Arrow REVEALCUT RC200 User manual
Your RevealCut™ Acoustic Tile-Cutting Workstation has been engineered and manufactured to Arrow’s high
standards for dependability, easy operation and safety. If properly cared for, it will give you years of reliable,
trouble-free performance.
WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, the user must read and understand this operator’s manual.
Thank you for buying RevealCut.
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
REVEALCUT™ ACOUSTIC TILE-CUTTING WORKSTATION
MODEL RC200, RC400
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................ 3
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION ........................................................................... 4
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ......................................................................................... 5
PARTS LIST ............................................................................................................ 6
SET UP.................................................................................................................... 6
Unpacking the Workstation ............................................................................. 6
Securing the Work Area .................................................................................. 7
BASIC OPERATION................................................................................................ 8
INSTALLING SIZING CARTRIDGE AND BLADES................................................ 9
INSTALLING PROFILE FRAME, CARTRIDGE AND BLADES ........................... 10
MEASURING TILE TO SIZE ................................................................................ 12
CUTTING TILES.................................................................................................... 13
OUT-OF-SQUARE CUTS ...................................................................................... 15
REPEAT AND LINEAR LIGHTING CUTS............................................................. 16
Repeat Cuts .................................................................................................. 16
Linear Lighting Cuts ...................................................................................... 16
USING PLATFORM EXTENSION BARS (RC400 MODEL ONLY) ...................... 17
MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................... 18
TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................................................... 19
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS / SERVICE ................................................................. 19
WARRANTY .......................................................................................................... 20
3
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Your RevealCut Acoustic Tile-Cutting Workstation is designed to cut tiles to size and
install a factory-grade nished edge on both mineral ber (wet felt) and berglass acoustic
ceiling tiles from most manufacturers.
Tile Thickness : 5/8"to 11/2"
Tile Size : RC200 cuts 2'x2' tiles
RC400 cuts 4'x4', 2'x4', and 2'x2' tiles
Edge Proles : Lay-In
Square Tegular
Angled Tegular
Beveled Square Tegular
Nominal Sizing : Can adjust +/- 1/16"for nominal sized tiles
Blades : Carbon steel with TaC (tetrahedral amorphous
carbon) coating for up to 200 tiles cut per blade.
Multiple Cuts : Jig stops can be used for multiple same-sized cuts.
Linear Lighting Cuts : Jig stops can be used for linear lighting cuts.
Your RevealCut workstation comes from the factory with precise alignment of key parts.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE OR REASSEMBLE PLATFORM OR RAIL
COMPONENTS. Call RevealCut customer service for help with replacement parts or
repair.
4
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
Keep your work area clean and free of debris.
Always secure the workstation to a at, sturdy surface. Use the supplied mounting
screws.
Never use the workstation on a ladder.
Never use the workstation on the oor.
When carrying the workstation, use the molded handles on the platform. To prevent
possible contact with installed blades, avoid carrying the workstation by the rails.
Remove blades when workstation is not in use.
Never place hands under rails. Exposed blades can cause injury.
Use care when handling or replacing blades. REVEALCUT BLADES ARE
EXTREMELY SHARP.
Dispose of used blades properly. Use sharps container provided with your workstation.
Wear eye protection when installing nished tiles.
5
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Platform: The at, molded platform that supports the tile during cutting operation. RC200
has a single platform. RC400 has two platforms.
Rulers: Used for measuring tile cuts. Each RevealCut workstation has two matching rulers.
Platform Extension: Molded parts which attach to the platform to support oversized
tiles. Available on RC400 only.
Tile Stop: Raised rail on right side of platform. Used to square tiles to cutting blades.
Jig Stop: Adjustable red rectangular stops that slide on platforms. Used for making non-
square cuts, multiple cuts of same size and linear lighting cuts.
Rails: The extruded aluminum rails that extend the length of the RevealCut workstation
which the cutting cars slide on.
Cutting Cars: The two independent cars which slide on the rails. The “sizing car” with
long handle cuts the tile to size. The “prole car” with round handle installs the tile edge
prole.
Sizing Cartridge: The black plastic insert that holds the large sizing blade. This comes
in two sizes.
Sizing Blade: The large cutting blade which mounts to the sizing cartridge and car and
cuts tile to size.
Prole Frame: Square die-cast frames which accommodate the prole cartridge. There
are three frames, each one accommodating two tile thicknesses.
Prole Cartridge: Square cartridge that holds the prole blades. Used for cutting-edge
prole. This comes in three styles – square tegular, angled tegular and beveled square
tegular.
Nominal Adjustment: The thumbscrew on the top of each prole cartridge that moves
the blades up or down 1/16"to accommodate nominally sized tiles.
Prole Blade: The short cutting blade which mounts to the prole cartridge and car and
cuts the edge prole.
Blade Dispenser: Black cartridge that contains fresh blades. Comes in two sizes – one
for sizing blades and one for prole blades. Dispenses fresh blades safely.
Sharps Container: Long black box with slotted top for disposing of used blades.
Parts Kit: Contains mounting screws and spare thumbscrews .
6
Parts List
Set Up
The RevealCut workstation comes calibrated from the factory and ready to use right out
of the box, with all parts and accessories needed to get to work. Minimal set-up is required.
Unpacking the Workstation
Remove workstation from its carry bag. Keep bag in a safe, clean area for easy
retrieval.
Remove accessory bag from between rails.
When carrying the workstation, use the molded handles in the platform. Avoid
carrying by the rails to prevent possible contact with installed blades.
To open the workstation, release the rubber clasp holding the hinged platform
together and carefully open the platform to its full size.
Fig. 1
BEVELED
SQUARE
TEGULAR
CARTRIDGE
SQUARE
TEGULAR
CARTRIDGE
CLEANING BRUSH
SHARPS
CONTAINER
SIZING CARTRIDGE
PROFILE BLADE DISPENSER
SIZING BLADE DISPENSER
PARTS KIT
SIZING CAR
PROFILE CAR
PLATFORM
JIG STOP
RULER
RAILS
PROFILE FRAMES
PROFILE BLADE
SIZING BLADE
(1 Prole
Frame & 1
Angled
Tegular
Cartridge
installed in
car)
(Narrow Sizing
Cartridge
installed in
car)
END CAP
7
Securing the Work Area
Set up your workstation in an area that is clear and free of debris with plenty of
room to move tiles on and off the platform.
The RevealCut workstation should be used on a at, sturdy surface, preferably
36"- 41" high. A plywood sheet supported by two sawhorses is ideal for this purpose.
A plywood sheet on a Baker scaffold shelf also may be used.
To avoid accidental damage or possible injury, do not attempt to use RevealCut on
the oor or on a ladder.
Use mounting screws provided in the Parts Kit to afx the workstation to the plywood
sheet using screw holes located on platform base between the rails.
21
21
MOUNTING
SCREW
MOUNTING
SCREW
Fig. 2
8
BASIC OPERATION
Your RevealCut workstation operates by moving the cutting blades installed in the cutting
cars across the tile edge. The tile gets aligned on the platform ush against the tile stop
and with the rear edge of the tile at the preferred size measurement on the ruler.
The rst cutting car, the “sizing car,” cuts the edge of the tile to the desired size. The
second cutting car, the “prole car,” installs the factory-grade prole edge. (See Fig. 1)
Both the prole blades and the sizing blades are specially designed for cutting ceiling
tiles. Each will cut up to 200 tiles before they need to be replaced.
To obtain the proper results, the workstation must be congured for the type of tile being
cut. The conguration is obtained by matching the proper sizing cartridge to the tile
thickness and by matching the proper prole frame and prole cartridge to the proper tile
thickness and prole style.
It is important to follow the directions in this manual for proper set up. Once you have
done it a few times, set up is easy and intuitive.
3
4
5
6
8
9
TILE STOPRULER
Fig. 3
9
INSTALLING SIZING CARTRIDGE AND BLADES
The RevealCut workstation comes with two sizing cartridges to accommodate different
thicknesses of tile. For tile sizes from 5/8"to 1", the narrow cartridge is used. The narrow
cartridge comes pre-installed in the unit. For tile sizes from 1¼" to 1½", the wide cartridge
is used. This cartridge comes packed in the accessory bag.
Select which cartridge to use with your
tile: (Fig. 4)
o Narrow cartridge for tile thicknesses
up to 1 inch
o Wide cartridge for tile thicknesses
over 1 inch
To remove installed cartridge from sizing
car, move sizing car at least 4" from end
of rail to allow handle to move freely.
(Fig. 5)
Loosen thumbscrew on top of sizing car
near handle. Pull handle back and grab
cartridge by square grip section on the
end. Push cartridge downward until it
disengages from sizing car housing.
Pull cartridge off axle inside the handle.
Next, remove thumbscrew from the
cartridge and lift metal blade cover up.
Carefully remove a fresh blade from the
blade dispenser by sliding the red slider
to the right. The blade will dispense
from the end of the dispenser. USE
CARE – BLADES ARE EXTREMELY
SHARP.
Install blade into cartridge by aligning
guide holes in blade to raised guides on
the cartridge. The blade will t only one
way.
Replace the metal blade cover over the
blade and tightly screw the thumbscrew
back into place.
Ensure sizing blade is sitting ush and
secure in sizing cartridge.
With sharp edge facing down toward
platform, replace cartridge into sizing
car. You will feel a snap when the back
end of the cartridge engages the axle
inside the car.
Pull cartridge up into sizing car housing.
Tighten large thumbscrew on top of
sizing car, making sure it is secure.
The sizing blade is now installed. To
remove and replace a used blade, use
the same procedure. Use sharps
container to dispose of used blades.
2
1
Fig. 4
WIDE
CARTRIDGE
NARROW
CARTRIDGE
0,5 pt
Fig. 5
HANDLE
END OF
RAIL
4” MINIMUM DISTANCE
10
INSTALLING PROFILE FRAME, CARTRIDGE AND BLADES
The RevealCut workstation comes with
three prole frames. (Fig. 6) Two are
located in the accessory bag; the third
comes pre-installed in the prole car.
The prole frame determines the depth of
the prole cut and is used to match the
prole to a specic tile thickness. Each
frame is marked with a specic
measurement in the corner of the frame to
indicate corresponding tile thickness. Each
prole frame accommodates two different
thicknesses of tile depending on its
orientation in the car.
Red Frame: 5/8" and 3/4" thick tiles
Green Frame: 7/8" and 1" thick tiles
Blue Frame: 11/4" and 11/2" thick tiles
Your workstation also comes with three prole cartridges. These are designed to cut
angled tegular proles, square tegular proles and beveled square tegular proles. The
prole cartridges are labelled to indicate the specic prole they will cut. (Fig. 7) Each
holds two prole blades – one to make the horizontal lip cut and one to make the vertical
hang-down cut. The beveled square tegular cartridge uses a third blade to cut the beveled
edge.
To set up the workstation for cutting prole edges, use the following procedure:
Select which prole cartridge will be used – square tegular, angled tegular or beveled
square tegular. For lay-in tiles, the prole car is not used. The sizing car will make a
simple lay-in cut.
Remove the thumbscrews on the bottom of the cartridge selected and lift the metal
blade covers up.
5/8"
5/8"
3/4"
3/4"
7/8"
7/8"
1"
1"
1-1/4"
1-1/4"
1-1/2"
1-1/2"
RedGreen Blue
Fig. 6
11
Carefully remove fresh blades from the prole blade dispenser by sliding the red
slider to the right. The blades will dispense from the end of the dispenser.
USE CARE – BLADES ARE EXTREMELY SHARP.
Install blades into cartridge by aligning guide holes in blades to raised guides on the
cartridge. The blades will t only one way.
Replace the metal blade holders over the blades and tightly screw thumbscrews back
into place.
The prole blades are now installed. To remove and replace used blades, use the same
procedure. Use the sharps container to dispose of used blades.
Next, remove two small thumbscrews on either side of the top edge of the cartridge
and set aside for the next step.
Select which prole frame to use based on the tile thickness to be cut. Prole frames
are color coded and include sizing indicators in the corners.
Hold prole frame facing you with desired tile size indicated in upper-left corner.
Insert prole cartridge into frame with arrows on top of cartridge pointing toward the
right.
Secure cartridge into frame with the two previously removed small thumbscrews on
either side of cartridge. Be sure to tighten securely.
Loosen top of prole car by loosening large hand screw inside round handle. Raise
top of prole car.
Insert prole frame and prole cartridge assembly into prole car with arrows on top
of cartridge matching direction of arrows on top of car.
Close top of prole car and tighten screw inside round handle.
Angled Tegular
RC 601
RC 601
Square Tegular
RC 602
RC 602
Beveled
Square Tegular
RC 603
RC 603
Fig. 7
2 BLADES 2 BLADES 3 BLADES
Prole car assembly is now ready to use.
12
MEASURING TILE TO SIZE
The RevealCut workstation makes measuring tiles to the proper size fast and easy –
even on walls that are not perfectly square. And, because both the sizing cut and prole
edge nish are completed in the same operation, it eliminates the need for scribing once
tiles are sized.
To obtain the proper measurement for cutting:
Measure grid face to face on one side of the grid opening and again on the opposite
side.
Add twice the lip width of the tile to each measurement.
Here’s an example:
Grid measures 9" on both sides. Tile to be installed has 3/8"lip. Cut measurement
becomes 9" plus 2 x 3/8or 9 3/4for each side.
Grid measures 14" on both sides. Tile to be installed has 3/16"lip. Cut measurement
becomes 14" plus 2 x 3/16 or 14 3/8"for each side.
For out-of-square walls, follow the same process for each side of the grid. For example:
Grid measures 9” on right side and 9 1/8"on left side. Tile to be installed has 3/8"lip.
In this case, right side measurement becomes 9" plus 2 x 3/8or 9
3/4. Left side
measurement becomes 9 1/8"plus 2 x 3/8or 9 7/8.
13
CUTTING TILES
First, make a test cut to optimize the tool
settings by following these steps:
Beginwith bothcutting cars positioned
at the top of the rails.
Place tile nished face up on the
platform.
Ensure tile is ush to the tile stop on
platform. This ensures tile is square
to the cutting blades.
Align rear of tile to desired cut size on
ruler.
Use your hand to hold tile down
gently on platform.
Depress long handle of sizing car
and pull sizing blade across tile.
Make a complete pass. Note: There
is no need to try to cut the tile in a
single pass. For many mineral ber
tiles you will need to make two or up
to three passes of the sizing blade to
cut completely through the tile. This
is normal. Fiberglass tiles will usually
require only a single pass.
On nal sizing pass, leave sizing car
on bottom of rails, opposite the prole
car.
Next, make a single pass with the
prole car to nish the tile edge.
Remove tile.
Return prole car to top of rail.
Examine your test cut to see if it matches
the tile’s nished edge. Adjusting the lip
depth up or down is the most common
adjustment needed. This typically is caused
by tiles being slightly thinner or thicker than
their rated dimensions.
If the tile looks good, there is no need for
further adjustment. However, if cut needs
to move up or down, the following
adjustments can be made:
For minor adjustments (+/- 1/16") use
the ne-adjustment feature located
at the top of the prole cartridge.
Loosen but do not remove the big
thumbscrew on top of the cartridge.
Once loosened, press down gently
on the top of the thumbscrew to
disengage bottom half of cartridge.
You can now gently slide the
thumbscrew to one side or the other.
(Fig. 9)
To move the cut down 1/16", slide
Top
Bottom
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 2 123 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 1F
10 9 8 7 6 5 423 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 1F
PROFILE
CUTTING
CAR
TILE
SIZING
CAR
TILE
STOP
RULER
Fig. 8
14
thumbscrew up so that the +1/16"
indicator is showing on cartridge
base. Tighten the thumbscrew again
and repeat your test cut from the
beginning. (Fig. 9)
To move the cut up 1/16", slide
thumbscrew down so that the -1/16
indicator is showing on cartridge
base. Tighten the thumbscrew again
and repeat your test cut from the
beginning.
Occasionally, the cut depth may be off by
more than 1/16"due to the hang-down depth
of the tile prole. If this is the case, you will
need to change the prole frame to the
next tile thickness – up or down as needed
– and make another test cut.
For example:
You are cutting a 5/8"thick tile with a
deeper-than-average hang down.
Your rst test cut with the 5/8" prole
frame is too high – it’s off by 1/8".
Recongure prole cartridge
assembly to use 3/4"frame setting
instead of 5/8".
Make another test cut.
Adjust up or down 1/16"as described
above to secure proper dimension.
Once your test cut matches the tile’s factory
edge, you are ready to start cutting tiles.
+1 16
+
0
_
+
0
_
1 16
¯
+
0
_
+
0
_
Fig. 9
ADJUST
CUT
DOWN
1/16"
THUMBSCREW
ADJUST
CUT
UP
1/16"
PROFILE
CUTTING
CAR
PROFILE
CUTTING
CARTRIDGE
15
OUT-OF-SQUARE CUTS
Square cuts are easy with RevealCut. With the tile set ush against the tile stop and the
rear end of the tile aligned with the desired measurement on the ruler, you are assured
a straight, accurate cut every time. But walls and grids often can be out of square. This
requires a change in the cutting procedure.
Begin with both cutting cars at the top of
the rails.
Set jig stops to desired measurements
on the top ruler and bottom ruler.
(Fig. 10) The right side grid
measurement is set at top ruler. The
left side grid measurement is set at
bottom ruler.
Place tile nished face up on the
platform.
Align the rear of the tile so that it is ush
with the preset jig stops instead of the
tile stop. This will offset the tile to the
correct dimensions. Do not use tile
stop for out-of-square cuts.
Use your hand to hold tile down gently
on platform.
Grasp long handle of sizing car and pull
sizing blade down to the bottom of the
rail. Make a complete pass. There is no
need to try to cut the tile in a single pass.
For many mineral ber tiles you will
need to make two or up to three passes
of the sizing blade to cut completely
through the tile. This is normal.
Fiberglass tiles will usually require only
a single pass.
On nal sizing pass, leave sizing car on
bottom of rails, opposite the prole car.
Next, make a single pass with the prole
car to nish the tile edge.
Remove tile.
Return prole car to top of rail.
223 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 1F
23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 1F
10 9 8 7 6 5 14
10 9 8 7 6 5 4
Top
Bottom
Fig. 10
JIG
STOP
JIG
STOP
Right Side Grid
Measurement
Left Side Grid
Measurement
16
REPEAT AND LINEAR LIGHTING CUTS
Repeat and linear lighting cuts are fast and easy with the RevealCut jig stop design.
Repeat Cuts
Begin with both cutting cars at the top position on the rails.
Set jig stops to desired size.
Place tile nished face up on the platform.
Ensure tile is ush to the tile stop on platform.This ensures tile is square to the
cutting blades.
Align rear of tile to the jig stops.
Cut and nish tile edge.
Repeat with multiple tiles as needed.
Linear Lighting Cuts
Begin with both cutting cars at top of the rails.
Set jig stops to desired size.
Place tile nished face up on the platform.
Ensure tile is ush to the tile stop on the platform. This ensures tile is square to the
cutting blades.
Align rear of tile to the jig stops.
Cut and nish tile edge. Remove tile.
Return cutting cars to the top position on the rails.
Reverse the cut tile and place it on the cutting platform.
Ensure tile is ush to the tile stop on platform. This ensures tile is square to the
cutting blades.
Align rear of tile to the jig stops.
Cut and nish opposite tile edge.
17
USING PLATFORM EXTENSION BARS (RC400 MODEL ONLY)
When cutting large-format tiles on the RC400 Model, the tile will often extend beyond the
platform. For example, when cutting a 4' x 4' tile, the back of the tile will extend up to 2'
beyond the rear edge of the RevealCut platform. For this reason, the RC400 comes with
extension bars which snap into the platforms on the far side of the platform, away from
the rails. These bars will support the larger tile sizes and minimize the risk of damage or
warping of tiles during the cutting procedure. When nished using, remove the bars
before storing the RevealCut unit. (Fig. 11)
Fig. 11
SIZING CAR
PROFILE CAR
PLATFORM
RULER
EXTENSION BARS
RAILS
(1 Prole
Frame & 1
Angled
Tegular
Cartridge
installed in
car)
(Narrow Sizing
Cartridge
installed in
car)
END CAP
18
MAINTENANCE
Your RevealCut workstation requires little maintenance. For long-term, trouble-free
performance observe the following guidelines:
Remove and dispose of used blades when workstation is not in use. Use sharps
container to dispose of blades.
After each use, brush or wipe tile dust accumulation from workstation.
Always store accessory bag between rails when not in use.
Use storage bag provided to transport and store workstation and accessories.
If cars begin to experience increased friction on rails, wiping rails down with a
common clothes dryer sheet will restore smooth operation.
Always keep the workstation dry and away from excessive moisture. Never put the
workstation away wet.
Mounting screws and extra thumbscrews are provided in the Parts Kit to replace
any items that get lost on the jobsite.
19
TROUBLESHOOTING
Here are solutions to some of the common problems RevealCut users may encounter.
Cannot remove/install blade in Sizing Car: Position sizing car at least 4" from the
end cap at the bottom of the rail to allow handle to move freely.
Sizing cut is curved, not straight: Sizing blade is not mounted ush in sizing
cartridge. Remove sizing cartridge from sizing car housing and remove blade from
cartridge. Reinstall making sure blade is at against cartridge body.
Prole Cartridge doesn’t cut: Cartridge is installed backwards. Lift cover of prole
car and reorient cartridge/frame assembly so that arrows on cartridge match arrows
on car.
Prole cut is too high or too low: Lift cover of prole car. If adjustment needed is
within 1/16"up or down, use large thumbscrew on top of cartridge to adjust. If greater
than 1/16", change to next frame size up or down. See Cutting Tiles section for complete
instructions.
Cut is fuzzy or unclean: Blade is dull. Replace blade.
Cut is not square: Tile was not aligned properly on platform. Be sure tile makes full
contact with tile stop to ensure straight cuts.
Sizing cartridge won’t cut: Tile is wrong thickness for sizing cartridge used. Switch
to correct sizing cartridge.
Tile is wrong size: Most likely, lip measurement was added incorrectly. Recheck lip
size and re-measure grid. See Measuring Tile to Size section for complete instructions.
20
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS / SERVICE
For technical and service related questions call Arrow customer service
at (800) 776-2228.
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