MAKITA 3901 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MANUEL D'INSTRUCTION
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES

Plate Joiner
Lamelleuse
Engalletadora

3901

004573

DOUBLE INSULATION
DOUBLE ISOLATION
DOBLE AISLAMIENTO

WARNING:

For your personal safety, READ and UNDERSTAND before using.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

AVERTISSEMENT:

Pour votre propre sécurité, prière de lire attentivement avant l’utilisation.
GARDER CES INSTRUCTIONS POUR RÉFÉRENCE ULTÉRIEURE.

ADVERTENCIA:

Para su seguridad personal, LEA DETENIDAMENTE este manual antes de usar la herramienta.
GUARDE ESTAS INSTRUCCIONES PARA FUTURA REFERENCIA.

ENGLISH

SPECIFICATIONS

Model 3901

Max. Cutting depth 20 mm (25/32”)

No load speed (RPM) 10,000/min.

Overall length 307 mm (12-1/16”)

Net weight 2.8 kg (6.1 lbs)

• Due to our continuing programme of research and development, the specifications herein are subject to change
without notice.

• Note: Specifications may differ from country to country.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

GEA001-3

WARNING:

Read all instructions. Failure to follow all

instructions listed below may result in elec­tric shock, fire and/or serious injury. The
term “power tool” in all of the warnings listed
below refers to your mains-operated
(corded) power tool or battery-operated
(cordless) power tool.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Work area safety

1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered and

dark areas invite accidents.

2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-

spheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks

which may ignite the dust or fumes.

3. Keep children and bystanders away while oper-

ating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to

lose control.

Electrical safety

4. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never

modify the plug in any way. Do not use any
adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power
tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will

reduce risk of electric shock.

5. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded

surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric

shock if your body is earthed or grounded.

6. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet condi-

tions. Water entering a power tool will increase the

risk of electric shock.

7. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for
carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords

increase the risk of electric shock.

8. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an
extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a

cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of
electric shock.

Personal safety

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

moment of inattention while operating power tools
may result in serious personal injury.

10. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protec­tion. Safety equipment such as dust mask, non-skid

safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used
for appropriate conditions will reduce personal inju­ries.

11. Avoid accidental starting. Ensure the switch is in
the off-position before plugging in. Carrying

power tools with your finger on the switch or plug­ging in power tools that have the switch on invites
accidents.

12. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before
turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left

attached to a rotating part of the power tool may
result in personal injury.

13. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal­ance at all times. This enables better control of the

power tool in unexpected situations.

14. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves
away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery

or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

15. If devices are provided for the connection of
dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure
these are connected and properly used. Use of

these devices can reduce dust-related hazards.

2

Power tool use and care

16. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct
power tool for your application. The correct power

tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for
which it was designed.

17. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not
turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be

controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be
repaired.

18. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/
or the battery pack from the power tool before
making any adjustments, changing accessories,
or storing power tools. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool
accidentally.

19. Store idle power tools out of the reach of chil­dren and do not allow persons unfamiliar with
the power tool or these instructions to operate
the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the

hands of untrained users.

20. Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or
binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the power
tools operation. If damaged, have the power tool
repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by

poorly maintained power tools.

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

22. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits
etc. in accordance with these instructions and in
the manner intended for the particular type of
power tool, taking into account the working con­ditions and the work to be performed. Use of the

power tool for operations different from those
intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Service

23. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified
repair person using only identical replacement
parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power

tool is maintained.

24. Follow instruction for lubricating and changing
accessories.

25. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and
grease.

GEB020-1

Specific Safety Rules

DO NOT let comfort or familiarity with product
(gained from repeated use) replace strict adherence
to plate joiner safety rules. If you use this tool
unsafely or incorrectly, you can suffer serious per­sonal injury.

1. Blades must be rated for at least the speed rec­ommended on the tool. Blades running over rated

speed can fly apart and cause injury.

2. Always use the guard. The guard protects the
operator from broken blade fragments and uninten­tional contact with the blade.

3. Hold power tools 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.

4. Use only the blades specified for this tool.

5. Never operate the tool with the blade locked in
exposed position or without the blade cover
secured properly in place.

6. Make sure that the blade slides smoothly before
operation.

7. Check the blades carefully for cracks or dam­age before operation. Replace cracked or dam­aged blades immediately.

8. Make sure that the flange fits in the arbor hole
when installing the blade.

9. Inspect for and remove all nails or foreign mat­ter from the workpieces before operation.

10. Always place the workpieces on a stable work­bench.

11. Secure the workpieces firmly with clamp or
vise.

12. NEVER wear gloves during operation.

13. Hold the tool firmly with both hands.

14. Keep your hands and body away from the cut­ting area.

15. Run the tool for a while without the blade point­ing toward anybody. Watch for vibration or wob­bling that could indicate poor installation or a
poorly balanced blade.

16. Never reach your hands underneath the work­pieces while the blade is rotating.

17. Do not leave the tool running unattended.

18. Always be sure that the tool is switched off and
unplugged before making any adjustments or
replacing the blade.

19. Some material contains chemicals which may
be toxic. Take caution to prevent dust inhalation
and skin contact. Follow material supplier
safety data.

20. Do not use blunt or damaged blades.

21. Do not use the tool with damaged guards.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

WARNING:

MISUSE or failure to follow the safety
rules stated in this instruction manual
may cause serious personal injury.

3

SYMBOLS

The followings show the symbols used for tool.

V............................volts

A ...........................amperes

Hz..........................hertz

....................alternating current

.......................no load speed

.......................Class II Construction

.../min....................revolutions or reciprocation per

minute

USD201-2

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

CAUTION:

• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and

unplugged before adjusting or checking function on
the tool.

Adjusting the depth of cut

004574

1. Pointer

1

2. Stopper

3. Adjusting screw

Angle guide

The angle guide can be moved up and down to adjust the
position of the blade in relation to the top of the work­piece.

1

2

To adjust the angle guide height, loosen the lock lever
down and rotate the knob until the pointer points to the

3

desired scale graduation marked on the angle guide.
Then tighten the lock lever up to secure the angle guide.

The scale on the angle guide indicates the distance from
the top of the workpiece to the center of the blade thick­ness.

1

004575

1. Lock lever

2. Angle guide

3. Knob

4. Scale

5. Pointer

5

4

004576

1. Knob

2. Down

3. Up

2

4. Center of blade

3

thickness

4

2

3

6 cutting depths can be preset according to the size of
biscuit to be used or if trimming the wall or ceiling panels
as explained later. Rotate the stopper until the pointer
points to the appropriate size marked on the stopper.

Refer to the table below for the correspondence between
the sizes marked on the stopper and the biscuit size.
Fine adjustments to the cutting depth can be made by
turning the adjusting screw after loosening the hex nut.
This may become necessary after the blade has been
resharpened a few times.

Size on stopper

Biscuit size 0 10 20

Depth of cut

0 10 20 S D MAX

8 mm

10 mm

(5/16")

(0.4")

12.3mm
(0.48")

---

13 mm
(0.51")

14.7mm
(0.58")

006423

20 mm

(0.8")

Fence

The angle of the fence can be adjusted between 0° and
90° (positive stops at 0°, 45° and 90°). To adjust the
angle, loosen the lock lever and tilt the fence until the
pointer points to the desired graduation on the angle
scale. Then tighten the lock lever to secure the fence.

12

004577

1. Fence

2. Lock lever

3. Angle scale

3

When the fence is set at 90°, both the distance from the
center of the blade thickness to the fence and the dis­tance from the center of the blade thickness to the bot­tom of the base are 10 mm (0.4”).

4

004578

1

2

3

1. Lock lever

2. Pointer

3. Angle scale

4. Center of blade
thickness

10 mm (0.4”)

10 mm (0.4”)

45

5. Base

Set plate

Use the set plate as shown in the figures when cutting
slots in thin workpieces.

1

2

3

4

10 mm

(0.4”)

5

6 mm
(1/4”)

10 mm

(0.4”)

67

1

Switch action

CAUTION:

• Before plugging in the tool, always check to see

that the slide switch actuates properly and returns
to the “OFF” position when the rear of the slide
switch is depressed.

• Switch can be locked in “ON” position for ease of

operator comfort during extended use. Apply cau­tion when locking tool in “ON” position and maintain
firm grasp on tool.

004579

004580

004581

1

1. Lock lever

2. Pointer

3. Angle scale

4. Set plate

5. Thickness of set
plate

6. Center of blade
thickness

7. Base

1. Set plate

1. Slide switch

To start the tool, slide the slide switch toward the “I (ON)”
position. For continuous operation, press the front of the
slide switch to lock it.
To stop the tool, press the rear of the slide switch, then
slide it toward the “O (OFF)” position.

ASSEMBLY

CAUTION:

• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and

unplugged before carrying out any work on the tool.

Removing or installing the blade

1

2

3

4

CAUTION:

• When installing the cutter blade, mount the inner

flange with the side marked “22” facing toward you.

• When installing the circular saw blade, mount the

inner flange with the side marked “22” facing toward
the tool.

To remove the blade, loosen the clamp screw and open
the blade cover. Push the shaft lock and loosen the lock
nut using the lock nut wrench. To install the blade, first
mount the inner flange.

Then mount the blade and the lock nut. Securely tighten
the lock nut using the lock nut wrench. Close the blade
cover and tighten the clamp screw to secure the blade
cover.

CAUTION:

• Use only Makita lock nut wrench provided to

remove or install the blade.

• Always check the depth of cut after replacing the

blade. Reajust it if necessary.

Dust bag

1

23

5

004582

5

004583

1. Lock nut

2. Cutter blade

3. Inner flange

4. Clamp screw

5. Blade cover

1. Dust bag

2. Fastener

3. Dust nozzle

To attach the dust bag, fit it onto the dust nozzle. If the
dust bag becomes an obstacle to your work, turn the dust
nozzle to change the dust bag position.

When the dust bag is about half full, switch off and
unplug the tool. Remove the dust bag from the tool and
pull the bag’s fastener out. Empty the dust bag by tapping
it lightly to remove as much of the dust as possible.

NOTE:

• If you connect a Makita vacuum cleaner to your

plate joiner, more efficient and cleaner operations
can be performed.

OPERATION

How to make joints

To make joints, proceed as follows:

1. Fit the two workpieces together as they will appear

in the finished joint position.

Corner Joint (Fig. A)

T-Butt Joint (Fig. B)

004584

Fig. A

004585

Fig. B

Frame Joint (Fig. D)

004587

Fig. D

Edge-To-Edge Joint (Fig. E)

004588

Fig. E

2. Mark the center of the intended biscuit slots on the

workpiece using a pencil.

NOTE:

The center of slots should be at least 50 mm (2”) from the
outer edge of the workpieces.
Allow 100 mm - 150 mm (4” - 6”) between slots in multi­ple biscuit application.

3. For Corner Joint and T-Butt Joint only

Clamp the vertical workpiece to the workbench.

004589

Miter Joint (Fig. C)

004586

Fig. C

For Miter Joint only

Clamp one workpiece to the workbench with the mitered
edge facing up.

004590

6

For Frame Joint and Edge-To-Edge Joint only

Clamp one workpiece to the workbench.

1

1

004591

1. For Frame Joint

004592

1. For Edge-To­Edge Joint

004595

1

1. For T-Butt Joint

For Miter Joint only

Clamp the other workpiece to the workbench with the
mitered edge facing up.

004596

4. Set the depth of cut according to the size of biscuit

to be used. Refer to the table in the “Adjusting the
depth of cut” section.

5. Adjust the angle guide height so that the blade is

centered in the board thickness.

6. Align the center mark on the base with the pencil

line on the workpiece.

004593

7. Switch on the tool and gently push it forward to

extend the blade into the workpiece.

8. Gently return the tool to the original position after

the adjusting screw reaches the stopper.

9. For Corner Joint and T-Butt Joint only

Clamp the horizontal workpiece to the workbench.

1

004594

1. For Corner Joint

For Frame Joint and Edge-To-Edge Joint only

Clamp the other workpiece to the workbench.

1

1

004597

1. For Frame Joint

004598

1. For Edge-To­Edge Joint

7

10. For Corner Joint only

Place the tool on the workpiece so that the blade is fac­ing down.

004599

For T-Butt Joint only

Remove the angle guide from the tool. Place the tool on
the workpiece so that the blade is facing down.

004600

11. Repeat the steps 6 - 8 to cut the slots in the hori-

zontal or the other workpiece.

If you do not need to center the blade in the board thick­ness, proceed as follows:

For Corner Joint, Miter Joint, Frame Joint and Edge­To-Edge Joint only

004601

For T-Butt Joint only

• Fit the two workpieces together as they will appear

in the finished joint position.

• Lay the vertical workpiece on the horizontal one.

Clamp both workpieces to the workbench.

004602

004603

• Remove the angle guide from the tool.

• Follow the steps 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 11 described

above.

How to trim wall or ceiling panels

First unplug the tool. Open the blade cover and replace
the existing cutter blade with an optional circular saw
blade 110 mm (4-3/8”) in diameter.

1

2

3

004604

4

1. Lock nut

2. Circular saw
blade

3. Inner flange

4. Blade cover

• Remove the angle guide from the tool. Set the

fence at 90° for Corner Joint, Frame Joint and
Edge-To-Edge Joint or at 45° for Miter Joint.

• Follow steps 1 - 11 excluding steps 5 and 10

described above.

Refer to the “Removing or installing the blade” section
which was described previously. Remove the rubber fac­ing from the base. Then close and secure the blade
cover. Now the max. depth of cut is 25 mm (1”).

8

004605

1. Rubber facing

2

1

CAUTION:

• Be very careful that the blade has been properly

mounted on the tool spindle between the inner
flange and the lock nut. Be sure to securely tighten
the lock nut.

Set the depth of cut to “MAX”. Rest the base on the floor
(when trimming the wall panels) or the wall (when trim­ming the ceiling panels). Using the floor or wall as a
guide, trim wall or ceiling panels. Feed in the direction of
the arrow.

1

2. Blade cover

004606

1. When trimming
the wall panels

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION:

• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and

unplugged before attempting to perform inspection
or maintenance.

Replacing carbon brushes

Remove and check the carbon brushes regularly.
Replace when they wear down to the limit mark. Keep
the carbon brushes clean and free to slip in the holders.
Both carbon brushes should be replaced at the same
time. Use only identical carbon brushes.

Use a screwdriver to remove the brush holder caps. Take
out the worn carbon brushes, insert the new ones and
secure the brush holder caps.

001145

1. Limit mark

1

004608

1. Brush holder
cap

2. Screwdriver

004607

1

CAUTION:

• Before trimming the panels, check the wall or ceil-

ing carefully to avoid cutting the electrical wires,
nails or other foreign materials.

• Always reinstall the rubber facing after trimming the

panels. If cutting slots for biscuits without the rubber
facing installed properly on the tool, the tool might
slip unexpectedly on the workpiece, causing dan­gerous loss of control of the tool. When installing
the rubber facing, always hook it onto the inside of
the front opening.

1. When trimming
the ceiling pan­els

1

2

To maintain product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs,
any other maintenance or adjustment should be per­formed by Makita Authorized or Factory Service Centers,
always using Makita replacement parts.

ACCESSORIES

CAUTION:

• These accessories or attachments are recom-

mended for use with your Makita tool specified in
this manual. The use of any other accessories or
attachments might present a risk of injury to per­sons. Only use accessory or attachment for its
stated purpose.

If you need any assistance for more details regarding
these accessories, ask your local Makita Service Center.

• Angle guide

• Dust bag

• Set plate 4

9

• Lock nut wrench 20

• Cutter blade 100-4

• Cross-cut saw blade

• Combination saw blade

• Carbide-tipped saw blade

EN0006-1

MAKITA LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

Warranty Policy

Every Makita tool is thoroughly inspected and tested
before leaving the factory. It is warranted to be free of
defects from workmanship and materials for the period of
ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase. Should
any trouble develop during this one year period, return
the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita’s
Factory or Authorized Service Centers. If inspection
shows the trouble is caused by defective workmanship or
material, Makita will repair (or at our option, replace)
without charge.

This Warranty does not apply where:

• repairs have been made or attempted by others:

• repairs are required because of normal wear and

tear:

• the tool has been abused, misused or improperly

maintained:

• alterations have been made to the tool.

IN NO EVENT SHALL MAKITA BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM­AGES FROM THE SALE OR USE OF THE PRODUCT.
THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES BOTH DURING AND
AFTER THE TERM OF THIS WARRANTY.

MAKITA DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF “MERCHANTABILITY” AND “FITNESS FOR A SPE­CIFIC PURPOSE,” AFTER THE ONE YEAR TERM OF
THIS WARRANTY.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limi­tation or exclusion may not apply to you. Some states do
not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts,
so the above limitation may not apply to you.

10