General 90-200 M1 Parts list manual

FEATURES
Cast-iron frame & precision-balanced cast-
iron wheels with replaceable rubber tires.
Closed stand model features a rigid one
piece welded stand.
Deluxe 2-position extruded aluminum rip
fence, ideal for ripping thin stock and re-
sawing taller work pieces.
Deluxe blade guide bearings included.
2 cutting speeds for excellent results in
either hard or soft wood.
Smooth 0° - 45° handwheel controlled
table tilting mechanism.
Table tilting scale is located on table top
for easy reading.
Adjustable cutting depth from 5 5/8" to 12".
Hinged doors & easily accessible blade
tensioning knob, for fast blade changes or
adjustments.
Quick release blade tension lever.
93 1/2”X 3/8”& 105”X 3/8”blades included.
Aluminum miter gauge,laser line marker
and worklight included.
SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL SIZE
15”(375 MM)
WHEEL SPEED
405 & 700 RPM
MAXIMUM BLADE WIDTH
3⁄4”(19 MM)
MINIMUM BLADE WIDTH
1⁄4”(6.4 MM)
BLADE LENGTH
93 1⁄2”TO 106 3/8”(2375 TO 2702 MM)
BLADE SPEEDS
1570 & 2660 FPM (480 & 810 MPM)
TABLE SIZE
16”x 16”(408 x 408 MM)
TABLE TILT
0° TO 45° (RIGHT)
TABLE HEIGHT
41 3⁄4”(1060 MM)
MAXIMUM WIDTH OF CUT
14 3⁄4”(374 MM)
MAXIMUM DEPTH OF CUT
5 5/8”-12”(142 - 305 MM)
DUST COLLECTION PORT
4”(102 MM)
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
30”X 37 13⁄16”X 65 3⁄4”
(762 X 960 X 1670 MM)
MOTOR
1 1⁄2 HP, 110 V, 15 A
WEIGHT
398 LBS (181 KG)
SETUP & OPERATION MANUAL
VERSION 1_REVISION 1 - February 23/09 (91578708)
© Copyright General® International 02/2009
15” ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT
MODEL
#90-200 M1
WOOD CUTTING BANDSAW

THANK YOU for choosing this General®International model 90-200 M1 15”
Adjustable Height Wood Cutting Bandsaw. This bandsaw has been carefully tested and
inspected before shipment and if properly used and maintained, will provide you with years
of reliable service.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 operating the unit.
The manual’s purpose is to familiarize you with the safe operation,basic function,and features
of this bandsaw as well as the set-up, maintenance and identification of its parts and compo-
nents. This manual is not intended as a substitute for formal woodworking instruction, 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®
International reserves the right to make changes to
components, parts or features of this unit as deemed
necessary,without 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 specifications and information in this manual corres-
ponds with that of the unit with which it was supplied.
However, special orders and “after factory” modifica-
tions may render some or all information in this manual
inapplicable to your machine. Further, as several gene-
rations of this model of bandsaw and several versions of
this manual may be in circulation, if you own an earlier
or later version of this unit, this manual may not depict
your machine 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® INTERNATIONAL
8360 Champ-d’Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3
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 profes-
sionnal 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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rules for safe operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Electrical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Grounding instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Circuit capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Extension cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Identification of main parts
and components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
List of contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Additional requirements for set up . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Placement within the shop /
Establishing a safety zone . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Clean up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Assembly instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12
Reposition the table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Install the bandsaw onto the base cabinet . . . .10
Attaching the door knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Attaching the worklight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Installing the tension lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Installing the rip fence and rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Basic functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Basic adjustments & controls . . . . . . . .13-15
Connecting to a power source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Power on/off switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tilting the table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Adjusting the blade guard for depth of cut . . . .14
Laser line marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Worklight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Recommended adjustments . . . . . . . . .15-22
Adjusting the 90º table stop and re-aligning
the angle pointer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Blade clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Removing / Installing the blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Blade selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Adjusting blade tension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Adjusting blade tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Adjusting the upper blade guides and thrust
bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Positioning the lower blade guides and thrust
bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Changing speed settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-24
Checklist before starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Connecting to a dust collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Operations step-by-step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
To stop the machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Installing / Using the rip fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Using the miter gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Cutting curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Cutting circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Additional adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Upper frame height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Periodic Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Required Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-28
Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Replacing the bandsaw blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Replacing the upper/lower blades guides and
thrust bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Replacing the wheel tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Adjusting / Replacing the lower wheel brush . . .28
Replacing the drive belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Recommended optional accessories . . . . .29
Parts list & diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-38

1. Do not operate this bandsaw when tired,distracted,or
under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medication
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
bandsaw is in operation; do not permit them to ope-
rate the bandsaw.
4. Childproof and tamper proof your shop and all ma-
chinery with locks, master electrical switches and
switch keys, to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised
use.
5. Stay alert! Give your work your undivided attention.
Even a momentary distraction can lead to serious
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. Wear
face, eye, ear, respiratory and body protection
devices.
7. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, bracelets, neck-
laces or other jewelry while the bandsaw is in opera-
tion. 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 blades and all moving
parts. Use a brush, not hands,to clear away chips and
dust.
10. Adjust and position upper and lower blade guides
before starting to cut. Upper blade guide should be
adjusted to approximately 1/8” above the material to
be cut.
11. Adjust blade tension and tracking before starting to
cut.
12. Saw teeth must point down toward the table.
13. Be sure that the blade has gained full operating speed
before starting to cut.
14. Always use a clean, properly sharpened blade.Dirty or
dull blades are unsafe and can lead to accidents.
15. Use suitable work piece support if the work piece does
not have a flat surface.
16. Hold material firmly against the table.
17. Do not work on long stock without adequate support
on the out feed end of the table.
18. If using a power feeder, stop the feeder before stop-
ping the bandsaw.
19. Do not push or force stock into the blade.The bandsaw
will perform better and more safely when working at
the rate for which it was designed.
20. Avoid working from awkward or off balance positions.
Do not overreach and keep both feet on floor.
21. Keep guards in place and in working order. If a guard
must be removed for maintenance or cleaning be
sure it is properly re-attached before using the tool
again.
22. Never leave the machine unattended while it is run
ning or with the power on.
23. Use of parts and accessories NOT recommended by
GENERAL®INTERNATIONAL may result in equipment
malfunction or risk of injury.
24. Never stand on machinery. Serious injury could result
if the tool is tipped over or if the cutting tool is uninten-
tionally contacted.
25. Always disconnect the tool from the power source
before servicing or changing accessories such as
blades, or before performing any maintenance or
cleaning, or if the machine will be left unattended.
26. Make sure that the switch is in the“OFF”position before
plugging in the power cord.
27. Make sure the tool is properly grounded. If equipped
with a 3-prong plug it should be used with a three-pole
receptacle. Never remove the third prong.
28. Do not use this bandsaw for other than its intended
use. If used for other purposes, GENERAL®INTERNA-
TIONAL disclaims any real implied warranty and holds
itself harmless for any injury, which may result from
that use.
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.
5

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
In the event of an electrical malfunction or short circuit,
grounding reduces the risk of electric shock. The motor
of this machine is wired for 110V single phase operation
and is equipped with a 3-conductor cord and a 3-
prong grounding plug to fit a grounded type recep-
tacle . Do not remove the 3rd prong (grounding pin)
to make it fit into an old 2-hole wall socket or extension
cord. If an adaptor plug is used , it must be attached
to the metal screw of the receptacle.
Note: The use of an adaptor plug is illegal in some
areas. Check your local codes. If you have any doubts
or if the supplied plug does not correspond to your elec-
trical outlet, consult a qualified eletrician before pro-
ceeding.
CIRCUIT CAPACITY
Make sure that the wires in your circuit are capable of
handling the amperage draw from your machine, as
well as any other machines that could be operating on
the same circuit. If you are unsure, consult a qualified
electrician. If the circuit breaker trips or the fuse blows
regularly, your machine may be operating on a circuit
that is close to its amperage draw capacity. However, if
an unusual amperage draw does not exist and a
power failure still occurs,contact a qualified technician
or our service department.
BEFORE CONNECTING THE MACHINE TO THE POWER SOURCE,VERIFY THAT THE VOLTAGE OF YOUR POWER SUPPLY CORRESPONDS
WITH THE VOLTAGE SPECIFIED ON THE MOTOR I.D. NAMEPLATE. A POWER SOURCE WITH GREATER VOLTAGE THAN NEEDED CAN
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE USER AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE. IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN
BEFORE CONNECTING TO THE POWER SOURCE.
THIS TOOL IS FOR INDOOR USE ONLY. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN WET OR DAMP LOCATIONS.
EXTENSION CORDS
If you find it necessary to use an extension cord with your
machine, use only 3-wire extension cords that have 3-
prong grounding plug and a matching 3-pole recepta-
cle that accepts the tool’s plug. Repair or replace a
damaged extension cord or plug immediately.
Make sure the cord rating is suitable for the amperage
listed on the motor I.D. plate. An undersized cord will
cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power
and overheating. The accompanying chart shows the
correct size extension cord to be used based on cord
length and motor I.D. plate amp rating. If in doubt, use
the next heavier gauge. The smaller the number, the
heavier the gauge.
6
AMPERES
(AMPS)
EXTENSION CORD LENGTH
25 FEET 50 FEET 100 FEET 150 FEET
< 5 18 16 16 14
6 TO 10 18 16 14 12
10 TO 12 16 16 14 14
12 TO 16 14 12 NR NR
NR = Not Recommended

IDENTIFICATION OF MAIN PARTS AND COMPONENTS
BLADE TENSION ADJUSTMENT KNOB
UPPER WHEEL COVER DOOR
ON/OFF SWITCH
FENCE LOCK KNOB
LOWER WHEEL COVER DOOR
BASE CABINET
RIP FENCE
LASER LINE MARKER
TABLE TILT LOCK LEVER
GUIDE RAIL
TABLE
WORKLIGHT
BLADE GUARD
TABLE INSERT
UPPER BLADE GUIDE ASSEMBLY
TABLE TILTING SCALE
BLADE GUARD LOCK KNOB
BLADE GUARD ADJUSTMENT KNOB
TRACKING ADJUSTMENT KNOB
BLADE TENSION INDICATOR
TENSION LEVER
TABLE TILT HANDWHEEL
DUST CHUTE
MOTOR
UPPER FRAME HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT CRANK HANDLE
UPPER FRAME HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LOCK LEVER 7
RIGHT SIDE VIEW
FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW

LIST OF CONTENTS
Once the parts have been removed from the packag-
ing, you should have the following items:
QTY
BANDSAW (WITH 93 1/2”X 3/8” BLADE INSTALLED) . . . . .1
MITER GAUGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
TENSION LEVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
SLIDE BRACKET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
BASE CABINET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
HARDWARE BAG (INSIDE BASE CABINET)
— DOOR KNOB . ............................ ...1
— DOOR BOLT . ............................. ...1
BLADE (105”X 3/8”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
WORK LIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
RAIL (TWO-PIECE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
HARDWARE BAG
— HEX HEAD BOLT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
— FLAT WASHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
FENCE BODY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
HARDWARE BAG
— HEX HEAD BOLT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
— FLAT WASHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
— HEX NUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
— 5 MM ALLEN KEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
— 3 MM ALLEN KEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
— 10 MM COMBINATION WRENCH . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Carefully unpack and remove the unit and its components from its shipping container and check for missing or
damaged items as per the list of contents below.
NOTE: Please report any damaged or missing items to your GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL distributor immediately.
UNPACKING
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SET UP
• Extra person for help with lifting
• Phillips screwdriver (regular and small)
• Flat head screwdriver
• 12 and 14 mm open end wrench
• 12 mm socket wrench
• Feeler gauge set
• Combination square
8

PLACEMENT WITHIN THE SHOP / ESTABLISHING A SAFETY ZONE
ESTABLISHING A SAFETY ZONE
For shops with frequent visitors or multiple operators, it is
advisable to establish a Safety Zone around shop machi-
nery. A clearly defined “no-go” zone on the floor around
each machine can help avoid accidents that could cau-
se injury to either the operator or the shop visitor.It is advi-
sable to take a few moments to either paint (using non-
slip paint) or using tape, define on the floor the limits or
perimeter of each machines safety zone. Take steps to
ensure that all operators and shop visitors are aware that
these areas are off limits whenever a machine is running
for everyone but the individual operating the unit.
PLACEMENT WITHIN THE SHOP
This machine should be installed and operated only on
a solid, flat and stable floor that is able to support the
weight of the bandsaw 398 lbs (181 kg) and the opera-
tor. Plan for placement within your shop that will allow
the operator to work unencumbered and unobstructed
by foot traffic (either passing shop visitors or other shop
workers) or other tools or machinery.
The protective coating on the saw table prevents rust
from forming during shipping and storage. Remove it
by rubbing with a rag dipped in kerosene,mineral spir-
its or paint thinner. (Dispose of potentially flammable
solvent-soaked rags according to manufacturer’s safe-
ty recommendations.)
A putty knife, held flat to avoid scratching the surface,
may also be used to scrape off the coating followed
by clean-up with solvent.Avoid rubbing the saw’s paint-
ed surfaces,as many solvent-based products will remo-
ve paint.
To prevent rust,apply a light coating of paste wax or use
regular applications of any after-market surface protec-
tant or rust inhibitor.
CLEAN UP
Tip: With a screw driver, push a solvent-saturated rag into the T-slot to remove the grease.
9

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Serious personal injury could occur if you connect the machine to the power source before you have completed
the installation and assembly steps. DO NOT connect the machine to the power source until instructed to do so.
For your convenience this bandsaw is shipped from the factory partially assembled and requires only minimal
assembly and set up before being put into service.
INSTALL THE BANDSAW ONTO THE BASE CABINET
The bandsaw is mounted onto a base cabinet,which provides storage space for the miter gauge and replacement
blades.
The bandsaw is heavy. Do not over-exert. The help of an assistant will be needed for the following step.
Do not grip the bandsaw by the lower wheel cover door when lifting. Keep hands away from blade at all times.
1. Position the bandsaw over the four holes on top of the base ca-
binet.
2. Insert four hex head bolts and flat washers down through the
holes in the legs of the bandsaw and into the base cabinet. Then
open the door and from the inside, tighten four hex nuts with wa-
shers onto the bolts, using a 12 mm open end wrench and
12 mm socket wrench.
Note: To be able to insert the hex head
bolt down through the hole under the
motor, you must first pivot the motor to the
left.
Proceed as follows:
At the back of the bandsaw,just abo-
ve the motor, there is a ratchet lever
.
Loosen by turning counterclockwise,
then pull up on the capacitor cover
of the motor to pivot it to the left.
REPOSITION THE TABLE
To limit the potential for damage in transport, this band-
saw is shipped from the factory with the table tilted down
. To be able to complete the following assembly steps,
the table must be set back perpendicular to the blade:
1. Loosen the lock handle .
2. Turn the handwheel until the table is more or less
90° to the saw blade .
3. Tighten the lock handle to lock the table in position.
TABLE UNDERSIDE VIEW
90°
10

INSTALLING THE TENSION LEVER
Thread the tension lever onto the tension lever seat .
INSTALLING THE RIP FENCE AND RAIL
The rip fence provides a sturdy,adjustable edge guide
for keeping your work square with the blade and at an
accurate measured distance.
The fence rides along the guide rail and has a lock
knob . The rail is mounted to the front edge of the table
and has a measuring tape indicating zero at center
(where the blade cuts).
To install the rip fence and rail:
11
ATTACHING THE DOOR KNOB
1. Remove the door knob assembly from inside the base
cabinet where it is stored for shipping .
2. From the inside, insert the door bolt through the hole
in the door, into the door knob .
3. Tighten the door bolt.
ATTACHING THE WORKLIGHT
1. Attach the worklight to the mounting bracket on the
rear of the bandsaw using the hardware already
mounted and hidden beneath the black corrugated
sheath .
2. Tighten firmly in place using a 14 mm wrench .
3. To prevent the power cord from hanging freely and
getting in the way, secure it to the saw’s frame using
the 2 supplied cable clips .
4. Install a standard 40 Watt (maximum) 120 volt appli-
ance bulb (not included)
.
To reduce the risk of fire, use 40 Watt (maximum)
120 volt appliance bulb. Do not use standard
household bulb.
5. Plug the worklight power cord into a standard house-
hold outlet.
CLOSE UP

3. Slip the slide bracket on the rail. 4. To attach the fence to the slide bracket,slide the t-track
onto the hex head bolts as shown and then tighten the
lock knobs to secure the fence on the bracket.
5. Lock the rip fence against the left side of the blade
and check that the pointer is aligned with the zero
on the left part of the tape .
6. If the pointer does not align with the zero, loosen the
two bolts on the left part of the rail and slide the rail
slightly left or right. With the pointer aligned with the
zero , tighten the two bolts so that the rail is secu-
rely fastened.
Note: When tightening the two bolts,take care in doing so not to mis-
align the pointer with the zero.Once the bolts are tightened, recheck
for pointer alignment and readjust if needed.
You will now be able to accurately read measurements from the blade to the inside face of the rip fence, with the
fence positionned to the left of the blade.
Multi-position fence:
The fence can be installed in the standard position (as
shown above) for cutting shorter stock or repositionned
on the slide bracket in the vertical position for resawing
taller stock
.
CLOSE UP
1. Position the four hex bolts with flat washers through
the holes in the rail. 2. Align the bolts in the rail to the threaded holes in the front edge of the table and tighten the bolts to secure
the rail to the table,using the supplied 10 mm wrench.
CLOSE UP
12

BASIC ADJUSTMENTS AND CONTROLS
CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE
To avoid risk of shock or fire do not operate the unit with a damaged power cord or plug. Replace damaged
cord or plug immediately.
1. Connect the power cord from the motor to the
inlet plug on the switch .
To avoid unexpected or unintentional start-up,
make sure that the power switch is in the the
OFF position before connecting to a power
source.
2. Uncoil the power cord and plug it into an appro-
priate outlet (refer back to section“Electrical Re-
quirements" and make sure all requirements and
grounding instructions are followed).
POWER ON/OFF SWITCH
This model 90-200 is equipped with a simple On/Off
switch featuring a large paddle-style stop switch , lo-
cated on the front of the bandsaw column.
-To START the bandsaw:
Push the green“ON”button .
-To STOP the bandsaw:
Push the RED “STOP”panel and wait for the blade
to come to a complete stop.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIT
This 15 " adjustable height wood cutting bandsaw allows the user to adjust the height of the upper frame to suit dif-
ferent cutting needs. By means of a crank handle on a smooth rack and pinion system, the saw can be adjusted to
take blades of varying lengths from 93 1/2”to 106 3/8”,allowing for a maximum resaw capacity (or maximum work-
piece height ) of up to 12” in height. Maximum inboard width of cut (space between the blade and the body of
the saw ) is 14 3/4".
This model 90-200 is designed to accommodate blade
widths from 1/4" to 3/4" and is supplied with two 3/8" wide
general purpose blades - one 93 1/2” and one 105” long.
A dual position deluxe aluminum rip fence (tall for re-
sawing or short for rip cuts) is supplied to serve as a straight-
edge to guide the workpiece for longer rip cuts. The fence
can easily be removed and set aside when not required,
for example when making curved cuts.
CLOSE UP
13

Never adjust the table angle while the bandsaw is run-
ning. Turn off power first.
1. Loosen the lock handle .
2. Turn the handwheel to tilt the table until it is at the desired
angle. (Refer to the angle indicator)
3. Tighten the lock handle to lock the table in position.
TILTING THE TABLE
The table can be tilted to any angle from 0°to 45°to the right ,to
allow for any type of bevel (or angle) cutting.Refer to the table tilt
angle indicator on top of the bandsaw table to set the angle of
the table to the desired position.
TABLE TOP VIEW
45°
TABLE UNDERSIDE VIEW
LASER LINE MARKER
This model 90-200 is equipped with a laser line marker, located on
the front right side hand of the upper wheel cover door , allow-
ing you to easily mark a straight cut line on your workpiece.
Note: Requires two AAA batteries (not included). Slide upwards and
remove the battery cover .
Align the laser beam on the blade as follows:
1. Move ON/OFF switch up to turn the laser marker on.
2. Move the beam adjustment knob in any direction until
the beam is aligned with the blade .
ADJUSTING THE BLADE GUARD FOR DEPTH OF CUT
The blade guard can be moved up or down to accommodate the height of the work to be cut. To prevent the
blade (which is flexible and which would not otherwise be supported) from slipping out of position during cutting,
and to reduce risks of injuries, a minimum amount of blade should be exposed.
The blade guard should be set 1/8” - 1/4” above the workpiece
to prevent the blade from flexing out of position or off-line during
cutting.
Adjust the height of the blade guard to suit the thickness of the
workpiece as follows:
1. Make sure the bandsaw is turned off and the power cord is
disconnected from the power source.
2. Loosen the smaller lock knob .
3. Move the blade guide assembly up or down by turning the
adjustment knob . Then re-tighten the lock knob . 1/8” - 1/4”
workpiece
ON / OFF SWITCH
BEAM
ADJUSTMENT KNOB
CLOSE UP
ON
OFF
WORKLIGHT
The goose neck style worklight on this model 90-200 provides
extra lighting for added convenience. It can be repositionned, ,
for optimal lighting of the work surface.
Note: Uses a standard 40 Watt (maximum) 120 volt appliance bulb
- Not Included.
To reduce the risk of fire, use 40 Watt (maximum) 120 volt
appliance bulb. Do not use standard household bulbs.
-Turn the ON/OFF switch once to turn the worklight ON:
-Turn it once again to turn the worklight OFF:
14

RECOMMENDED ADJUSTMENTS
To set the table-stop bolt:
1. Loosen the lock handle .
2. Place a combination square flat on the table with
the heel of the square flat against the saw blade .
3. Turn the handwheel to level the table until it is exactly 90°
to the saw blade.
4. Tighten the lock handle .
5. Adjust the height of the table-stop bolt until it touches the
underside of the table.
6. Tighten the jam-nut to secure the stop bolt in place.
7. Loosen the lock handle and make sure the table is rest-
ing on the table-stop bolt.
8. Check the square and make sure the table is still at 90° to
the blade. If not, re-adjust the table-stop bolt.
9. With the table set to 90º and the stop bolt at the correct
height,make sure the table tilt angle indicator pointer on
top of the table is set to read 0º.
10. If the pointer needs to be adjusted, loosen the two screws
and adjust the pointer to the 0 point on the scale. Then
re-tighten the screws to secure the pointer in place.
You will now be able to accurately return the table to the 90º position automatically without further adjustments and
scale reading for any angle other than 0 will also be accurate.
ADJUSTING THE 90º TABLE STOP AND RE-ALIGNING THE ANGLE POINTER
To ensure that your 90º cuts are square and that angled cuts are
accurate with the angle indicator scale, the table default posi-
tion must be set to 90º to the blade and the angle indicator
pointer must be set to read 0 when the table is in the default
(90º) position.
CLOSE UP
TABLE TOP VIEW
TABLE UNDERSIDE VIEW
TABLE REMOVED FOR CLARITY ONLY
Move the upper blade guides away from the blade:
1. Loosen the two Allen bolts with the supplied 5 mm Allen
key.
2. Slide the two blade guides along the elongated hole in
the mounting bracket , as far away as possible from the
blade.
3. Tighten the two Allen bolts to lock the blade guides in po-
sition.
UPPER ASSEMBLY - FRONT VIEW
BLADE CLEARANCE
Note: When performing blade installation, removal, tensioning or tracking, maximum clearance between the blade and
both upper and lower bearing assemblies is required to minimize friction, which would be damaging to the blade.
Proceed as follows:
15

Move the upper thrust bearing back:
1. Loosen the upper thumb screw .
2. Use the micro adjust nut to move the thrust bearing
back until it is as far as possible behind the blade.
Move the lower blade guides and thrust bearing away from the
blade:
1. Loosen the two Allen bolts with the supplied 5 mm Allen
key.
2. Slide the two blade guides along the elongated hole in the
mounting bracket , as far away as possible from the
blade.
3. Tighten the two Allen bolts to lock the blade guides in posi-
tion.
4. Loosen the set screw with the supplied 3 mm Allen key.
5. Manually move the lower thrust bearing back as far as
possible behind the blade.
RIGHT SIDE VIEW REAR VIEW
FRONT VIEW
LOWER ASSEMBLY
REMOVING/INSTALLING THE BLADE
Your bandsaw is designed to handle several blade widths ranging from 1/4”and 3/8” used for tight radius curves,
up to 1/2”and 3/4”for larger radius curves or for cutting thicker stock.
To remove a blade:
1. Turn off the bandsaw and unplug the power cord.
2. Make sure there is maximum clearance between the blade
and both upper and lower bearing assemblies. (If needed,
refer back to section“Blade Clearance”).
3. Pull up on the tension lever toward the left (90º position)
to loosen the tension on the blade. It may be neces-
sary to also turn the tension knob counter-clockwise
for the blade to be loose enough to remove easily
Before replacing or adjusting the blade, make sure the switch is in the “OFF” position and that the power cord is unplugged.
Note: For blade tension quick release, pull up on the tension le-
ver toward the left (90ºposition
) .
For quick blade tensioning,
push the tension lever down (0ºposition
)
.
To avoid damaging the tensioning mechanism never force the
tension lever beyond 90º vertical or 0º horizontal .
LOOSEN TIGHTEN
DO NOT
DO NOT
16

17
4. Remove the table alignment pin from the table slot and
the red insert from the center of the table.
5. Remove the right hand side blade guard by removing
the four Phillips head screws .
6. Open the top and bottom wheel cover doors and bring
the left hand side of the loose blade toward you and out
of the left hand blade guard slot .
Note: You may want to use a thick shop towel to handle the loose
blade or wear a pair of heavy duty work gloves .
7. With the blade perpendicular to the wheels, feed the
blade through the table slot to free it from the saw .
8. Carefully hang the blade on a hook in a safe,dry place in
your workshop if it will be re-used, or dispose of it safely if it
is worn or damaged.
Blade teeth are sharp. Use care when handling a
saw blade.
Do not attempt to coil up the blade as it was when
you first purchased it as it has a tendency to pop
open unexpectedly and could cause injury.
BLADE SELECTION
There are a variety of different types of bandsaw blades on the market to suit various cutting applications.Your results
may vary based on usage, experience and personal preference.
Replacement blades made from high carbon steel can be purchased in a variety of lengths and widths from your
General® International dealer (See “Recommended Optional Accessories” on page 29) or (depending on availabil-
ity) from your local tool dealer. There are many standard sizes that should be readily available in most areas.The use
of any size outside of the saw’s specified length or width range is not recommended and can lead to serious injury
and/or damage to the machine.
Some general guidelines to consider when choosing bandsaw blades:
• Wider blades with fewer teeth per inch are best suited to cutting straight lines, re-sawing and for sweeping curves,
but will not turn tight radius curves. They will cut quickly and aggressively but do have a tendency to bind (or get
stuck in the cut) if turned too sharply.
•Narrower, thinner blades with more teeth per inch will cut more slowly but can turn much tighter corners for cutting
more intricate work.
Common causes of blade breakage:
• Poor guide bearing alignment and adjustment.
• Forcing or twisting a wide blade around a short radius.
• Feeding the workpiece too quickly.
• Dull teeth.
• Too much blade tension.
•Setting blade guard assembly too high above the workpiece.
•Lumpy or improperly finished braze or weld on the blade.
•Continuous running of blade when not cutting.

Note: Steps 3 and 4 may be unnecessary if you’ve just removed a blade. (If needed, refer back to the previous page.)
3. Remove the table alignment pin from the table slot and the red insert from the center of the table.
4. Remove the right hand side blade guard by removing the four Phillips head screws.
5. Guide the blade through the table slot,then slip the blade
onto the right side of the wheels.
6. Feed the blade into the left blade guard and around the
wheels. Make sure the blade teeth point forward and
down .
With the blade properly installed, proceed to blade tension
adjustments and blade tracking adjustments, as per instruc-
tions on the next few pages.
To install a blade:
1. Turn off the bandsaw and unplug the power cord.
Beware of the blade popping open.
Note: You may want to use a thick shop towel to
handle the loose blade or wear a pair of heavy
duty work gloves for the following steps.
2. If you are installing a new blade,carefully remove the
blade from its package. Hold it firmly with one hand as
you remove the twist ties. Slowly separate the coils of
the blade until it unravels into one hoop.
Proper installation Improper installation
Determining ideal blade tension is somewhat subjective. It is learned through practice and experience and is
somewhat dependant on personal preference and individual work habits.
A properly tensioned blade is critical to obtaining maximum performance from any bandsaw. A properly ten-
sioned blade will last longer and be much less likely to break prematurely. If the blade tension is too loose you will
notice that the blade will have a tendency to drift or slip off-line when cutting and you will have more difficulty con-
trolling your cuts.A blade that is tensioned too tightly will break prematurely and will be difficult to work with when
making tighter radius cuts.
The following information can be used as a guideline or starting point to assist you in determining ideal blade ten-
sion for your needs:
•When working with wider blades, re-sawing taller stock, making straight cuts or wide sweeping curves tight
er blade tensions will provide better results.
•When working with narrower blades, sawing shorter stock and making tighter curved cuts are best
performed using less tension.
ADJUSTING BLADE TENSION
This model 90-200 bandsaw is equipped with a blade tension indicator scale,which can be used as a reference for
the ideal setting with various blade widths. It is also equipped with a lever for blade tension quick release.
Note: For blade tension quick release, pull up on the tension le-
ver toward the left (90ºposition
) .
For quick blade tensioning,
push the tension lever down (0ºposition
)
.
To avoid damaging the tensioning mechanism never force the
tension lever beyond 90º vertical or 0º horizontal .
LOOSEN TIGHTEN
DO NOT
DO NOT
18

To adjust blade tension proceed as follows:
Note: Always verify the level of blade tension before pulling the bla-
de tension quick release lever down. Refer to the blade tension gau-
ge . The indicated level of tension must correspond to the width
of the blade installed on your bandsaw. Pulling the tension lever
down with the blade too tensioned will force and damage the bla-
de tension mechanism.
1. Pull the tension lever down for quick blade tensioning.
2. Refering to the blade tension gauge set the blade ten-
sion to correspond with the width of the blade installed on
your bandsaw. Adjust the blade tensioning by turning the
blade tension knob :
a) Clockwise to tighten
b) Counter-clockwise to loosen the blade tension.
3. With the saw turned off, press against the side of the blade
to test the tautness of the blade . For ideal results with
most blade widths and cutting applications the blade
should flex in no more than 1/4" to 3/8".
4. Make a test cut on a sample piece of wood and if needed re-adjust the blade tension.
Note: To prolong the life of the blade whenever the bandsaw is not in use for prolonged periods (more than 24
hours), release the blade tension lever to remove tension from the blade, Over time, maintaining tension on a
blade that is not in use will cause the blade to deform, by taking the shape of the wheels at both extremities. This
can weaken the blade and cause premature breakage.
ADJUSTING BLADE TRACKING
Blade tracking means centering the blade on the wheels.
Ideally, the blade should stay relatively centered on both the
upper and lower wheels .
Due to natural variations in castings, blade thickness or density
and tire wear, absolute perfect centering alignment is rarely
attainable. A slight misalignment of the blade on the wheels is
inevitable and as long as it is kept to a minimum (following the
steps listed below) will not hinder the performance of the saw.
This misalignment is controlled and kept to a minimum by a-
djusting the tilt angle of the upper wheel.
When adjusting blade tracking to center the blade on the wheels and assuming that perfect centering is not attain-
able,it is preferable to have the blade slightly off-center towards the front of the wheels rather than towards the rear
because the teeth on most bandsaw blades have alternating hook (one inner, one outer) – therefore if the blade is
centered too far back on the wheel (or if the blade tension is too tight), inner hooked teeth will dig into the wheel
tire and cause premature wear of the tire.
Nonetheless, to avoid having the blade come off of the wheels on it’s own during operation, the front edge of the
blades teeth should never be any closer than 3 mm (1/16”) from the front edge of the wheel .
BLADE CLEARANCE
Note: As previously stated, when performing blade installation, removal, tensioning or tracking, maximum clearance
between the blade and both upper and lower bearing assemblies is required to minimize friction, which would be
damaging to the blade. Refer back and follow the instructions for “blade clearance” beforeperforming blade track-
ing adjustments.
19
3 mm - 1/16"

20
To adjust the blade tracking:
1. Open the upper wheel cover door then rotate the wheel
slowly forward by hand and check the position of the
blade on the wheel.The blade should remain as cen-
tered as possible on the wheel as it turns.
2. If the blade tracking must be adjusted, turn the track-
ing knob on the rear of the bandsaw:
A) Clockwise if the blade moves toward the front of the
wheel. This tilts the top of the wheel to the back and
moves the blade toward the center.
B) Counter-clockwise if the blade moves toward the
back edge. This tilts the top of the wheel to the front
and moves the blade toward the center.
Note: Turn the tracking knob in 1/2 turn increments, re-check and adjust again as needed.
3 Once the tracking has been set, tighten the wing nut under the adjusment knob to lock the adjustment.
ADJUSTING THE UPPER BLADE GUIDES AND THRUST BEARING
The blade guides keep the blade from moving from side to side during cutting and must be snug but not touching
the blade in order to ensure accurate cuts.The space between each bearing and the blade must not exceed 0.02"
(the thickness of a sheet of paper). If less space is left, the blade will get stuck or jammed between both bearings.
Too much friction will cause the blade to overheat and break. Also, the guides must remain at least 1/32” behind
the blade teeth to prevent damage to the blade.
The thrust bearing keeps the blade from moving back and out of position when the work is being fed into the blade
and must be very close to the back of the blade to prevent damage to the blade during cutting.
Note: Before adjusting the upper and lower blade guides and thrust bearings, make sure the blade is tensioned and track-
ing properly. Adjust the upper and lower blade guides and thrust bearings after each blade tension and tracking adjust-
ment. Whenever the upper blade guide and thrust bearing are adjusted, the lower blade guide and thrust bearing should
also be adjusted.
Adjust the positioning of the upper blade guides as follows:
To avoid injury, make sure that the switch is in the “OFF”
position and that the power cord is unplugged before
performing any adjustments on the bandsaw.
1. Loosen the two Allen bolts with the supplied 5 mm Allen
key provided and slide the two blade guides along the
elongated hole in the mounting bracket , toward the
blade.
2. Place a feeler gauge between one of the bearings and
the blade and tighten the Allen bolt until there is a 0.02"
gap left between the blade guide and the blade .
3. Repeat step 2 for the other guide on the other side of the
the blade.
4. Loosen the lower thumb screw .
5. Turn the micro adjust nut to move the guide bearing
assembly in or out until the guides are at least 1/32”be-
hind the blade teeth .The guides must remain behind the
blade teeth to prevent damage to the blade.
6. Tighten the lower thumb screw to lock the guide bearing
assembly in position.
REAR VIEW
RIGHT SIDE VIEW