Craftsman 137.248830 - Manual (Page 17)

CUTTING OPERATIONS
There are two basic types of cuts: ripping and
crosscutting. Ripping is cutting along the length and
the grain of the workpiece. Crosscutting is cutting
either across the width or across the grain of the
workpiece. Neither ripping nor crosscutting may be
done safely freehand. Ripping requires the use of the
rip fence, and crosscutting requires the miter gauge.
Fig. W
A
WARNING
Before using the saw each and every time, check
the following:
1. Blade is tight on the arbor.
2. Bevel angle lock knob is tight.
3. If ripping, fence knob is tight and fence is
parallel to the miter gauge grooves.
4. Blade guard is in place and working properly.
5. Safety glasses are being worn.
The failure to adhere to these common safety rules,
and those printed in the front of this manual, can
greatly increase the likelihood of injury.
RIPPING (FIG. W, X)
A
WARNING
To prevent serious injury:
Never use the miter gauge when ripping.
Never use more than one rip fence during a single
cut.
Do not allow familiarity or frequent use of your table
saw to cause careless mistakes. Remember that
even a careless fraction of a second is enough to
cause a severe injury.
Keep both hands away from the blade and path of
the blade.
The workpiece must have a straight edge against
the fence and must not be warped, twisted, or
bowed.
1 Remove the miter gauge. Secure the rip fence to the
table.
2. Raise the blade so it is about 1/8" higher than the
top of the workpiece.
3. Place the workpiece flat on the table and against the
fence. Keep the workpiece away from the blade.
4, Turn the saw ON and wait for the blade to come up
to speed.
5, Slowly feed the workpiece into the blade by pushing
forward only on the workpiece section (1) that will
pass between the blade and the fence. (Fig. W)
A
WARNING
AVOID KICKBACK by pushing forward on the section
of the workpiece that passes between the blade and
the fence.
NOTE; Always use a push stick. When width or rip
narrower than 2” the push stick cannot be used
because the guard will interfere... Use the auxiliary
fence as shown are page 19.
6. Keep your thumbs off the table top. When both of
your thumbs touch the front edge of the table (2),
finish the cut with a push stick. Make a push stick
using the pattern on page 30.
7. The push stick (3) should always be used. (Fig. X)
8. Continue pushing the workpiece with the push stick
(3) until it passes the blade guard and clears the rear
of the table.
9. Never pull the piece back when the blade is turning.
Turn the switch OFF. When the blade completely
stops, then remove the workpiece.
Fig.X
17