Axminster Trade AT1854B, Manual

Page: 21 / 44

General Operating Instructions
21
1. Make sure you have read and fully understood the general
instructions and safety precautions that are printed in the
preceding pages of this manual.
2. Before connecting the machine to the supply; check the
machine for obvious signs of damage, paying particular
attention to the plug and the power cable. Rectify or have
rectified any damage you discover. Check that the blade you
are using is the correct one for the job in hand. Change the
blade if necessary. Check the blade is not damaged; is clean,
sharp, tracks properly and is correctly tensioned.
3. Set the upper blade guide to approximately 12mm (1/2”)
above the height of the work piece.
4. Check, especially on site, that there are no foreign objects e.g.
old nails, screws, small stones etc embedded in the material you
are about to cut.
5. Check that all accessories, tools etc., that have been used
to set the machine up, are removed and set carefully aside or
stowed away correctly.
6. Ensure the machine is switched off. Plug the power cable into
a correctly rated switched socket outlet. If extension leads are
being used, check these for damage, do not use if damaged; if
you are working outside, check that any extension cables in use
are rated for outside work. Switch on. Allow the saw to run up to
speed.
7. Make sure that the material you are about to cut is within the
machine’s capacity, and the cut you are about to make is within
the blades’ capabilities, e.g. do not try to cut a 1” radius curve
using a 5/8” blade.
8. Make sure the blade is not in contact with the material when
you start the saw. Start the cutting operation. Do not try to cut
too quickly; the correct cutting speed, if one could be so precise,
would never see the blade pushed back against the thrust
be aring, the saw would cut and clear the saw line at the rate
the work piece was fed into it. If you notice that you require
more and more pressure to effect the cut, and the blade is in
continual contact with the thrust bearing, the chances are the
blade is becoming blunt. Check and change if necessary.
Do not let go of the work piece, if you have to change your grip,
make sure one hand is holding the material at all times.
9. If you are cutting long pieces of material think about sawing
cutouts (i.e. a saw cut from the edge of the material to the saw
line) along the saw line so that you can discard the off cuts as
you progress down the saw line.
10. Observe the old woodworkers’ adage of never allowing your
hand/fingers within one handbreadth of the blade.
11. If you have to cut very small pieces of material, arrange
or manufacture some form of ‘shoe’ to carry the timber. If the
work piece is exceptionally small, find something to use as a
sacrificial carrier and mount the work piece on it with double
sided tape, or similar.
12. Remember to check the blade tension after a new blade
has been ‘working’ for 30-60 mins. The blade will ‘stretch’ slightly
when new.
13. Do not release the tension on the saw blade when work is
complete. The blades and the main saw frame do not respond
kindly to constant changes in stress and tension. Only release
the tension to change the blade or once work has finished for
the day. The blade in tension over a long period of non-use will
cause the tyres to develop ‘flat’ spot. Open the saw cut, either
by pulling apart or driving a wedge in close to the back of the
blade. Try to wriggle the blade free of the saw. If this is not
possible; check that the saw is free in the cut, start the saw,
allow it to run up to speed and ‘cut out’ as quickly as possible.
The removal of the ‘off cut’ may well prevent the saw jamming
again if you resume the original cut).
HSE Health and Safety Executive
To operate the machine correctly, it is recommended to read the HSE
(Health and Safety Executive) website at www.hse.gov.uk. on the safe
operation procedures.