Chicago Electric 90186 User manual

7-1/4” CIRCULAR SAW
WORM GEAR DRIVE
Model 90186
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©2008 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. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improve-
ments, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly
and service may not be included.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Revised Manual 10i

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly,
operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly
diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside
of the front cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future
reference.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
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.
SKU 90186 PAGE 2
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Electrical 110V / 60 Hz / 13 Amp / 4500 RPM
Single Phase / Easy Access Carbon Brushes (Qty. 2)
Saw Blade Capacity 7-1/4” Diameter
Blade Arbor Hole Diamond
Depth of Cut 2-1/4”
Additional Features Two Handle Design / Spring Loaded Blade Guard /
Safety Switch / 5/8” Arbor Adapter
Overall Dimensions 18-1/2”L x 7-1/8”W (at its widest point)
Shoe Plate Size 11-13/16”L x 5-3/16”W
Weight 15.85 Pounds
WARNING

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.
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.
SKU 90186 PAGE 3

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, non-skid
safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate
conditions.
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.
SKU 90186 PAGE 4

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 “Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning” section of this
manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions
may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
1. Maintain a safe working environment. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure
there is adequate surrounding workspace. Always keep the work area free of
obstructions, grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use the Circular Saw in
areas near flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors.
2. Maintain labels and nameplates on the Circular Saw. These carry
important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for
a replacement.
3. To avoid serious personal injury and/or property damage, always
use Saw Blades (part #3) that are rated at 4500 RPM or greater on this par-
ticular Circular Saw.
4. Replace a dull or damaged Saw Blade (part #3) immediately.
5. Always wear a safety impact full face shield, hearing protection, and heavy
duty work gloves when using this product. A safety impact full face shield,
hearing protection, and heavy duty work gloves are available from Harbor Freight
Tools.
6. Keep all guards in place and working properly.
SKU 90186 PAGE 5
WARNING

13. Check for damaged parts. Before using this product, carefully check that it will
operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for damaged parts
and any other conditions that may affect the safe operation of this product.
Replace or repair damaged or worn parts immediately.
14. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing, use only identical re-
placement parts. Only use accessories intended for use with this product.
15. Use the right product for the right job. There are certain applications for
which this product was designed. Do not use small equipment, tools, or
attachments to do the work of larger industrial equipment, tools, or attachments.
Do not use this product for a purpose for which it was not intended.
SKU 90186 PAGE 6
16. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing at all times. Use common sense. Do
not use this product when you are tired or distracted from the job at hand.
17. Do not operate this product when fatigued or under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.
10. Always remove all adjusting keys and wrenches from the Circular Saw
before starting.
11. Do not pull or carry the Circular Saw by its Power Cord (part #65), or
pull the Cord around sharp corners or edges. Do not unplug the Circular Saw
by pulling on the Cord. Keep the Cord away from heated surfaces.
12. Do not force the tool. This Circular Saw will do the work better and safer at
the speed and capacity for which it is designed.
7. When using the Circular Saw, always maintain a firm grip on the tool with
both hands and keep hands and fingers away from the cutting area and
Saw Blade.
8. Keep your body positioned to either side of the Saw Blade, but not in line
with the Saw Blade.
9. Avoid “kickback” forces. Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound,
or misaligned Saw Blade causing an uncontrolled Circular Saw to lift up and out
of the workpiece toward the operator. Always maintain a firm grip with both
hands on the Saw and position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces. When the Saw Blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for
any reason, release the Power Switch (part #67) and hold the Saw motionless in
the workpiece until the Saw Blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to
remove the Saw from the workpiece or pull the Saw backward while the Saw
Blade is in motion or kickback may occur.

18. Always turn off the Circular Saw and unplug it from its electrical outlet
before changing accessories or performing any inspection, maintenance, or
cleaning procedures.
19. The warnings and cautions discussed in this manual cannot cover all
possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be under stood by the
operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into
this product, but must be supplied the the operator.
SKU 90186 PAGE 7
Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric
shock. Check with a qualfified 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 aways from the user, reducing the risk of
electric shock. (See Figure A, next page.)
20. 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 and 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.)
21. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before us-
ing this product. Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a heart
pacemaker could cause interference or failure of the pacemaker.
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING

FIGURE A
SKU 90186 PAGE 8
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.)
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 that 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 110 volt outlets shown in the
following illustration. (See Figure B.)
FIGURE B

SKU 90186 PAGE 9
EXTENSION CORDS
1. Grounded tools require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated tools
can use either a two or 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, next page.)
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. When 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 suf-
fix “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 elec-
trician before using it. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive
heat, and damp or wet areas.
FIGURE C

SKU 90186 PAGE 10
SYMBOLOGY
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards
Association
Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc.
Volts Alternating Current
Amperes
No Load Revolutions
per Minute (RPM)
no
xxxx/min.
A
V ~
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure all the parts shown on the Parts List on page 17
and 18 are included. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools
at the number shown on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages, refer
to the Assembly Diagram on page 19.
Always make sure the Power Cord (part #65) of the Circular Saw is
unplugged from its electrical outlet prior to assembly, adding any accessories, or
making any adjustments to the tool.
To Remove/Install A Saw Blade:
1. Depress the Lock Button to hold the Saw Blade (part #3) in place. Continue to
depress the Lock Button. Then, unscrew (clockwise) and remove the Bolt
(part #1) and Outer Blade Press (part #2). (See Figures D and E, next page.)
2. Pull the Lower Guard (part #6) all the way up into the Upper Guard (part #21).
Then, remove the old Saw Blade (part #3) and install a new Saw Blade onto the
Shaft (part #15). NOTE: Make sure to install the new Saw Blade with its
teeth and the arrow on the Saw Blade pointing in the same direction as the
arrow on the Lower Guard. (See Figure F, next page.)
WARNING