Cutting Metal; Cutting With A Straightedge - Craftsman 320.27245 Owner's Manual

CUTTING METAL
When cutting metal ALWAYS clamp down the metal workpiece. Be extremely careful to
move the saw very slowly as you cut. Use slower speeds (Position 1,2 or 3 on the Variable
Speed Dial). DO NOT twist, bend or force the blade. If the saw jumps or bounces as you cut,
change to a blade with finer teeth. If the blade begins to clog when cutting soft metal, change
to a blade with coarser teeth.
For easier cutting, lubricate the blade with a stick of cutting wax (if available) or cutting oil
when cutting steel. Thin metal should be sandwiched between two pieces of wood or
tightly clamped on a single piece of wood (wood on top of the metal). Draw the cut lines or
design on the top piece of wood.
When cutting aluminum extrusion or angle iron, clamp the work in a bench vise and saw
close to the vise jaws.
When sawing tubing with a diameter larger than the blade is deep, cut through the wall of
the tubing and then insert the blade into the cut, rotating the tube as you saw.
1. When cutting metals, a suitable cooling / cutting oil must be used.
2. Spread the oil onto the blade or workpiece at regular intervals during cutting in order to
reduce wear or overheating the blade.
Z_ WARNING: To avoid accidents, ALWAYS disconnect the tool from the power source
BEFORE making any adjustments or attaching accessories.
,/K WARNING: The use of attachments or accessories that are not recommended
might be dangerous.
I
CUTTING WITH A STRAIGHTEDGE (Fig. 15)
1. ALWAYS use a rough-cut blade whenever
possible.
2. Mark the line-of-cut, then position the
straightedge parallel to cut line and at the
same distance as between the blade and
the side edge of the saw foot.
OR
3. Mark the side edge of the saw foot and then
clamp the straightedge on the mark and
parallel to the cut.
4. As you cut, keep the saw foot edge flush
against the straightedge and flat on the
workpiece.
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