Craftsman 25980 - Accu-Rip Saw Guide User manual

1
The Accu-Rip is designed as an accessory
for use with most circular power saws. It
will only work with circular saws that
contain Right-Hand Blades.
When used properly, the Accu-Rip will
improve the accuracy of long, straight cuts
in any material that you would normally cut
with your saw. The Accu-Rip also
eliminates several time consuming steps
normally needed when using a circular saw
to make straight rip-cuts to a specific width:
§Eliminates the need for a tape measure
§Eliminates 'marking' the material
§Eliminates the use of chalk lines
§Because the Cut-Guide follows the edge
of your material, you no longer need to
carefully follow a line on the material.
§Allows you to change cutting widths in
seconds by simply adjusting the Cut-
Guide.
You can use the Accu-Rip to make straight
rip cuts as narrow as 1/16 inch, or as wide
as 24 inches for splitting 48-inch material
such as plywood, wafer board, paneling, or
siding.
The design of the Accu-Rip allows
adjustment to fit most current brands of
saws. It has been tested with the current
major brands of Right-Hand Blade circular
saws. If you have an older circular saw,
the Accu-Rip may not fit properly into the
saw base plate.
Please read carefully all sections of this
User Guide. The Operator Tips section
gives useful information on ways to make
your Accu-Rip perform at its best.
§Always unplug your saw from the power
source before attaching or removing the
Accu-Rip.
§The Accu-Rip is designed to fit Right-
Hand Blade circular saws only. Never
attempt to use the Accu-Rip with other
types of saws.
§When attaching the Accu-Rip to your
circular saw, make sure that the L-
Brackets and T-Bolts are located in
areas that do not interfere with the
saw's normal operation.
§When using the Accu-Rip, periodically
re-tighten the T-Bolts.
§Follow the User instructions when
adjusting, attaching, or using the Accu-
Rip.
§Always follow the saw manufacturer's
safety guidelines when operating or
maintaining your saw.
§Keep hands away from saw blade when
operating your saw.
§Always wear proper eye protection
when operating your saw.
ACCU-RIP SAW GUIDE USER INSTRUCTIONS
About the Accu-Rip Saw Guide
Important Safety Information Please Read Carefully
Model No. 25980

2
Loosen the Cut-Guide handle (D), and slide the Cut
Guide (E) to the 24" end of t
he scale, and retighten
the handle (Fig.1). This will hold the guide out of
the way during the setup.
(A) T-Bolts
NOTE: The Accu-Rip is fully assembled. The various
screws and bolts should not be removed. You should
only loosen and retighten these parts as you setup,
attach, and remove the Accu-Rip.
The Accu-Rip is designed to allow you to adjust the
tool to fit most circular saws with blades on the RIGHT
SIDE. Some circular saws, particularly older saws, may
have designs that prevent the use of the Accu-Rip with
that saw.
(B) Retainer
Screw
(B) Retainer
Screw
(C) L-Brackets
Loosen the T-bolts (A) so that there is roughly 1/2
inch clearance between the Accu-
Rip base and the
points of the T-Bolts (Fig. 2) Do not remove the
T-bolts completely.
Loosen the Retainer Screws (B) just enough to
allow the L-Brackets (C) to move freely (Fig 3).
Do not remove the Retainer Screws
completely.
Raise the saw blade guard. Position saw on a
securely held in place flat surface, such as a
worktable, so that the blade is firmly against the
surface straight edge.
(D) Cut-Guide Handle
(E) Cut-Guide
½”
Blade should be
against edge
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
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4
7
3
7
1
7
2
IMPORTANT!
ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE ATTACHING THE ACCU-RIP TO YOUR SAW.
HOW TO SET UP AND ATTACH THE ACCU-RIP TO YOUR SAW
Make sure your saw is unplugged from the power source!

3
Push the Accu-Rip towards the saw until the Accu-
Rip is flush against the front edge of the saw base as
shown in Fig 5a
. Depending on your saw's design, at
this point you may need to loosen the T-
Bolts slightly
more to allow adequate clearance.
Important note on positioning your Accu-Rip Saw
Guide: Make sure that the Zero mark on the Accu-
Rip Saw
Guide is aligned with the edge of your table or material as
shown in Fig. 5b. Also, make sure that saw blade is firmly
resting against the edge of the table or material as shown
in Fig. 4., with the blade guard raised. This will align the
saw blade properly with the Zero mark on the Accu-Rip
Saw Guide, insuring correct cutting widths.
With your Accu-Rip now positioned properly, adjust
the L-Brackets (C) so that the T-Bolts (A) can be
tightened down onto a relatively flat area of the
saw's base plate, as shown in Fig. 6
. The location
of the L-Brackets (C) should also allow you to
reach the T-Bolts (A), for tightening and loosening
these onto the base plate.
NOTE: The exact positioning of the L-
Brackets
and T-Bolts will vary on different saw designs.
IMPORTANT:
To insure the maximum hold and stability during operation, try to
position the L-Brackets as follows:
1) The L-Brackets (C) should be placed as far into the saw's
base plate as possible, without interfering with the saw's
operation. This position may be different on various saw
designs, and is largely determined by the location of available
space for locating the T-Bolts (A). You should be able to
place your fingers firmly on the T-Bolts (A) to tighten and
loosen.
Push Against
Saw Base
Plate
Fig. 5 Fig. 5a
Fig. 5b Fig. 6
“0” Mark Aligned
with Material Edge
(C) L-Brackets
(A) T-Bolts
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5
7
6
Position the Accu-Rip on your saw base plate as
shown in Fig.5. You will need to slightly raise the
saw to slide the base of the Accu-Rip under the
saw base plate.
2) Position the L-Brackets as far apart from each
other as possible on the saw base.
3) Be sure the location of the T-Bolts does not
interfere with correct saw operation.

4
Fig. 6a Shows the L-Brackets positioned properly. Note that
the T-
Bolts are in an Open area for easy access, and that the
L-
Brackets “reach” into the saw. This may vary with different
saw designs.
The Accu-Rip Saw Guide will work properly so long as the
sharp points on the T-Bolts are tightened firmly into any area
of the saw base. Because of the many designs of circular
saws, you may need to try more than one position for the L-
Brackets. Choose the position that w
orks best for you saw’s
design.
With everything in position as instructed, now tighten
the Retainer Screws (B). Use a COIN OR SMALL
SCREWDRIVER to firmly tighten these screws as
shown in Fig. 7. The Retainer Screws are designed
to hold the L-Brackets and T-
Bolts in the position you
choose for YOUR
saw. The next time you attach the
Accu-Rip to your saw, the L-Brackets and T-
Bolts will
already be set in this position, making re-attaching
the Accu-Rip quicker and easier. Your Accu-Rip is
now set for your
saw. Should it be necessary to reset
the Accu-Rip for your saw, repeat steps 1 thru 7.
Make Sure “0”
Mark is Aligned
with Edge
(B) Retainer Screw
Fig. 6a Fig. 7
(A) T-Bolts
Hold Against
Base Plate
Be sure Blade is FLUSH
with Edge of Material.
Blade Guard must be UP!
Fig. 8
Adjusting the Accu-Rip Saw Guide to fit other saws:
A) Loosen the Retainer Screws to allow the L-Brackets
to move freely.
B) Repeat Steps 1-7 above to adjust for the proper
position of the L-Brackets and T-Bolts for that
particular saw.
7.
7
7
Hand-tighten the T-Bolts (A) firmly onto the saw's
base plate as shown in Fig. 8.
You should not use a
tool to tighten the T-Bolts
. The sharp points on the
T-Bolts will make a slight indention in the base plate
of your saw. When securely tightened, the T-Bolts
will prevent the Accu-Rip from moving during use.
This is very important to maintaining the
accuracy of your cuts.
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8

5
MAKING RIP-CUTS WITH YOUR ACCU-RIP
1.
Loosen the Cut-Guide Handle, and move the Cut-
Guide to the desired dimension of your cut.
2.
Hold the Cut-Guide at the desired dimension, and
hand tighten the Cut-Guide Handle securely. Do
not use a tool to tighten the Cut-
Guide handle.
Firm hand tightening is adequate to keep the
Cut-Guide from moving during use.
3.
You are now ready to make a cut. Simply make the
cut as you normally would, keeping the face of the
Cut-Guide (E) against the edge of your material as
shown in Fig.9.
Use the “push-plate” on the top of the Cut-Guide (E)
to hold the Cut-Guide face against the edge of the
material during the cut. You should also use the
“push-plate” to push the Cut-Guide forward at the
same pace as your saw. This is especially
important when making wider cuts.
Fig. 9 shows the proper method for using the Accu-
Rip to make a wide cut. Note the user is pushing
the Cut-Guide (E) through the cut, keeping it
parallel with the saw.
IMPORTANT NOTE
:
§As with any new tool, you may want to make a few
cuts of various widths, to become familiar with the
operation. When making cuts using the Accu-Rip,
you should push the Cut-Guide (E) in a FORWARD
direction, while applying only the minimum amount
of sideways pressure needed to hold the Cut-Guide
against the edge of the material. Pushing the Cut-
Guide too hard against the edge of the material
can cause binding, and may adversely affect the
accuracy of your cut.
§Various circular saws produce different levels of
vibration during use. In some cases this vibration
may be extreme, especially with older saws, or if a
worn or incorrect blade is used. If you find that the
Cut-Guide moves during use, it is probably due to
excessive vibration from your saw. In
this case, reset
the Cut-Guide to the desired dimension, and tighten
the Cut-Guide handle using more pressure.
4.
Pay particular attention to the last 1to 2 inches of
your cut. You should reduce the amount of
”sideways” pressure being applied, and slowly push
both the saw and the Cut-Guide in a straight line
through the last portion of the cut. Too much
pressure against the Cut-
Guide or the saw during
the last portion of the cut can cause the saw to
move off the intended cut line.
(E) Cut-Guide Against
Edge of Material
Fig. 9
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Before making cuts, always make sure the Zero mark on
the Accu-Rip is precisely aligned with the Zero mark on
your saw. Also, make sure that the vertical section of
The Accu-Rip is pushed firmly against the front edge of
your saw's base plate. If needed, make the necessary
adjustments before proceeding.

6
MAKING BEVEL CUTS
The Accu-Rip is very useful when using your circular saw to
make bevel or angle cuts. You should use the same
procedure as with a normal cut, except adjust the angle of
your blade according to the saw manufacturer's
instructions. The Accu-Rip will remain level with the
material, allowing you to use the Cut-
Guide to make the cut
straight and accurate. Fig. 10 shows a bevel cut being
made with the Accu-Rip.
MAKING CROSS-CUTS WITH THE ACCU-RIP ATTACHED
To make a crosscut with the Accu-Rip attached to your saw,
follow these steps:
If the length of your cross-cut is 24 inches or less:
1) Move the Cut-Guide to the desired dimension.
2) Make the cut as you normally would, using the Cut-
Guide as you would for a rip-cut.
If the length of your cross-cut is greater than 24 inches:
1) Move the Cut-Guide to the 24-inch mark on the Accu-
Rip
and tighten the Cut-Guide Handle, to prevent
interference while making your crosscut.
2) With the Cut-Guide held in place at the 24-inch mark,
you can make a normal crosscut. The Cut-Guide will
move across the top of the material as shown in Fig. 11,
without interfering with the accuracy of the crosscut.
IMPORTANT:
On many saws, the blade’s Zero mark is different when you
change the blade angle for Bevel cuts. (This is sometimes
shown on the saw base plate with a 45°mark). Refer to
your saw’s operating instructions, or look closely at the
base plate to determine if you should re-position the Accu-
Rip Saw Guide before making bevel cuts.
Fig. 10
Cut-Guide
Set at
Desired
Width
Cut-Guide
Set at 24 in.
Fig. 11

7
Read these useful tips to get the best
performance from your Accu-Rip:
§It is recommended that the Accu-Rip be
removed from the saw for storing.
§The Accu-Rip is a precision tool, and
should be stored in a safe place to avoid
accidental damage. It is supplied with a
hole at the end so it can be hung in a
suitable location.
§All of the Accu-Rip components are
corrosion resistant, however an
occasional light coat of moisture
displacing lubricant such as WD-40 will
improve the performance.
§Keep your Accu-Rip clean. Remove
any sawdust, wood chips, or other
debris from the moving parts, and from
the Cut-Guide slot.
OPERATOR TIPS
CARE AND STORAGE OF YOUR ACCU-RIP
§Always use a sharp blade. Dull or worn
blades can produce binding that can
result in cuts that are not accurate.
§Use the correct type of blade for the
material that you are cutting.
§
Make sure your saw is in good condition,
and all adjustment screws are tight.
§Don't use excessive force when using
your saw. The type of material you are
cutting, and the sharpness of your saw
blade will determine how hard you should
push your saw during the cut. Light
forward pressure should be used when
making rip-cuts.
§Before making cuts, always check to
make sure the Zero mark on your Accu-
Rip is precisely aligned with the 'zero'
mark on your saw.
§
During repeated use, occasionally check
and re-tighten the T-Bolts on your Accu-
Rip.
§As you near the end of your cut, do not
push the Cut-Guide excessively against
the side of the material. Allow both the
Cut-Guide and your saw to move in a
straight line through the last portion of
your cut.

8
Width of cut is not
accurate
1. Accu-Rip Zero mark is not
aligned with the Zero mark
on your saw.
2. T-bolts have loosened on
the Accu-Rip.
3. Cut-Guide Handle has
loosened on the Accu-Rip.
1. Re-align Accu-Rip Zero mark and
the Zero mark on your saw. Refer
to Fig.5b.
2. Re-tighten T-bolts. Refer to Fig.8
3. Re-position Cut-Guide to desired
cutting width and tighten Cut-Guide
Handle.
Cut is not straight 1. Too much force is being
applied against the Accu-rip
when making cuts.
2. Dull or worn saw blade
3. Improper saw blade for
material.
4. Making a cut too quickly.
5. T-Bolts or Cut-Guide
Handle has loosened.
6. Accu-Rip is not flush with
Saw’s base plate.
1. Only apply light pressure when
holding the Cut-Guide against the
edge of your material during a cut.
Push the Accu-Rip in a forward
motion, at the same pace as you
push your saw. Refer to Fig.9.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.
3. Use only blades designed for the
material being cut.
4. Slow down your cut speed. Do not
apply excessive pressure when
making a cut.
5. Re-align and re-tighten T-bolts and
Cut-Guide Handle.
6. Re-attach Accu-Rip to Saw’s base
plate, making sure that the Accu-
Rip is flush with the front edge of
the saw’s base plate. Refer to Fig.
5 & 5a
Cut-Guide does not slide
smoothly
1. Cut-Guide Handle is not
loosened.
2. Cut-Guide channel is
clogged with sawdust or
debris.
1. Loosen Cut-Guide Handle to make
Cut-Guide slide smoothly
2. Remove sawdust or debris from
Cut-Guide channel.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE