Bevel Crosscutting; Compound Miter Cutting; Blade Selection - Craftsman 351.218331 Operator's Manual

BEVEL CROSSCUTTING
WARNING: When possible, use the right miter gauge slot
when beveI crosscutting so that the bladetilts away from the
miter gaugeand your hands.
WARNING: Use cautionwhen startingthe cut to prevent
bindingof the guardagainstthe workpiece.
This cut is performedwiththe miter gauge,and is the same
as crosscutting, exceptthat the workpieceis also cut at an
angleotherthan 90 ° squareto the flat side of the wood(blade
is at an angle).
COMPOUND MITER CUTTING
Thiscut is performedwith the miter gauge, and is a combina-
tionof miter cuttingand bevel crosscutting. The cut is made at
angleotherthan 90° to both the edge and flat side of wood.
RIPPING
WARNING: When bevel ripping and whenever possible,
place the fence on the side of the blade so that the blade is
tilted away from the fence and hands. Keep hands clear of the
blade and use a push stick to feed the workpiece if there is
less than 6" between the fence and the blade.
This cut is performed with the rip fence, and is used to cut the
workpiece lengthwise with the grain. Position the fence to the
desired width of rip and lock in piace. When ripping long
boards or large panels, always use a work support.
BEVEL RIPPING
WARNING: Before connecting the table saw to the power
source or operating the saw, always inspect the blade guard
assembly and riving knife for proper alignment and clearance
with saw blade. Check alignment after each change of bevel
angle.
WARNING: When possible, place the fence on the right side
of the blade so that the blade is tilted away from the fence
and hands. Keep your hands clear of the blade and use a
pushstick to feed the workpiece if there is less than 6"
between the fence and the blade.
This cut is performed with the rip fence, and is the same as
ripping, except that the blade is set at an angle other than 90 °.
RESAWlNG
This cut is performed with the rip fence, and is used to rip a
workpiece through its thickness rather than across its flat
width. Do not attempt to resaw bowed or warped material.
NOTE: It may be necessary to remove blade guard and use
work supports as weII as push blocks when performing this
operation.
WARNING: Install blade guard immediately upon completion
of resawing operation.
PLOUGHING
This cut is performed with the rip fence, and is used to make
a groove lengthwise with the grain of the workpiece. Use
proper hold downs and feed devices.
RABBETING
This cut is performed with either the miter gauge or rip fence.
Rabbeting is used to cut out a section of the corner of a
workpiece, across an end or along an edge. To make a rabbet
requires cuts which do not go all the way through the materi-
al. Therefore, blade guard must be removed. Install blade
guard immediately upon completion of rabbeting operation.
Rabbet cuts can also be made using dado head.
DADOING
This cut is performed with either the miter gauge or rip fence.
Dadoing is done with a set of blades (dado set) rather than
standard saw blades. The dado set is used to groove wood
similar to ploughing and rabbeting. However, the dado set
allows operator to remove more material in one pass. The
operator, with a dado set, can Vary width of cut up to _0".
Instructions for operating dado set are contained in owner's
manual furnished with dado set. Dadoing requires cuts which
do not go all the way through material. Therefore, blade guard
must be removed. Dado sets have different characteristics
than saw blades. As a result, saw must be fitted with special
parts that are not furnished with saw (Dado Insert, Part No.
31158.00).
The maximum dado blade set that can be used on this saw is
%" I.D. x 8" O.D. x '_" Wide.
IMPORTANT: Always use correct insert. When using the
dado set, use caution. Use featherboards and push sticks as
applicable.
WARNING: Always immediately replace the standard blade,
blade guard and blade insert when you are finished dadoing.
FREEHAND
Freehand is a very dangerous operation of making a cut with-
out using the miter gauge or rip fence. Freehand cuts must
never be performed on a Table Saw.
CUTTING OVERSIZED WORKPIECES
When cutting long workpieces or large panels, always support
workpiece that is not on table. Use adjustable roller stand or
make simple support by clamping a piece of plywood to saw
horse. Add facings to miter gauge or rip fence as needed.
IMPORTANT: Do not allow facings to interfere with operation
of blade guard.
DUST COLLECTING
• Saw is fitted with a 4" male exhaust port.
• Before starting saw, see that all adjustments are properly
made and guards in place. With power disconnected, turn
pulley by hand to make sure everything is correct before
connecting power and starting saw.
BLADE SELECTION
Bladeselectionis based on type of materialbeing cut and
how it willbe cut.There are three genera] types of saw
blades:ripsaw bladescut with grain of wood, cut-offsaw
bladescutacross grain,and combination saw bladescutwith
grain,across grainand any angleto grain.
Blades vary in many aspects.When selecting a blade, the fol-
lowingbladecharacteristics should matchup with operationto
be performedand type of material to be cut:type of steel;
qualityof steeI; toothstyle; toothset; carbidetipped;grind;
number of teeth and size.
IMPORTANT:Your saw is only as accurate and efficientas
blade or cuttingtool used. :
First,be certainto use the appropriatetype of cuttingtoolfor
the operation to be performed. Second, it is stronglyrecom-
mendedthat high-quaIity blades and cuttingtoolsbe used.Be
certain blades and cuttingtools are kept sharp and in good
workingorder.Check blades periodically and replaceor
sharpen if necessary.
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