Maintenance - Makita LH1200FL Instruction Manual

• Always use "work helpers" such as push sticks and
push blocks when cutting small or narrow workpieces,
or when the blade head is hidden from view while cut-
ting.
Work helpers
Push sticks, push blocks or auxiliary fence are types of
"work helpers". Use them to make safe, sure cuts without
the need for the operator to contact the blade with any
part of the body.
Push block (Fig. 41)
Use a 15 mm piece of plywood.
Handle should be in center of plywood piece. Fasten with
glue and wood screws as shown. Small piece 10 mm x
9 mm x 30 mm of wood must always be glued to plywood
to keep the blade from dulling if the operator cuts into
push block by mistake. (Never use nails in push block.)
Auxiliary fence (Fig. 42 & 43)
Make auxiliary fence from 10 mm and 15 mm plywood
pieces.
Remove the rip fence, clamping screw (A), flat washer
and square nut from the rip fence holder and then attach
and secure the auxiliary fence to the rip fence holder by
using a bolt M6 longer than M6 x 50, washers and nut.
Ripping
CAUTION:
• When cutting long or large workpieces, always provide
adequate support behind the table. DO NOT allow a
long board to move or shift on the table. This will cause
the blade to bind and increase the possibility of kick-
back and personal injury. The support should be at the
same height as the table.
1. Adjust the depth of cut a bit higher than the thick-
ness of the workpiece. To make this adjustment,
loosen two levers and lower or raise the top table.
2. Position the rip fence to the desired width of rip and
secure in place by tightening the clamping screw
(A). Before ripping, make sure the two screws of the
rip fence holder are secured. If it is not secured
enough, retighten it.
3. Turn the tool on and gently feed the workpiece into
the blade along with the rip fence.
(1) When the width of rip is 40 mm or wider, use a
push stick. (Fig. 44)
(2) When the width of rip is narrower than 40 mm,
the push stick cannot be used because the
push stick will strike the top blade guard. Use
the auxiliary fence and push block.
Install securely the auxiliary fence which is
secured to the rip fence holder on the table.
Feed the workpiece by hand until the end is
about 25 mm from the front edge of the top
table. Continue to feed using the push block on
the top of the auxiliary fence until the cut is
complete. (Fig. 45)
Carrying tool
Make sure that the tool is unplugged. The table must be
fixed at the top position. Secure the blade at 0° bevel
angle and the turn base at left miter angle fully. Lower the
handle fully and lock it in the lowered position by fully
pushing in the stopper pin. (Fig. 46)
Carry the tool by holding both sides of the tool base as
shown in the figure. If you remove the holders, dust bag,
etc., you can carry the tool more easily. (Fig. 47)
CAUTION:
• Always secure all moving portions before carrying the
tool.

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION:
• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and
unplugged before attempting to perform inspection or
maintenance.
• Never use gasoline, benzine, thinner, alcohol or the
like. Discoloration, deformation or cracks may result.
WARNING:
• Always be sure that the blade is sharp and clean for the
best and safest performance.
Adjusting the cutting angle
This tool is carefully adjusted and aligned at the factory,
but rough handling may have affected the alignment. If
your tool is not aligned properly, perform the following:
1. Miter angle
Loosen the grip which secures the turn base. Turn the
turn base so that the pointer points to 0° on the miter
scale. Tighten the grip and loosen the hex bolts securing
the guide fence using the socket wrench. (Fig. 48)
Lower the handle fully and lock it in the lowered position
by pushing in the stopper pin. Square the side of the
blade with the face of the guide fence using a triangular
rule, try-square, etc. Then securely tighten the hex bolts
on the guide fence in the order from the right side.
(Fig. 49)
2. Bevel angle
(1) 0° bevel angle
Lower the handle fully and lock it in the lowered
position by pushing in the stopper pin. Loosen the
lever at the rear of the tool.
Turn the 0° bevel angle adjusting bolt on the right
side of the turn base two or three revolutions clock-
wise to tilt the blade to the right. (Fig. 50)
Carefully square the side of the blade with the top
surface of the turn base using the triangular rule, try-
square, etc. by turning the 0° bevel angle adjusting
bolt counterclockwise. (Fig. 51)
Make sure that the pointer on the turn base point to
0° on the bevel scale on the arm. If it does not point
to 0°, loosen the screw which secures the pointer
and adjust the pointer so that it will point to 0°.
(Fig. 52)
(2) 45° bevel angle
Adjust the 45° bevel angle only after performing 0°
bevel angle adjustment. To adjust left 45° bevel
angle, loosen the lever and tilt the blade to the left
fully. Make sure that the pointer on the arm points to
45° on the bevel scale on the arm. If the pointer
does not point to 45°, turn the 45° bevel angle
adjusting bolt on the left side of the arm until the
pointer points to 45°. (Fig. 53)
Replacing carbon brushes (Fig. 54 & 55)
Remove and check the carbon brushes regularly.
Replace when they wear down to 3 mm in length. Keep
the carbon brushes clean and free to slip in the holders.
Both carbon brushes should be replaced at the same
time. Use only identical carbon brushes.
Use a screwdriver to remove the brush holder caps. Take
out the worn carbon brushes, insert the new ones and
secure the brush holder caps.
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