HSS Hire 517 Operating & Safety Manual

Biscuit Joint

Cutter

©HSS Hire Service Group Plc 1997 No. 517/01

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

Hire Shops

For cutting slots in timber

when reinforcing butt joints

with wood biscuits.

Operating & Safety Guide 517

Contact your local

0990 282828

Hold the tool in both hands and adopt a stable
posture with both feet on firm level ground, do
not work in areas where you are forced to stand
on loose debris or on a slippery uneven surface.

Maintain a good view of the cut that keeps you clear

of the tool’s cutters.

Hold the workpiece steady with clamps or in a
vice, positioning these so they don’t interfere with the

cutter.
If possible, drape the tool’s flex over one shoulder to

keep it clear of the cutters.
Place the front face plate on the edge of the work

and align the guide fence. Switch ON, and pivot
the motor unit forward allowing the blade to cut at its

own pace.

Apply just enough pressure to keep the base plate
flat on the work and ensure reasonable progress.

Aim to keep the cutter level moving the motor unit at a
constant rate until the cut is completed. Take special care
not to let it wobble or wander.

Once the cut is completed, pivot the motor unit
back, clear of the workpiece, then switch OFF and
wait until the blade has stopped befor removing
the machine.

Never use the cutter except for its intended
purpose. If it will not do what you want with reasonable

ease, contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.
Keep the equipment clean. You will find it less of a

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

Handle the cutter with care, avoid knocking or
dropping it.

Never use the cutter on timber containing nails
and similar obstructions. It is dangerous and damages

the tool.

Empty the cutter’s waste collection bag and clean
the machine at frequent intervals. In particular, clean

out the tool’s ventilation slots. If these get blocked, the
motor will over-heat and burn out.

Always wait for the cutter to stop turning before
putting the tool down when you have finished.

Use only blades supplied by HSS. The wrong blades

could damage both the tool and the workpiece.
When not in use, store the equipment somewhere

clean, dry and safe from thieves.

EQUIPMENT CARE

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Switch OFF and unplug the Cutter.
Carefully clean off dust and other debris, paying

special attention to the tool’s ventilation ports. Then
empty the waste bag and neatly coil the cable,
placing all components into the carry case, ready
for return to your local HSS Hire Shop.

FINISHING OFF

Code 03161

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

Keep children, animals and bystanders away from
the work area. Never leave the equipment plugged
in and unattended.

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

This equipment should only be used by a
competent person who has read and understood
these instructions.

Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated.

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

Some materials being cut by this process may

contain substances which, when inhaled can
be harmful to health. A suitable mask must be
worn when using this equipment.

This equipment generates potentially harmful

noise levels. To comply with health and safety at

work regulations, ear defenders must be worn by
everyone in the vicinity.

Wear practical, protective clothing and

footwear. Avoid loose garments and jewellery

that could catch in moving parts.

Never switch the cutter ON if in contact with the
work – it may kick back and cause personal injury.

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.

Always switch OFF and unplug the tool when not
in use, waiting until the blade has come to a halt before

putting it down.

Make sure you know how to switch this equipment
OFF before switching it ON.

Information on COSHH regulations is available from your
local HSS Hire Shop.

Most HSS biscuit joint cutters plug into a standard
13amp power socket. However, 110V models (with
a round yellow plug) must be provided with a
suitable 110V generated supply, or powered from the

mains via a suitable 110V transformer.

If the equipment fails, or if its flex or plug gets
damaged, return it. Never try to repair it yourself.

Keep flexes out of harm’s way, and clear of

moving parts.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

GENERAL SAFETY

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.

Using electrical equipment in very damp or wet
conditions can be dangerous.

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

available from your local HSS Hire Shop, or power 240V
(not 110V) equipment from a power circuit with a
built-in RCD.

Never carry or pull the equipment by its flex.
Ensure the equipment and power socket

are switched OFF before plugging into the
power supply.

Before operating the cutter, adjust the depth of
cut using the depth stop – graduated in mm. Turn

clockwise/anticlockwise to increase/decrease the depth.
Next, adjust the guide fence, secured by a clamp

lever on the left hand/inside the tool’s body to set the

distance of cut from the edge of the timber.
Finally, fit the waste spout into the hole in the side of

the tool and push on the waste bag.
Make any final adjustment by using the fine

adjuster to raise or lower the blade 1mm at a time.

If cutting into a mitred surface remove the guide fence
and adjust the face plate to the same % as the
work piece.

To turn the machine ON, simply slide the ON/OFF
switch forward then press in. To switch OFF, push
the rear of the slide switch.

GETTING STARTED

Tool or

Lead

RCD Transformer Supply

Siting an RCD

When used with a transformer an RCD will only

protect the user if fitted between the transformer and

the tool being used.

An RCD fitted between the power supply and the

transformer only protects up to the transformer.

MM

5
10
15

20

3

Waste

Bag

Fine Adjuster

90 – 180%

Face
Plate

Lock Nut

Depth

Stop

Guide

Fence Clamp

Side Handle

Guide
Fence

Distance

of Cut