Chicago Electric 46055 User manual

VARIABLE SPEED
JIGSAW
ASSEMBLY and OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
Model 46055
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit ourWeb site at http://www.harborfreight.com
Copyright©2001, 2004 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No
portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in
any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY,
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.

Page 2
SKU 46055
Double Insulated Motor 3.5 Amps, 120 V / 60 Hz / Single Phase
Variable Speed Range 500-3000 SPM, Six Speed Settings
Maximum Cutting Depth 2-1/8 inch
Stroke 3/4 inch
Cord 18 Gauge, Two Prong
Includes 6 TPI and 24 TPI Blades and Tiltable Base (TPI = Teeth per Inch)
E194601
This Jigsaw uses Universal (U) Shank Blades.
Replacement Blade ITEM #: 02713 - 14 Pc. Jigsaw Blade Set.
Save This Manual
You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly
instructions, operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep your
invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep the
manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
General Safety Rules
WARNING!
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Work Area
1. Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite
accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
3. Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control. Protect others in the work area from debris
such as chips and sparks. Provide barriers or shields as needed.
Electrical Safety
4. 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. If the
tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance
path to carry electricity away from the user.
Specifications
REV 02/05

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SKU 46055
5. 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 does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not change the plug in any
way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded power cord
and grounded power supply system.
6. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges,
and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded.
7. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool
will increase the risk of electric shock.
8. Do not abuse the Power Cord. Never use the Power Cord to carry the tools or pull
the Plug from an outlet. Keep the Power Cord away from heat, oil,sharp edges, or
moving parts. Replace damaged Power Cords immediately. Damaged Power Cords
increase the risk of electric shock.
9. When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked
“W-A”or “W”. These extension cords are rated for outdoor use, and reduce the risk of
electric shock.
Personal Safety
10. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operating a
power tool. Do not use a power tool while tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may
result in serious personal injury.
11. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep
your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or
long hair can be caught in moving parts.
12. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the Power Switch is off before plugging in.
Carrying power tools with your finger on the Power Switch, or plugging in power tools
with the Power Switch on, invites accidents.
13. Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the power tool on. A wrench
or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal
injury.
14. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing
and balance enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
15. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, nonskid safety
shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must also be used for appropriate conditions.

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SKU 46055
Tool Use and Care
16. Use clamps (not included) or other practical ways to secure and support the
workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is
unstable and may lead to loss of control.
17. Do not force the tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will
do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
18. Do not use the power tool if the Power Switch does not turn it on or off. Any tool
that cannot be controlled with the Power Switch is dangerous and must be replaced.
19. Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
20. Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
21. Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained
tools with a sharp cutting edge are less likely to bind and are easier to control. Do not
use a damaged tool. Tag damaged tools “Do not use” until repaired.
22. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any
other condition that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
23. Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model.
Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous when used on
another tool.
Service
24. Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
25. When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions
in the “Maintenance” section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to
follow maintenance instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
Note: Performance of this tool (if powered by line voltage) may vary depending on
variations in local line voltage. Extension cord usage may also affect tool performance.
Warning: The warnings, cautions and instructions discussed in this
instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator
that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built
into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.

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SKU 46055
Jigsaw Specific Safety Rules
1. Hold the tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation
where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact
with a ‘live’ wire will make exposed metal parts of the tool ‘live’ and shock the
operator.
2. WARNING! Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other
construction activities, contain chemicals known (to the State of California) to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals
are: lead from lead-based paints, crystalline silica from bricks and cement or other
masonry products, arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber. Your risk
from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To
reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with
approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to
filter out microscopic particles.
(California Health & Safety Code 25249.5, et seq.)
3. WARNING! People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before using
this product. Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a heart
pacemaker could cause interference or failure of the pacemaker.
GROUNDING
WARNING!
Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric
shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the
outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with
the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the tool if
the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by a service
facility before use. If the plug will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed
by a qualified electrician.
GROUNDED TOOLS:TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS
1. Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong
grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If the tool
should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance
path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of electric shock.
(See Figure A, next page.)
2. The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the cord to
the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the only wire
connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached to an electrically
“live” terminal. (See Figure A.)
Continued on page 6

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SKU 46055
FIGURE A
3. Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and grounded
in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet should look like
those in the following illustration. (See Figure A.)
DOUBLE INSULATED TOOLS:TOOLS WITH TWO PRONG PLUGS
4. Tools marked “Double Insulated” do not require grounding. They have a special double
insulation system which satisfies OSHA requirements and complies with the applicable
standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian Standard Association, and
the National Electrical Code. (See Figure B.)
5. Double insulated tools may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the following
illustration. (See Figure B.)
FIGURE B

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SKU 46055
EXTENSION CORDS
1. Grounded tools require a three wire extension cord.
2. As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge
extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a serious
drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage. (See Figure C.)
3. The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the cord. For
example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a higher current than a 16 gauge cord.
(See Figure C.)
4. If using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make sure
each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required. (See Figure C.)
5. If you are using one extension cord for more than one tool, add the nameplate
amperes and use the sum to determine the required minimum cord size.
(See Figure C.)
6. If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the
suffix “W-A” (“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.
7. Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualified electrician
before using it.
8. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat, and damp or
wet areas.
FIGURE C
REQUIRED MINIMUM EXTENSION CORD GAUGE - 110 VOLT
EXTENSION CORD LENGTH
0-25 FT. 25-50 FT. 50-100 FT. 100-150 FT.
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
18
16
16
16
14
14
14
12
12
12
10
10
10
16
16
14
14
12
12
12
12
10
10
10
10
10
14
12
12
10
10
10
8
8
8
8
8
6
6
12
10
10
8
8
8
8
6
6
6
6
4
4
NAMEPLATE
AMPERES
(At Full Load)

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SKU 46055
Blade Mounting
Warning! Never attempt to mount a blade unless the Jigsaw is unplugged from the power
source.
1. Loosen the Bolt on the Blade Clamp (#21) with the Hex
Spanner (#32). Refer to Figure 1 .
2. Insert the end (with holes) of the Blade between the
Blade Stock and the Blade Clamp. Hold the Blade level
while tightening the Bolt with the Hex Spanner (#32).
Note: To remove a Blade, loosen the Bolt and remove Blade.
Unpacking
When unpacking, check to make sure the parts listed on page 12 are included. If any
parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number on the cover of
this manual as soon as possible.
SYMBOLOGY
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards
Association
Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc.
Volts Alternating Current
Amperes
No Load Revolutions
per Minute (RPM)
A
V ~
noxxxx/min.
Bolt
Blade Stock
Blade Clamp
Figure 1
Blade

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SKU 46055
Blade Mounting (Continued)
3. The Ball or guide must be positioned before use. See Figure 2.
4. Using the Hex Spanner (#32), loosen the Bolt on the bottom plate. Refer to Figure 2.
5. Slide the positioner so that the Ball is touching the blade. Make sure you are working with
a straight blade. Note: If you are cutting synthetic plate or metal, use a little cutting oil
between the Blade and the Ball. More on cutting metal on page 11.
Figure 2
Operation
1. Before plugging in Saw, make sure the Switch (#2) operates without sticking. It must
spring back to the original position once depressed.
Note: Rotate the Speed Control Switch (#1) from 0-6 to increase the speed of the blade.
Note: Make sure your workpiece is securely fastened down.
2. Draw a cutting line on your workpiece.
3. Plug in the Saw and turn it on. Wait until the blade achieves maximum speed.
4. Rest the bottom base of the Saw on the workpiece and move the blade forward. Do not
push hard. Let the saw work at its own rate. Do not force the blade. See Figure 3.
Figure 3
Note: Make sure the bottom base is level with the workpiece, or the blade could break.

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SKU 46055
Operation (continued)
Note: Unplug tool before making adjustments.
5. Your Jigsaw can be adjusted from zero degrees to forty-five degrees for miter cuts by
loosening the bolt on the bottom of the base with the Hex Spanner (#32). See Figure 4.
Figure 4
Note: After loosening the bolt, tilt the base and use
the numbered gradient gauge on the housing
of the saw for an accurate angle. Tighten bolt.
6. By loosening the same bolt as in Figure 4, you can
slide the base back for cutting the front plane of a workpiece.
See Figure 5.
7. To plug-cut into a workpiece that hasn’t been pre-drilled,
rest the rear of the base on the workpiece with the blade not
touching the surface. Start the tool and very slowly lower
the blade into the workpiece until the saw sits level. Then
move the tool forward to cut. Hold Saw firmly and beware
of kickback.
See Figure 6.
Figure 5
Figure 6