Cutting Operations; Ripping - Craftsman 137.218100 Operator's Manual

CUTTING OPERATIONS
There aretwobasic types ofcuts: r ipping and
crosscutting. Ripping i s cutting alongthelength andthe
grain oftheworkpiece. Crosscutting is cutting
either
across the width or across the grain of the workpiece.
Neither ripping nor crosscutting may be done safely
freehand. Ripping requires the use of the rip fence, and
crosscutting requires the miter gauge.
AVOID KICKBACK by pushing forward that section of
the workpiece that will pass between the blade and the
fence.
Fig. X
Before using the saw each and every time, check
the following:
1. Blade is tight on the arbor.
2. Bevel angle lock knob is tight.
3. If ripping, fence knob is tight and fence is
parallel to the miter gauge grooves.
4. Blade guard is in place and working properly.
5. Safety glasses are being worn.
The failure to adhere to these common safety rules,
and those printed in the front of this manual, can
greatly increase the likelihood of injury.
RIPPING(FIG. W, X)
To prevent serious injury:
• Never use the miter gauge when ripping.
• Never use more than one rip fence during a single cut.
• Do not allow familiarity or frequent use of your table
saw to cause careless mistakes. Remember that even
a careless fraction of a second is enough to cause a
severe injury.
• Keep both hands away from the blade and path of the
blade.
• The workpiece must have a straight edge against
the fence and must not be warped, twisted, or
bowed.
1. Remove the miter gauge. Secure the rip fence to the
table.
2. Raise the blade so it is about 1/8" higher than the top
of the workpiece.
3. Place the workpiece flat on the table and against
the fence. Keep the workpiece about 1" away from
the blade.
4. Turn the saw ON and wait for the blade to come up to
speed.
5. Slowly feed the workpiece into the blade by
pushing forward only on the workpiece section (1)
that will pass between the blade and the fence.
(Fig. X)
6. Keep your thumbs off the blade top. When both of your
thumbs touch the front edge of the table (2), finish the
cut with a push stick. Make a push stick using the
pattern on page 2t.
7. The push stick (3) should always be used when the
ripped workpiece is 2" or narrower (1). (Fig. Y)
8. Continue pushing the workpiece with the push stick
(3) until it passes the blade guard and clears the
rear of the table.
9. Never pull the piece back when the blade is turning.
Turn the switch OFF. When the blade completely
stops raise the anti-kickback pawls on each side of
the splitter and slide the workpiece out.
Fig. Y
3
2
1
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