Operation; Basic Saw Operations; General Cutting; Cutting Curves - Craftsman 137.224120 Owner's Manual

3AS!C SAW OPERATIONS
ON/OFF" SWITCH (FIG. U)
he keyed switch is intended to prevent unauthorized
_seof the band saw.
To turn the band saw ON insert the yellow key (1) into
the key slot (2) in the center of the switch.
'.. Push the key firmly into the slot, then push switch
to the ON position to start the band saw.
I. To turn the band saw OFF push the switch to the
down position.
Remove the yellow switch key, when the saw has come
to a complete stop, by gently pulling it outward.
_emove the switch key whenever the saw is not in use.
_lace it in a safe place and out of reach of children.
=IG. U
_ENERAL CUTTING
or your safety, read and understand all GENERAL and
}PECtFIC SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS on pages 3 - 5 before
lsing the band saw.
)perating band saws involves a certain amount of hazard.
3efore attempting regular work, use scrap lumber to check
he settings, and to get the feet of operating the band saw.
:lead instructions and plan your work before cutting a
vorkpiece.
)o not turn the power ON until after you have made all
tdjustments, checked that the guard is in place, and turned
he wheel by hand to make sure all parts work properly.
\lways keep the guide assembly close to your work, 1/8"
_bove the workpiece.
)o not force the workpiece against the blade. Light contact
}ermits easier cutting and prevents unwanted friction and
leating of the blade.
Sharp saw blades need little pressure for cutting. Steadily
move the workpiece against the blade without forcing it.
To avoid twisting the blade, do not turn sharp corners or 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.
tt is also used for straight line operations such as crosscutting,
ripping, mitering, beveling, compound cutting, and resawing.
To avoid blade breakage, fire or other damage or injury,
NEVER use this band saw to cut ferrous metals.
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.
CIRCLE CUTTING (FIG. V)
1. Adjust the guide assembly to 1/8" above the workpiece.
2. Use both hands while feeding the work into the blade.
Hold the workpiece firmly against the table. Use gentle
pressure. Do not force the work, ALLOW the blade to cut.
3. The smallest diameter circle that can be cut is
determined by the width of the blade. For example,
a 1/4" wide blade will cut a minimum diameter of
approximately 1-1/2".
FIG. V
Minimum
2-1,,'Z'D Circle Diameter
Blade Width
BLADE SELECTION (FIG.W)
CAUTION: Blade teeth are sharp. Use care whenhandling
a saw blade.
For longest wear and best cutting results, use the correct
blade thickness, width, and temper for the type of material
you will cut.
When sawing small curves and delicate work, use narrow
blades. Otherwise, use the widest blade possible, See FIG. V.
For cutting wood and similar materials with this bandsaw,
use blades 90" long in widths up to 1/2".
Do not cut ferrous metals with this band saw.
Common causes of blade breakage:
= Poor guide alignment and adjustment.
Forcing or twisting a wide blade around a short radius.
o Feeding too fast.
° Dull teeth or not enough set.
= Too much blade tension.
- Setting top guide assembly too high above the
workpiece.
o Lumpy or improperly fir_ished braze or weld on the blade.
Continuous running of blade when not cutting.
FIG. W
Operation
Cross Cutting
..... Mitering
Beveling .................
Compound Cutting
CirCle Cutiir_g_'''
Curve Cutting
Recommended Blade Width
(Inches)
1/4, 3/8, 1/2
1/4, 3/8, '_1'_2
1/4, 3/8, 1/2
1/4, 3/8, 1/2
See Fig. V on pg.' '_I'7
i/8, i/4
To avoid possible injury or damage, NEVER use this band
saw to cut ferrous metals.
CAUTION: When cutting nonferrous metals, metal shavings
can react with wood dust and start a fire. To avoid this:
1. Disconnect any dust collecting hose from the band
saw.
2. Remove all traces of wood dust from inside the saw.
3. Remove all metal shavings from inside the saw
before sawing wood again.
THE SANDPAPER BELT
NOTE: A sandpaper belt sands very rapidly. Practice with
some scraps of wood before you try to sand your
workpiece with the band saw.
NOTE:_;_ead the instruction manual carefully for "BLADE
GUIDES AND SUPPORT BEARINGS", "BLADE TENSION"
AND "BLADE TRACKING".
1. Open the wheel covers and loosen the blade tension.
2. Remove the blade, table insert, and blade guard.
3. Loosen the side set screws on the upper blade support
bearings and blade guides, and push them back as far
as they will go. Tighten the set screws.
4. Do the same on the lower blade support bearing and
blade guides.
5. Install the sanding belt and adjust the tension carefully.
6. Rotate the upper wheel by hand to check the sanding
belt tracking, and adjust if necessary.
7. Close the wheel covers.
NOTE: A new sanding belt wi!l stretch with use, check
the tension and tracking often.
BLADE SPEED SELECTION (FIG. X)
This band saw has two speed settings:
1. 2600 RRM. for normal operation.
2. 1410 RRM. for operation requiring more control.
FIG. X
SPEED APPLICATION BLADE TYPE
,,,................. .,, ,,,,,,
2600 ERM. 1. Basic wood cutting 1. Skip tooth type
2. Resawing 2. Hook tooth type
3. Regular tooth blades
i4i0 ERM.! l"i']ntricate wood cutt'i'ng
2. Veneers, tiles,
plastics
3. Nonferrous metals;
brass, copper,
aluminum
15 teeth per inch blades