Skil 8601-RL Instruction Manual

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Operating/Safety Instructions
Consignes de fonctionnement/sécurité
Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad

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See page 3 Voir page 15 Ver la página 28

8601-RL

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LASER RADIATION.
AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE.
DO NOT stare into the laser light
source. Never aim light at another
person or object other than the
workpiece. Laser light can damage

your eyes.

Read all instructions.

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

Do not direct the laser beam at persons or animals and do
not stare into the laser beam yourself. This tool produces
laser class IIIa laser radiation and complies with 21 CFR

1040.10 and 1040.11 except for deviations pursuant to
Laser Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007. This can lead to
persons being blinded.

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority
to operate the equipment.

CAUTION Use of controls or adjustments or performance of
procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous
radiation exposure.

DO NOT remove or deface any warning or caution labels. Removing
labels increases the risk of exposure to laser radiation.

Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other
than those specified in this manual, may result in hazardous
radiation exposure.

ALWAYS make sure that any bystanders in the vicinity of use are
made aware of the dangers of looking directly into the laser tool.

DO NOT place the laser tool in a position that may cause anyone to
stare into the laser beam intentionally or unintentionally. Serious eye
injury could result.

ALWAYS position the laser tool securely. Damage to the laser tool
and/or serious injury to the user could result if the laser tool fails.

General Safety Rules

!

WARNING

!

DANGER

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Work area safety

Keep work area clean and well
lit. Cluttered or dark areas

invite accidents.

DO NOT operate the laser tool
around children or allow
children to operate the laser
tool. Serious eye injury
could result.

Electrical safety

Batteries can explode or leak,
cause injury or fire. To reduce

this risk, always follow all
instructions and warnings on the
battery label and package.

DO NOT short any battery
terminals.

DO NOT charge alkaline batteries.
DO NOT mix old and new

batteries. Replace all of them at the
same time with new batteries of the
same brand and type.
DO NOT mix battery chemistries.
Dispose of or recycle batteries per
local code.
DO NOT dispose of batteries
in fire.
Keep batteries out of reach of
children.
Remove batteries if the device will
not be used for several months.

Safe Operating Procedures

ALWAYS use only the accessories that are recommended by the

manufacturer of your laser tool. Use of accessories that have been
designed for use with other laser tools could result in serious injury.

DO NOT use this laser tool for any purpose other than those outlined
in this manual. This could result in serious injury.

DO NOT leave the laser tool “ON” unattended in any operating mode.
DO NOT disassemble the laser tool. There are no user serviceable

parts inside. Do not modify the product in any way. Modifying the laser
tool may result in hazardous laser radiation exposure.

DO NOT the laser viewing glasses as safety goggles. The laser
viewing glasses are used for improved visualization of the laser
beam, but they do not protect against laser radiation.

DO NOT use the laser viewing glasses as sun glasses or in traffic.
The laser viewing glasses do not afford complete UV protection and
reduce color perception.

DO NOT use any optical tools such as, but not limited to, telescopes
or transits to view the laser beam. Serious eye injury could result.

DO NOT stare directly at the laser beam or project the laser beam
directly into the eyes of others. Serious eye injury could result.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Personal safety

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

moment of inattention while
operating a tool may result in
serious personal injury or
incorrect measurement results.

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.

Use and care

Use the correct tool for your
application. The correct tool will

do the job better and safer.

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

controlled with the switch is
dangerous and must be repaired.

Store idle tool out of the reach
of children and do not allow
persons unfamiliar with the
tool or these instructions to
operate the tool. Tools are

dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.

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

by poorly maintained tools.

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

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

Service

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

safety of the tool is maintained.

Develop a periodic
maintenance schedule for tool.
When cleaning a tool be
careful not to disassemble any
portion of the tool since
internal wires may be
misplaced or pinched or may
be improperly mounted.

Certain cleaning agents such as
gasoline, carbon tetrachloride,
ammonia, etc. may damage
plastic parts.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

The numbering of the product
features shown refers to the
illustration of the tool on page 3.

1 Plumb Beam Aperture
2 Battery cover locking screw
3 Laser Aperture

Inserting/Replacing the Battery

ALWAYS turn off the laser and
the main power switch before
removing and replacing
the batteries.

Alkaline batteries are recomm­ended for the tool.

The battery compartment is
located on the top of the unit.
Open the compartment and
replace the batteries.

When inserting, pay attention to
the correct polarity according to
the representation on the inside
of the battery compartment. To
unlock the battery lid, turn the

locking screw 2 in a
counter-clockwise direction.To
lock the battery lid, turn the
locking screw 2 in clockwise
direction.

Always replace all batteries at the
same time. Only use batteries
from one brand and with the
identical capacity.

• Remove the batteries from

the tool when not using it for
extended periods. When

storing for extended periods,
the batteries can corrode and
discharge themselves.

This tool projects rotating and stationary laser points and is intended

for accurate transfer and alignment of plumb, level, graded and

90-degree points and lines.

• Plumbing (Making vertical) — Use the tool in the vertical

orientation for indoor and outdoor plumb applications, such as
plumbing up framing, aligning cabinetry, etc.

• Leveling — Use the tool in the horizontal orientation for indoor and

outdoor level applications, such as leveling cabinetry, setting
concrete forms, leveling electrical outlets, etc.

• Squaring— The laser beam emitting from the top of the tool is

perpendicular to the rotating beam, which provides the ability to use
the tool for 90 degree layout functions.

Features

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Intended Use

Preparation

4 ON/OFF, speed adjustment

knob
5 Bubble Vials
6 Leveling Screw
7 Battery Compartment
8 5/8-11 Tripod Mount

Other Features (not shown)

9 Protective Case
10 Laser Target
11 Tripod
12 Laser Viewing Glasses

Accuracy

Level & Plumb:
Typical Accuracy

Range:

Rotation Speed

Leveling Type

Laser Class

Laser Beam Power

Powe r

Weight

Operating
temperature range

Storage
temperature range

Tripod

Dimensions

up to ±3/8” @100ft
(±9mm at 30m)
up to 100-ft (30M)

0 rpm to 600 rpm +/- 10%

Manual

Class IIIa

630-670nm, <5mW max.

2 ‘D’ alkaline batteries

2.2lb (1.0kg)(including batteries)

41°F to 104°F (5°C to +40°C)

-4° F to 158°F (-20°C to +70°C)

5/8-11

6.5” x 5” x 5.5”
(165mm x 126mm x 140mm)

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Technical Data

Initial Operation

• Protect the tool against
moisture and direct sun
irradiation.

• Do not subject the tool to
extreme temperatures or
variations in temperature.

As an example, do not leave it in
vehicles for longer periods. In
case of large variations in
temperature, allow the tool to
adjust to the ambient temperature
before putting it into operation. In
case of extreme temperatures or
variations in temperature, the
accuracy of the tool can be
impaired.

• Avoid heavy impact or and
prevent the tool from falling.

After heavy exterior impact on

the tool, an accuracy check
should always be carried out
before continuing to work (see
“Leveling Accuracy”)

• Switch the tool off during
transport. Switch off the

leveling unit, which can be
damaged in the case of intense
movement.

Turning on the Tool

1. Place the tool either horizontally
or vertically on a flat surface, or
set it on a standard surveyor’s
tripod, using the built-in 5/8- 11
tripod mount (located on the
bottom of the unit).

2. Turn on the tool with its ON/OFF,
speed adjustment knob 4.

Customize the rotation speed of
the laser by turning the speed
adjustment knob 4 clockwise to
increase the speed or counter­clockwise to decrease the speed.

• ALWAYS turn off the laser
before transporting or storing
the unit.

Rotation Mode

The laser beam is dispersed
throughout the level or plumb
plane. Rotation mode is used
under conditions where laser
beam visibility is poor or
nonexistent (for example,
outdoors in daylight). It is not
always possible to easily see a
rotating laser beam. A laser
receiver-detector makes it
possible to detect and correctly
position the rotation laser indoors
or outdoors.

Working Advice

• Always use the center of the
laser point for marking. The
size of the laser point
changes with the distance.

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Operation

Influences on Accuracy

The ambient temperature has the
greatest influence. Especially
temperature differences occurring
from the ground upward can divert
the laser beam.

As thermal fluctuation is largest
close to the ground, the tool, if
possible, should be mounted on a
commercially available tripod and
placed in the center of the working
area. Apart from exterior
influences, device specific
influences (such as heavy impact
or drop) can lead to deviations.
Therefore, check the accuracy of
the tool each time before starting
your work.

Should the tool exceed the
maximum deviation during one of
the tests, see recalibration
procedure or have it recalibrated
by a Skil after-sales service center.

Leveling

Level the laser tool using leveling
wheels and bubble vials.

Calibration

Although the laser tools are
calibrated to specification before
leaving the factory, they contain
many precision-machined parts
that may be affected if subject to
abuse. Therefore, if a unit is
dropped or sustains significant
impact, check its calibration. It is
also recommended that the tool
be periodically calibrated, as a
normal maintenance procedure.

To Calibrate the Laser:

1. Select a site for calibration that

allows the unit to be placed
about 50 ft. (15m) away from a
smooth vertical surface, such
as a wall.

2. Set the unit on a level surface

at one end of the range.

3. Position the unit so that the

front of the instrument is
perpendicular to the target.

4. Using the leveling wheels,

center both horizontal vials,
paying particular attention
to the vial perpendicular with
your target.

Note: Allow 5-10 seconds for the
bubble to settle before reading the
bubble vial and adjust as needed.

5. Without disturbing the laser

unit, point the beam to the
target until the beam hits your
target (vertical surface).

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Leveling Accuracy

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6. Walk to the target and mark
the height of the beam, record
as "A".

7. Return to the unit and rotate it
180 degrees without disturbing
its platform.

8. Repeat Step #4.

9. Repeat Step #5.

10. Walk to the target and mark
the height of the beam.
Record as "B".

11. Return to the unit and rotate it

90 degrees on its platform.

12. Repeat Step #4.

13. Repeat Step #5.

14. Walk to the target and mark

the height of the beam.
Record as "C".

15. Return to the unit and rotate it

180 degrees on its platform.

16. Repeat Step #4.

17. Repeat Step #5.

18. Walk to the target and mark

the height of the beam.
Record as "D".

Calibration error calculation =
Vial #1 = (Distance between "A"

and "B")/2

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Vial #2 = (Distance between "C"
and "D")/2

Note: Calibration error should not
exceed 1/4" (6.4mm) @ 100'

(30m). If the unit does exceed 1/4"
(6.4mm) @ 100' (30m) please call
Skil Customer Service
at 1-877-754-5999.

Applications

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Working with Tripod

A tripod 11 offers a stable, height­adjustable measuring support.
Place the tool via the tripod mount
8 onto the 5/8-11 male thread of
the tripod and screw the locking
screw of thetripod tight.

Working with the Laser Target

With the laser target 10, it is
possible to project the laser mark
onto the floor or the laser height
onto a wall.

The red acrylic used in the laser
target enhances the laser beam,
making the laser dot more visible.

With the zero field and the scale,
the offset or drop to the required
height can be measured and
projected at another location. This
eliminates the necessity of
precisely adjusting the tool to the
height to be projected.

The laser target 10 has a
reflective coating that enhances
the visibility of the laser beam at
greater distances or in intense
sunlight. The brightness
intensification can be seen only
when viewing, parallel to the laser
beam, onto the laser target.

Laser Viewing Glasses

The laser viewing glasses filter out
the ambient light. This makes the
red light of the laser appear
brighter for the eyes.

The red plastic used in the glasses
enhances the laser beam, making
the laser dot more visible. These
glasses are particularly useful
when using the laser tool outdoors
or in brightly lit environments.

• Do not use the laser viewing

glasses as safety goggles. The
laser viewing glasses are used
for improved visualization of the
laser beam, but they do not
protect against laser radiation.

• Do not use the laser viewing

glasses as sun glasses or in
traffic. The laser viewing
glasses do not afford complete
UV protection and reduce
color perception.

Working with Wall Mount

The durable metal wall mount
provides a flexible, yet sturdy
means of positioning the tool in
the desired location.

1. Determine the approximate

height at which the laser
beam will need to be project.

2. Choose the surface on which

the mount will be attached,
wall, T-bar framing or beam.

3. Secure the mount to the

mounting surface
When mounting to a wall,

drive two or three study
screws into the wall with at
least one driven into a stud.
Make sure the screw heads
are wide than the upper end
of the screw openings.

Use with Accessories