Axminster AWSS-18 Flex User manual

951561
Axminster Reference No: AWSS-18
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User Manual
www.axminster.co.uk
AWSS-18 Flex
Scroll Saw

7. Use safety equipment. Eye protection should be worn at
all times when operating this machine. Use ANSI
approved safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses only have
impact resistance lenses. They are NOT safety glasses.
A dust mask, respirator, non-skid safety shoes, a hard hat,
or hearing protection must be used in appropriate
conditions.
8. Wear the proper apparel. Loose clothing, gloves, neckties,
rings, bracelets, or other jewelry may present a potential
hazard when operating this machine. Please keep all
apparel clear of the machine.
9. Don’t overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times when operating this product.
10. Always disconnect the machine from the power source
before servicing or changing the accessories.
11. Check for damage. Check your tool regularly. If any part
of the tool is damaged it should be carefully inspected to
make sure it can perform its intended function correctly. If
in doubt, the part should be repaired. Refer all service to
a qualified service professional. Consult your dealer for
advice.
12. Keep away from flammables. Do not attempt to operate
this tool near flammables or combustibles. Failure to
comply may cause serious injury or death.
13. Always check to make sure that the switch is not
engaged before plugging in the power cord.
14. Keep your hands clear of the cutting edges, sharpening
surfaces and all moving parts.
15. Protect others in the work area from debris such as chips
and sparks. Provide barriers and shields as needed.
16. Use the right tool for the job. Do not use a tool or
attachment to do a job for which it was not intended. Do
not alter a tool.
17. Make sure the grinding wheel speed rating exceeds that
of the unit.
18. Use only authentic accessories. Using noncompliant
accessories may be hazardous. Be sure that all
accessories are properly installed and maintained.
19. Remove all adjusting keys and wrenches. Make a habit of
checking that the adjusting keys and wrenches are
removed from the tool before turning it on.

20. Guard against electric shock. Prevent body contact with
grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and
refrigerators. Hold your tool by the insulated, non-metal
grasping surfaces. Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) to reduce shock hazards.
21. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure your tool is turned off
before plugging it in. Do not use the tool if the power
switch does not turn the tool on and off. Do not carry the
plugged-in tool with your finger on the switch.
22. Do not force the tool. Your tool will perform better when
used appropriately. Excessive force only causes operator
fatigue, increased wear and reduced control.
23. Do not abuse the cord. Never carry the tool by its cord or
unplug it by pulling the cord from the outlet. Pull the plug
rather than the cord to reduce the risk of damage. Keep
the cord away from heat, oil, sharp objects, cutting edges
and moving parts.
24. Treat the tool with care. Keep handles dry, clean and free
from oil and grease. Follow the instructions for lubricating
and changing accessories. Periodically inspect tool cords
and extension cords for damage. Refer all service to a
qualified service professional.
25. Store idle tools. When not in use, store your tools in a dry,
secure place. Keep out of reach of children.
26. Use the Tool Attachments to steady the workpiece. If
the Tool Attachments are not used, the torque of the
spinning Grinding/Polishing Wheel may pull the
workpiece from your hands.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
WARNING! Always check to ensure the power supply
corresponds to the voltage on the rating plate.
•Do not abuse the cord. Never carry a portable tool by its
power cord, or yank tool or extension cords from the
receptacle. Keep power and extension cords away from
heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged
cords immediately. Damaged cords may cause a fire and
increase the risk of electric shock.
•Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly
installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and
ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify

the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check
with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to
whether the outlet is properly grounded.
•Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug
(one blade is wider than the other). This plug will fit in a
polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully
in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still doesn’t fit, contact
a qualified electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not
change the plug in any way.
•Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges, and refrigerators. There is an increase
risk of electric shock if your body is grounded.
•When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor
extension cord marked “W-A” or “W.” These cords are
rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric shock.
•Extension Cord Use.
A. Use only ‘Listed’ extension cords. If used outdoors, they
must be marked “For Outdoor Use.” Those cords having
3-prong grounding type plugs and mating receptacles are
to be used with grounded tools.
B. Replace damaged or worn cords immediately.
C. Check the name plate rating of your tool. Use of improper
size or gauge of extension cord may cause unsafe or
inefficient operation of your tool. Be sure your extension
cord is rated to allow sufficient current flow to the motor.
For the proper wire gauge for your tool, see chart.
CHART FOR MINIMUM WIRE SIZE OF EXTENSION CORD:
Nameplate AMPS CORD LENGTH
'051'001'05'52
0-6 18 AWG 16
AWG
16
AWG
14
AWG
6-10 18 AWG 16
AWG
14
AWG
12
AWG
10-12 16 AWG 16
AWG
14
AWG
12
AWG
12-16 14 AWG 12
AWG
(NOT
RECOMMENDED)
If in doubt, use larger cord.
Be sure to check voltage requirements of the tool to your
incoming power source.

•Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions.
Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of
electric shock.
•Do not let your fingers touch the terminals of plug when
installing to or removing from the outlet.
•Ground fault circuit interrupters. If work area is not
equipped with a permanently installed Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter outlet (GFCI), use a plug-in GFCI
between power tool or extension cord and power
receptacle.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR THE SCROLL SAW
WARNING:Do not operate the scroll saw until it is assembled,
and you have read and understood the following instructions and
the warning labels on the scroll saw.
Before operating
1. Check for proper assembly and proper alignment of
moving parts. Understand the function and proper use of
the ON/OFF switch.
2. Understand the function and proper use of the ON/OFF
switch.
3. Know the condition of the scroll saw. If any part is missing,
bent, or does not operate properly, replace the
component before you use the scroll saw.
4. Determine the type of work you are going to be doing.
Properly protect your body including your eyes, hands,
face, and ears.
5. To avoid injury caused by pieces thrown from
accessories, use only recommended accessories
designed for this saw. Follow the instructions supplied
with the accessory. The use of improper accessories may
cause risk of injury.
6. To avoid contact with rotating equipment:
• Do not position your fingers where they could contact
the blade if the workpiece should unexpectedly shift or
your hand should slip.
• Do not cut a workpiece too small to be held safely.

• Do not reach under the scroll saw table when the motor
is running.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Roll long sleeves
above the elbow. Tie back long hair.
7. To avoid injury from accidental starting of the scroll saw:
• Make sure the switch is OFF and unplug the power
cord from the electric outlet before changing the
blade, performing maintenance or making
adjustments.
• Make sure the switch is OFF before plugging in the
power cord to an electric outlet.
8. To avoid injury from a fire hazard, do not operate the
scroll saw near flammable liquids, vapors or gases.
9. To avoid back injury:
• Obtain help when it is necessary to raise the scroll saw
more than 10 inches. Bend your knees when lifting the
scroll saw.
• Carry the scroll saw by its base. Do not move the scroll
saw by pulling on the powercord. Pulling on the power
cord could cause damage to the insulation or the wire
connections resulting in electric shock or fire.
When operating the scroll saw
WARNING: Use the rotary tool for sanding and grinding
applications only. This product is not recommended for drilling
applications.
1. To avoid injury from unexpected scroll saw movement:
• Use the scroll saw on a firm level surface with adequate
space for handling and supporting the workpiece.
• Be sure the scroll saw cannot move when operated. Secure
the scroll saw to a workbench or table with wood screws or bolts
with washers and nuts.
2. Before moving the scroll saw, unplug the power cord from
the electrical outlet.
3. To avoid injury from kickback:
• Hold the workpiece firmly against the tabletop.
• Do not feed the workpiece too fast while cutting. Only feed
the workpiece at the rate the saw will cut.

• Install the blade with the teeth pointing downward.
• Do not start the saw with the workpiece pressing against the
blade. Slowly feed the workpiece into the moving blade.
• Use caution when cutting round or irregularly shaped work
pieces. Round items will roll and irregularly shaped work pieces
can pinch the blade.
4. To avoid injury when operating the scroll saw:
• If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of scroll
saws, obtain advice from a qualified person.
• Before starting the saw, make sure the blade tension is
correct. Recheck and adjust tension as needed.
• Make sure the table is locked into position before starting
the saw.
• Do not use dull or bent blades.
• When cutting a large workpiece, make sure the material is
supported at the table height.
• Turn the saw OFF and unplug the power cord if the blade
jams in the workpiece while being backed out. This condition
is usually caused by sawdust clogging the line you are cutting.
If this happens, turn OFF the scroll saw and unplug the power
cord. Wedge open the workpiece and back out the blade.
• Do not use if blade guard is damaged or missing.
• Do not clear away cut-off pieces until blade has stopped
and the saw is turned off.

Align the bevel indicator (Fig. 3-5)
The bevel indicator has been factory adjusted. It should be
rechecked prior to use best operation.
1. Remove the blade guard foot (1)
using a hex key to loosen the
screw (2).
2. Loosen the table bevel lock handle
(3) and turn the table adjustment
knob (4) to move the table until it
is approximately at a right angle to
the blade.
3. Use a combination square (5) (not
provided) to set the table exactly
90º to the blade (6). If there is
space between the square and
blade, adjust the table angle until
the space is closed.
4. Tighten the table bevel lock handle
(3) to prevent movement.
5. Loosen the screw (7) holding the
bevel scale pointer and position
pointer to 0º. Tighten the screw.
6. Attach the blade guard foot (1) and
tighten the screw (2),
WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury:
• When carrying the saw, hold it close to your body to avoid injury
to your back. Bend your knees when lifting the saw.
• Carry the saw by the base. Do not carry the saw by the power
cord.
• Secure the saw in a position where people cannot stand, sit, or
walk behind it. Debris thrown from the saw could injure people
standing, sitting, or walking behind it.
• Secure the saw on a firm, level surface where the saw cannot
rock and there is adequate room for handling and properly
supporting the workpiece.
Fig. 3
1
2
Fig. 4
3
4
7
Fig. 5 5
6

Blade guard foot adjustment
When cutting at angles, the blade guard foot should be adjusted
so it is parallel to the table and rests flat above the workpiece.
1. To adjust, loosen the screw (2) , tilt
the foot (1) so it is parallel to the
table, and tighten the screw.
2. Loosen the height adjustment knob
(3) to raise or lower the foot until it
just rests on top of the workpiece.
Tighten the knob.
3. Loosen the horizontal adjustment
knob (4) and move the foot forward
or backward as needed.
Attach the rotary tool table (Fig. 7 and 8)
1. Secure the rotary tool table (1) to
the side of the saw using the four
hex head screws (2) and washers
provided with the table.
2. Place the rotary table insert (3) in
the opening on the rotary table.
Note: The rotary tool (4) attaches to the
clamp located below the rotary tool table.
Sawdust collection port (Fig. 9 and 10)
This scroll saw allows a hose or vacuum
accessory (not provided) to be
connected to the dust chute (1) at the
front of the saw and to the dust chute (2)
under the rotary tool table(3), if
installed.
If excessive sawdust buildup occurs
inside the base, use a wet/dry vacuum
cleaner or manually remove saw dust. This will keep your saw
cutting efficiently.
Fig. 6
1
2
4
3
Fig. 7
42
1
Fig. 8 3
Fig. 9
1

2. The blade teeth cut material ONLY on the down stroke.
3. Guide the wood into the blade slowly because the teeth
of the blade are very small and remove wood only on the
down stroke.
4. There is a learning curve for each person using this saw.
During that period of time it is expected that some blades
will break until you learn how to use the saw.
5. Best results are achieved when cutting wood one inch
thick or less.
6. When cutting wood thicker than one inch, guide the wood
very, very slowly into the blade and take extra care not to
bend or twist the blade while cutting in order to maximize
blade life.
7. Teeth on scroll saw blades wear out and the blades must
be replaced frequently for best cutting results. Scroll saw
blades generally stay sharp for 1/2 hour to 2 hours of
cutting.
8. To get accurate cuts, be prepared to compensate for the
blade's tendency to follow the wood grain as you are
cutting.
9. This scroll saw is primarily designed to cut wood or wood
products. For cutting precious and non-ferrous metals,
the variable control switch must be set at very slow
speeds.
10. When choosing a blade, use very fine, narrow blades to
scroll cut in thin wood 1/4" thick or less. Use wider blades
for thicker materials but this will reduce the ability to cut
tight curves.
11. Blades wear faster when cutting plywood or very abrasive
particle board. Angle cutting in hardwoods wears blades
down faster.
LED Light switch (Fig. 19)
1. To turn on the light, press
the light switch (1) to the ON
(I) position.
2. To turn off the light, press
the light switch (1) to the
OFF (O) position.
Fig. 19
1

ON/OFF switches and speed control knob (Fig. 20)
Always wait for the saw or rotary tool to come to a complete stop
before restarting.
1. To turn the saw or rotary
tool on, press the switch (1)
to the ON (I) position.
2. Turn the variable speed
knob (2) to adjust the
blade speed or rotary
speed to the desired
setting. Turning the control
knob clockwise increases
speed; turning it
counterclockwise reduces
speed.
3. To turn the saw or rotary tool off, press the switch (1) to
the OFF (O) position.
Note: A small lock may be placed between the power switch and
the plastic switch guard (3) to prevent accidental operation. It is
recommended to lock the saw when not in use.
WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental start-ups, always
turn the switch OFF and unplug the scroll saw before moving the
tool, replacing the blade, or making adjustments.
Freehand cutting (Fig. 21)
1. Lay out desired design, or secure design to the workpiece.
2. Raise the blade guard foot
(1) by loosening the height
adjustment knob (2).
3. Position the workpiece
against the blade and
place the blade guard foot
against the top surface of
the workpiece.
4. Secure the blade guard
foot (1) by tightening the
height adjustment knob (2).
5. Remove the workpiece
from the blade prior to turning the scroll saw ON.
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
1
1
2
3
2

CAUTION: In order to avoid uncontrollable lifting of the
workpiece and to reduce blade breakage, do not turn the
switch on while the workpiece is against the blade.
6. Slowly feed the workpiece into the blade by guiding and
pressing the workpiece down against the table.
CAUTION: Do not force the leading edge of the workpiece
into the blade. The blade will deflect, reducing accuracy of cut,
and may break.
7. When the cut is complete, move the trailing edge of the
workpiece beyond the blade guard foot. Turn the switch
OFF.
Angle cutting (bevel cutting) (Fig. 22)
1. Layout or secure design
to workpiece.
2. Move the blade guard
foot to the highest
position by loosening the
height adjustment knob.
Retighten.
3. Tilt the table to the
desired angle by
loosening the table bevel
lock (1) and turning the
bevel adjustment knob
(2)to move the table to
the proper angle using the degree scale and the pointer
(3).
4. Tighten the table bevel lock (1).
5. Loosen the blade guard screw, and tilt the blade guard to
the same angle as the table. Retighten the blade guard
screw.
6. Position the workpiece on the right side of the blade.
Lower the blade guard foot against the surface by
loosening the height adjustment knob. Retighten.
7. Follow steps 5-7 under Freehand cutting.
Interior cutting (Fig. 23)
1. Lay out the design on the workpiece. Drill a 1/4" hole in
the workpiece.
2. Remove the blade. See Blade removal and installation.
Fig. 22
1
3
2

3. Place the workpiece on the saw table with the hole in the
workpiece over the access hole in the table.
4. Install a blade through the
hole in the workpiece.
5. Follow steps 3-7, under
Freehand cutting.
6. When finished making the
interior scroll cuts simply
turn the scroll saw OFF.
Unplug the saw before
removing the blade from
the blade holder. Remove
the workpiece from the
table.
Rip or straight line cutting (Fig. 24)
1. Raise the blade guard foot (1) by loosening the height
adjustment knob (2).
2. Measure from the tip of the
blade to the desired distance.
Position the straight edge
parallel to the blade at that
distance.
3. Clamp the straight edge to
the table.
4. Recheck your
measurements using the
workpiece to be cut and
make sure the straight edge
is secure.
5. Position the workpiece against the blade and place the
blade guard foot against the top surface of the workpiece.
6. Secure the blade guard foot in place by tightening the
height adjustment knob.
7. Remove the workpiece from the blade prior to turning the
scroll saw ON.
CAUTION: In order to avoid uncontrollable lifting of the
workpiece and reduce blade breakage, do not turn the switch on
while the workpiece is against the blade.
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
1
2