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Operator's Manual
DUSTLESS PLATE JOINER
Double Insulated
Model No.
315.175011
Save this manual for
future reference
,_ W.ARNING: To reduce the risk of
injury, the user must read and
understand the operator's manual
before using this product.
Customer Help Line: 1-800-932-3188
Sears Roebuck and Co., 3333 Beverly Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA
Visit the Craftsman web page: www.sears.com/craftsman
972000-979
6-03
• Safety
• Features
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Parts List
000s
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• Warranty and Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2
• General Safety Rules ...................................................................................................................................... 3-4
• Specific Safety Rules .......................................................................................................................................... 4
• Symbols .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
• Unpacking ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
• Features ........................................................................................................................................................... 7-8
• Adjustments .................................................................................................................................................. 9-10
• Operation .................................................................................................................................................... 11-17
• Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 17-20
• Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................ 21
• Exploded View and Repair Parts List ......................................................................................................... 22-23
• Parts Ordering ! Service ................................................................................................................................... 24
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN PLATE JOINER
If this _R@F_HI_ Plate Joiner 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 repair it, free of
charge.
If this _R_£?$H/H Plate Joiner 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 state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 81TWA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Your Plate Joiner has many features for making
cutting operations more pleasant and enjoyable.
Safety, performance and dependability have been
given top priority in the design of this Plate Joiner,
making it easy to maintain and operate.
Spline joinery is one of the strongest methods of
joinery used in woodworking. When glue is properly
applied to a spline and to the joint area of the wood
pieces being connected, a large surface area receives
the adhesion properties of the glue. This forms a very
strong joint.
Traditional spline ioinery requires cutting slots with a
router or table saw. Small, thin strips of wood must
then be cut to fit inside the slots and act as splines.
Newer methods of spline joinery use a plate or biscuit
joiner to cut precise mating oval slots in adjoining
boards. Your new Plate Joiner is a fast, simple, and
accurate plunge cutting tool that can be used for this
purpose. It can be used to cut slots in hardwood,
softwood, plywood, particle board, and other pressed
woods.
2
CAUTION: Carefully read through this entire
operator's manual before using your new Plate
Joiner. Pay close attention to the Rules For Safe
Operation, Warnings and Cautions. Ifyou use
your Plate Joiner properly and only for what it is
intended, you will enjoy years of safe, reliable
service,
Football shaped wafers, called biscuits, are then
placed inside the slots with glue and used to help line
up adjoining surfaces. When a water based glue is
used, the biscuits swell fn the joint, making an ex-
tremely strong and firm bond. White glue, yellow glue,
carpenters glue, hide glue, and aliphatic resin glue are
examples of water based glues.
This bonding technique has traditionally been limited
to making edge-to-edge joints. However, with the use
of your new Plate Joiner, biscuits can now be easily
used to connect butt, miter, and T-joints. Biscuit
joining can be as strong as mortise and tenon, tongue
and groove, standard spline, and doweled joints. In
most cases the material around the biscuit will break
before the biscuit itself will break. A greater surface
area is exposed to glue in a biscuit joint, making the
seams stronger.
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_ WARNING: Read and understand all instruc-
tions. Failure to follow all instructions listed
below may result in electric shock, fire and/or
serious personal injury.
SAVE THESEINSTRUCTIONS
Work Area
• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-
spheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools may create
sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep bystanders, 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 polar-
ized 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.
• Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces,
such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigera-
tors. There is an increased risk of electric shock if
your body is grounded.
• Don't expose power tools to rain or wet condi-
tions. Water entering a power tool will increase the
risk of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to
carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges, or
moving parts. Replace damaged cords immedi-
ately. 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 rfsk of electric shock.
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 influ-
ence 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.
• 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 protec-
tion. Dust mask, nonskid 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 workplace to a stable platform.
Holding the work by hand or against your body is
unstable and may lead to loss of control.
• 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 power source before
making any adjustments, changing accesso-
ries, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the tool
accidentally.
• Store idle tools out of the 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 likelyto bind and are
easier to control.
• Check for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, and any other condi-
tion that may affect the tool's operation. If
damaged, have the tool serviced before using.
Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained
tools.
• 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.
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Service
• Tool service must be performed only by quali-
fied repair personnel. Service or maintenance
pertormed by unqualified personnel could result in
a risk of injury.
• Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where the tool may contact
hidden wiring or its cord. Contact with a "live" wire will make exposed metal parts of the tool "live" and
shock the operator.
• When servicing a tool, use only identical re-
placement 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.
Additional Rules For Safe Operation
• Know your power tool. Read operator's manual
carefully. Learn its applications and limitations,
as well as the specific potential hazards
related to this tool. Following this rule will reduce
the risk of electric shock, fire, or serious injury.
• Always wear safety glasses. Everyday eye-
glasses have only impact-resistant lenses;
they are NOT safety glasses. Following this rule
will reduce the risk of serious personal injury.
• Protect your lungs. Wear a face or dust mask if
the operation is dusty. Following this rule will
reduce the risk of serious personal iniury.
• Protect your hearing. Wear hearing protection
during extended periods of operation. Following
this rule will reduce the risk of serious personal
iniury.
• Inspect tool cords periodically and, if dam-
aged, have repaired at your nearest authorized
service center. Constantly stay aware of cord
location. Following this rule will reduce the risk of
electric shock or fire.
• Check damaged parts. Before further use of
the tool, a guard or other part that is damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that
it will operate properly and perform its in-
tended function. Check for alignment of mov-
ing parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of
parts, mounting, and any other conditions that
may affect its operation. A guard or other part
that is damaged should be properly repaired or
replaced by an authorized service center.
Following this rule will reduce the risk of shock,
fire, or serious injury.
• Do not abuse cord. Never carry the tool by the
cord or yank it to disconnect it from the recep-
tacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp
edges. Following this rule will reduce the risk of
electric shock or fire.
• Keep a firm grib on detail biscuit joiner with
both hands at all times.
• Make sure your extension cord is in good
condition. When using an extension cord, be
sure to use one heavy enough to carry the
current your product will draw. A wire gage
size (A.W.G.) of at least 16 is recommended for
an extension cord 100 feet or less in length. A
cord exceeding 100 feet is not recommended.
If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The
smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord.
An undersized cord will cause a drop in line
voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating.
• Inspect for and remove all nails from lumber
before sanding. Following this rule will reduce the
risk of serious personal injury.
• Drugs, alcohol, medication. Do not operate tool
while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or
any medication. Followingthis rulewill reduce the
risk of electric shock, fire, or serious personal injury.
• Save these instructions. Refer to them fre-
quently and use them to instruct others who
may use this tool. If you loan someone this
tool, loan them these instructions also.
_WARNING: 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.
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Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.
SYMBOL
V
A
Hz
W
rain
Fo
NAME
Volts
Amperes
Hertz
Watt
Minutes
Alternating Current
No Load Speed
Class II Construction
Per Minute/rain
Voltage
Current
Frequency (cycles per second)
Power
Time
Type of current
Rotational speed, at no load
Double-insulated construction
Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits etc. per minute
DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION
Safety Alert Precautions that involve your safety
Eye Protection Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields
and a full face shield w_en operating t_fs product.
Wet Conditions Alert
Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations.
The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. T_e safety symbols, and t_e
explanations with them, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves
eliminate any danger. T_e instructions or warnings t_ey give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention
measures.
SYMBOL MEANING
DANGER: Indicates an imminently _azardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in deat_ or
serious injury,
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially _azardous situation, w_ich, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices that may cause property damage.
Important: Advises you of important information or instructions vital to the operation or maintenance of
the equipment.
Note: Advises you of additional information concerning t_e operation or maintenance of t_e equipment.
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YourPlateJoirerhasbeenshippedcompletely
assembledandreadyforuse.Inspectitcarefullyto
makesurenobreakageordamagehasoccurred
duringshipping.Ifanypartsaredamagedormissirg,
contactyourrearestSearsRetailStoretoobtain
replacementpartsbeforeattemptingtooperateBiscuit
Joiner.
_ WARNING: If any parts are missing, do not
operate this tool until the missing parts are
replaced. Failure to do so could result in possible
serious personal injury.
DOUBLE INSULATION
Double insulation is a concept in safety, in electric
power tools, which eliminates the reed for the usual
three-wire grounded power cord. All exposed metal
parts are isolated from internal metal motor
components with protecting insulation. Double
insulated tools do not need to be grounded.
Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means
attention!!! Your safety is involved.
WARNING:
T_e operation of any Plate Joiner can result in foreign objects being thrown into your eyes,
w_ic_ can result in severe eye damage. Before beginning power tool operation, always wear
safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and a full face shield w_en needed. We
recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask for use over eyeglasses or standard safety glasses wit_
side s_ields, available at Sears Retail Stores. Always wear eye protection which is marked to
comply with ANSI Z87.1.
IMPORTANT
Servicing of a tool wit_ double insulation requires
extreme care and knowledge of the system and
should be performed only by a qualified service
technician. For service we suggest you return the tool
to your nearest Sears Store for repair. Always use
original factory replacement parts w_en ser4cing.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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Your Plate Joirer has beer designed for makirg fast,
accurate, ard simple plunge cuts in wood, etc. so that
biscuits car be used to ioir two or more boards
together. When used properly ard orly for what it is
intended, this versatile tool will give you years of
trouble-tree performarce. It is professionally
engireered, but its ease of operation allows the
amateur to produce beautiful ard precise work.
SWITCH
To turn your Plate Joirer ON, depress the switch
trigger. Release switch trigger to turn your Plate
Joirer OFF.
5/8 HP MOTOR
Your Plate Joiner has a powerful motor with sufficient
power to handle tough cutting jobs. It develops a no
load speed of 10,000 RPM.
BLADE
Your Plate Jotter has a 8-tooth carbfde tipped blade
for cutting biscuit slots.
BISCUITS
See Figure 1.
Biscuits are available ir three stardard sizes:
#0 (5/8 in. x 1-13/16 in.)
#10 (13/16 in. x 2-1/'16 in.}
#20 (15/16 in. x 2-5/16 in.}
Note: Store biscuits in a dry place because they swell
rapidly upon contact with water-based woodworking
glues.
_ = 5/8 in.x 1-13/16in.
ADJUSTABLE FENCE / FRONT HANDLE
Your plate joirer has ar adjustable terce. By
Iooserfrg the height adjustmert knobs, the angle of
the fence car be set up to 60° above and 45° below
90 °, with positive stop settings ir incremerts of 15°.
The hefght of the ferce car be set betweer 0 it. - 2
in. with a scale showfrg O fn. - 1-1/2 in.
The trort hurdle is part of the adjustable ferce ard
should always be used to gufde and balarce your
plate jofner, provfdirg ease of operatfor and
mafntafnirg safe control.
NONSKID BACKING PAD
The fence or your Plate Jotter is padded with a
rorskid backirg pad to hold it statiorary against the
workpiece. It helps prevent skiddirg whet makirg
cuts. It also prevents marring of the workpiece from
Plate Jotter when cutting.
INDICATOR MARKS
Certerlire and life of cut irdicator marks have been
provided or your Plate Joiner. See Figure 2.
APPLICATIONS
(Use only for the purpose listed below)
• Cutting precise mating oval slots ir hardwood,
softwood, plywood, particle board, etc. for spline
joirery applicatiors.
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB
A sprirg loaded depth adjustmert krob makes it
possible to make proper settirgs for three standard
size biscuits. Fine adjustments to the cutting depth
can be made with a krurled adjustmert knob and jam
rut located behind the depth adjustmert knob. Once
the correct depth setting has beer made for one
biscuit size, the other two depth settirgs will be
automatically set.
#10 = 13/16 in.x 2-1/16in.
#20 = 15/16 in.x 2-5/16in.
_ WARNING: Your Plate Joiner should fever be
conrected to power supply whet you are assem-
blfrg parts, makirg adjustments, assemblfng or
removing blades, clearirg or when rot in use.
Disconrecting your Plate Joiner wfll prevert
accidental startirg that could cause serious
personal injury.
Fig. 1
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KNOW YOUR PLATE JOINER
See Figure 2.
Before attempting to use any tool familiarize yourself
with all operating features and safety requirements.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
Your Plate Joiner has a precision built electric motor.
It s_ould be connected to a power supply that is 120
volts, 60 Hz, AC only (normal household current).
Do not operate t_is tool on direct current (DC). A
substantial voltage drop will cause a loss of power
and t_e motor will over,eat. If your Plate Joiner does
not operate when plugged into an outlet, double-
check the power supply.
CENTERLINEi LINE
OFCUTINDICATOR
MARK(S)
_ WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with tools to
make you careless. Remember that a careless
fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict severe
injury.
_ WARNING: Do not attempt to modify this tool or
create accessories not recommended for use
wit_ t_is tool. Any suc_ alteration or modification
is misuse and could result in a _azardous
condition leading to possible serious personal
injury.
SWITCH11_IGGER REAR
HANDLE
LINEOF
CUTWINDOW
FRONTHANDLEI
ADJUSTABLEFENCE
/
NONSKID
BACKINGFAD
HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOBS(2)
REARBASE
ASSEMBLY
HEIGHT
SE--FrlNGSCALE
3NT BASEASSEMBLY
SCREEN
MATERIAL
DUSTBOX
ANGLE
SEI"rlNG
SCALE
HEIGHT
INDICATOR
Ffg. 2
8