moderate tension on the blade, loosen the set screw (Fig. 16 - 1) and adjust the blade indicator up or down as needed. Retighten the set screw.

UPPER BLADE GUIDE ADJUSTMENT

The height of the upper blade guard should be adjusted prior to every operation to accommodate the height of the workpiece (the blade guard should be no more than one-fifth of an inch (3mm) from the upper edge of the workpiece).

1. Use the adjustment knob (Fig. 17 - 1) to adjust the height of the upper blade guide. Use the outer locking knob to secure the guard in place when it has reached the desired height.
   
2. Loosen the knobs on the side of the blade guard (Fig. 17 - 2 and 17 - 3) and adjust both the thrust and guide bearings so that they are positioned approximately 1/10 of one inch (2mm) or less (0.5mm for the guide bearing) away from the blade. The inside knob (Fig. 17 - 3) adjusts the thrust bearing, holding the back of the blade in place. The outside knob (Fig. 17 - 2) adjusts the guide bearings, moving the blade left and right.
3. Once desired adjustments have been achieved (when the bearings are all roughly 0.1 to 0.5 mm away from the blade) (Fig. 18, Fig. 19), tighten the knobs to secure the bearing guides in place.
   

LOWER BLADE GUIDE ADJUSTMENT

The lower blade guide must be adjusted after every blade change and tracking adjustment.

1. Loosen the set screw (Fig. 20 - 3) and move the entire lower blade guide. Adjust the guide bearing to a position of 1 to 2 mm from the bottom of the blade. Retighten the set screw (Fig. 20 - 3).
   
2. Loosen the socket head bolt (Fig. 20 - 1) and adjust the thrust bearing a position of.5 mm from the rear of the blade. Retighten the bolt (Fig. 20 - 1).
3. Loosen the bolt (Fig. 20 - 2) and adjust the guide bearing to a position.5 mm away from the blade. Retighten the bolt (Fig. 20 - 2).

ADJUSTING THE CUTTING SPEED

1. Open the lower cover. Slacken the driving belt (Fig. 22) by turning the drive belt tension setting knob (Fig. 23 - 1) clockwise.
   
2. Place the driving belt on the desired speed settings (Fig. 21) and retighten the drive belt tension setting knob.
   

CHANGING THE BAND SAW BLADE

The saw blade is dangerous. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the saw blade in any situation.

1. Loosen the four lock knobs for the guide rail. Remove the guard rail by loosening the four lock knobs located underneath (Fig. 24 - 1).
   
2. Open the upper cover and the lower cover. Set the upper blade guide to its lowest position.
3. Loosen the quick release lever until the bandsaw blade has sufficient enough slack.
4. Remove the bandsaw blade from the machine. Fit a fresh bandsaw blade and center the bandsaw blade on the rubber tracking on each of the bandsaw wheels.
   
5. Tighten the quick release lever. After manually spinning the wheels to make sure the blade has been centered properly, replace the guide rail to its original lever and close the upper and lower cover.
   
6. Align the saw blade, adjust the blade tension and adjust the upper and lower blade guides before operation.

OPERATION

WARNINGS & SUGGESTIONS

• Do not touch the saw blade when cutting.
• During saw operation, wear safety glasses but do not wear gloves.
• Cut only one workpiece at a time.
• Always hold the workpiece down on the table.
• Do not jam any workpieces.
• Do not try to slow the blade down by pushing the work piece against the saw blade from the side.
• When straight cutting against the fence, use a push stick.
• Use a work support when cutting long stock to avoid pieces from falling down after the cut has been completed.
• Use a dust collector and regularly empty the dust collection drawer.
• When cutting round stock, make sure the piece is a secure as possible.
• Before starting, check that the saw blade and the upper and lower blade guides are in proper working order.
• Replace damaged parts immediately.
• Assume the correct working position (the blade's teeth should be pointing towards the operator).
• Take all necessary precautions to avoid kickback during operation.

ON/OFF SWITCH

1. To turn the saw ON, move the switch to the up position (Fig. 27 - 1).
   
2. To turn the saw OFF, move the switch to the down (OFF) position.
3. To lock the switch in the OFF position:
   1. Wait until the band saw has come to a complete stop.
   2. Remove the safety key from the switch housing. Store the safety key in a safe place.
4. To unlock the switch and turn the saw ON, insert the safety key into the switch, and move the switch to the ON position.

LED WORK LIGHT

The work light switch is independent and may be turned ON or OFF separately from the band saw switch. The LED switch is a smaller switch located directly above the main ON/OFF switch (Fig. 27 - 2).

REVERSING THE RIP FENCE

The rip fence can be used on both sides of the blade. When the rip fence is to be moved from one side of the saw blade to the other, the fence needs to be reversed using the following steps:

1. Loosen and remove the two knobs (Fig. 28 - 1).
   
2. Take off the fence with bolts from the fence support.
3. Assemble fence with bolts to the other side of fence support.
4. Replace the two knobs.

To change the height of the fence, loosen the two knobs, slide the fence out from the fence support, rotate the fence 90°, insert the lock screw into the other groove of the fence, and finally retighten the two knobs.

The fence can be adjusted parallel with the side of the blade by loosening the two socket bolts (Fig. 28 - 2)

USING THE MITER GAUGE

1. Place the miter gauge into the slot on the table. (Fig. 29)
   
2. Loosen the knob on the gauge to set a new miter angle (between 0 and 60 degrees).
3. Tighten the knob firmly before cutting begins.

USING THE PUSH STICK

The push stick serves as an extension of the hand and protects against accidental contact with the saw blade. The push stick must be used if the distance between the bandsaw blade and the rip fence is less than 5.9 inches. When the push stick is not used, it can be stored on the hook provided on the bandsaw frame (Fig. 31). Replace the push stick if damaged.

GENERAL CUTTING

Operating a band saw involves a certain amount of hazard. Read the instructions and plan your work before cutting a workpiece.

1. Use scrap lumber to check the settings and to get the feel of operating the band saw before attempting regular work.
2. Do not turn the power on before all adjustments have been made. Check to make sure the upper guard is in place. Always keep the upper blade guard close to your work, approximately 1/8" (3.2 mm) above the workpiece.
3. Do not force the workpiece against the blade. Light contact permits easier cutting and prevents unwanted friction and heating of the blade. Sharp saw blades need little pressure for cutting. Steadily move the workpiece against the blade without forcing it.
4. It is recommended that a dust collection bag be connected to the dust port when sawing wood.
5. Use the band saw for straight line operations such as cross-cutting, ripping, miter cutting, beveling, compound cutting, and resawing.
6. To avoid twisting the blade, do not turn sharp corners; instead, saw around corners. A band saw is basically a "curve-cutting" saw. It is not capable of doing intricate inside cutting as can be done with a scroll saw.

Do not use this band saw to cut ferrous metals.

CONNECT A DUST COLLECTOR

The band saw provides a dust port for collecting various size hoses. It should be connected with a dust collector during any sawing operations. Excess debris gets collected into the dust drawer underneath which should be routinely cleaned out. Dust port sizes include 1-3/4 inches, 2-3/4 inches, and 3-3/4 inches.

CUTTING CURVES WITH THE CIRCLE CUTTING GUIDE

To make a circular cut, use as narrow of a saw blade as is necessary for the radius of the circle.

1. Draw a circle and its center point on the wood workpiece (Fig. 34).
   
2. Set the fence to the desired position where the saw blade is in line to the tangent of the circle mark, keeping the wood work piece guided by the fence. Turn on the bandsaw and cut off the workpiece (Fig. 34).
3. Put the remainder of the workpiece with the circle mark onto the table. Align the point of tangency to the saw blade teeth. Set the center pin in the center of the circle, fixing it in place with the tightening knob (Fig. 35 - 1). Turn on the bandsaw, slowly rotate and feed the workpiece into the saw blade.
   
4. Aside from circles, this cutting accessory can also help you easily cut out round corners (Fig. 36).
   

MAINTENANCE

To avoid accidents, turn OFF and unplug the tool from the electrical outlet before cleaning, adjusting, or performing any maintenance work.

Any attempt to repair or replace electrical parts on this tool may be hazardous. Servicing of the tool must be performed by a qualified technician. When servicing, use only identical WEN replacement parts. Use of other parts may be hazardous or induce product failure.

ROUTINE INSPECTION

Before each use, inspect the general condition of the tool. If any of these following conditions exist, do not use until parts are replaced or the saw is properly repaired.

Check for:

• Loose hardware,
• Misalignment or binding of moving parts,
• Damaged cord/electrical wiring,
• Cracked or broken parts, and
• Any other condition that may affect its safe operation.

CLEANING & STORAGE

1. Keep the ventilation openings free from dust and debris to prevent the motor from overheating. NOTE: Always use a dust collection system. This will help prevent sawdust from building up inside the band saw.
2. Wipe the tool surfaces clean with a clean cloth. Make sure water does not get into the tool. Remove any pitch, sap, or resin that has accumulated on the table, blade guide, bearings, etc. using a damp cloth.
   
   Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents. Do not use any solvents or cleaning products that could damage the plastic parts. Some of these include but are not limited to: gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, chlorinated cleaning solvents, and household detergents that contain ammonia.
3. At least once a month, open the doors and vacuum out any accumulated dust, shavings, etc. Remove the blade and clean off any built-up sawdust from the wheels and tires using a stiff brush.
4. At least once a month, check the V-belt for proper tension and any signs of wear.
5. Store the tool in a clean and dry place away from the reach of children. Store in temperatures between 41° to 86°F.
6. Cover the band saw in order to protect it from dust and moisture. Keep the instruction manual and all accessories nearby.
7. If you do not plan to use the band saw for a long period of time (over 1 week), release tension on the blade. This will help prolong blade life.

LUBRICATION

1. As needed, apply a light coat of good-quality paste wax to the table. This will help provide a smooth gliding surface for your workpieces.
2. As needed, apply a light coat of dry lubricant (PTFE works well) to the space between the table bevel brackets and the base bracket. This will help ensure that the table bevels easily.
3. The bearings on your band saw are permanently sealed and lubricated, and require no additional lubrication.

NEED HELP? CONTACT US!

Have product questions? Need technical support? Please feel free to contact us:

1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8AM-5PM CST) | TECHSUPPORT@WENPRODUCTS.COM

Your new tool has been engineered and manufactured to WEN's highest standards for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, this product will supply you years of rugged, trouble-free performance. Pay close attention to the rules for safe operation, warnings, and cautions. If you use your tool properly and for its intended purpose, you will enjoy years of safe, reliable service.

For replacement parts and the most up-to-date instruction manuals, visit WENPRODUCTS.COM

To purchase accessories for your tool, visit WENPRODUCTS.COM

Woodcutting Bandsaw Blade (Models BB9912, BB9925, BB9950)