Craftsman 315.220100 Operator's Manual

Contents

CUTTING AIDSSee Figures 40 - 42.Cutting aids are used to improve the setup and helpmake the operator's work safer and more accurate.They can be made from scrap wood and in varioussizes and shapes for specific projects.The basic types are pushsticks, pushblocks, andfeatherboards. If the blade is set 2 in. or more fromthe fence, use a pushstick. Use a pushblock when theblade is between 1/2 in. and 2 in. from the fence. (Ifthe cut is narrower than 1/2 in., use a different saw.)Refer to the drawings and instructions provided soyou can make safer and more precise cuts.PUSHSTICKSSee Figure 40.Pushsticks must be narrower than the workpiece, witha 90 ° notch in one end and shaped for a grip on theother end.PUSHBLOCKSSee Figure 41.A pushblock has an upright handle with a baseattached to the handle. Some pushblocks have a footthat extends down from the base and against theworkpiece. The foot is attached to the base with glueonly to prevent damage to the blade.FEATHERBOARDSSee Figure 42.Featherboards are used for large panels, along withan auxiliary table and a C-clamp. A featherboard hasan angled end to fit against the edge of the workpiece.It is clamped in place so the workpiece moves be-tween either the fence and the featherboard or thetable and featherboard. Slots in the end of thefeatherboard help resist kickback and allow forvariations in the width of the workpiece.,_ WARNING: Clamp the featherboard against theinfeed side of the workpiece. If clamped behindthe blade, it could squeeze the cut edgestogether, causing binding and kickback. Kickbackcan cause serious injury.-> o)PUSHSTICKS Fig. 40PUSHBLOCKS Fig. 412FEATHERBOARD Fig. 42Note: The Pushstick designs above are for illustrationpurposes only. They have not been drawn to scale,CRRFTSMRN_RADIALSAW 315.220100 46