Porter-Cable 7548 - Using the Saw

First, measure the area to be cut out and mark it clearly with a pencil
chalk or scriber. Choose a convenient starting point and hold the
bayonet saw over the point and inside the line of waste. Tip the
machine forward until the front edge of the base rests firmly on the
surface of the material with the tip of the blade clear of the work
surface, as shown in Fig. 9. Turn motor “on” and slowly lower the
back of the machine allowing blade to bite into surface of work. Do
not move the machine forward until the base is fully seated on the
surface of the work. Now, guide the cutting along the inside of the
marked area. If sharp corners are desired cut right up to the corner of
the marked edge. Stop and back up just a bit, start the turn and cut
along the side. Do the same at each corner until you end up where
you started. Then, go back and cut into each corner from the oppo¬
site direction. The base of the machine is wide enough so you will
have a solid guiding surface on either side of the cut.
Fig. 9
USING THE SAW
First, secure the material in a bench vise or with clamps to the work
table. This is especially important when sawing small pieces or thin
material. As the work progresses in scroll or curved cut-out pieces,
the material can be readjusted to accommodate the movement of the
saw. If the work is large enough it can be held by hand across saw
horses. The saw cuts freely with only light forward feed pressure on
the tool. Forcing the saw will not make it cut faster.
To start the cut, secure the work, mark the line of cut clearly, place the
forward edge of the saw base firmly on the edge of the material, start
the motor and move the blade into the work. Notice how rapidly and
easily it cuts.
9