This manual has been prepared for the owner and operators of a Powermatic Model 74A Tilting
Arbor/Scoring Saw. It s purpose, aside from machine operation, is to promote safety through the
use of accepted correct operating and maintenance procedures. Completely read the safety
and maintenance instructions before operating or servicing the machine. To obtain maximum
life and efficiency from your table saw and to aid in using the machine safely, read this manual
thoroughly and follow all instructions carefully.
Warranty & Service
The WMH T ool Group warrants every product it sells. If one of our tools needs service or repair , one of our
Authorized Repair S tations located throughout the United S tates can give you quick service.
In most cases, any one of these WMH Tool Group Repair S tations can authorize warranty repair, assist you in
obtaining parts, or perform routine maintenance and major rep air on your JET , Powermatic, Performax, or
Wilton tools.
For the name of an Authorized Repair S tation in your area, please call 1-800-274-6848.
More Information
Remember, the WMH Tool Group is consistently adding new products to the line. For complete, up-to-date
product information, check with your local WMH T ool Group distributor .
WMH T ool Group W arranty
The WMH Tool Group makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards
and warrants to the original retail consumer/purchaser of our products that each product be free from defects in
materials and workmanship as follow: 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON ALL PRODUCTS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. This Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse,
negligence or accidents, normal wear-and-tear, rep air or alterations outside our facilities, or to a lack of maintenance.
THE WMH TOOL GROUP LIMITS ALL IMPLIED W ARRANTIES TO THE PERIOD SPECIFIED ABOVE, FROM
THE DATE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED A T RET AIL. EXCEPT AS ST A TED HEREIN, ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS ARE EXCLUDED. SOME ST A TES DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THE IMPLIED W ARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMIT A TION MA Y
NOT APPL Y TO YOU. THE WMH T OOL GROUP SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR DEA TH, INJURIES
TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, OR FOR INCIDENT AL, CONTINGENT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. SOME ST A TES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITA TION OF INCIDENT A L OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMIT A TION OR
EXCLUSION MA Y NOT APPL Y T O YOU.
T o take advant age of this warranty , the product or part must be returned for examination, postage prep aid, to an
Authorized Repair S tation designated by our office. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint
must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection discloses a defect, we will either repair or replace the
product, or refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide a repair or replacement, if you are
willing to accept a refund. We will return repaired product or replacement at WMH's expense, but if it is
determined there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of WMH's warranty ,
then the user must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights; you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
The WMH Tool Group sells through distributors only . Members of the WMH Tool Group reserve the right to
effect at any time, without prior notice, those alterations to parts, fittings, and accessory equipment which they
may deem necessary for any reason whatsoever.
As with all machines, there is a certain amount of hazard involved with the use of this table saw . Use the
machine with the respect and caution demanded where safety precautions are concerned. When normal
safety precautions are overlooked or ignored, personal injury to the operator can result.
Read, understand and follow the safety and operating instructions found in this manual. Know the limitations and hazards associated with this table saw .
Electrical grounding. Make certain that the machine frame is electrically grounded and that a ground lead is
included in the incoming electrical service. In cases where a cord and plug are used, make certain that the
grounding plug connects to a suitable ground. Follow the grounding procedure indicated in the National Electrical Code.
Eye safety . Wear an approved safety shield, goggles, or glasses to protect eyes. (NOTE: Common eyeglasses are only impact resistant, they are not safety glasses.)
Personal protection. Before operating the machine, remove tie, rings, watch and other jewelry and roll up
sleeves above the elbows. Remove all loose outer clothing and confine long hair . Protective type footwear
should be used. Where the noise exceeds the level of exposure allowed in Section 1910.95 of the OSHA
Regulations, use hearing protective devices. Do not wear gloves.
Guards. Keep the machine guards in place for every operation for which they can be used. If any guards are
removed for maintenance, DO NOT OPERA TE the machine until the guards are reinstalled.
Work area. Keep the floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, saw dust, oil and other liquids
to minimize the danger of tripping or slipping. Be sure the table is free of all scrap, foreign material and tools
before starting to cut. Make certain the work area is well lighted and that a proper exhaust system is used to
minimize dust. Powermatic recommends the use of anti-skid floor strips on the floor area where the operator
normally stands and that each machine’s work area be marked off. Provide adequate work space around the
machine.
Operator position. Maintain a balanced stance and keep your body under control at all times. Do not stand
in line with the saw blade or work piece and do not allow anyone else to do so. Never climb on or near the saw.
Do not overreach. Use a support table or have a helper or “tailman” take stock away from the back side of
the blade.
Housekeeping. Before turning on machine, remove all extra equipment such as keys, wrenches, scrap, and
cleaning rags away from the saw .
Careless acts. Give the work you are doing your undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation, and “horseplay” are careless acts that can result in serious injury .
Disconnect machine before performing any service or maintenance or when changing blades. A machine
under repair should be RED T AGGED to show it should not be used until the maintenance is complete.
Alignment. Check the alignment of the splitter , fence and miter slot to the blade. A caution decal is installed
on each guard and splitter to remind the operator of the dangers of misalignment.
Maintain tools in top condition. Check the saw blade for cracks or missing teeth. Do not use a cracked or
dull blade or one with missing teeth or improper set. Make sure the blade is securely locked on the arbor.
Hand safety . Keep hands clear of the blade area. Do not reach past the blade to clear p arts or scrap with the
saw blade running. Never saw free hand. A void awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip
could cause your hand to contact the blade.
Safety devices. Always use the splitter , blade guard, push stick and other safety devices for all operations
4
Page 5
where they can be used. On operations such as dadoing or molding where the blade guard cannot be used,
use feather boards (see page 15), fixtures and other safety devices and use extreme caution. Reinstall the
splitter and blade guard immediately after completing the operation that required their removal.
Saw blade rotation. Be sure the saw blade rotates clockwise when viewed from the motor side (left side) of
the machine.
Adjustments. Make all adjustments to the machine and operational setup with the power off. Never remove
the insert with the blade running.
Material condition. Do not attempt to saw boards with loose knots or with nails or other foreign material, on
its surface. Do not attempt to saw twisted, warped, bowed or “in wind” stock unless one edge has been
jointed for guiding purposes prior to sawing.
Large stock. Do not attempt to saw long or wide boards unsupported where spring or weight could cause the
board to shift position.
Job completion. If the operator leaves the machine area for any reason, he should turn “off” the power to the
table saw motor and wait until the saw blade comes to a complete stop before his departure. In addition, if the
operation is complete, he should clean the table saw and the work area. NEVER clean off the table saw with
power “on” and NEVER use the hands to clear sawdust and debris; use a brush.
Replacement parts. Use only Powermatic or factory authorized replacement parts and accessories; otherwise the table saw warranty and guarantee is null and void.
Misuse. Do not use this Powermatic table saw for other than its intended use. If used for other purposes,
Powermatic disclaims any real or implied warranty and holds itself harmless for any injury or damage which
may result from that use.
If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of T able Saws, obt ain advice from your supervisor, instructor or other qualified person.
Drugs, alcohol, medication. Do not operate this machine while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any
medication.
Health hazards. 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 paint.
* Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products.
* Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber .
Y our 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 specifically designed to filter out microscopic particles.
Familiarize yourself with the following safety notices used in this manual:
!
CAUTION: (This means that if precautions are not heeded, it may result in minor or moderate injury
and/or possible machine damage)
!
WARNING: (This means that if precautions are not heeded, it could result in serious injury or
possibly even death).
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!
SAFETY
Familiarize yourself with the location of these safety decals on your table saw.
FIGURE 1
SPECIFICATIONS (Model 74A)
T able Height ....................................................................................................................................... 35"
T able size without extension ............................................................................................. 38" W x 26" L
Table Size Std. Extension ................................................................................................. 38" W x 48" L
T able Size Long Extensions.............................................................................................. 38" W x 73" L
Remove the saw from its shipping carton and check
for damage. Report any damage to your distributor
immediately. Accessories and rails were shipped in
separate cartons. Read the instruction manual thoroughly for assembly, alignment, maintenance and
safety instructions.
NOTE: Exposed metal parts such as the top and
extension wings have been given a protective coating
at the factory . This should be removed with a solvent
(such as mineral spirits) once the machine has been
assembled.
INSTALLATION & ASSEMBLY
Mount the machine on a solid foundation and secure
to the floor with high-quality lag screws through the
four holes provided in the machine's base.
CAST IRON EXTENSIONS
1.Mount the cast iron extensions using the (6)
1/2 x 1-1/4" hex. hd. cap screws and lock washers.
Holding the wing in upright position to the saw table,
insert the middle screw and lock washer first but do
not tighten completely .
2.Pivot the wing to level position and insert the
outside screws. Do not tighten completely .
3.Level the extension with the table, using a
straight edge so that they form a flat plane with the
table top.
4.Tighten all screws.
MOUNTING BLADE
If your blade came uninstalled, refer to "Changing Saw
Blades," page 9. NOTE: Blade must be mounted
before making rail and fence adjustments.
RAILS & ACCU-FENCE
(Refer to the manual that accompanies the AccuFence® to assemble rails and fence at this point.)
®
FIGURE 2
3.Mount the splitter assembly to the two adjusting screws, Figure 3. Place the two flanges of the
splitter assembly onto the screws as shown.
4.The splitter and guard assembly must be
aligned with the blade. Adjust the splitter according
to the directions on page 9, "S plitter Alignment."
FIGURE 3
MITRE GAUGE
Place washer on threaded rod, Figure 4, and screw
the handle on to the bolt. Install the mitre gauge in its
left hand slot on the table.
SPLITTER & GUARD ASSEMBLY
1.Insert the grooved end of the splitter support
shaft through slot in rear of saw and into hole in trunnion, Figure 1. Make sure the square head setscrew
is backed out enough to allow easy insertion.
2.With a wrench, tighten square head setscrew
into the groove of the shaft as shown in Figure 2.
(NOTE: The groove will be in the proper position if the
end of the shaft is made flush with the opposite side of
the trunnion hole.) Tighten the locknut. The upright
member of the rear splitter support must be on the left
side of the shaft (observed from the saw's front).
FIGURE 4
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ADJUSTMENTS
MITER SLOT ALIGNMENT
To check the alignment of the miter slot to the blade,
raise the blade to its 0 (90 deg.) position and its maximum height. Mark one tooth with a grease pencil and
position the tooth slightly above the top edge of the
table at the front. Raise the miter gauge bar slightly
out of its slot to serve as a shoulder . Using a combination square against the side of the bar, slide the
scale over until it touches the tip of the blade and lock
scale in position, Figure 5.
FENCE ALIGNMENT
See Accu-Fence® manual.
MITRE GAUGE ADJUSTMENT
The mitre gauge is equipped with individually adjustable index stops at 90 degrees and 45 degrees right
and left. The index stops can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the three adjusting screws (A), Figure 7.
To operate the mitre gauge, loosen lock handle (B),
and move the body of the mitre gauge (C) to the desired angle. The mitre gauge body is set to stop at 0
degrees and 45 degrees left or right. To move the
gauge beyond these points, the stop rod (D), must be
pulled out.
FIGURE 5
Rotate the marked tooth so that it is slightly above the
table top at the rear and using the square as in front,
check whether the distance to the blade is the same.
If it is not, loosen the three (3) mounting screws that
lock the table to the cabinet and move the table to
bring the miter slot in line with the blade. The blade
should be kept centered with the slot in the table insert to ensure clearance at both the 90 deg. and 45
deg. positions. After aligning, lock the table to the
cabinet by retightening the three mounting screws.
TILT STOP ADJUSTMENT
Using a combination square, check the 90 deg. (0)
and 45 deg. stops as shown in Figure 6. Adjust stop
positions if required, using the stop screws as shown.
Check the pointer at 90 deg. and readjust if required.
FIGURE 7
If accurate crosscutting work is to be done using the
miter gauge, check its squareness to the slot with a
combination square and readjust the stop position if
required, Figure 8.
FIGURE 8
8
FIGURE 6
MAIN BLADE BELT TENSIONING
The saw is equipped with a set of three matched belts
and on replacement, replace the complete set. T o retension the belts, loosen the cap screws on either
side of the motor bracket as shown in Figure 9, and
pivot the motor and bracket to the right. Retighten the
mounting screws.
Page 9
FIGURE 9
SCORING BLADE BELT TENSIONING
The scoring blade belt is tensioned by the weight of
the motor. If the belt should lose its tension, check
the scoring motor pivot screws for binding. See Figure 9.
ARBOR AND ARBOR BEARING REMOVAL
To remove the saw arbor, remove the table top. Remove the lock nut, pulley and key . Use a wrench on
the end of the arbor to hold it while loosening the nut.
Loosen the setscrew in the saw raising arm and the
arbor; bearings and spacer will then slide out of the
arm housing, Figure 10.
NOTE: The saw arm setscrew must be tight to avoid
the possibility of movement which could cause the
blade to hit the insert.
FIGURE 11
SPLITTER ALIGNMENT
One of the most critical adjustments to help avoid kickbacks is the splitter alignment. It should be checked
and readjusted if necessary after each blade change.
To align the splitter to the blade, use a combination
square against the side of the raised up miter gauge
bar and slide the scale against the top of the tooth as
shown in Figure 12.
Check the splitter for parallelism to the miter slot and
readjust if required. Check for clearance.
Move the miter gauge to the opposite side of the blade
and using the combination square, slide the scale
against the top of the tooth. Check for clearance.
Clearance should be approximately equal on both sides
of the blade.
The insert will have to be removed to get at the adjustment jack screw mounted in the center trunnion.
FIGURE 10
BLADE RAISING MECHANISM
ADJUSTMENT
If binding occurs, clean off all sawdust and pitch buildup and lubricate with a good non-hardening grease
such as Fisk Company Lubriplate. If binding continues, check the fit-up of the worm and worm gear segment. The worm must be centered with the worm
gear segment. It if is not centered, loosen the saw
raising arm setscrews and move the arm as required,
Figure 1 1, and re-lock.
If saw arm has been relocated, the table may have to
be realigned so as to provide clearance between the
saw blade and the table insert slot, and the splitter
will have to be realigned.
FIGURE 12
SCORING BLADE KERF ADJUSTMENT
Make a cut part way through a board with the main
blade (scoring blade down). Using a feeler gauge,
check the width of the kerf of the main blade. Raise
the scoring blade and make a cut part way through a
board with it. Check its kerf width using a feeler gauge
also.
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Page 10
The scoring blade kerf is adjusted by increasing or
decreasing the number of shims between the two scoring blade halves (the scoring blade actually consists
of two narrow blades). Each shim varies the width by
approximately .004" and will vary the width from .1 10"
to .192".
INSERT ADJUSTMENT
Adjust the set screws as required in the insert, Figure
13, to ensure that the insert is stable and flush with,
or slightly below, the table top.
TILTING MECHANISM ADJUSTMENT
If binding occurs in the tilting mechanism, clean off
the sawdust and pitch accumulation and re-grease. If
binding continues, check the alignment and readust
as required to center the worm with the worm gear
segment on the trunnion. If there is excessive play,
loosen cap screws and adjust jackscrews clockwise
to raise pinion, Figure 15. A tight mesh without binding is ideal. Retighten mounting screws and check
over the 90 deg. to 45 deg. range of tilt for excessive
play or binding. Readjust if required.
FIGURE 13
CHANGING SA W BLADES
T o change a saw blade, disconnect machine from the
power source. Remove the table insert. Place the
arbor wrench on the arbor nut and use a block of wood
wedged between the saw blade and table as shown in
Figure 14. Remove the arbor nut and collar and saw
blade. Install new blade making sure the cutting edge
of the teeth at the top face toward the front of the saw.
Slide the collar on the arbor and start the arbor nut on
the threads. Snug the arbor nut against the collar and
saw blade using the wrench while holding the saw blade
with the thumb and finger tips. Wedge a block of wood
between the saw blade and table and tighten the arbor
nut securely . Replace the table insert and reconnect
the machine to power source.
FIGURE 15
SCORING BLADE ALIGNMENT
Scoring blade alignment should be done after all other
adjustments have been made.
Using the rip fence, make a cut part way into a board
with the main blade, with the scoring blade up. Turn
board over and check alignment of the scoring cut with
the main blade cut. Adjust scoring saw as necessary
to provide the same amount of scoring step on each
side of main blade cut. Approximate scoring blade
alignment is made by loosening the scoring arbor set
screw , Figure 16, and tapping arbor in the correcting
direction. Fine adjustment is made by jack screws
accessed through the window in the front of the stand.
FIGURE 14
10
FIGURE 16
Page 11
MAINTENANCE
Good saw operation requires periodic preventive maintenance. Keep the inside of the cabinet and trunnion
area clean. A stiff brush will remove sawdust before it
cakes and pitch or gum is easily removed with a commercial solvent or with a good oven cleaner. To accomplish this, remove the table by removing the three
mounting screws and exposing the working mechanisms of the saw. After cleaning the tilting and raising
worm and worm gear segments and the trunnions,
grease these three areas with a good grade non-hardening grease such as Fiske Company "Lubriplate."
Check periodically for excessive end play in the tilting
and raising mechanism and in the saw arbor and readjust as required.
Check periodically for belt tension and wear . Readjust or replace belt as required.
For best results, the table surface must be kept clean
and free of rust. Although some users prefer a wax
coating, white talcum powder applied with a blackboard eraser rubbed in vigorously once a week will fill
casting pores and form a moisture barrier. This method
provides a table top that is slick and allows rust rings
to be easily wiped from the surface. Also, unlike wax
pickup, talcum powder will not stain wood or mar
finishings.
INSTRUCTIONS & PROCEDURES
FOR CIRCULAR SAW
OPERATIONS
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1.Familiarize yourself with the location and operation of all controls and adjustments and the use of
accessories such as the miter gauge and rip fence.
2.Serious injury can result from kickbacks which
occur when a work piece binds on the saw blade or
binds between the saw blade and rip fence or other
fixed object. This binding can cause the work piece
to lift up and be thrown toward the operator. Listed
below are the conditions which can cause kickbacks:
a. Confining the cutoff piece when cross
cutting or ripping.
b. Releasing the work piece before completing the operation or not pushing the work piece
all the way past the saw blade.
c. Not using the splitter when ripping or not
maintaining alignment of the splitter with the saw
blade.
d. Using a dull saw blade.
e. Not maintaining alignment of the rip fence
so that it tends to angle toward rather than away
from the saw blade front to back.
NOTE: Caution decal on guard and splitter assembly.
f. Applying feed force when ripping to the cutoff (free) section of the work piece instead of the
section between the saw blade and fence. Use
push sticks or push blocks, Figure 17, for narrow, thin, or short work.
g. Ripping wood that is twisted (not flat), or
does not have a straight edge, or a twisted grain.
FIGURE 17
3.T o minimize or prevent injury from kickbacks:
a. Avoid conditions listed above.
b. Wear a safety face shield, goggles, or
glasses.
c. Do not use the miter gauge and rip fence
in the same operation unless provision is made
by use of a facing board on the fence so as to
allow the cutoff section of the workpiece to come
free before the next cut is started (See pg. 13 for
instruction on cross-cutting).
d. Check the operation of the anti-kickback
pawls before starting a cut. If the pawls do not
stop the reverse motion of a workpiece, resharpen
all the points.
e. Where possible, keep your face and body
out of line with potential kickbacks including when
starting or stopping the machine.
4.Dull, badly set, improper , or improperly filed
cutting tools and cutting tools with gum or resin adhering to them cause many of the tilting arbor saw
accidents. Never use a cracked saw blade. The use
of a sharp, well maintained, and correct cutting tool
for the operation will help to avoid injuries.
5.Support the work properly and hold it firmly
against the gauge or fence. Use a push stick or push
block when ripping short, narrow (6" width or less), or
thin work. Use a push block or miter gauge holddown when dadoing or molding.
6.For increased safety in crosscutting, use an
auxiliary wood facing attached to the miter gauge using the holes provided, Figure 18.
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Page 12
FIGURE 18
7.Never use the fence as a length stop when
crosscutting. Do not hold on to, or touch, the free end
or cutoff section of a workpiece. On thru sawing operations, the cutoff section must NOT be confined.
8.Always keep your hands out of the line of the
saw blade and NEVER reach back of the cutting blade
with either hand to hold the workpiece.
9.Bevel ripping cuts should always be made with
the fence on the right side of the saw blade so that the
the blade tilts away from the fence and minimizes the
possibility of the work binding and the resulting kickback.
10.Use the miter gauge on the right-hand side of
the saw blade when doing miter or compound miter
cuts to provide more hand clearance and safety .
RIP SA WING
1.Ripping is a sawing process where the work
piece is fed with the grain into the saw blade using the
fence as a guide and a positioning device to ensure
the desired width of cut, Figure 19.
Never rip freehand or use the miter gauge in combination with the fence.
Never rip workpieces shorter than the saw blade diameter .
Never reach behind the blade with either hand to hold
down or remove the cutoff piece with the saw blade
rotating.
2.Always use the saw guard, splitter and kickback pawls. Make sure the splitter is properly aligned.
When wood is cut along the grain, the kerf tends to
close and bind on the blade and kickbacks can occur .
NOTE: A caution decal is inst alled on the guard and
splitter assembly warning of the hazard of misalignment (see pg. 8 for alignment instructions).
3.The rip fence should be set for the width of
the cut by using the scale on the front rail or by measuring the distance between the blade and fence.
S tand out of line with the saw blade and workpiece to
avoid sawdust and splinters coming off the blade and
a kickback, if one should occur.
4.If the work piece does not have a straight
edge, nail an auxiliary straight edged board on it to
provide one against the fence. To cut properly, the
board must make good contact with the table. If it is
warped, turn the hollow side down.
5.In ripping, use one hand to hold the board
down against the fence or fixture, and the other to
push it into the blade between the blade and the fence.
If the workpiece is narrow (less than 6") use a push
stick or push block. Never push in a location such
that the pushing hand is in line with the blade. Move
the hand serving as a holddown a safe distance from
the blade as the cut nears completion. For very narrow ripping where a push stick cannot be used, use a
push block or auxiliary fence. Always push the
workpiece completely past the blade at the end of a
cut to minimize the possibility of a kickback.
6.When ripping long boards, use a support at
the front of the table and a support or "tailman" at the
rear as shown in Figure 20.
FIGURE 19
!
CAUTION: Before starting a ripping cut, be sure
the fence is clamped securely and aligned
properly.
12
FIGURE 20
Page 13
7.For work shorter than 12" or narrower than 6",
use a push stick or block to push it through between
the fence and the saw blade.
8.Never use the rip fence beyond the point where
the carriage is flush with the end of the rails.
9.Have the blade extend about 1/8" above the
top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this
point can be hazardous.
RESAWING
1.Resawing is a ripping operation in which thick
boards are cut into thinner ones. Narrow boards up to
3" can be resawed in one pass. Wider boards up to
6" must be resawed in two passes.
2.In resawing wider boards, adjust the blade
height so as to overlap the two cuts by 1/2" as shown
in Figure 21. T oo deep a first cut can result in binding
and possible kickbacks on the second cut. Always
use the same side of the board against the fence for
both cuts.
FIGURE 22
2.For 90 degree crosscutting, most operators
prefer to use the left-hand miter gauge slot as shown
in Figure 22. When using it in this position, hold the
workpiece against the gauge with the left hand and
use the right hand to advance the workpiece. When
using the right hand slot for miter and compound crosscutting so that the blade tilts away from the gauge, the
hand positions are reversed.
3.When using the miter gauge, the workpiece
must be held firmly and advanced smoothly at a slow
rate. If the workpiece is not held firmly , it can vibrate
causing it to bind on the blade and dull the saw teeth.
4.T o improve the effectiveness of the miter gauge
in crosscutting, some users mount an auxiliary wooden
extension face (with a glued-on strip of sandpaper) to
the miter gauge as shown in Figure 23.
FIGURE 21
CROSSCUTTING
1.The sawing process where the workpiece is
fed cross grain into the saw blade using the miter gauge
to support and position the workpiece is called crosscutting, Figure 22. Crosscutting should never be done
freehand nor should the fence be used as an end stop
unless an auxiliary block is clamped to the front of the
blade area such that the cutoff piece comes free of
the block before cutting starts. Length stops should
not be used on the free end of the workpiece in the
cutoff area.
Do NOT crosscut workpieces shorter than 6". Before
starting a cut, be sure the miter gauge is securely
clamped at the desired angle. Hold the workpiece
firmly against the table and back against the miter
gauge. Always use the saw guard and splitter and
make sure the splitter is properly aligned.
FIGURE 23
5.Provide auxiliary support for any workpiece
extending beyond the table top with a tendency to
sag and lift up off the table.
6.S top rods can be used in the holes provided
in the miter gauge for repetitive work of equal length.
Do not use a stop rod on the free end of a workpiece.
It should be used on the side of the miter gauge opposite the saw blade.
7.Have the blade extend about 1/8" above the
top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this
point can be hazardous.
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Page 14
BEVEL & MITER OPERATIONS
1.A bevel cut is a special type of operation where
the saw blade is tilted at an angle less than 90 degrees to the table top. Operations are performed in
the same manner as ripping or crosscutting except
the fence or miter gauge should be used on the righthand side of the saw blade to provide added safety in
avoiding a binding action between the saw blade and
the table top. When beveling with the miter gauge,
the workpiece must be held firmly to prevent creeping.
2.Crosscuts made at an angle to the edge of
the workpiece are called miters. Set the miter gauge
at the required angle, lock the miter gauge, and make
the cut the same as a normal crosscut except the
workpiece must be held extra firmly to prevent creeping.
3.Have the blade extend only 1/8" above the
top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this
point can be hazardous.
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Page 15
TROUBLE-SHOOTING for 74A Table Saw
PROBLEMPOSSIBLE CAUSESOLUTION
Excessive Vibration.1. Tilt or raising clamp knobs not tightened.1. Tighten knobs.
2. Blade out of balance.2. Change blade.
3. Bad motor.3. Replace motor .
4. Loose arbor or motor sheave.4. Tighten set screws.
Cuts out-of-square when1. Mitre gauge out of adjustment.1. Reset stops and pointer.
crosscutting.2. Mitre slot misaligned.2. Realign table.
Motor stalls or workpiece1. Excessive feed.1. Reduce feed.
binds or burns.2. Bad motor.2. Replace motor.
3. Dull or incorrect blade.3. Replace blade.
4. Mitre slot misaligned.4. Realign mitre slot.
5. Fence misalignment.5. Realign fence.
Cuts not true at 90 or 451. Stop screws not set properly.1. Readjust stop screws.
degrees.
Tilt or saw raising1. Lock knob not released.1. Loosen lock knob.
handwheels difficult to turn.2. Worm and worm gear segment caked2. Clean and re-grease.
with sawdust and pitch.
3. Worm and worm gear segment out of3. Realign worm and worm
alignment. gear segment.
Motor overheats.1. Motor overloaded.1. Correct overload condition
such as reducing the
feed rate.
2. Improper cooling of motor.2. Clean sawdust from fan
and duct areas of motor.
Motor starts slowly or fails1. Low voltage.1. Request voltage check
to come up to full speed. from power company and
correct low voltage
condition.
2. Centrifugal switch not operating.2. Replace switch.
3. Bad motor.3. Replace motor .
Motor fails to develop full1. Power line overloaded.1. Correct overload condition.
power.2. Undersize wires in supply system.2. Increase supply wire size.
3. Low voltage.3. Request voltage check
from power company and
correct condition.
4. Bad motor.4. Replace motor .
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FEATHER BOARD CONSTRUCTION
The Feather Board is to be made of straight grain hardwood approximately 1" thick and 4" to 8" wide according to
the size of the machine. The length should be developed in accordance with its intended use. Feather Boards can
be fastened to the table or rip fence by the use of "C" clamps. Drilled and tapped holes in the table top allow for
the use of wing nuts and washers as a method of clamping. Provide slots in the Feather Board for adjustments if
this method of clamping is used. Figure 24 shows a method of attaching and use of Feather Boards as a vertical
comb. The horizontal application is essentially the same except the attachment is to the table top.
FIGURE 24
FILLER PIECE CONSTRUCTION
PUSH STICK & PUSH BLOCK CONSTRUCTION
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OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
2195043Accu-Fence and rail system for ripping 50" to right and 12" to left of saw blade
2195048Accu-Fence assembly only
22501 13Blade guard and splitter assembly
2328023T able insert
2328024Dado insert
2389002Special cast iron extension wing kit
2402006Accu-Fence, side panel replacement kit
2440020Accu-Fence, rear lock assembly
2471015Mitre gauge
6284600T enoning jig
T o order parts or reach our service dep artment, please call our toll-free number between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
(CST), Monday through Friday . Having the Model Number and Serial Number of your machine available when
you call will allow us to serve you quickly and accurately . Locating the stock number of the part(s) required from
your parts manual will also expedite your order .
Phone No.: (800) 274-6848
Fax No. (800) 274-6840
If you are calling from Canada, please call 800-238-4746