Craftsman 135.17243 User Manual

Owner's Manual

SCROLLING SABRE SAW

Model No. 135.17243 __

Caution:

Before using this product,
read this manual and follow

all its Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Safety
Operation

Maintenance
Parts

EspaSol, R 18

Page

Warranty ..................................................... 2

Power Tool Safety Rules ...................................... 3-5

Symbols ..................................................... 6

Functional Description and Specifications ........................... 7

Assembly .................................................... 8

Operating Instructions ........................................ 8-11

Tool Tips ................................................. 11-14

Maintenance ................................................. 15

Service Parts .............................................. 16-17

EspaSol .................................................. 18-32

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN
SCROLLING SABRE SAW

If this CRAFTSMAN Scrolling Sabre Saw fails to give complete satisfaction
within one year from the date of purchase, RETURN IT TO THE
NEAREST SEARS STORE IN THE UNITED STATES, and Sears will

replace it,free of charge.
If this CRAFTSMAN Scrolling Sabre Saw is used for commercial or rental

purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other

rights which vary from slate to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

-2-

Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions

listed below, may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Work Area

Keep your work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered benches and dark areas invite
accidents.

Do not operate power tools in explosive

atmospheres, such as in the presence of

flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power
tools create sparks which may ignite the dust

orfumes.
Keep by-standers, children, and visitors

away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

Double Insulated tools are equipped with a
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the
other.) This plug will fit in a polarized outlet
only one way. If the plug does not fit fully
in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does
not fit, contact a qualified electrician to
install a polarized outlet. Do not change

the plug in any way. Double Insulation []
eliminates the need for the three wire

grounded power cord and grounded power
supply system. Before plugging in the tool, be

certain the outlet voltage supplied is within the
voltage marked on the nameplate. Do not use

'_4C only" rated tools with a DC power supply,

Avoid body contact with grounded
surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges
and refrigerators. There is an increased risk
of electric shock if your body is grounded. If

operating the power too! in damp locations is
unavoidable, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
must be used to supply the power to your tool.
Electrician's rubber gloves and footwear will
further enhance your personal safety.

Don't expose power tools to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a power tool will
increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord
tocarry the tools or pull the plug from an

outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp
edges or moving parts. Replace damaged

cords immediately. Damaged cords increase
the risk of electric shock.

When operating a power tool outside, use

an outdoor extension cord marked "W-A"

or "W." These cords are rated for outdoor use

and reduce the risk of electric shock. Refer to
"Recommended sizes of Extension Cords" in

the Accessory section of this manual.

Personal Safety
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and
use common sense when operating a
power tool. Do not use tool while tired or
under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or

medication. A moment of inattention while
operating power tools may result in serious

personal injury.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing

or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your

hair, clothing, and gloves away from
moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long

hair can be caught in moving parts. Keep
handles dry, clean and free from oil and

grease.
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch

is "OFF" before plugging in. Carrying tools

with your finger on the switch or plugging in
tools that have the switch "ON" invites

accidents.

Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before
turning the tool "ON". A wrench or a key
that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool

may result in personal injury,

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and

balance at all times. Proper footing and

balance enables better control of the tool in

unexpected situations.

Use safety equipment, Always wear eye

protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety
shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be

used for appropriate conditions.

Tool Use and Care

Use clamps or other practical way to

secure and support the workpiece to a

stable platform. Holdingthe work by hand or

against your body is unstable and may lead to

loss of control.

-3-

Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for
your application. The correct tool will do the

job better and safer at the rate for which it is

designed.
Do not use tool if switch does not turn it

"ON" or "OFF". Any tool that cannot be
controlled with the switch is dangerous and

must be repaired.

Disconnect the plug from the power
source before making any adjustments,

changing accessories, or storing the tool.

Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the tool accidentally.

Store idle tools out of reach of children
and other untrained persons, Tools are

dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting

tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained
tools, with sharp cutting edges are less likely
to bind and are easier to control. Any

alteration or modification is a misuse and
may result in a dangerous condition.

Check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts, and any

other condition that may affect the tools
operation. If damaged, have the tool

serviced before using. Many accidents are

caused by poorly maintained tools. Develop
a periodic maintenance schedule for your

tool,

Use only accessories that are
recommended by the manufacturer for

your model. Accessories that may be

suitable for one tool, may become hazardous
when used on another tool.

Service
Tool service must be performed only by

qualified repair personnel. Service or

maintenance performed by unqualified
personnel could result in a risk of injury. For
example: internal wires may be misplaced or
pinched, safety guard return springs may be
improperly mounted.

When servicing a tool, use only identical

replacement parts, Follow instructions in
the Maintenance section of this manual.

Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow
Maintenance Instructions may create a risk
of electric shock or injury. Certain cleaning
agents such as gasoline, carbon
tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage
plastic parts.

Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces
when performing an operation where the

cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or
its own cord. Contact with a "live" wire will

make exposed metal parts of the tool "live"
and shock the operator. Do not drill, fasten

or break into existing walls or other blind

areas where electrical wiring may exist. If

this situation is unavoidable, disconnect all
fuses or circuit breakers feeding this

worksite.

Never leave the trigger locked "ON".
Before plugging the tool in, check that the
trigger lock is "OFF". Accidental start-ups
could cause injury.

Be aware of the location and setting of
the switch "Lock-ON" button. If the switch

is locked "ON" during the use, be ready for
emergency situations to switch it "OFF", by

first pulling the trigger then immediately

releasing it without pressing the "Lock-ON"

button,

Keep hands away from cutting area. Do
not reach under the material being cut.

The proximity of the blade to your hand is

hidden from your sight.

Keep hands from between the gear
housing and saw blade holder, The

reciprocating blade holder can pinch your

fingers.

Do not use dull or damaged blades. Bent

blade can break easily or cause kickback.

Before starting to cut, turn tool "ON" and

allow the blade to come to full speed.
Tool can chatter or vibrate if blade speed is
too slow at beginning of cut and possibly

kickback.

-4-

Always wear safety goggles or eye
protection when using this tool. Use a
dust mask or respirator for applications
which generate dust.

Secure material before cutting. Never
hold it in your hand or across legs. Small

or thin material may flex or vibrate with the
blade, causing loss of control.

Make certain all adjusting screws and the
blade holder are tight before making a
cut, Loose adjusting screws and holders

can cause the tool or blade to slip and lose of
control may result.

When removing the blade from the tool
avoid contact with skin and use proper

protective gloves when grasping the

blade or accessory. Accessories may be
hot after prolonged use.

Use only accessories that are sold by
Sears for your model. Accessories that may

be suitable for one tool may become
hazardous when used on another tool.

_Some dust created by

power sanding, sawing,

grinding, drilling, and other construction
activities contains chemicals known to

cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of

these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-based paints,

• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement
and other masonry products, and

• Arsenic and chromium from chemically-
treated lumber.

Your risk from these exposures varies,
depending on how often you do this type of

work. To reduce your exposure to these
chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and

work with approved safety equipment, such
as those dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.

-5-

Symbols

IMPORTANT: Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them

and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the
tool better and safer.

Symbol Name

V Volts
A Amperes

Hz Hertz

W Watt
kg Kilograms

rain Minutes

s Seconds

_l Diameter

% No load speed

.../min

0

1,2,3 ....

I, It, III,

-.€,

I

[]

@

&

Revolutions or reciprocation per minute

Off position
Selector settings

Infinitely variable selector with off
Arrow

Alternating current
Direct current

Alternating or direct current
Class II construction

Earthing terminal
Warning symbol

Ni-Cad RBRC seal

@

Designation/Explanation
Voltage (potential)

Current
Frequency (cycles per second)

Power

Weight
Time
Time

Size of drill bits, grinding wheels, etc.

Rotational speed, at no load

Revolutions, strokes, surface speed,
orbits etc. per minute

Zero speed, zero torque...

Speed, torque or position settings.

Higher number means greater speed

Speed is increasing from 0 setting
Action in the direction of arrow

Type or a characteristic of current

Type or a characteristic of current

Type or a characteristic of current

Designates Double Insulated
Construction tools.

Grounding terminal
Alerts user to warning messages

Designates Ni-Cad battery recycling
program

This symbol designates

lhat this tool is listed by
Underwriters Laboratories.

that this tool is listed by

!_ This symbol designates

the Canadian Standards
Association.

0®

-6-

This symbol designates
that this tool is listed to

Canadian Slandards by
Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that
this tool is listed by

Underwriters Laboratories,
and listed to Canadian

Standards by Underwriters
Laboratories.

This symbol
designates

that

this tool
complies

to NOM

Mexican
Standards.

F_i_I Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any

assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally,

Scrolling Sabre Saw with Laser-Trac TM

SCROLLING KNOB

CONTROL WHEEL

LASER LIGHT

ADJUSTMENT

WORKLIGHT

TOOL-LESS

BLADE

CHANGE

COVER

/_f--_-. BUTTON

SCREW /

I LASER LIGHT/WORKLIGHT

ORBIT/SCROLLING

CONTROL LEVER

"LOCK-ON"

RUBBERIZED

FOOT

DUST

BLOWER

SWITCH

GRIP

VARIABLE SPEED

CONTROLLED

TRIGGER SWITCH

i VENTILATION

OPENINGS

DUST PORT

/BLADE

STORAGE

COMPARTMENT

Model Blade Blade Stroke

MAXIMUM CAPACITIES

No, Thickness Action Length Wood Aluminum Steel

17243 N1inmlum.7m111- Maximum 1.7ram Orbital/Scroll 13/16" 3-!/8" 1/2" 1/4"

NOTE:Fortool specifications refer to the nameplateon your tool.

-7=

+a_ i6!9X0<427 9-G4 9/23/04 9 ;04 _i,__ P 8

Attaching the Blade

To prevent personal injury,

always disconnect plug from

power source before assembling parts, making
adjustments, or changing blades.

1, Insert the saw blade (teeth in cutting
direction) until it latches in the plunger
(Fig. 2).

TOOL-LESS

COVER

VARIABLE SPEED CONTROLLED

TRIGGER SWITCH

Your tool is equipped with a variable speed trigger
switch, The tool can be turned 'rON" or "OFF" by

squeezing or releasing the trigger. The speed
can be adjusted from the minimum to maximum

nameplate SPM by the pressure you apply to the
trigger. Apply more pressure to increase the

speed and release pressure to decrease speed
(Fig. 1).

"LOCK-ON" BUTTON
The "Lock-ON" button, located in the handle of
your tool allows Ior continuous operation at
maximum SPM without holding the trigger

(Fig. 1).
TO LOCK TRIGGER "ON": squeeze trigger,

depress button and release trigger.

TO UNLOCK THE TRIGGER: squeeze trigger

and release it without depressing the "Lock-
ON" button.

lf the "Lock-ON" button is

continuously being depressed,

the trigger can not be released.

PLUNGER SPEED
The stroke rate may be adjusted as described

earlier under "Variable Speed Controlled
Trigger Switch". The best results for a particular

application are determined by experience,
though as a general rule, slower speeds are for

When inserting the saw blade, the back of
the blade must rest in the groove of the

guide roller (Fig, 3).

2. To remove blade, lift tool-less blade change
cover up with index finger and thumb and

remove blade.
For use with both T or U shank sabre saw

blades.

f ...........................

BLADE---+

GU DE ROLLER --

denser materials and faster speeds are for soft
materials.

LASER LIGHT/WORKLIGHT
CONTROL WHEEL

_ ASER RADIATION, AVOID

DO NOT stare into the laser light source.
Never aim light at another person or object

other than the workpiece. Laser light can
damage your eyes.

Tinted glasses will reduce overall vision for
the application and interfere with the normal

operation of the tool.

_ Never aim the beam at a

surface. Bright shiny reflective sheet steel or
similar reflective surfaces are not

recommended for laser use. Reflective
surfaces could direct the beam back toward
the operator,

of procedures other than those specified

herein may result in hazardous radiation

exposure.

will increase eye hazards.

DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE.

DO NOT use tinted glasses
to enhance the laser light,

workpiece with a reflective

Use of controls or

adjustments or performance

The use of optical

instruments with this product

-8-

÷

÷

SM !6i9X00427 9-04 9/23/04 9:04 AM P_ 9

The 4 position control wheel allows you to
control the function of the lights. Below, lists

the function of each setting (Fig. 1).

Setting 1: Turns OFF all lights.
Setting 2: Turns ON only the laser light.

Setting 3: Turns ON both the laser light and

the worklight.

Setting 4: Turns ON only the worklight
The laser line guide is a class Ilia laser with a

maximum output power of 5.0m Watts and
conforms to 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11.

LASER-TRAC TM LASER LINE GUIDE

The Laser-Trac line guide help you to follow
your cutting line with greater ease and
precision when making a cut.

TO ADJUST THE LASER LINE GUIDE
Use a flat head screwdriver to turn the
adjustment screw located on the side of the
laser module (Fig. 4). Turn on the laser line
guide by rotating the control wheel to setting

number 2. Rotate the adjustment screw until
the laser line is in the center of the blade.
There is no need to turn the tool "ON" while

adjusting the light beam.
The laser line guide has a limited amount of

travel. Do not continue to turn the adjustment
screw after the line stops moving or if it

becomes significantly harder to turn the screw.
Overturning the adjustment screw may cause

the adjustment system to break or cause the
adjustment screw to fall out of the tool.

USING THE LASER LINE GUIDE

Onty turn on the laser light on when the tool is

on the workpiece.

1. First mark the line of cut on your workpiece
(good side down.)

2. Insert plug into the power source.

3. Place the front edge of the saw foot on the
workpiece, turn the 4 position control wheel to

setting 2 for laser light only or setting 3 for
laser light and WORKLIGHT and align beam

with the line of cut.

4. Hold the tool firmly, squeeze the trigger and
allow the tool to reach desired speed.

5. Press down (to keep the saw foot flat
against the work surface) as you slowly push

the saw forward, keeping the beam in line with
the line of cut.

6. After completion of the cut, release the
trigger and turn off the laser light.

I/

BLADE STORAGE COMPARTMENT

Your sabre saw is equipped with a blade
storage compartment in the dust port of your

saw (Fig. 5). To remove, pull compartment
out of dust port in direction of arrow,

Always make sure the bIade storage
compartment is securely in the dust port to
prevent blades from falling out.

-9-

•AVOID EXPOSURE- LASER
RADIATION IS EMITTEO FROM

THIS APERTURE. I

,,EVITELAEXPOSICII_N. DESDE I

ESTAABERTU.RASEEMITE

RADIACIOHLASER. I

COMPARTMENT

i"[i_1

DUST

PORT

BLADE

DUST EXTRACTION
Your sabre saw is equipped with a dust port for

dust and chip extraction,
To use this feature, remove blade storage

compartment and move dust blower switch to
the "OFF" position "O" (Fig, 6).

Attach vacuum hose (optional accessory) to the
dust port, and connect opposite end of the hose

to a shop vacuum cleaner.

ON=o( ( I 1 3)1 DUST

,-.--"-BLOWER

OFF=o(C ! 1:_" SWITCH

WORKLIGHT
Your tool is also equipped with a worklight that

turns on automatically when the control wheel

is rotated to setting number 3 and 4, for better

visibility when cutting (Fig. 7).

ORBITAL ACTION MODELS
Orbital Action models have a lever (Fig. 8)

that will regulate the orbital action from
"Smooth" position for normal up and down
motion to maximum orbital action for faster

cutting in softer materials.

To increase orbital action, turn the lever to a
higher setting. To decrease orbital action turn

lever to a lower setting. When minimal
splintering is desired we recommend using

"Smooth" position.

SMOOTH LOW!MED FAST

MILD STEEL/ SOFT METALS METAL PLASTIC SOFT WOODS

ALL MATERIALS "lARD WOODS PLYWOOD

I_[dlM

position. To adjust foot, lift foot adjustment
lever and flip lever completely over, then

push foot forward as far as possible and
lower foot adjustment lever to maintain

adjustment (Fig. 9).
OrbitaI cut control is not observable when

sabre saw is free running. Sabre saw must be
cutting for orbital action to occur. The speed

of cut is much more apparent in thicker

materials such as 2 by lumber.

I

ROLLER

GUIDE

ATTENTION: In order to achieve orbital

action, the blade must be facing STRAIGHT
FORWARD and the back of the blade must

rest in the groove of the guide roller, and the

foot must be all the way in the forward

FOOT

tpJUSTMENT

LEVER

-10-