Craftsman 137.218030 - User Manual

This document is the Operator's Manual for a Craftsman 10-inch Table Saw with Stand, Model No. 137.218030. It provides comprehensive information on the saw's function, technical specifications, usage, and maintenance.

Function Description:

The Craftsman 10-inch Table Saw is a power tool designed for cutting wood and similar materials. It is primarily used for ripping (cutting with the grain) and crosscutting (cutting across the grain) workpieces. The saw features a circular blade that protrudes through a flat table, allowing the user to guide material against a fence or miter gauge for precise cuts. Key components include a blade guard and splitter assembly for safety, a rip fence for straight cuts, and a miter gauge for angled crosscuts. The saw can perform various types of cuts, including 90° crosscuts, bevel crosscuts (0°-45° blade bevel), mitering (0°-45° miter angle), compound miter crosscuts (combining miter and bevel angles), and dado cuts for creating grooves.

Important Technical Specifications:

Model No.: 137.218030
Motor Type: Universal
Amps: 15
Voltage: 120 Volt
Hz: 60
RPM (no load): 5000
Rip Capacity With Extension: 24 inches (Right & Left)
Blade Size: 10 inches
Blade Arbor Size: 5/8 inches
Maximum Cut Depth @ 90°: 3 inches
Maximum Cut Depth @ 45°: 2-1/2 inches
Maximum Diameter Dado: 6 inches (Stackable only)
Maximum Dado Cut Width: 1/2 inches
Circuit Protection: Requires a 110-120 Volt / 15 Ampere time delay fuse or circuit breaker.
Extension Cord Guidelines: Minimum gauge depends on cord length and ampere rating (e.g., 18 AWG for 25ft at 10 Amps, 14 AWG for 150ft at 10 Amps).

Usage Features:

The table saw is designed for versatility and precision in woodworking.

Safety Features:
- Blade Guard, Splitter, and Anti-Kickback Pawls: Must be used for all through-sawing operations to prevent kickback and ensure safety.
- ON/OFF Switch with Safety Key: Prevents unintentional starting. The key can be removed to lock the switch in the OFF position.
- Overload Reset Switch: Automatically shuts off the motor in case of overloading or overheating, protecting the motor from damage.
- Eye Protection: Always wear safety goggles that comply with ANSI safety standard Z87.1.
- Push Stick: Essential for ripping narrow stock and for completing cuts, keeping hands away from the blade. A pattern for making a push stick is provided.
Adjustments and Controls:
- Blade Raising Handwheel: Used to raise and lower the blade to the desired cutting height (typically 1/8 inch higher than the workpiece).
- Blade Tilting Handwheel and Bevel Lock Knob: Allows tilting the blade for bevel cuts from 0° to 45°.
- Rip Fence: Guides the workpiece for straight ripping cuts. It can be adjusted for both IN-RIP and OUT-RIP positions to accommodate different workpiece widths.
- Miter Gauge: Used for crosscutting and making accurate straight or angle crosscuts. It slides in the table top channels.
- Table Extension Fence: Provides additional support for long or wide workpieces, adjustable for different ripping capacities.
Cutting Operations:
- Ripping: Cutting along the length of the workpiece. Requires the rip fence.
- Crosscutting: Cutting across the width of the workpiece. Requires the miter gauge.
- Bevel Ripping/Crosscutting: Performing rip or crosscuts with the blade tilted at an angle.
- Mitering: Crosscutting with the miter gauge set at an angle other than 90°.
- Compound Miter Crosscutting: Combines a miter angle with a bevel angle.
- Dado Cuts: Special cutting blades (stackable dadoes only, max 6-inch diameter, 1/2-inch width) are used to cut grooves. A special dado insert plate is required.
Workpiece Handling:
- Always hold work firmly against the m miter gauge or rip fence.
- Never perform operations freehand.
- Provide adequate support for long or wide workpieces.
- Feed work into the blade against the direction of rotation only.
- Avoid kickbacks by keeping the blade sharp, the rip fence parallel to the blade, and the splitter/anti-kickback pawls aligned.
- Never attempt to free a stalled blade without turning the saw OFF.
- Always position the larger surface of the workpiece on the table when crosscutting/bevel crosscutting for stability.

Maintenance Features:

Regular maintenance is crucial for safe and efficient operation.

General Cleaning:
- Clean out sawdust from the saw cabinet and motor frequently to prevent fire hazards and motor damage.
- Polish the saw table with automotive wax to reduce friction.
- Clean cutting blades with pitch and gum remover.
- Clean plastic parts with liquid dishwashing detergent and water; avoid ammonia or other harsh solvents.
Cord Inspection: Immediately replace a worn, cut, or damaged power cord.
Blade Raising and Tilting Mechanism:
- After every five full hours of operation, check for looseness, binding, or abnormalities.
- Adjust play in the blade raising screw if necessary (maximum allowable play is 0.16 inches (4 mm)).
- Keep the bevel angle adjustment rod clean and free of sawdust, gum, and pitch.
Lubrication:
- Motor bearings are permanently lubricated and require no additional lubrication.
- Lubricate mechanical parts with pivots or threaded rods (e.g., graphite or silicone) to prevent sawdust accumulation.
Blade Alignment:
- Periodically check and adjust the blade's 90° and 45° positive stops.
- Ensure the blade is parallel to the miter gauge groove.
- Adjust the rip fence indicator for accurate measurements.
- Realign the blade guard and splitter assembly after any adjustments or blade changes.
Professional Service: All electrical or mechanical repairs should only be attempted by a trained repair technician. Contact the Sears Service Center for service and use only identical replacement parts.

The manual emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding all safety rules and operating instructions before using the tool to prevent serious injury or damage. It also provides contact information for customer support and Sears Parts & Repair Center.