MasterCraft 054-1237-4 Owner's Manual

Owner’s Manual

Multi-Cutter Precision Saw
054-1237-4

CAUTION:
Before using this multi-cutter
precision saw or any of its
accessories, carefully read
this manual and follow all
Safety Rules and Operating
Instructions.

 General Safety Rules
 Specific Safety Rules

and Symbols

 Functional Description
 Assembly
 Operation
 Maintenance
 Accessories

Imported by Mastercraft Canada Toronto, Canada M4S 2B8

Rev 1.7 03/12/2010

2

SECTION

PAGE SECTION

PAGE

Warranty ….……………………….

2

Know your multi-cutter …...…..

10

Product specifications …………...

3

Tote contents ………..………...

11–12

Power tool safety …………………

3–5

Assembly & operation ..………

13–18

Specific safety rules ……………..

6–8

Maintenance …….……………..

19

Extension cords ………………….

8–9

Parts & service ..……..………..

20–22

Symbols …………………………..

9

WARRANTY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Limited 3-year Replacement Warranty

This Mastercraft product carries a three (3) year replacement warranty against
defects in workmanship and materials. Mastercraft Canada agrees to replace the
defective product free of charge with the same model or one of equal value or
specification, within the stated warranty period, when returned by the original
purchaser with proof of purchase. This product is not guaranteed against wear or
breakage due to misuse and/or abuse.

This product is not guaranteed if used for industrial or commercial purposes.

Mastercraft is a superior line of products selected for their workmanship and
materials. These products are designed to meet rigorous quality and performance
standards, and are approved by our Quality Assurance laboratory.

TOLL FREE HELPLINE: 1-800-689-9928

3

WARNING: To avoid electrical hazards, fire hazards, or damage to the multi-
cutter precision saw, use proper circuit protection.

This multi-cutter precision saw is wired at the factory for 120 V operation. It must
be connected to a 120 V 15 A time delayed fuse or circuit breaker. To avoid shock or
fire, replace the power cord immediately if it is worn, cut or damaged in any way.

!

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Rating ………………………………..

120 V, 60 Hz, AC

Amperes …………………………….

4.0 Amperes

Speed ……………………………….

4000 RPM (no load)

Blade diameter ……………………..

85 mm (3 3/8”)

Arbor …………………………………

10 mm

Depth of cut …………………………

0–26.9 mm (0–11/16”)

Edge guide ………………………….

170 mm (6 ¾”)

WARNING: Dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and

other construction activities may contain chemicals that are known to cause
cancer, birth defects or other genetic abnormalities. These chemicals include:

 Lead from lead-based paints
 Crystalline silica from bricks, cement and other masonry products
 Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber

Your level of risk from exposure to these chemicals will vary, according to how
often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, work
in a well-ventilated area and use approved safety equipment such as dust masks
that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

!

POWER TOOL SAFETY

!

Always wear eye protection.
Any power tool can throw foreign objects into your eyes, which could cause
permanent eye damage. ALWAYS wear safety goggles (not glasses) that
comply with ANSI safety standard Z87.1. Everyday glasses only have
impact resistant lenses. They ARE NOT safety glasses.

WARNING: Glasses or goggles that do not comply with ANSI Z87.1 could
cause serious injury if they break.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFERENCE

DANGER: The laser light beam that is projected from the front of the laser

level can be dangerous to eyesight. Never allow anyone to stare directly into the
light. Staring directly into the light beam may result in serious eye damage.

!

4

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING: Read and understand

all instructions. Failure to follow all of the
instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, fire and/or serious personal
injury.

WORK AREA
Keep your work area clean and well-lit.

Cluttered benches and dark areas invite
accidents.

Do not operate power tools in a
potentially explosive environment, such
as in the presence of flammable liquids,
gases or dust. Power tools 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 into a
polarized outlet only one way. If the plug
does not fit into the outlet, reverse the
plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install a polarized
outlet. Do not alter the plug in any way.

Double insulation eliminates the need for
the three-prong grounded power cord and
grounded power supply system.

Avoid contact between your body and
grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There

is an increased risk of electric shock if
your body is grounded.

Do not expose power tools to rain or
wet conditions. Water entering the power

tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the

cord to carry the tool or to pull the plug out
of an outlet. Keep the cord away from heat,
oil, sharp edges, and moving parts.
Replace damaged cords immediately.
Damaged cords increase the risk of electric
shock.

When operating a power tool outdoors,
use an outdoor extension cord marked

“W-A” or “W”. These cords are rated for
outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric
shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY
Stay alert, watch what you are doing

and use common sense when operating
a power tool. Do not use the tool when
tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol, or medication. A moment of

inattention while operating a power tool
could result in serious personal injury.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose
clothing or jewellery.

Contain long hair. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving
parts. Loose clothing, jewellery or long hair

can be caught in moving parts.

Avoid accidental starting. Verify that the
switch is in the OFF position before
plugging the tool in. Carrying tools with

your finger on the switch or plugging in
tools that have the switch in the ON
position invites accidents.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFERENCE

!

POWER TOOL SAFETY

5

POWER TOOL SAFETY

PERSONAL SAFETY – cont’d
Remove adjusting keys or wrenches

before turning the tool ON. A wrench or

key that is left attached to a rotating part of
the tool could result in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing
and balance at all times. Proper footing

and balance allows for better control of the
tool in unexpected situations.

Use safety equipment. Always wear eye
protection. A dust mask, non-skid safety

shoes, a hardhat or hearing protection
must be used for appropriate conditions.

TOOL USE AND CARE
Use clamps or another practical means

to secure and support the workpiece to
a stable platform. Holding the work in your

hand or against your body is not stable and
may lead to loss of control.

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

will do the job better and safer at the speed
that it was designed to work at.

Do not use the tool if it cannot be turned
ON or OFF by the power switch. Any tool

that cannot be controlled using 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.

When not in use, store 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 cutting tools with sharp cutting
edges are less likely to bind and are easier
to control.

Check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, broken parts and any
other condition that may affect the
operation of the tool. If it is damaged,
have the tool serviced before using.

Many accidents are caused by poorly
maintained tools.

Use only accessories that are
recommended for your model by the
manufacturer. Accessories that may be

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

SERVICE
Tools must be serviced by qualified

personnel only. Service or maintenance

performed by unqualified personnel could
result in a risk of injury.

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 result in a risk of electric shock or
injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFERENCE

6

WARNING: Know your multi-
cutter. Do not plug the tool into the
power source until you have read and
understand this Instruction Manual.
Learn the tool’s 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 eye protection.
Any power tool can throw
foreign objects into your eyes

and cause permanent eye
damage. ALWAYS wear safety goggles
(not glasses) that comply with ANSI safety
standard Z87.1. Everyday glasses have
only impact resistant lenses. They ARE
NOT safety glasses.

WARNING: Glasses or goggles
not in compliance with ANSI Z87.1 could
cause serious injury when they break.

Always keep hands out of the path of the
saw blade. Avoid awkward hand positions
where a sudden slip could cause your hand
to move into the path of the saw blade.

DANGER: Keep hands away from
cutting area and the blade. Keep your
second hand on the tool. If both hands

are holding the saw, they cannot be cut by
the blade.

Do not reach underneath the workpiece.

The guard cannot protect you from the
blade below the workpiece.

Adjust the cutting depth according to
the thickness of the workpiece. Less

than a full tooth of the blade teeth should
be visible below the workpiece or
approximately 3/8" (10 mm).

Never hold piece being cut in your
hands or across your leg. Secure the
workpiece to a stable platform. It is

important to support the work properly to
minimize body exposure, blade binding, or
loss of control.

Hold power 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 also make exposed
metal parts of the power tool “live” and
shock the operator.

When ripping always use a straight
edge guide. This improves the accuracy of

cut and reduces the chance of the blade
binding.

Always use blades with correct size and
shape (diamond versus round) of arbour
holes. Blades that do not match the

mounting hardware of the saw will run
eccentrically, causing loss of control.

Never use damaged or incorrect blade
washers or bolt. The blade washers and

bolt were specially designed for your saw,
for optimum performance and safety of
operation.

CAUSES AND OPERATOR
PREVENTION OF KICKBACK

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched,
bound or misaligned saw blade, causing an
uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the
workpiece toward the operator;

When the blade is pinched or bound tightly
by the kerf closing down, the blade stalls
and the motor reaction drives the unit
rapidly back toward the operator;

! ! !

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

7

CAUSES AND OPERATOR
PREVENTION OF KICKBACK – cont’d

If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned
in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the
blade can dig into the top surface of the
wood causing the blade to climb out of the
kerf and jump back toward the operator.
Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or
incorrect operating procedures or
conditions and can be avoided by taking
proper precautions as given below:

Maintain a firm grip with both hands on
the saw and position your arms to resist
kickback forces. Position your body to
the left or right side of the blade, but not
in line with the blade. Kickback could

cause the saw to jump backwards, but
kickback forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken.

When the blade is binding, or when
interrupting a cut for any reason,
release the trigger and hold the saw
motionless in the material until the
blade comes to a complete stop.
Never attempt to remove the saw from
the work or pull the saw backward while
the blade is in motion or kickback may
occur. Investigate and take corrective

actions to eliminate the cause of blade
binding.

When restarting a saw in the workpiece,
centre the saw blade in the kerf and
check that saw teeth are not engaged
into the material. If the saw blades are

binding, it may walk up or kickback from
the workpiece as the saw is restarted.

Support large panels to minimize the
risk of blade pinching and kickback.

Large panels tend to sag under their own
weight. Supports must be placed under the
panel on both sides, near the line of cut
and near the edge of the panel.

Do not use dull or damaged blades.

Unsharpened or improperly set blades
produce narrow kerf causing excessive
friction, blade binding and kickback.

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Use extra caution when making a

“plunge cut” into existing walls or other
blind areas. The protruding blade may cut

objects that can cause kickback.

Check the lower guard for proper
closing before each use. Do not operate
the saw if the lower guard does not
move freely and close instantly. Never
clamp or tie the lower guard into the
open position. If the saw is accidentally

dropped, the lower guard may be
damaged. Raise the lower guard with the
retracting handle and make sure it moves
freely and does not touch the blade or any
other part in all depths of cuts.

Check the operation of the lower guard
spring. If the guard and the spring are
not operating properly, they must be
serviced before use. The lower guard

may operate sluggishly due to damaged
parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of
debris.

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES