HSS Hire 404 Operating & Safety Manual

Code 03251

Steel Cutting

Circular Saw

A 230mm TCT bladed circular saw for

cutting sheet steel.

Operating & Safety Guide 404

404/01

©HSS Hire Service Group Plc 2002 No. 404/01

Group Office: 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TS

Web Site: http://www.hss.com

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DO NOT cut tanking which has been used to store fuel.
Do not cut into steel piping which has been used for

water, gas or any other medium unless new, unused
or it has been completely cleared.

Use a vice or clamps to hold the work steady and
reduce vibration. At the same time, ensure nothing
will get in the saw’s way and that off-cuts are supported

so they cannot trap the saw blade.

Adopt a stable stance that gives a good view of the
off cut while keeping you clear of the saw blade. In

particular, do not place your leg and fingers directly under
the cut.

If possible, drape the tool’s power supply cable over

one shoulder to keep it clear of the blade, but make
sure there is still enough slack for you to reach the
end of the workpiece without any difficulty.

Where applicable, set the mitre angle required.
Before switching ON, rest the front of the sole plate

on the work and retract the safety guard to expose
the minimum amount of blade necessary to start the cut.

Always start the saw and let it get up to speed before

bringing the blade into contact with the work.
Holding the saw with both hands, guide it along

the cutting line, supplying just enough pressure to

ensure reasonable progress.

Remove the saw from the cut before switching OFF

and wait for the blade to stop before putting it aside.

Never push the equipment beyond its design limits.

If it will not do what you want with reasonable ease and
speed, assume you have the wrong tool for the job.
Contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.

Regularly empty the swarf collection box. To empty
the collection box, firstly switch the saw OFF and
unplug it from the power supply.

To open the box turn the thumbscrew anticlockwise and
move the cover away. You can now tip the swarf into a

suitable container. Remember, it is your responsibility
to dispose of the swarf in a responsible manner.

Keep the equipment clean - you will find this less of a

chore if you clean it regularly, rather than wait until the
end of the hire period.

When not in use, store the equipment somewhere

clean, dry and safe from thieves.

Switch the saw OFF and unplug it from the power
supply. Empty the swarf collection box of any
remaining swarf.

Give the unit a final clean up, then place in its carry
case ready for return, to your local HSS Hire Shop.

Steel Cutting Circular Saw

Thumbscrew

Swarf

Collection

Box

Lock Off

Button

ON/OFF

Trigger

Blade Retaining

Bolt and Washer

Safety

Guard

Sole

Plate

Rear Mitre

Angle Lock

Knob

Safety

Guard

Side Fence

EQUIPMENT CARE

FINISHING OFF

For advice on the safety and suitability of this equipment
contact your local HSS Hire Shop.

There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do not
follow all instructions laid down in this guide.

The hirer has a responsibility to ensure that all necessary
risk assessments have been completed prior to the

use of this equipment.

This equipment should only be used by an operator
who has been deemed competent to do so by
his/her employer.

This equipment should be used by an able bodied,
competent adult who has read and understood these

instructions. Anyone with either a temporary or permanent
disability, should seek expert advice before using it.

Keep children, animals and bystanders away from
the work area. Cordon off a NO GO area using either

cones, barriers or tape, available for hire from your local
HSS Hire Shop.

Never use this equipment if you are ill,
feeling tired, or under the influence of

alcohol or drugs.

Safety goggles MUST be worn by everyone in
the work area.

This equipment generates potentially harmful

noise levels (121.7 dB (A)). To comply with health
and safety at work regulations, suitably rated ear
defenders must be worn by everyone in the vicinity.

Some materials when cut contain substances

which, when inhaled, can be harmful to health.

A suitable mask must be worn when using this equipment.
Respiratory protective equipment is available for hire,
contact your local HSS Hire Shop for details.

Wear practical, protective clothing, gloves and

footwear. Avoid loose garments and jewellery that

could catch in moving parts, tie back long hair.
Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated, if in

doubt, ask about lighting and ventilation / dust extraction
equipment at your local HSS Hire Shop.

Do not work near flammable gases or liquids, petrol
or paint thinner fumes for example. Keep combustible

materials at a safe distance - at least 5m.
Make sure you know how to switch this machine OFF

before you switch it ON in case you get into difficulty.
Always unplug the saw when not in use, before

carrying it or making adjustments to it.
Having switched the saw OFF, always wait for the

blade to come to rest before putting it down.
NEVER start the saw with the blade in contact with

the work piece.
Never carry or pull the equipment by its power

supply cable.
Ensure the guard is correctly fitted and secure before

starting work Never remove or otherwise interfere with
any safety guards fitted to the saw.

Never use the saw to cut any other material.
Make sure that everyone is warned of what you are

doing.
Check the condition of the equipment before use. If

it shows signs of damage or excessive wear, return it to
your local HSS Hire Shop.

The HSS Metal Cutting Circular Saw requires a
110V 16amp generated power supply, or can be

powered from the mains via a suitable 110V transformer.

If the equipment fails, or if its power supply cable or
plug becomes damaged, return it. Never try to repair

it yourself.
Keep cables out of harm’s way, and clear of the work

area.

Extension leads should be fully unwound and
loosely coiled, away from the equipment. Never run

them through water, over sharp edges or where they
could trip someone.

Keep the equipment dry, using electrical equipment
in very damp or wet conditions can be dangerous.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, always use
a suitable RCD (Residual Current-Operated Device)

available from your local HSS Hire Shop.

Ensure the machine and the power socket are
switched OFF before plugging into the power supply.

It is essential to familiarise yourself with all the
controls before starting.

With the saw unplugged from the power supply, fit the
appropriate blade for the job.

Remove the swarf collection box (see EQUIPMENT

CARE). Push in the shaft-locking button to stop the
blade rotating and remove the blade retaining bolt

and washer using the spanner provided.

Pull back the safety guard and slide on the new
blade (ensuring its teeth point the same way as the
arrow on the saw). Then replace the washer and
retaining bolt and re-tighten before releasing the

shaft-locking button. Rotate the blade to confirm that the
shaft lock has disengaged.

Set the depth of cut to suit the thickness of the
material being sawn. Raise the depth adjuster lock

lever, raise or lower the sole plate to suit then retighten
the lock lever. The depth of cut should be set so that

the blade protrudes beyond the cut no more than
4mm.

The saw can produce mitred cuts in steel, to set the mitre
angle (between 0∞ and 45∞) loosen the front and
rear mitre angle lock knobs, set the sole plate to the
required angle and re-tighten the lock knobs.

The final adjustment to consider is the side fence, used
to guide the blade along a piece of steel parallel to
it’s edge.

To switch the saw ON, push the lock OFF button
with your thumb and squeeze the ON / OFF trigger.

To switch OFF simply release the ON / OFF trigger.
The swarf collection box will collect steel cuttings as

the work progresses and will need emptying

periodically (see EQUIPMENT CARE).

All that now remains is to plug the saw into the
power supply and switch ON the power.

Never use this power saw to cut through timber,
plastics and other sheet material. It is dangerous and will

damage the saw. For timber and plastic cutting equipment
contact your local HSS Hire Shop.

The maximum sheet steel thickness you can cut is
12mm and this should not be exceeded.

Where steel box section is being cut, the maximum
thickness of the steel should not exceed 6mm with
a maximum 85mm square section.

GENERAL SAFETY

GETTING STARTED

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Depth Adjustment

0

15

30

45

Mitre Adjustment

Sole Plate

Rear Mitre

Angle Lock

Knob

Depth Adjuster

Lock Lever

Lock Off Button

ON/OFF

Trigger

Shaft

Locking

Button

Front Mitre
Angle Lock

Knob