Skil 4290 User Manual

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 1

IMPORTANT:	IMPORTANT :	IMPORTANTE:
Read Before Using	Lire avant usage	Leer antes de usar

Operating/Safety Instructions Consignes de fonctionnement/sécurité

Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad

4290

Call Toll Free for
	Pour obtenir des informations			Llame gratis para
Consumer Information	et les adresses de nos centres			obtener información
& Service Locations		de service après-vente,		para el consumidor y
		appelez ce numéro gratuit		ubicaciones de servicio

1-877-SKIL999 (1-877-754-5999) www.skil.com

For English Version	Version française	Versión en español
See page 2	Voir page 12	Ver la página 22

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 2

General Safety Rules

! 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 batteryoperated (cordless) power tool.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Work area safety

Keep work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.

Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

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.

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.

Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

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.

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.

Do not use AC only rated tools with a DC power supply. While the tool may appear to work, the electrical components of the AC rated tool are likely to fail and create a hazard to the operator.

If operating the power tool in damp locations is unavoidable a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) must be used to supply the power to your tool. GFCI and personal protection devices like electrician’s rubber gloves and footwear will further enhance your personal safety.

Personal safety

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

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 dustrelated hazards.

-2-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 3

Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery hands cannot safely control the power tool.

Power tool use and care

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.

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

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.

Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.

Service

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.

Develop a periodic maintenance schedule for your tool. When cleaning a tool be careful not to disassemble any portion of the tool since internal wires may be misplaced or pinched or safety guard return springs may be improperly mounted. Certain cleaning agents such as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage plastic parts.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Rules for Jigsaws

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.

Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.

Do not drill, fasten or break into existing walls or other blind areas where electrical wiring may exist. If this situation is

unavoidable, disconnect all fuses or circuit breakers feeding this worksite.

Never leave the trigger locked "ON". Before plugging the tool in, check that the trigger lock is "OFF". Accidental start-ups could cause injury.

Be aware of the location and setting of the switch "Lock-ON" button. If the switch is locked "ON" during the use, be ready for emergency situations to switch it "OFF", by first pulling the trigger then immediately releasing it without pressing the "Lock-ON" button.

-3-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 4

Keep hands away from cutting area. Do not reach under the material being cut.

The proximity of the blade to your hand is hidden from your sight.

Keep hands from between the gear housing and saw blade holder. The reciprocating blade holder can pinch your fingers.

Do not use dull or damaged blades. Bent blade can break easily or cause kickback.

Before starting to cut, turn tool "ON" and allow the blade to come to full speed.

Tool can chatter or vibrate if blade speed is too slow at beginning of cut and possibly kickback.

Always wear safety goggles or eye protection when using this tool. Use a dust mask or respirator for applications which generate dust.

Secure material before cutting. Never hold it in your hand or across legs. Small or thin material may flex or vibrate with the blade, causing loss of control.

Make certain all adjusting screws and the blade holder are tight before making a cut. Loose adjusting screws and holders can cause the tool or blade to slip and loss of control may result.

When removing the blade from the tool avoid contact with skin and use proper protective gloves when grasping the blade or accessory. Accessories may be hot after prolonged use.

Some dust created by ! WARNING 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 paints,

•Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

•Arsenic and chromium from chemicallytreated lumber.

Your 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 specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

-4-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 5

Symbols

IMPORTANT: Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.

Symbol						Name	Designation/Explanation
		V				Volts	Voltage (potential)
		A				Amperes	Current
		Hz				Hertz	Frequency (cycles per second)
		W				Watt	Power
		kg				Kilograms	Weight
	min					Minutes	Time
		s				Seconds	Time
						Diameter	Size of drill bits, grinding wheels, etc.
		n0				No load speed	Rotational speed, at no load
.../min						Revolutions or reciprocation per minute	Revolutions, strokes, surface speed,
							orbits etc. per minute
0						Off position	Zero speed, zero torque...
1, 2, 3, ...						Selector settings	Speed, torque or position settings.
I, II, III,							Higher number means greater speed
0						Infinitely variable selector with off	Speed is increasing from 0 setting
						Arrow	Action in the direction of arrow
						Alternating current	Type or a characteristic of current
						Direct current	Type or a characteristic of current
						Alternating or direct current	Type or a characteristic of current
						Class II construction	Designates Double Insulated
							Construction tools.
						Earthing terminal	Grounding terminal
						Warning symbol	Alerts user to warning messages
						Ni-Cad RBRC seal	Designates Ni-Cad battery recycling
							program

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by the Canadian Standards Association.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed to Canadian Standards by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by Underwriters Laboratories, and listed to Canadian Standards by Underwriters Laboratories.

This symbol designates that

this tool complies to NOM Mexican Standards.

-5-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 6

Functional Description and Specifications

! WARNING Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.

Jigsaw

FIG. 1

VARIABLE SPEED

CONTROL DIAL

TRIGGER SWITCH

RUBBERIZED GRIP

TOP OF FRONT

HOUSING

“LOCK-ON”

BUTTON

VENTILATION

OPENINGS

BLADE STORAGE

COMPARTMENT

FOOT

TOOL-LESS BLADE

CHANGE COVER

Model	Blade	Blade	Stroke	MAXIMUM CAPACITIES
No.	Thickness	Action	Length	Wood	Aluminum	Steel
4290	Minimum .7mm - Maximum 1.7mm	Orbital	13/16"	2"	1/2"	1/4"

NOTE: For tool specifications refer to the nameplate on your tool.

-6-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 7

Assembly

Attaching the Blade

! WARNING To prevent personal injury, always disconnect plug from power source before assembling parts, making

adjustments, or changing blades.

1. Insert the saw blade (teeth in cutting direction) until it latches in the plunger (Fig. 2).

FIG. 2

TOOL-LESS

BLADE CHANGE

COVER

When inserting the saw blade, the back of the blade must rest in the groove of the guide roller (Fig. 3).

2. To remove blade, lift tool-less blade change cover up with index finger and thumb and remove blade.

For use with both T or U shank jigsaw blades.

FIG. 3

BLADE

ROLLER

GUIDE

Operating Instructions

TRIGGER "ON-OFF" SWITCH

TO TURN THE TOOL "ON" squeeze the trigger switch. TO TURN THE TOOL "OFF", release the trigger switch, which is spring loaded and will return to the "OFF" position automatically.

"LOCK-ON" BUTTON

The "Lock-ON" button, located in the handle of your tool allows for continuous operation at maximum SPM without holding the trigger (Fig. 1).

TO LOCK TRIGGER "ON": squeeze trigger, depress button and release trigger.

TO UNLOCK THE TRIGGER: squeeze trigger and release it without depressing the "LockON" button.

! WARNING If the “Lock-ON” button is continuously being depressed,

the trigger can not be released.

VARIABLE SPEED DIAL

Your tool is equipped with a variable speed dial. The blade stroke rate may be adjusted during cutting operation by presetting the dial on or between any one of the six numbers.

Setting	SPM rating (strokes per minute)
1-2	Low stroke
3-4	Medium stroke
5-6	High stroke

PLUNGER SPEED

The stroke rate may be adjusted as described earlier under “Variable Speed Dial”. The best results for a particular application is determined by experience, though as a general rule, slower speeds are for denser materials and faster speeds are for soft materials.

BLADE STORAGE COMPARTMENT

Your tool is equipped with a blade storage compartment on the backside of your saw (Fig. 3). To remove, pull compartment in direction of arrow.

Always make sure the blade storage compartment is securely in housing to prevent blades from falling out.

FIG. 3

BLADE

STORAGE

COMPARTMENT

-7-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 8

Cutting Tips

Face the good side of the material down and secure it in a bench vise or clamp it down. Draw cutting lines or designs on the side of the material facing up towards you. Then place the front edge of the saw foot on the work and line up the blade with the line to be cut. Hold the jigsaw firmly, turn it on, and press down (to keep the saw foot flat against the work) as you slowly push the saw in the direction of the cut.

Build up cutting rate gradually, cutting close to the line (unless you want to leave stock for finish sanding). As you cut you may have to adjust or relocate the vise or clamps to keep the work stable. Do not force the saw or the blade teeth may rub and wear without cutting and the blade may break. Let the saw do most of the work. When following curves, cut slowly so the blade can cut through cross grain. This will give you an accurate cut and will prevent the blade from wandering.

CUTTING WITH A STRAIGHTEDGE

Always use a rough cut blade when possible. Clamp a straightedge on the work parallel to the line of cut and flush with the side of the saw foot. (Either first mark the line of cut and then position the straightedge parallel and at

the same distance as between the blade and the side edge of the foot or first mark the side edge of the foot and then clamp the straightedge on the mark and parallel to the cut line Fig. 4).

As you cut, keep the saw foot edge flush against the straightedge and flat on the workpiece (Fig. 4).

FIG. 4

FOOT AGAINST

STRAIGHTEDGE

LINE OF

CUT

CLAMPS

PLUNGE CUTTING

Plunge cutting is useful and time-saving in making rough openings in softer materials. It is not necessary to drill a hole for an inside or pocket cut. Draw lines for the opening, hold the saw firmly, tilt it forward so that the toe of the saw foot rests on the work, but with the blade well clear of the work. Start the motor, and then very gradually lower the blade. When it touches, continue pressing down on the toe of the saw foot slowly pivoting the saw like a hinge until the blade cuts through and the foot rests flat on the work. Then saw ahead on the line of cut line. We do not recommend plunge cutting with a scroll blade (Fig. 5).

To make sharp corners, cut up to the corner, then back up slightly before rounding the corner. After the opening is complete, go back to each corner and cut it from the opposite

direction to square it off. Do not try to plunge cut into hard materials such as steel.

FIG. 5

TOE OF FOOT

-8-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 9

BEVEL OR ANGLE CUTTING

Disconnect the cord from the power source. The foot can be adjusted to cut angles at 0˚ or 45˚ in either direction.

To adjust, push foot forward and pivot foot to 45˚. To lock, slide foot backward (Fig. 6).

To return to 90˚, push foot forward and pivot foot to 90˚. To lock, slide foot backward (Fig. 6).

FIG. 6

FOOT

METAL CUTTING

When cutting metal clamp material down. Be extra certain that you move the saw along slowly. Use lower speeds. Do not twist, bend, or force the blade. If the saw jumps or bounces, use a blade with finer teeth. If the blade seems clogged when cutting soft metal, use a blade with coarser teeth.

For easier cutting, lubricate the blade with a stick of cutting wax, if available, or cutting oil when cutting steel. Thin metal should be

sandwiched between two pieces of wood or tightly clamped on a single piece of wood (wood on top of the metal). Draw the cut lines or design on the top piece of wood.

When cutting aluminum extrusion or angle iron, clamp the work in a bench vise and saw close to the vise jaws.

When sawing tubing and the diameter is larger than the blade is deep, cut through the wall of the tubing and then insert the blade into the cut rotating the tube as you saw.

RIP FENCE AND CIRCLE CUTTING GUIDE

This accessory is available at an extra cost. It is used for fast and accurate straight and circle cutting (Fig. 7).

ATTACHING RIP FENCE

1.Insert bar of rip fence through the slots provided in foot, from either side of foot with the edge guide facing down (Fig. 7).

2.Thread the clamp screw through threaded hole in tab on either the left or right side of foot, and securely tighten clamp screw with a screwdriver against rip fence bar (Fig. 7).

FIG. 7

SCREW CLAMP

SLOT

BAR

EDGE GUIDE DOWN

-9-

SM 2610948279 02-07 2/22/07 4:28 PM Page 10

STRAIGHT CUTTING

Once the rip fence is attached, measure from the edge of work to the line of cut, and set edge guide of rip fence to the same distance and then securely tighten clamp screw (Fig. 8).

FIG. 8

CLAMP

SCREW

LINE OF

CUT

DESIRED WIDTH

CIRCLE CUTTING

1.Before attaching the rip fence, draw a circle and drive a finishing nail in the center of circle.

2.Drill or plunge cut near the circles edge, turn saw off and disconnect the plug from power source (Fig. 9).

FIG. 9

WEDGE

	EDGE	FINISHING
	GUIDE UP
		NAIL

3. Attach rip fence to saw with the edge guide facing “up”. In order for the rip fence to cut a circle, the nail must be in alignment with the blade, as shown in (Fig. 10).

FIG. 10

BLADE MUST BE IN

ALIGNMENT WITH NAIL

NAIL

4.Measure the distance from the selected hole to the blade to be equal to the circle radius.

5.Insert plug into power source, hold the saw firmly, squeeze trigger and slowly push the saw forward. To make a hole, cut from inside the circle; To make wheels or discs, cut from the outside.

Cutting Tip: Cut slowly so the blade will stay straight in the cut. Place small wedges in the cut as shown in Fig. 9, to keep the inner circle from spreading when near the end of the cut.

-10-