Craftsman 315.115830 Operator's Manual page 16

PROPER RATE OF FEED
Trimming and edge shaping depend upon careful setup
and selecting the proper feed rate.
The proper feed rate is dependent upon:
[] hardness and moisture content of the workpiece;
[] depth of cut;
NOTE: It is necessary that you do not exceed 1/8 _n.
depth of cut for proper rate of feed.
[] cutting diameter of the bit.
NOTE: Maximum bit size for roundover and edging
operations is 3/8 in. max. Maximum straight bit size for
rabbeting and dado operations is 1/4 in.
For edge shaping in soft woods such as pine, a faster rate
of feed can be used. When edge shaping in hardwoods
such as oak, a slower rate of feed will be required. In all
wood types, a slower rate of feed is required when cutting
shallow grooves.
Several factors will help you select the proper rate of feed.
[] Choose a rate that does not slow down the motor.
[] Choose the rate of feed at which the bit advances
firmly and surely to produce a continuous spiral of
uniform chips or a smooth trim edge on laminate.
[] Listen to the sound of the motor. A high-pitched sound
means you are feeding too slowly. A strained, lower
pitched sound signals force feeding.
[] Check the progress of each cut. Too-slow feeding can
cause the trimmer to take off in a wrong direction from
the intended line of cut. Force-feeding increases the
strain of holding the tool and can result in damage to
the tool.
[] Notice the chips being produced as you cut. If the trim-
mer is fed too slowly, it will scorch or burn the wood. If
the trimmer is fed too fast, it will take large chips out of
the wood and leave gouge marks.
Always test a cut on scrap piece of the workpiece wood
or laminate before you begin. Always grasp and hold the
tool firmly during use.
When using the largest recommended straight bit (1/4 in.)
in any type of wood, maintain a maximum cutting depth of
1/8 in. and a very slow feed rate to achieve the best qual-
ity cut. A cross-grain cut requires a slower pace than an
identical cut with the grain in the same workpiece.
There is no fixed rule. Proper feed rate is learned through
practice and use.
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