Use and Care Manual

8
9
Adjusting the Kerf Plates
Kerf plates reduce tear-out and splintering along
the cut by providing edge support. Because blades
vary in width, adjust the kerf plates with every blade
change.
Never make a cut without the adjustable kerf plates
installed. The kerf plates can be set at their maximum
width to accommodate all blade widths and bevel
angles if tear-out and splintering are not a concern.
1. Unplug the tool.
2. Install the blade to be used. Each time the blade
is changed, check to be sure the kerf plates are
adjusted properly.
3. Set the bevel angle. Each time the bevel is
changed, check to be sure the kerf plates are
adjusted properly.
4. Loosen the six kerf plate adjusting screws.
5. Lower the saw head to the full depth of cut (the
point where the saw head will not lower any fur-
ther).
6. Slide the kerf plates to the desired spacing and
tighten the six screws.
7. Check to be sure the saw blade does not contact
the kerf plates before starting the saw.
OPERATION
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, wear
safety goggles or glasses with side
shields. Always wait for the blade to stop com-
pletely and unplug the tool before changing ac-
cessories or making adjustments. Do not defeat
the guards.
Using Face Boards
(Zero Clearance Sub Fences)
There are face board mounting holes in the fences for
attaching face boards. Face boards place distance
between the fence and the workpiece, providing
improved support for some workpieces. Workpiece
splintering can be reduced by using face boards. As
the width of the face board increases, the height of
the workpiece which can be cut increases slightly
(but the width capacity decreases slightly). Similarly,
if you place a face board on the saw table and place
a workpiece on top of the face board, you can cut a
workpiece with greater width (but with less height).
Guards
The tool is shipped with both the upper and lower
guard installed. The lower guard should cover the
blade when the saw head is up and it should move
freely and open automatically as the saw head is
lowered into the workpiece. If the lower guard appears
loose, sticks, or if it does not move to cover the blade
when the saw head is up, tighten the guard bracket
screws. If it still does not move freely, take the saw
to an authorized service center for repairs. Do not
attempt to open the guard further than the automatic
action permits.
Select the Workpiece Carefully
Be cautious of pitchy, knotty, wet or warped work-
pieces. These materials are likely to create pinching
conditions. Workpieces that bow and pinch may
result in kick back. Inspect for and remove nails
before cutting. Always keep blades clean and sharp;
otherwise the blade produces a narrow kerf and is
likely to be pinched by the workpiece. This tool is
not recommended for cutting ferrous metals such as
iron and steel. See Applications for a more complete
list of materials.
Support the Workpiece Properly
Always support the workpiece during operation. Oth-
erwise, the workpiece may pull up and into the saw.
1. Use the Fence: Align the workpiece fl ush against
the fence to provide a straight path for the saw
blade. This will help eliminate the tendency for the
blade teeth to bind. The fence can be used as a
support for miter, bevel and compound cuts.
2. Use a clamp: Clamp the workpiece to the fence
or base with a C-clamp.
Support of Longer Workpieces
Longer workpieces need support along their full
length. If you are using the saw on a level work
bench, prop up the workpiece to a height of 4-3/4"
from the bottom of the saw feet. There are also many
aftermarket work tables specifi cally designed for miter
saws that provide supports for all types of workpieces.
Adjusting the Miter Angle
The miter angle can be set using detents for commonly
cut angles, as well as fi nely adjusted to any angle. Use
the miter angle pointer to adjust the turntable to any
whole degree across the miter range. The digital miter
angle readout shows the selected angle.
1. Loosen the miter angle lock knob.
2. To set the miter angle, pull up on the detent lever
and rotate the turntable to the detent angle closest
to the desired angle. The saw cuts miter angles
from 55° on the left to 60° on the right. Detents are
available at 0°, 15°, 22.5° 32.62°, 45°, and 60°.
3. Tighten the miter angle lock knob to use the miter
angle set at the detent before making a cut.
4. To make a fi ne adjustment to the miter angle:
A. Pull up and hold the detent lever .
B. Push the fi ne adjustment ring forward until it
locks to engage override.
C. Rotate the fi ne adjustment ring left or right until
the desired angle is displayed on the digital
miter angle readout. ¼ turn = 1° change in miter
angle.
D. Tighten the miter angle lock knob to secure the
table before making a cut.
E. Pull up on the detent lever to release the fi ne
adjustment ring.
E
D
C
B
A
Adjusting the Bevel Angle
The bevel angle can be set using detents for commonly
cut angles, as well as adjusted to any angle in between
by using the bevel angle scale. The bevel mechanism
also has several degrees of overtravel on both the left
and right.
1. Unplug the tool.
2. To adjust the bevel angle, place one hand on the
front handle for better control.
3. Using the other hand, lift the bevel adjustment
lever:
A. To use pre-set detents, lift the bevel adjust-
ment lever half-way up (until it "clicks") to move
the saw head left or right, with stops at pre-set
detents.
B. To freely move the head, lift the bevel adjust-
ment lever all the way up to freely move the saw
head across the bevel range.
4. Pull or push the saw head to the desired angle
using the bevel angle scale.
5. Lock the bevel angle by pressing down the bevel
adjustment lever before making a cut.
Detent Angles
Unlock
Lock
Bevel
Adjustment
Lever
Adjusting the Depth of Cut
The depth of the cut can be adjusted for groove or
rabbet cuts.
1. Unplug the tool.
2. To set the depth of cut, swivel the depth stop paw
toward the front of the saw.
3. Lower the saw head to the desired depth of cut.
4. Rotate the depth stop adjustment knob until it con-
tacts the paw. Lock in the depth using the lock nut.
5. Plug in the tool and make a test cut to verify the
depth of cut is correct.
6. To remove the depth of cut limit, loosen the lock
nut by turning counterclockwise and swivel the
paw away from the front of the saw.
Paw
Knob
Lock nut
Adjusting the Fences
1. Loosen the fence lock knobs.
2. The fences can slide side-to-side to the desired
position to allow for a bevel or compound miter
cut.
3. Always position the fences properly for maximum
work support.
4. Tighten the fence lock knobs securely before mak-
ing a cut.
NOTE: If either fence has any movement forward
to backward, tighten the fence set screw, located
on the back of each fence slot.
Lights
Use the on/off switch to turn on the turntable lights
before making a cut. Turn off the lights when cutting
is complete.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, do not
rely on the brake as a safety fea-
ture. Always wait until the blade stops com-
pletely before allowing anything near the blade.
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure all adjust-
ments are securely locked before making a cut.
Starting and Stopping the Tool
Always hold the trigger handle fi rmly because the
starting and stopping action of the motor may cause
the handle to move up or down slightly. Always
secure the turntable by tightening the miter angle
lock knob.
1. To start the motor, pull the trigger.
2. To stop the motor, release the trigger.
Making a Chop Cut
The sliding mechanism can be locked to use the
saw for chop cuts (cuts not requiring the use of the
slide mechanism). Cut workpieces with chop cuts
whenever possible. A chop cut is always faster and
easier to make than a sliding cut.
1
2
3
1. Slide the saw head all the way back (1).
2. Tighten the slide rail lock (2).
3. Plug in the tool. Raise the saw head completely.
4. Select the desired angles following the steps in
"Adjusting the Miter Angle" and "Adjusting the
Bevel Angle".
5. Place the workpiece on the turntable and line up
the cut.
6. Support the workpiece using any of the methods
described in "Support the Workpiece Properly".
7. Start the motor. Wait a few seconds for the blade to
reach full speed. Then gently lower the saw head
into the workpiece all the way through the cut (3).