Craftsman 315.214500 - Manual (Page 21)

BASIC OPERATION
CHOICE OF BLADE AND SPEED
Your band saw will cut a wide variety of material
including wood, wood like products, and nonferrous
metals (aluminum, brass, copper).
Note: Inside the front cover of the saw and printed on
page 9 In this manual is a blade size label.
■ Always use the correct blade for the material '
being cut.
■ Use a fine tooth blade for cutting thin workpieces
when a smooth cut is required, when cutting hard
material, or when using lower speeds.
■ Always use a blade that will have at least 2 teeth
in the material at all times.
■ For best results, use thin, narrow blades for tight
radius work, and thick, wide blades for large
curves and straight cuts.
■ Match the approximate blade speed (FPM) to the
material being cut.
/V CAUTION: Do not cut ferrous metals (steel, iron)
^ or hardened steel or serious damage to the saw
could result.
TYPES OF BLADES AND APPROXIMATE SPEEDS
Material Speed Blade Maximum
Thickness
Wood 2460 FPM General Purposes 3 in.
Plastic 1230 FPM General Purposes 1/2 in.
Aluminum 1130 FPM Metal Cutting 1/4 in.
Brass 840 FPM Metal Cutting 1/4 in.
Copper 400 FPM Metal Cutting 1/4 in.
METAL CUTTING
Many kinds of metals can be cut with your saw. Be
careful not to twist or bend the blades. Do not force. If
blade heats excessively, use lower speed. If blade teeth
become filled or clogg^ when oitting soft metals, such
as aluminum, use a coarser-tooth blade or lower speed.
We recommend the use of cutting oil when cutting most
soft metals to keep blades cool, increase cutting action,
and prolong blade life.
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: When servicing, use only identical
Craftsman replacement parts. Use of any other
part may create a hazard or cause product
damage.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts.
Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various
types of commercial solvents and may be damaged
by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, carbon
dust, etc.
WARNING: Do not at any time let brake fluids,
gasoline, petroleum-based products, penetrating
oils, etc. come in contact with plastic parts. They
contain chemicals that can damage, weaken or
destroy plastic.
■ Keep your band saw clean.
■ Remove sawdust from the inside frequently.
■ Do not allow pitch to accumulate on the table,
blade guides, or thrust bearings. Clean them with
gum and pitch remover.
■ Apply a thin coat of automobile type wax to the
table top so the wood slides easily while cutting.
Also apply wax to the inside surfaces of the
angle bracket.
A WARNING: To prevent accidental starting that
could cause possible serious personal injury,
turn off the saw and unplug the saw before
working on the band saw.
LUBRICATION
All of the bearings in this tool are lubricated with a
sufficient amount of high grade lubricant for the life of
the unit under normal operating conditions. Therefore,
no further lubrication is required.
TIRES
To properly and safely maintain the wheel tires, the
blade should be removed from the band saw. The
tires should be kept clean. When the tires become
worn they should be replaced.
■ Pitch and sawdust that accumulates on the tires
should be removed with a fine wire brush or a
piece of wood. Do not use a sharp knife or any
kind of solvent.
■ Remove the saw blade, and the worn tires.
Stretch the new tires around each wheel.
■ Reinstall saw blade.
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