General F-42 Parts list manual

RIP FENCE SYSTEM ONLY - TABLE SAW SOLD SEPARATELY
REVISION 3 - AUGUST 27/10
© COPYRIGHT GENERAL INTERNATIONAL 08/2010

THANK YOU for choosing this General® MFG General “T” fence system. This
fence system has been carefully tested and inspected before shipment and if properly used
and maintained, will provide you with years of reliable service. For your safety, as well as to
ensure optimum performance and trouble-free operation, and to get the most from your
investment, please take the time to read this manual before assembling, installing and using
your General “T” fence system.
The manual’s purpose is to familiarize you with the safe operation, basic function, and features
of General “T” fence system as well as the set-up, maintenance and identification of its parts
and components. This manual is not intended as a substitute for formal woodworking instruc-
tion, nor to offer the user instruction in the craft of woodworking. If you are not sure about the
safety of performing a certain operation or procedure, do not proceed until you can confirm,
from knowledgeable and qualified sources, that it is safe to do so.
Once you’ve read through these instructions, keep this manual handy for future reference.
Disclaimer: The information and specifications in this
manual pertain to the unit as it was supplied from the
factory at the time of printing. Because we are commit-
ted to making constant improvements, General®MFG
reserves the right to make changes to components,
parts or features of this unit as deemed necessary, with-
out prior notice and without obligation to install any
such changes on previously delivered units. Reasonable
care is taken at the factory to ensure that the specifica-
tions and information in this manual corresponds with
that of the unit with which it was supplied. However, spe-
cial orders and “after factory” modifications may render
some or all information in this manual inapplicable to
your fence system. Further, as several generations of this
model of fence system and several versions of this man-
ual may be in circulation, if you own an earlier or later
version of this unit, this manual may not depict your
fence system exactly. If you have any doubts or ques-
tions contact your retailer or our support line with the
model and serial number of your unit for clarification.
GENERAL® MFG (CO) LTD.
835, Cherrier Street, Drummondville (Quebec) Canada J2B 5A8
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] • www.general.ca

GENERAL®& GENERAL®INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
All component parts of General®, General® International and Excalibur by General
International ® products are carefully inspected during all stages of production and each unit
is thoroughly inspected upon completion of assembly.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Because of our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, General® and General®
International agree to repair or replace any part or component which upon examination,
proves to be defective in either workmanship or material to the original purchaser for the life
of the tool.
However, the Limited Lifetime Warranty does not cover any product used for pro-
fessional or commercial production purposes nor for industrial or educational applications.
Such cases are covered by our Standard 2-year Limited Warranty only. The Limited Lifetime
Warranty is also subject to the “Conditions and Exceptions” as listed below.
Standard 2-Year Limited Warranty
All products not covered by our lifetime warranty including products used in commercial,
industrial and educational applications are warranted for a period of 2 years (24 months) from
the date of purchase. General® and General® International agree to repair or replace any
part or component which upon examination, proves to be defective in either workmanship or
material to the original purchaser during this 2-year warranty period, subject to the “conditions
and exceptions” as listed below.
To file a Claim
To file a claim under our Standard 2-year Limited Warranty or under our Limited Lifetime
Warranty, all defective parts, components or machinery must be returned freight or postage
prepaid to General® International, or to a nearby distributor, repair center or other location
designated by General® International. For further details call our service department at 1-888-
949-1161 or your local distributor for assistance when filing your claim.
Along with the return of the product being claimed for warranty, a copy of the original proof
of purchase and a “letter of claim” must be included (a warranty claim form can also be used
and can be obtained, upon request, from General® International or an authorized distributor)
clearly stating the model and serial number of the unit (if applicable) and including an expla-
nation of the complaint or presumed defect in material or workmanship.
CONDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS:
This coverage is extended to the original purchaser only. Prior warranty registration is not
required but documented proof of purchase i.e. a copy of original sales invoice or receipt
showing the date and location of the purchase as well as the purchase price paid, must be
provided at the time of claim.
Warranty does not include failures, breakage or defects deemed after inspection by General®
or General® International to have been directly or indirectly caused by or resulting from;
improper use, or lack of or improper maintenance, misuse or abuse, negligence, accidents,
damage in handling or transport, or normal wear and tear of any generally considered con-
sumable parts or components.
Repairs made without the written consent of General® International l will void all warranty.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
To help ensure safe operation, please take a moment to learn the machine’s applications and limitations, as well as poten-
tial hazards. General® International disclaims any real or implied warranty and holds itself harmless for any injury that
may result from improper use of its equipment.
1. Do not operate the saw when tired, distracted, or
under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medica-
tion that impairs reflexes or alertness.
2. The working area should be well lit, clean and free
of debris.
3. Keep children and visitors at a safe distance when
the saw is in operation; do not permit them to
operate the saw.
4. Childproof and tamper proof your shop and all
machinery with locks, master electrical switches
and switch keys, to prevent unauthorized or unsu-
pervised use.
5. Stay alert! Give your work your undivided atten-
tion. Even a momentary distraction can lead to seri-
ous injury.
6. Fine particulate dust is a carcinogen that can be
hazardous to health. Work in a well-ventilated area
and whenever possible use a dust collector and
wear eye, ear and respiratory protection devices.
7. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, bracelets, neck-
laces or other jewelry while the saw is in operation.
Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair
and wear non-slip footwear.
8. Be sure that adjusting wrenches, tools, drinks and
other clutter are removed from the machine and/or
the table surface before operating.
9. Keep hands well away from the blade and all mo-
ving parts. Use a brush, not hands, to clear away
chips and dust.
10. Be sure that the blade is securely installed and in
proper cutting direction before operation.
11. Be sure the blade has gained full operating speed
before beginning to cut.
12. Always use a clean, properly sharpened blade.
Dirty or dull blades are unsafe and can lead to
accidents.
13. If using a power feeder, stop the feeder before stop-
ping the table saw.
14. Do not push or force stock into the blade. The saw
will perform better and more safely when working
at the rate for which it was designed.
15. Use suitable support when cutting stock that does
not have a flat surface. Always hold stock firmly
against the fence when ripping, or against the miter
gauge when cross-cutting.
16. To minimize risk of injury in the event of workpiece
kickback, never stand directly in-line with the blade
or in the potential kickback path of the work piece.
17. Avoid working from awkward or off balance posi-
tions. Do not overreach while cutting; keep both
feet on floor. Never lean over or reach over the
blade and never pull the work piece over the blade
from behind. Use out feed support or have an assis-
tant help when ripping long material.
18. Keep blade guards in place and in working order.
If a guard must be removed for maintenance or
cleaning, be sure it is properly reattached before
using the tool again.
19. Never leave the machine running with the power
on when not in operation.
20. Use of parts and accessories NOT recommended
by
GENERAL®INTERNATIONAL may result in equip-
ment malfunction or risk of injury.
21. Never stand on machinery. Serious injury could
result if the tool is tipped over or if the blade is unin-
tentionally contacted.
22. Always disconnect tool from power before servicing
or changing accessories such as blades, or before
performing any maintenance, cleaning or adjust-
ments, or if the machine will be left unattended.
23. Make sure that switch is in "OFF" position before
plugging in the power cord.
24. Make sure the tool is properly grounded. If equip-
ped with a 3-prong plug it should be used with a
three-pole receptacle. Never remove the third
prong.
25. Do not use this rip fence for any purpose other than
its intended use. If used for other purposes,
GENE-
RAL®INTERNATIONAL
disclaims any real or implied
warranty and holds itself harmless for any injury,
which may result from that use.
4

GENERAL “T” FENCE SYSTEM
UNPACK FENCE RAILS, GUIDE AND
REMOVE CARDBOARD END PROTECTORS.
The bag of fastening hardware and the measuring tape will be
found tucked inside one end of the guide tube.
Your hardware bag will contain the contents shown in Fig. .
NOTE: Bag contains extra fasteners that may not be needed for
your installation.
Using the appropriate diagram for your model of saw and rails below, place 4 flat head countersunk screws, lock
washers and nuts, below, to assemble the front rail to the front of the saw. But don’t tighten the nuts yet.
Note: The front rail, is the wider of the two rails and has holes in both faces.
FOR MODEL 350/650/350R/650R
ATTACH THE FRONT FENCE RAIL TO YOUR SAW
These instructions come in
a plastic bag with an L-jig.
Don’t throw the L-jig away,
you’ll need it later!
Packed with the fence itself
are the pointer, locking handle
knob and locking handle. The
camfoot is already installed on
the fence.
5

FOR MODEL 50-250/50-260
FOR MODEL 50-270
FOR MODEL 50-300/50-300CE/50-305/50-305CE
FOR MODEL 50-450/50-460
FOR MODEL 50-550
6

Using the appropriate diagram for your model of saw and rails below, place hex. head bolts and where applica-
ble lock washers and nuts to assemble the rear rail to the back of the saw.
Remember that if you are using General
T-fence rails with another manufacturer’s saw, you may have to drill custom holes in your saw to fit
.
Place the supplied L-jig, as shown at far right , on top
of the table. Adjust the rail height until the bottom of the
jig is flush with the rail shelf.Hold the nuts firm with a 7/16”
wrench and tighten the two screws on left and right ends
of the rail. Tighten the center screws only after double-
checking rail height using the L-jig all along the rail and
at both ends.
Assemble the guide tube, , to the front fence rail by
fastening the 5 hex head bolts (3/8” x 3/4”), , to the
underside of the rail.
Note: When the tube is attached, there will be a gap of
about 1” between it and the rail, , in which part of the
fence will ride.
ATTACH THE REAR FENCE RAIL TO YOUR SAW
HOW TO ASSEMBLE GENERAL T-FENCE RAILS TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURER’S SAW: If the pre-drilled holes in
our rail do not match those on your saw, we recommend clamping the fence to your saw, using the L-jig described on the next
page, and then drilling new holes through the softer cast iron metal of the saw, rather than that of the steel rails. Start with a small-
gauge pilot bit, then use a 1/4” bit to finish the holes.
Inset the rail
roughly the
width of the
fence: 4”
4”
FOR MODEL 350/650/350R/650R
FOR MODEL 50-250/50-260
7

8
FOR MODEL 50-270
FOR MODEL 50-300/50-300CE/50-305/50-305CE
FOR MODEL 50-550
ASSEMBLE THE FENCE LOCKING MECHANISM
Install the locking handle, , (with the black magnet facing up) by
inserting the pair of bolt and nut, , through it and tightening the nut.
Important: Do not over tighten bolts or the cam and handle will be
unable to rotate freely.
FOR MODEL 50-450/50-460

CHECK FENCE ALIGNMENT
INSTALL POINTER AND MEASURING TAPE
1. Slide the fence so it touches the saw blade, . Lock down the fence
with the locking handle.
2. Install the plastic pointer, , using the two screws & flat washers into
the fence head, centering the pointer’s two screw slots over the
screw holes, tightening them firmly though not excessively.
3. Make a pencil mark on the guide tube in line with the pointer’s
center mark, .
Remove the white backing strip from the measuring tape and carefully
install along the guide tube using your pencil mark as the zero-point of
the tape.
The tape should sit about 1/4 inch back from the front edge of the guide
tube.
For accurate readings, the tape must be placed straight parallel with
the guide tube.
Try removing only an inch of backing strip from the start of the tape, stick
that down, then remove the rest of the backing and pull the measure
tape taut to the end of the guide tube and carefully lower it against the
tube.
Trim off excess tape with a knife or scissors.
Note: Recheck, and if necessary, readjust the pointer against the zero-point of the measuring tape whenever you
change blades. Different blades have different thicknesses, which can throw off the pointer a few fractions.
1. To make satisfactory rip cuts, your fence must be aligned perfectly
parallel with the saw blade.
If not already done, install a saw blade and raise the blade to its
highest point. Slide the left edge of the fence up against the right
edge of the saw blade. Check that the two are parallel.
A better test is to slide the fence over to the right T-slot on your saw
table top as shown in the diagram right, . Lock down the fence
handle and make a visual check that the fence is parallel with the
T-slot all along its length.
Also, you can place a small 3/4” thick block of wood, , upright into
the T-slot and slide it from the front to the back checking its distance
from the left edge of the fence.
2. If the fence is not parallel, it can be adjusted by using an allen
wrench to turn one or both of the screws, or . Do this slowly, just
an eighth to a quarter turn at a time, or you will quickly overshoot
the desired adjustment.
3. The final check for parallel is done by ripping a piece of wood
against the fence. If the back end of the cut shows blackish burn
marks, the fence is not parallel to the blade and will require
readjustment.
Note: It is always good practice to periodically recheck the alignment
of your fence to the blade.
9

CHECK GUIDE TUBE FOR LEVEL
Note: In some rare instances, the top surface of the guide tube, on which
the fence slides, may not be parallel with the top of the saw table, .
This can result in friction when sliding the fence and eventual scraping
damage to the pointer and/or measuring tape.
To correct this situation:
1. Remove the guide tube.
2. Place 2 to 4 layers of masking tape along the back (or front) edge
of the rail, , as needed to shim up the guide tube.
3. Replace the guide tube and check for parallel.
If you find that the guide tube is out of parallel with the table top from
left to right, you should:
1. Refer back to Section II, loosen the screws on the front rail and use
the L-jig again to ensure that the rail is at proper height from
beginning to end.
2. Retighten the screws and replace guide tube.
MAKE TEST CUTS TO CHECK POINTER ACCURACY
1. Once the measuring tape is installed and the fence is perfectly
parallel with the blade and table top,check the pointer’s center line
against the tape’s zero-point. If necessary, loosen the two screws to
slide the pointer left or right into position.
2. For the final check, slide the fence to the right so the pointer points
to the 2-inch mark. Use scrap wood to make several rips. If the cuts
don’t measure exactly 2 inches wide, readjust pointer.
INSTALLING A TABLE EXTENSION
Depending on your saw model and shop
needs you may wish to add an extension
table to your set-up. Whether supplied with
the unit, purchased aftermarket or shop
made, make sure the extension table fits
between the saw rails and can be installed
flush to the saw table. Clamp the extension
table in place on the rails, and using the
remaining holes on the rails as a guide, drill
two mounting holes front and back through
the table apron. Use the supplied washers
along with the spare bolts and nuts to secure
the extension table in place.
10

FENCE AND RAIL MAINTENANCE
Keep fence and rails clean and free of obstructions and never use force. If the fence doesn’t slide smoothly, stop
and check for obstructions.
A build-up of pitch, sap, or glue residue caused by ripping glued-up panels will tend to attract saw dust making the
fence and rails sticky and gummy and preventing them from sliding smoothly.
It is very dangerous to make rip cuts against a dirty, gummy fence as kickback and/or binding of the work and the
blade may occur.
Periodic wiping with a slightly damp rag as needed will keep your General T-Fence system clean and working
smoothly. An occasional light buffing with a small amount of paste wax is recommended.
A good choice is a silicone or Teflon based lubricant, usually sold in spray can form.
We offer a large variety of products for increased convenience, productivity, accuracy and safety when using
your saw. Here’s a small sampling of optional accessories available from your local General International deal-
er.
For more information about our products, please visit our website at www.general.ca
#B-050M, 28” X 36” EXTENSION TABLE
#50-105, 27” X 36” EXTENSION TABLE
#50-106, 29” X 36” EXTENSION TABLE
#50-115, SUPPORT LEGS
#50-025, MOBILE BASE
#B-050M - 28” x 36” extension table for General MFG 350,
650, 350R and 650R saws.
#50-105 - 27” x 36” extension table for General International
50-250 and 50-260 saws.
50-106 - 29” x 36” extension table for General International
50-270, 50-300, 50-300CE, 50-305 and 50-305CE saws.
#50-115 - Adjustable support legs for #B-050M, #50-105 and
#50-106 extension tables.
You may also want consider our model 50-030 extension
mobile base that is specifically designed for table saws with
extension tables & support legs.
Our standard mobile base model 50-025 can be used in
cases where outrigger support is not needed.
#50-030, MOBILE BASE
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
11

12
PARTS LIST
GENERAL T-FENCE
PART N0. DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION QTY
F-42SA FENCE BODY 1
B-006SA CAM AND HANDLE ASS’Y 1
B-007 CAMFOOT 1
B-008 SIDE PANEL FOR 42” GUIDE 2
B-012 ARBORITE GUIDE COVERS FOR F-42 2
P-267 BLACK “T” MOLDINGS 1/8” x 1/2” x 96” 2
P-489 FLAT WASHERS 3/16” SAE 2
P-369 SELF TAPPING SCREWS - NOT SHOWN 10 - 16 3/4” HEX. HD 5/16” 12
P-635 ROUND HD SLOT MACH. SCREW 10 - 32 x 3/8” 2
P-639 HEX. HD CAP SCREW 1/4” - 20 x 1 3/4” 1
P-707 NUT 3/8” -16 (NYLON INSERT) 1
P-760 NUT 1/4” -20 (NYLON INSERT) 7/16” 1
P-791 FENCE ALIGNMENT SET SCREWS 3/8” - 16 X 5/16” 2
P-799 NYLON PADS 6
P-804 HAIRLINE POINTER 1
P-987 HEX. HD CAP SCREW 3/8” - 16 x 1 3/4” 1
B-014 “L” JIG FOR F-42 1
12-502 REAR RAIL FOR 50” T-FENCE 1
12-501 FRONT RAIL FOR 50” T-FENCE 1
12-503 GUIDE TUBE FOR 50” T-FENCE 1
P-21 ADHESIVE MEASURING TAPE 1
P-249 HANDLE 35C HOLE 1
B-007
P-987
P-639
P-804
P-799
B-012
B-008
P-791
P-489
P-635
P-267
F-42SA
P-707
P-760
B-006SA
B-014
12-502
12-501
12-503
P-21
P-249
F-42 - COMPLETE FENCE ASS’Y
T50 - COMPLETE 50” GUIDE RAIL SET

13
Notes

IMPORTANT
When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and
part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.
835, Cherrier Street, Drummondville (Quebec) Canada J2B 5A8
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone] - Parts & Service / Fax: [phone] - Order Desk
[email protected]
www.general.ca
GENERAL T -FENCE