RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY"

Lorin Austin
5 years ago
Views:

1 RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY REVISION 4 SEPTEMBER 18/08

2 GENERAL INTERNATIONAL 8360 Champ-d Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3 Telephone (514) Fax (514) THANK YOU for choosing this General MFG General T fence system. This fence has been carefully tested and inspected before shipment and if properly used and maintained, will provide you with years of reliable service. To ensure optimum performance and trouble-free operation, and to get the most from your investment, please take the time to read this manual before assembling, installing and operating the unit. The manual s purpose is to familiarize you with the safe operation, basic function, and features of this General T fence system as well as the set-up, maintenance and identification of its parts and components. This manual is not intended as a substitute for formal woodworking instruction, nor to offer the user instruction in the craft of woodworking. If you are not sure about the safety of performing a certain operation or procedure, do not proceed until you can confirm, from knowledgeable and qualified sources, that it is safe to do so. Once you ve read through these instructions, keep this manual handy for future reference. GENERAL MFG WARRANTY All component parts of General MFG products are carefully tested and inspected during all stages of production, and each item is thoroughly inspected upon completion of assembly. Because of our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, General MFG agrees to repair or replace, within a period of 24 months from date of purchase, any genuine part or parts which, upon examination, prove to be defective in workmanship or material. In order to obtain this warranty, all defective parts must be returned freight pre-paid to General International Mfg. Co., Ltd. Repairs attempted without our written authorization will void this warranty. Disclaimer: The information and specifications in this manual pertain to the unit as it was supplied from the factory at the time of printing. Because we are committed to making constant improvements, General MFG reserves the right to make changes to components, parts or features of this unit as deemed necessary, without prior notice and without obligation to install any such changes on previously delivered units. Reasonable care is taken at the factory to ensure that the specifications and information in this manual corresponds with that of the unit with which it was supplied. However, special orders and after factory modifications may render some or all information in this manual inapplicable to your machine. Further, as several generations of this General T fence system and several versions of this manual may be in circulation, if you own an earlier or later version of this unit, this manual may not depict your Fence System exactly. If you have any doubts or questions contact your retailer or our support line with the model number of your unit for clarification.

3 Rules for Safe Operation To help ensure safe operation, please take a moment to learn the machine s applications and limitations, as well as potential hazards. General International disclaims any real or implied warranty and hold itself harmless for any injury that may result from the improper use of it s equipment. 1. Do not operate the saw when tired, distracted, or under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medica tion that impairs reflexes or alertness. 2. The working area should be well lit, clean and free of debris. 3. Keep children and visitors at a safe distance when saw is in operation; do not permit them to operate the saw. 4. Childproof and tamper proof your shop and all machinery with locks, master electrical switches and switch keys, to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised use. 5. Stay alert! Give your work your undivided attention. Even a momentary distraction can lead to serious injury. 6. Fine particulate saw dust is a carcinogen that can be hazardous to health. Work in a well-ventilated area and whenever possible use a dust collector and wear eye, ear and respiratory protection devices. 7. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, bracelets, necklaces and ornaments while saw is in operation. 8. Be sure that adjusting wrenches, tools, drinks and other clutter are removed from the machine and/or the table surface before commencing operation. 9. Keep hands well away from saw blade and all moving parts. Use a push stick to feed stock, and use a brush, not hands, to clear away chips and sawdust. 10. Be sure that saw blade is securely locked, and in proper cutting direction, before operation. 11. Use recommended-speed, saw blade and accessories for the working material. 12. Be sure the blade has gained full operating speed before beginning to cut. 13. Always use a clean, properly sharpened blade. Dirty or dull blades are unsafe and can lead to accidents. 14. Do not push or force stock into the cutting blade. The saw will perform better and more safely when working at the rate for which it was designed. 15. Use suitable support when cutting stock that does not have a flat surface. Always hold stock firmly against the fence when ripping, or against the miter gauge when cross-cutting. 16. To minimize risk of injury in the event of work piece kickback, never stand directly in-line with the blade or in the potential kickback path of the work piece. 17. Avoid working from awkward or off balance positions. Do not overreach during cutting operation; keep both feet on floor. Never lean over or reach over the blade and never pull the work piece over the blade from behind. Use outfeed support or have an assistant help when ripping long material. 18. Keep blade guards in place and in working order. If a guard must be removed for maintenance or cleaning, be sure it is properly reattached before using the tool again. 19. Never leave the machine running with the power on when not in operation. 20. If using a power feeder, stop the feeder before stopping the table saw. 21. Use of parts and accessories NOT recommended by General International may result in equipment malfunction or risk of injury. 22. Never stand on machinery. Serious injury could result if the tool is tipped over or if blade is unintentionally contacted. 23. Always disconnect tool from power before servicing or changing accessories such as a saw blade, or before performing any maintenance, cleaning or adjustments, or if the machine will be left unattended. 24. Make sure that switch is in the OFF position before plugging in the power cord. 25. Make sure tool is properly grounded. If tool is equipped with a 3-prong plug it should be used with a three-pole receptacle. Never remove the third prong.

GENERAL T FENCE SYSTEM UNPACK FENCE RAILS, GUIDE AND REMOVE CARDBOARD END PROTECTORS.

tube. These instructions come in a plastic bag with an L-jig.

T-28 HARDWARE T-52 HARDWARE Packed with the fence itself are the support foot, pointer, locking handle

If you have the T-28, standard fence rails your hardware bag will contain the following,.

NOTE: Bags contain extra fasteners that may not be needed for your installation.

below, place 4 flat head countersunk screws, lock washers and nuts, below, to assemble the front rail to

4 GENERAL T FENCE SYSTEM UNPACK FENCE RAILS, GUIDE AND REMOVE CARDBOARD END PROTECTORS. The bag of fastening hardware and the measuring tape will be found tucked inside one end of the guide tube. These instructions come in a plastic bag with an L-jig. Don t throw the L-jig away, you ll need it later! T-28 HARDWARE T-52 HARDWARE Packed with the fence itself are the support foot, pointer, locking handle knob, camfoot and locking handle, above. If you have the T-28, standard fence rails your hardware bag will contain the following,. If you have the T-52 extended length fence rails, your hardware bag will contain the contents shown in. NOTE: Bags contain extra fasteners that may not be needed for your installation. ATTACH THE FRONT FENCE RAIL TO YOUR SAW Using the appropriate diagram for your model of saw and rails below, place 4 flat head countersunk screws, lock washers and nuts, below, to assemble the front rail to the front of the saw. But don t tighten the nuts yet. T-28 FOR MODEL /185 The diagram, below, shows how the screw holes in the T-28 front guide rail align with those on a General@ International model or saw. Note: the Front rail, right, is the one that is the wider of the two rails. It will sit upright, like this: 4

5 T-52 FOR MODELS & This diagram shows how the screw holes in the T-52 front guide rail align with those on a General International model L or L saw. Note: the Front rail, right, is the one that is the wider of the two rails. It will sit upright, like this: T-28 FOR MODELS & R The diagram, below, shows how the screw holes in the T-28 front guide rail align with those on a General International model C saw. Note: the Front rail, right, is the one that is the wider of the two rails. It will sit upright, like this: T-52 FOR MODELS & R This diagram shows how the screw holes in the T-52 front guide rail align with those on your General International model CL saw. Note: the Front rail, right, is the one that is the wider of the two rails. It will sit upright, like this: HOW TO ASSEMBLE GENERAL T-FENCE RAILS TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURER S SAW: If the pre-drilled holes in our rail do not match those on your saw, we recommend clamping the fence to your saw, using the L-jig described on the next page, and then drilling new holes through the softer cast iron metal of the saw, rather than that of the steel rails. Start with a small-gauge pilot bit, then use a 1/4 bit to finish the holes. 3 1/2 Inset the rail roughly the width of the fence: 3 1/2 5

6 Place the supplied L-jig, as shown at far right, on top of the table. Adjust the rail height until the bottom of the jig is flush with the rail shelf. Hold the nuts firm with a 7/16 wrench and tighten the two screws on left and right ends of the rail. Tighten the center screws only after doublechecking rail height using the L-jig all along the rail and at both ends. Assemble the guide tube,, to the front fence rail by fastening 4 of the 5 hex head bolts,, to the underside of the rail. For now, omit the first bolt,, on the far left of the rail because this is where you will attach the saw s On/Off switch (see your saw manual). Note: when the tube is attached, there will be a gap of about 1 inch between it and the rail,, in which part of the fence will ride. Note: If You are installing our General T-Fence system on another manufacturer s saw, you may be able to fasten all 5 of the hex head bolts, unless their On/Off switch is to be attached to the front rail in the same location as ours. ATTACH THE BACK FENCE RAIL TO YOUR SAW Using the appropriate diagram for your model of saw and rails below, place 4 pan head phillips screws, lock washers and nuts to assemble the rear rail to the back of the saw. But don t tighten the nuts yet. FOR MODELS & Here, the bolt holes in the T-28 (top) and T-52 rear fence rails are shown in relation to the corresponding holes in our General International model or table saws. Remember that if you are using General T-fence rails with another manufacturer s saw, you may have to drill custom holes in your saw to fit. T-28 T-52 6

FOR MODELS 50-220 & 50-220R Here, the bolt holes in the T-28 (top) and T-52 rear fence rails are shown in relation to the corresponding holes in a General International model 50-220 or 50-220R table

7 FOR MODELS & R Here, the bolt holes in the T-28 (top) and T-52 rear fence rails are shown in relation to the corresponding holes in a General International model or R table saws. Remember that if you are using General T-fence rails with another manufacturer s saw, you may have to drill custom holes in your saw to fit. T-28 T-52 Use a ruler to ensure that the top of the back rail is 7/16 lower than the table top. Tighten the nuts on right and left sides first, then the rest. ASSEMBLE THE FENCE LOCKING MECHANISM 1. Install the camfoot,, (with the top loop facing you) by inserting the smaller pair of bolt and nut,, through it and tightening the nut. 2. Install the Locking handle,, (with the black magnet facing up) by inserting the larger pair of bolt and nut,, through it and tightening the nut. Important: Do not over tighten bolts or the cam and handle will be unable to rotate freely. 7

To avoid scraping your knuckles on the two protruding screws,. Place a piece of tape across the wrench to hold the nut in place as you reach in. CHECK FENCE ALIGNMENT 1.

8 ASSEMBLE THE SUPPORT FOOT AT THE REAR OF THE FENCE 1. Place one of the supplied large washers,, over the support foot screw and insert the foot through the hole at bottom of the back end of the fence,, and secure it with the supplied nut. To avoid scraping your knuckles on the two protruding screws,. Place a piece of tape across the wrench to hold the nut in place as you reach in. CHECK FENCE ALIGNMENT 1. To make satisfactory rip cuts, your fence must be aligned perfectly parallel with the saw blade. If not already done install a saw blade and raise the blade to it s highest point. Slide the left edge of the fence up against the right edge of the saw blade. Check that the two are parallel. A better test is to slide the fence over to the right T-slot on your saw table top as shown in the diagram right,. Lock down the fence handle and make a visual check that the fence is parallel with the T-slot all along its length. Also, you can place a small 3/4 thick block of wood,, upright into the T-slot and slide it from the front to the back checking its distance from the left edge of the fence. 2. If the fence is not parallel, it can be adjusted by using an Allen wrench to turn one or both of the screws, or. Do this slowly, just an eighth to a quarter turn at a time, or you will quickly overshoot the desired adjustment. 3. The final check for parallel is done by ripping a piece of wood against the fence. If the back end of the cut shows blackish burn marks, the fence is not parallel to the blade and will require readjustment. Note: It is always good practice to periodically recheck the alignment of your fence to the blade. INSTALL POINTER AND MEASURING TAPE 1. Slide the fence so it touches the saw blade,. Lock down the fence with the locking handle. 2. Install the plastic pointer,, using the two screws & flat washers into the fence head, centering the pointer s two screw slots over the screw holes, tightening them firmly though not excessively. 3. Make a pencil mark on the guide tube in line with the pointer s center mark,. 8

9 INSTALL POINTER AND MEASURING TAPE, CONT. Remove the white backing strip from the measuring tape and carefully install along the guide tube using your pencil mark as the zero-point of the tape. The tape should sit about 1/4 inch back from the front edge of the guide tube. For accurate readings, the tape must be placed straight parallel with the guide tube. Try removing only an inch of backing strip from the start of the tape, stick that down, then remove the rest of the backing and pull the measure tape taut to the end of the guide tube and carefully lower it against the tube. Trim off excess tape with a knife or scissors. Note: Recheck, and if necessary, readjust the pointer against the zero-point of the measuring tape whenever you change blades. Different blades have different thicknesses, which can throw off the pointer a few fractions. CHECK GUIDE TUBE FOR LEVEL Note: In some rare instances, the top surface of the guide tube, on which the fence slides, may not be parallel with the top of the saw table,. This can result in friction when sliding the fence and eventual scraping damage to the pointer and/or measuring tape. To correct this situation: 1. Remove the guide tube. 2. Place 2 to 4 layers of masking tape along the back (or front) edge of the rail,, as needed to shim up the guide tube. 3. Replace the Guide tube and check for parallel. If you find that the guide tube is out of parallel with the table top from left to right, you should: 1. Refer back to Section II, loosen the screws on the front rail and use the L-jig again to ensure that the rail is at proper height from beginning to end. 2. Retighten the screws and replace guide tube. MAKE TEST CUTS TO CHECK POINTER ACCURACY 1. Once the measuring tape is installed and the fence is perfectly parallel with the blade and table top, check the pointer s center line against the tape s zero-point. If necessary, loosen the two screws to slide the pointer left or right into position. 2. For the final check, slide the fence to the right so the pointer points to the 2-inch mark. Use scrap wood to make several rips. If the cuts don t measure exactly 2 inches wide, readjust pointer. 9

FENCE AND RAIL MAINTENANCE Keep fence and rails clean and free of obstructions and never use force. If the fence doesn t slide smoothly, stop and check for obstructions.

It is very dangerous to make rip cuts against a dirty, gummy fence as kickback and/or binding of the work and the blade may occur.

10 FENCE AND RAIL MAINTENANCE Keep fence and rails clean and free of obstructions and never use force. If the fence doesn t slide smoothly, stop and check for obstructions. A build-up of pitch, sap, or glue residue caused by ripping glued-up panels will tend to attract saw dust making the fence and rails sticky and gummy and preventing them from sliding smoothly. It is very dangerous to make rip cuts against a dirty, gummy fence as kickback and/or binding of the work and the blade may occur. Periodic wiping with a slightly damp rag as needed will keep your General T-Fence system clean and working smoothly. An occasional light buffing with a small amount of paste wax is recommended. A good choice is a silicone or Teflon based lubricant, usually sold in spray can form. RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR FENCE SYSTEM We offer a large variety of products to help you increase productivity, accuracy and safety when using your machine. Here s is but a small sampling of the accessories that are available from your local General International dealer. If you have purchased the extended length T-52 fence rail system, it is highly recommended that you purchase and install our # x 36 extension & # support legs. #50-105, 27 X 36 EXTENSION TABLE #50-115, SUPPORT LEGS The beauty of extended rails is that it becomes possible to rip larger sheets of plywood and paneling. You may also want consider our model Extension Mobile Base that is specificaly designed for table saws with extension tables & support legs. #50-030, MOBILE BASE Our standard mobile base model can be used in cases where outrigger support is not needed. #50-025, MOBILE BASE 10

11 PARTS LIST GENERAL T-FENCE PART N0. DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION QTY BS-200SA FENCE BODY 1 BS-006SA CAM AND HANDLE ASS Y 1 BS-208 CAMFOOT 1 B-012C SIDE PANEL FOR 36 GUIDE 2 BS-210 ARBORITE GUIDE COVERS FOR F-36 2 P-249 HANDLE 35C HOLE 3/ P-267 BLACK T MOLDINGS 1/8 x 1/2 80 P-489 FLAT WASHERS 3/16 SAE 2 P-369 SELF TAPPING SCREWS - NOT SHOWN /4 HEX. HD 5/16 12 P-635 ROUND HD SLOT MACH. SCREW x 3/8 2 P-760 HEX. HD CAP SCREW 1/4-20 x 1 3/4 1 P-987 NUT 3/8-16 (NYLON INSERT) 1 P-986 NUT 1/4-20 (NYLON INSERT) 7/16 1 P-704 FENCE ALIGNMENT SET SCREWS 6/8-16 X 5/16 2 P-799 NYLON PADS 7 P-797 HAIRLINE POINTER 1 P-707 HEX. HD CAP SCREW 3/8-16 x 1 3/4 1 P-800 ADJUSTABLE LEG 1 BS-282 REAR RAIL FOR 28 T-FENCE 1 BS-522 REAR RAIL FOR 52 T-FENCE 1 BS-281 FRONT RAIL FOR 28 T-FENCE 1 BS-521 FRONT RAIL FOR 52 T-FENCE 1 BS-283 GUIDE FOR 28 T-FENCE 1 BS-523 GUIDE FOR 52 T-FENCE 1 BS-214 L JIG FOR F-36 1 P-801 ADHESIVE MEASURING TAPE 1 F-36 - COMPLETE FENCE ASS Y T-28 - COMPLETE 28 GUIDE RAIL SET T-52 - COMPLETE 52 GUIDE RAIL SET 11

12 GENERAL T -FENCE 8360, Champ-d Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3 Tel.: (514) Fax : (514) Parts & Service Fax : (514) Order Desk orderdesk@general.ca IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.

RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY

RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY REVISION 3 - AUGUST 27/10 COPYRIGHT GENERAL INTERNATIONAL 08/2010 GENERAL MFG (CO) LTD. 835, Cherrier Street, Drummondville (Quebec) Canada J2B 5A8 Telephone