Makita LS1440 - Manual (Page 11)

11
OPERATION
CAUTION:
• Before use, be sure to release the handle from the low-
ered position by turning the handle latch to the
released position.
• Make sure the blade is not contacting the workpiece,
etc. before the switch is turned on.
• Do not apply excessive pressure on the handle when
cutting. Too much force may result in overload of the
motor and/or decreased cutting efficiency. Push down
handle with only as much force as is necessary for
smooth cutting and without significant decrease in
blade speed.
• Gently press down the handle to perform the cut. If the
handle is pressed down with force or if lateral force is
applied, the blade will vibrate and leave a mark (saw
mark) in the workpiece and the precision of the cut will
be impaired.
1. Press cutting (Fig. 20)
Secure the workpiece. Switch on the tool without the
blade making any contact and wait until the blade attains
full speed before lowering. Then gently lower the handle
to the fully lowered position to cut the workpiece. When
the cut is completed, switch off the tool and WAIT UNTIL
THE BLADE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP
before returning the blade to its fully elevated position.
2. Miter cutting
Refer to the previously covered “Adjusting the miter
angle”.
3. Cutting aluminum extrusion (Fig. 21)
When securing aluminum extrusions, use spacer blocks
or pieces of scrap as shown in Fig. 21 to prevent defor-
mation of the aluminum. Use a cutting lubricant when
cutting the aluminum extrusion to prevent buildup of the
aluminum material on the blade.
CAUTION:
• Never attempt to cut thick or round aluminum extru-
sions. Thick aluminum extrusions may come loose dur-
ing operation and round aluminum extrusions cannot
be secured firmly with this tool.
4. Wood facing (Fig. 22, 23 & 24)
Use of wood facing helps to assure splinter-free cuts in
workpieces. Attach a wood facing to the guide fence
using the holes in the guide fence.
See Fig. 23 concerning the dimensions for a suggested
wood facing.
After changing the miter angle, cut the wood facing at
that selected angle. If there is a gap between the blade,
the wood facing and the workpiece, move the wood fac-
ing slightly in the direction of the arrow and cut it again.
CAUTION:
• Use straight wood of even thickness as the wood fac-
ing.
• Use screws to attach the wood facing to the guide
fence. The screws should be installed so that the screw
heads are below the surface of the wood facing.
• When the wood facing is attached, do not turn the turn
base with the handle lowered. The blade and/or the
wood facing will be damaged.
NOTE:
• When the wood facing is attached, the maximum cut-
ting capacities in width will be reduced by thickness of
the wood facing.
5. Cutting repetitive lengths (Fig. 25)
When cutting several pieces of stock to the same length,
ranging from 300 mm to 400 mm, use of the set plate
(optional accessory) will facilitate more efficient opera-
tion. Install the set plate on the holder (optional acces-
sory) as shown in Fig. 25.
Align the cutting line on your workpiece with either the
left or right side of the groove in the kerf board, and while
holding the workpiece from moving, move the set plate
flush against the end of the workpiece. Then secure the
set plate with the screw. When the set plate is not used,
loosen the screw and turn the set plate out of the way.
NOTE:
• Use of the holder-rod assembly (optional accessory)
allows cutting repetitive lengths up to 2,200 mm (7.2 ft.)
approximately.
Carrying tool
Make sure that the tool is unplugged. Secure the turn
base at right miter angle fully by means of the grip. Lower
the handle fully and lock it in the lowered position by turn-
ing the handle latch to the locked position. (Fig. 26)
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. 27)
CAUTION:
• Always secure all moving portions before carrying the
tool.
• Handle latch is for carrying and storage purposes only
and not for any cutting operations.
MAINTENANCE
CAUTION:
• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and
unplugged before attempting to perform inspection or
maintenance.
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:
Loosen the grip which secures the turn base. Turn the
turn base so that the pointer points to 0° on the miter
scale. Then turn the turn base slightly clockwise and
counterclockwise to seat the turn base in the 0° miter
notch. (Leave as it is if the pointer does not point to 0°.)
Loosen the hex bolts securing the guide fence using the
socket wrench. (Fig. 28)
Lower the handle fully and lock it in the lowered position
by turning the handle latch to the locked position. 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. 29)
Make sure that the pointer on the indication plate points
to 0° on the miter scale. If the pointer does not point to
0°, loosen the screws which secure the indication plate
and adjust it so that the pointer will point to 0°. (Fig. 30)