Carefully unpack the band saw. Save the packing materials should you ever need to return the machine to us for any reason.

Place the saw into position on your workbench. Using the wood screws provided in the parts bag, attach the band saw to your workbench...it is important for your safety that the saw be securely mounted. For portability, the saw may be mounted to a piece of 3/4" thick plywood; the plywood can then be secured to your workbench with C-clamps.

Remove the brass fitting from the slot in the saw table. Remove the black table-lock knob and spacer from the machine housing. Move the table into proper position on the saw. Replace the knob and spacer to lock the table into position. See figure 1. Replace the brass fitting in the saw table.

Although certain basic adjustments have been made at the factory, it is good practice to double-check these settings to assure proper initial operation; transportation and unpacking may have altered them. The most important adjustments on a band saw are blade tension and tracking. You most likely will not have to make these adjustments, but, if you do, please follow the instructions below.

You may now plug your band saw into the power outlet. Turn on the power switch and quickly check for proper blade tracking. Turn off immediately if the saw blade tracks improperly and remedy the problem. If the blade tracks OK, rotate the speed control knob to get a feel for the machine operation. When you are ready to saw your first piece, be sure the height of the blade guide is adjusted to just clear the top surface of the workpiece...loosen the knob behind the guide bar and adjust. This will assure the most accurate cut.

Your MicroLux Band Saw is a versatile tool which can be used in a variety of projects. Several factors affect cutting speed: the intricacy of the pattern, the material thickness, the material hardness and the condition of the blade. Do not force the work through the blade. Give it time to cut properly. Allowing the work to "float" while cutting will prolong the life of the blade.

Adjust the speed of the band saw to achieve proper cutting action. General guidelines suggest using slow speeds for hard materials and fast speeds for soft materials. A little experimentation will determine the optimum setting for the job at hand. For angled cuts, the table may be tilted by loosening the table lock knob and tilting the table to the desired angle shown on the scale.

We have included the following chart to help you select an initial cutting speed, but this is only a guideline; final speed selection is determined with experience.

To change a blade, remove the gray machine cover and also the brass fitting from the saw table. Reduce the blade tension until the blade can be slid off the drive wheels. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure the cutting edge is facing the front, the saw teeth are facing downward, and that the tension and blade guides are readjusted as per the directions given above.

Maintenance

Maintaining your band saw in top condition requires only proper cleaning and adjustment. An excessive build-up of waste materials would ultimately find its way into the working parts of the machine and cause premature wear. Frequently clean out your band saw to prevent excessive waste build-up. The port on the lower back side accepts standard 1-1/4" vacuum hoses.

Keeping the blade tension and blade guides adjusted properly will prevent blade warp and assure proper blade tracking. Check these adjustments often to assure continued trouble-free performance of your band saw.