17
Plunge Cutting
Plunge cutting is useful and time-saving in
making rough openings in softer materials. It
is not necessary to drill a hole for an inside or
pocket cut.
a. Draw lines for the opening.
b. Hold the saw firmly and tilt it forward so that
the toe of the saw foot rests on the work, but
with the blade remains well clear of the work.
c. Start the motor, and then very gradually
lower the blade while keeping the toe on
the workpiece. When the blade touches the
work, continue pressing down on the toe of
the saw foot and slowly pivot the saw like a
hinge until the blade cuts through and the
foot rests flat on the work.
d. Saw ahead on the line of cut line.
NOTICE: We do not recommend plunge cutting with a scroll blade.
To make sharp corners, cut up to the corner, then stop the saw and back up slightly before
rounding the corner. After the opening is complete, go back to each corner and cut it from the
opposite direction to square it off.
WARNING
Do not plunge cut into metal surfaces.
Metal Cutting
WARNING
Never use the wood-cutting blade for cutting metals. Failure to do so
could result in serious personal injury.
•
Clamp the material when cutting metal.
•
Be sure to move the saw along slowly.
•
Use lower speeds.
•
Do not twist, bend, or force the blade.
•
If the saw jumps or bounces, use a blade with finer teeth.
•
If the blade seems clogged when cutting soft metal, use a blade with coarser teeth.
•
For easier cutting, lubricate the blade with a stick of cutting wax, if available, or with cutting
oil when cutting steel.
•
Thin metal should be sandwiched between two pieces of wood or tightly clamped onto a
single piece of wood (wood on top of the metal). Draw the cut lines or design on the upper
piece of wood.
•
When cutting aluminum extrusion or angle iron, clamp the work in a bench vise and saw
close to the vise jaws.
•
When sawing tubing and the diameter is larger than the blade is deep, cut through the wall
of the tubing and then insert the blade into the cut, rotating the tube as you saw.
Fig. 11
Toe of Foot
