General 90-270 Parts list manual

Heavy-duty one-piece frame, designed for
added stability, requires no further
assembly.
Precision-balanced, rubber laminated,
cast-iron wheels, mounted on two
heavy-duty ball bearings.
Large, ribbed cast-iron table with heavy-
duty one-piece trunnion for 0 - 45° tilting,
for bevel cuts.
Convenient blade tension adjustment
hand wheel.
A tension scale allows the operator to
adjust the tension for different blade
widths.
oot brake for quick blade stoppage after
machine shut-off.
4” dust collection port for easy hookup to
a dust collector.
Powerful totally enclosed fan cooled
(T.E. .C.) industrial motor.
Magnetic safety switch with emergency
stop button for added safety.
Tri-Axis bearing guides.
WHEEL SIZE
18” (450 MM)
WHEEL SPEED
980 RPM - #90-270
1010 RPM - #90-270 HD
WIDTH O WHEEL
1 1⁄8” (28.5 MM)
MIN/MAX BLADE WIDTH
1⁄4” TO 1” (6.3 TO 25.4 MM)
BLADE LENGTH
153” (3886 MM) - #90-270
168 1⁄2” (4280 MM) - #90-270 HD
BLADE SPEED
4460 PM (1338 MPM) - #90-270
4700 PM (1410 MPM) - #90-270 HD
MAXIMUM DEPTH O CUT
12” (305 MM) - #90-270
18” (457 MM) - #90-270 HD
MAXIMUM WIDTH O CUT
17 1⁄4” (438 MM)
TABLE SIZE
24” X 19 1⁄2” (610 X 500 MM)
TABLE TILT
0° TO 45° (OUT)
TABLE HEIGHT
35 1⁄2” (902 MM)
MOTOR- #90-270
M1 - 3 HP, 220 V, 1 PH, 19 A
M2 - 3 HP, 220/440 V, 3 PH, 8/4.6 A
M3 - 3 HP, 600 V, 3 PH, 2.9 A
MOTOR - #90-270HD
M1 - 5 HP, 220 V, 1 PH, 23 A
M2 - 5 HP, 220/440 V, 3 PH, 13.3/7.6 A
M3 - 5 HP, 600 V, 3 PH, 4.8 A
WEIGHT
616 LBS (280 KG) - #90-270
710 LBS (323 KG) - #90-270 HD REVISION 1 - EB 04/08
© COPYRIGHT GENERAL INTERNATIONAL 02/2008

THANK YOU for choosing this General® International model 90-270 or 90-270HD
18” Wood Cutting Bandsaw. This machine has been carefully tested and inspected before ship-
ment 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 oper-
ating the unit.
The manual’s purpose is to familiarize you with the safe operation, basic function, and features
of this wood cutting bandsaw 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.
All co ponent parts of General® International achinery are carefully tested and inspected during all stages of
production, and each achine is thoroughly inspected upon co pletion of asse bly. Because of our co it-
ent to quality and custo er satisfaction, General® International agrees to repair or replace, within a period of 24
onths fro date of purchase, any genuine part or parts which, upon exa ination, prove to be defective in work-
anship or aterial. In order to obtain this warranty, all defective parts ust be returned freight pre-paid to
General® International Mfg. Co., Ltd. Repairs atte pted without our written authorization will void this warranty.
GENERAL ® INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
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 committed to making constant improvements,
General® International reserves the right to make changes to compo-
nents, 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 corresponds with that
of the unit with which it was supplied. However, special orders and “after
factory” modifications may render some or all information in this manu-
al inapplicable to your machine. urther, as several generations of this
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 questions
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] • ax [phone]
www.general.ca

1. Do not operate the bandsaw when tired, distracted
or under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medi-
cation 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 sander is in operation; do not permit them to
operate the sander.
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 attention.
Even a momentary distraction can lead to serious
injury.
6. ine 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,
necklaces or other jewelry while the bandsaw is in
operation.
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. 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 sup-
port 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 band-
saw will perform better and more safely when work-
ing at the rate for which it was designed.
20. Avoid working from awkward or off balance posi-
tions. 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 clea-
ning 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 Ge eral® I ter atio al may result in equip-
ment malfunction or risk of injury.
24. Never stand on machinery. Serious injury could re-
sult if the tool is tipped over or if the cutting tool is
unintentionally contacted.
25. Always disconnect the machine from the power
source before servicing or changing accessories
such as blades, or before performing any mainte-
nance or cleaning, or if the machine will be left un-
attended.
26. Make sure that the switch is in the “O ” position
before plugging in the power cord.
27. 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.
28. Do not use this bandsaw for other than its intended
use. If used for other purposes, Ge eral® I ter a-
tio al disclaims any real implied warranty and
holds itself harmless for any injury, which may result
from that use.
Rules for Safe Operation
To help e sure safe operatio , please take a mome t to lear the machi e’s applicatio s a d limita-
tio s, as well as pote tial hazards. Ge eral® I ter atio al disclaims a y real or implied warra ty a d
hold itself harmless for a y i jury that may result from the improper use of it’s equipme t.

EELLEECCTTRRIICCAALL RREEQQUUIIRREEMMEENNTTSS
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
Both a manual circuit breaker (or similar device) as well as an electri-
cal plug are recommended and should be installed by a qualified
electrician. Use locally approved wire that includes a separate
grounding wire , and a 3 prong grounding type plug with a match-
ing receptacle . ( ig. 1)
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
In the event of an electrical malfunction or short circuit, grounding
reduces the risk of electric shock to the operator. The motor of the “M1”
model of this machine is wired for 220V single phase operation. As with
many stationary industrial type machines, because each installation
situation is unique, this bandsaw is supplied without a power cord or
plug. The installation of an appropriate power cord and plug must be
performed by a qualified electrician. The machine must be connected
to an electrical source using a power cord that has a grounding wire, which must also be properly connected to
the grounding prong on the plug. The outlet must be properly installed and grounded and all electrical connec-
tions must be made in accordance with all local codes and regulations.
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.
EXTENSION CORDS
The use of an extension cord is not generally recommended for 220V equipment. If you find it necessary, use only
3-wire extension cords that have 3-prong grounding plug and a matching 3-pole receptacle that accepts the
tool’s plug. Repair or replace a damaged extension cord or plug immediately.
If you find it necessary to use an extension cord with your machine 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.
TABLE - INI U GAUGE FOR CORD
VOLTS
110 V
MORE
THAN
18
18
16
14
220 V
A PERE
RATING
NOT
MORE
THAN
0
6
10
12
6
10
12
16
16
16
16
12
16
14
14
-
14
12
12
-
25 ft.
50 ft.
50 ft.
100 ft.
100 ft.
200 ft.
150 ft.
300 ft.
TOTAL LENGTH OF CORD IN FEET
AWG
Fig. 1
Before connecting the machine to the power source, verify that the voltage of your power supply corresponds with
the voltage specified on the I.D. nameplate located on the back of the machine. A power source with greater volt-
age 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.
NOTE: VOLTAGE REQUIRE ENTS AND A PERAGE DRAW FOR 2 & 3 3-PHASE OTORS AY NOT BE FULLY
DESCRIBED IN THIS ANUAL. FOR CO PLETE ELECTRICAL REQUIRE ENTS REFER TO THE OTOR I.D. NA E PLATE ON
THE ACHINE. IF IN DOUBT CONSULT A LICENSED QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE PROCEEDING.
4

18” WOOD CUTTING BANDSAW
90-270 or 90-270HD
IDENTIFICATION OF AIN PARTS AND CO PONENTS
FRONT VIEW
UPPER WHEEL
TENSION ADJUSTMENT HAND WHEEL
ENCE
LOWER WHEEL
UPPER BLADE GUIDES AND SUPPORT
BEARING ASSEMBLY
BLADE GUARD
DUST CHUTE
OOT BRAKE PEDAL
ON/O SWITCH
BLADE TENSION INDICATOR
REAR VIEW
BLADE GUARD LOCK KNOB
BLADE GUARD ADJUSTMENT
HAND WHEEL
TRACKING ADJUSTMENT KNOB
SWITCH BOX
MOTOR
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX
TABLE TILT ANGLE INDICATOR
5

UNPACKING
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 GENERA ® INTERNATIONA distributor immediately.
LIST OF CONTENTS
Once the parts have been removed from the packa-
ing, you should have the following items:
QTY
18” WOOD CUTTING BANDSAW 1
TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
EYEBOLT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
19/21 MM COMBINATION WRENCH . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
DUST PORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
RIP ENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
6
ADDITIONAL REQUIRE ENTS FOR SET UP
• Three extra people for help with lifting machine (or
hoist or forklift with chains)
• 14 mm open end wrench
• 12 mm open end wrench
• eeler gauge set
• Combination square
• lat head Screwdriver
• Phillips Screwdriver
LIFTING AND HANDLING THE ACHINE
These models 90-270 and 90-270HD 18” wood cutting bandsaws are very heavy. Do not over-exert. The help of at
least three assistants, a hoist or forklift with chains will be needed for the following step.
To limit the risk of serious injury or damage to the machine, any equipment used to lift this machine (hoist or fork-
lift) should have a rated capacity in excess of 616 lbs (280 kg) for model 90-270 and of 671 lbs (305 kg) for model
90-270HD.
To limit the potential for damage in transport, this bandsaw is shipped from the factory in the horizontal position.
Because of its great weight a minimum of 3 extra people will be required to assist with lifting and setting the
machine upright. That being said, to limit the risk of serious injury or damage to the machine, ideally, a hoist should
be used. A hoisting eyebolt is provided for that purpose. Install the eyebolt on top of the bandsaw as instructed in
section “ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS” on page 8.
3

PLACE ENT WITHIN THE SHOP / ESTABLISHING A SAFETY ZONE
ESTABLISHING A SAFETY ZONE
or shops with frequent visitors or multiple operators, it is
advisable to establish a Safety Zone around shop
machinery. A clearly defined “no-go” zone on the floor
around each machine can help avoid accidents that could cause injury to either the operator or the shop visitor.
It is advisable to take a few moments to either paint (using non-slip paint) or using tape, define on the floor the lim-
its 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.
PLACE ENT 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 616 lbs (280 kg) for model 90-
270 and of 671 lbs (305 kg) for model 90-270HD and the
operator. Using the dimensions shown in ig. 2 & 2.1 as
a guideline, 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.
27” 27” 15”
15”
75” 75”
25” 25”
33”33”
27”20”
82”
27”
34”
Fig. 2
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
painted surfaces, as many solvent-based products will
remove 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 such as General International “Top
Saver” item #GC-010.
CLEAN UP
Tip: With a screw driver, push a solvent-saturated rag into the T-slot to remove the grease.
7
27”15”
75”
25”
33”
27” 27” 20”
20”
82” 82”
27” 27”
34” 34”
Fig. 2.1
odel #90-270HDodel #90-270

8
1. Turn the knob clockwise to unlock the upper wheel
door, then open the door.
ASSE BLY 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.
or your convenience this bandsaw is shipped from the factory partially assembled and requires only minimal
assembly and set up before being put into service.
2. Remove the nut from the provided hoisting eye-
bolt and insert the eyebolt in the hole located on
top of the bandsaw.
INSTALLING THE HOISTING EYEBOLT
3. Put the nut back and tighten firmly, using the supplied 19 mm wrench, then close and lock the upper wheel door.
PREPARING TABLE INSTALLATION
1.Remove the table tilt trunnion bolt and flat wash-
er , located on the trunnion support bracket
and set it aside.
2. Remove the table aligning pin from the table
slot on the front of the table.
Note: The table aligning pin should be easily remova-
ble with fingers only. If it is jammed, use pliers to remo-
ve it from the table slot.

INSTALLING THE TABLE
3. Re-install the table aligning pin in the hole on
the front of the table.
This bandsaw table is heavy. Do not over-exert. The help of an assistant will be needed for the following step.
90° CW
1. Guide the gap between the rail and the edge of
the table over the saw blade then rotate 90°
clockwise so the slot is parallel to the blade, and
guide the table so the blade is at the end of the
slot .
2. Put the flat washer down on the table tilt trunnion
then slip the table tilt trunnion bolt through the hole in
the trunnion bracket and tighten with the 19/21 mm
combination wrench provided.
INSTALLING THE DUST PORT
1. Unscrew both wing nuts then remove the yellow
blade guard . Set it aside, along with the two
wing nuts and two flat washers.
2. Remove the four screws already mounted on
the side panel.
The dust port has a 4" opening to accommodate connection to a dust collector (not included). Install the dust out-
let on the right side of the band saw as follows:
9
Note: Make sure that both table tilt trunnion grooves
align in the trunnion bracket .

10
3. Position the dust port on the side panel, its open
end facing downward , and attach it using the
four screws. Then, put the blade guard back in
place .
REPOSITIONNING THE FOOT BRAKE
To limit the potential for damage in transport, this
bandsaw is shipped from the factory with the the foot
brake pedal tilted up . To be operational, the pedal
must be tilted down as follows:
1. Loosen the bolt that attaches the foot brake pe-
dal to the mounting bracket using a 14 mm open
end wrench .
2. Swivel the foot brake pedal manually .
3. Tighten the bolt to lock the foot brake pedal in
position.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIT
This 18" wood cutting bandsaw is supplied with a 1/2" wide general purpose blade and is designed to accommo-
date blade widths from 1/4" to 1". Ideal blade length for the model 90-270 is 153" (3886 mm) and ideal blade length
for the 90-270HD is 168 1/2" (4280 mm).
Note: Generally speaking, because the upper wheel height is somewhat adjustable (to allow for blade tensioning), a blade
length variation of plus or minus 1/2" from the “ideal blade length” can be accommodated on both models.
Maximum inboard width of cut (space between t h e
blade and the body of the saw ) is 17 1/4 " for both
models.
or cutting thicker stock or for resawing, the maximum
depth of cut (or max. workpiece height ) is 12 " for
the 90-270 and 18" for the 90-270HD.
A sturdy, cast iron, adjustable rip fence is supplied
to serve as a straightedge to guide the workpiece for
longer rip cuts. The fence can easily be removed and
set aside when not required, for example when mak-
ing curved cuts.

BASIC ADJUST ENTS AND CONTROLS
CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE
Once the installation of a power cord and plug has
been completed, plug the power cord into an appro-
priate outlet. ( ig. 3) (Refer back to the section entitled
“ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS”on page 4, and make
sure all requirements and grounding instructions are
followed).
Contact a qualified electrician for the installation of a power plug and cord for connecting the band-
saw to a power source.
To avoid risk of shock or fire do not operate the unit with a damaged power cord or plug. Replace dam-
aged cord or plug immediately.
To avoid unexpected or unintentional start-up, make sure that the power switch on the bandsaw is in the
OFF position before connecting to a power source.
SWITCH
OFF
Fig. 3
AGNETIC SWITCH
This bandsaw is equipped with a MAGNETIC SWITCH,
, located at the front, on the frame of the machine.
This magnetic switch is designed to protect the unit
and the user from power surges, power outages and
unwanted or unintentional start-up.
The switch assembly is equipped with a GREEN “START”
button, , and a RED spring loaded “STOP” button, .
Once the RED “STOP” button has been pressed, the
machine can only be started by turning the inner part
of the button to the right to release the stop button.
ake sure the switch is in the “OFF” position (red button has been pressed) before plugging in the power cord.
FOOT BRAKE
This bandsaw is equipped with a OOT BRAKE located
at the bottom of the machine . This device allows
for immediate immobilization of the blade once the
machine have been turned off (red button has
been pressed ).
The Foot brake is not designed as an emergency device. Always push on the “STOP” (RED) button to turn off the
motor before applying the foot brake.
11

12
1. Loosen the bolt underneath the table (only a
few turns), using the 19 mm combination wrench
provided.
Note: Be careful not to loosen the bolt too much or the
table tilt trunnion may become dislodged from the trunnion
support when you tilt the table.
RECO ENDED ADJUST ENTS
Before making any adjustments, make sure that the switch is in the “OFF” position and that the power cord is
unplugged.
The table can be tilted to any angle from 0 to 45 degrees to the right, to allow for any type of bevel (or angle) cut-
ting. The table tilt angle indicator is located on the back of the trunnion. To tilt the table:
2. Manually tilt the table to the desired angle. Refer
to the scale under the table.
3. Tighten the bolt to secure the table in position.
TILTING THE TABLE
45°
ADJUSTING THE 90 DEGREE TABLE STOP AND RE-ALIGNING THE ANGLE POINTER
1. Loosen the jam nut on the table stop bolt . 2. Place a combination square on the table
against the saw blade .
To ensure that your 90 degree cuts are square and that angled cuts are accurate with the angle indicator scale,
the table default position must be set to 90 degrees to the blade and the angle indicator pointer must be set to read
0 when the table is in the default (90 degree) position.
To adjust the 90 degree stop:

13
3. Adjust the table angle manually until it is set to
90 degrees by making sure there is no space bet-
ween the square and the blade or the table. To
allow for more or less table tilt, adjust the height of
the stop bolt until the head of the bolt just makes
contact with the frame of the saw when the table is
at 90 degree to the blade .
4. With the table set to 90 degree and the stop bolt at
the correct height, make sure the angle indicator
pointer is set to read 0 degrees . If the pointer
needs to be adjusted loosen the screw , adjust the
pointer to the 0 point on the scale and re-tighten
the screw to secure the pointer in place.
5. With the stop bolt set to the correct height and the pointer position properly aligned, tighten the jam nut (Refer
back to step 1) to secure the stop bolt in place. You will now be able to accurately return the table to the
90 degree position automatically without further adjustments and scale reading for any angle other than 0 will
be accurate.
Before replacing or adjusting the blade, make sure the switch is in the “OFF” position and that the power cord is unplugged.
RE OVING/INSTALLING THE BLADE
BLADE CLEARANCE
Note: When performing blade installation, removal, ten-
sionning 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: oosen the bolt .Then push on the
bearing assembly shaft going back as far as possible
for maximum blade clearance. Tighten the bolt to lock the
bearing assembly in place.
Repeat with lower bearing assembly.
1. Release blade tension by turning the blade tension
adjustment handwheel counter-clockwise until
it stops.
2. Remove the table aligning pin.

3.Unscrew and remove the yellow blade guard. 4. Turn the knob and open the upper door . Then
turn the knob and open the lower wheel door .
5. Carefully pull the blade from the side slot , blade
guard , and from the wheels . ( ig. 4)
6. Pull the blade toward you, out of the table slot and
set it aside if it will be re-used or dispose of it safely if
it is worn or damaged.
Fig. 4
Blade teeth are sharp. Use care when handling a
saw blade.
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. Ask your local tool dealer for suggestions
for bandsaw blades (153" for model 90-270 and 168.5" for model 90-270HD) in 1/4" to 1" widths, based on what is
available in your area.
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.
• orcing or twisting a wide blade around a short radius.
• eeding the workpiece too quickly.
• Dull teeth.
• Too much blade tension.
•Setting blade guard assembly too high above the work-piece.
•Lumpy or improperly finished braze or weld on the blade.
•Continuous running of blade when not cutting.
To install a blade, repeat the previous steps in reverse
order, making sure that the blade is installed with the
teeth pointing forward and down .
With the blade properly installed, proceed to “BLADE
TENSION ADJUSTMENTS” and “BLADE TRACKING ADJUST-
MENTS”, pages 15 and 16.
Proper installation Improper installation
BLADE INSTALLATION
14

1. Turn the blade tension adjustment handwheel
clockwise to increase tension and counter-clock-
wise to decrease tension
Before making blade tension adjustments, make sure that the switch is in the “OFF” position and that the power
cord is unplugged.
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 tensioned
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 controlling
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 per
formed using less tension.
To adjust blade tension proceed as follows:
ADJUSTING BLADE TENSION
DECREASE
INCREASE
Note: the blade tension indicator scale can be used
as a reference – the higher the number on the scale
(shown in millimetres of spring tension) the tighter the
tension on the blade. Take note of ideal setting with var-
ious blade widths for reference the next time that blade
is used or when a similar type of cut is to be performed.
2. With the saw turned off and the blade tensioned to
where you feel it should be, press against the side
of the blade to test the tautness of the blade .
or ideal results with most blade widths and cutting
applications the blade should flex in no more than
1/4" to 3/8". ( ig. 5)
3. Make a test cut on a sample piece of wood and if
needed re-adjust the blade tension.
Fig.5
15
To prolong the life of the blade whenever the band saw 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.

16
BLADE TRACKING ADJUST ENTS
Ideally, the blade should stay relatively centered on both
the upper and lower wheels ( ig. 6).
Due to natural variations in castings, blade thickness or
density and tire wear, absolute perfect centering align-
ment 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 hin-
der the performance of the saw.
This misalignment is controlled and kept to a minimum pri-
marily by adjusting 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 band saw blades have alter-
nating hook (one inner, one outer) – therefore if the blade is centered too far back on the wheel (or if the blade ten-
sion 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 3mm (1/16”) from the front edge of the wheel ( ig 7).
3 - 1/16"
Fig. 6 Fig. 7
1. Open the upper wheel cover door then rotate the
wheel slowly forward by hand and check (through
the window .of the upper wheel ) the position of the
blade on the wheel. The blade should remain as cen-
tered as possible on the wheel as it turns . ( ig. 8)
2. If the blade tracking must be adjusted, loosen the jam
nut on the tracking adjustment knob , using a
14 mm open end wrench, then turn the knob: ( ig. 9)
A) Clockwise if the blade moves toward the front of
the wheel ( ig. 10). This tilts the top of the wheel to
the back and moves the blade toward the center.
B) Counter- clockwise If if the blade moves toward
the back edge ( ig. 10). 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. With the tracking set, tighten the jam nut to secure the
tracking adjustment knob in place.
Turn CW if
blade
moves to
front
Fig. 8
Turn CCW
if blade
moves to
back
Fig. 9 Fig. 10
BLADE CLEARANCE
Note: As previously stated, when performing blade installation, removal, tensionning 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 to page 13 and follow the instructions for “B ADE C EARANCE” before performing
blade tracking adjustments.

17
Note: The upper and lower wheels are factory set to allow
for easy and optimal blade tracking adjustments using the
primary blade tracking adjustment knob, which adjusts
the angle of tilt of the upper wheel. In extremely rare
cases, if acceptable blade tracking cannot be attained
through the primary adjustment it may eventually become
necessary to make minor adjustments to the angle of tilt of
the lower wheel. The four bolts may be adjusted in or
out to tilt the lower wheel up/down or left/right as needed.
ADJUSTING THE BLADE GUARD FOR DEPTH OF CUT
LOWER
RAISE
1/8” - 1/4”
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 work-
piece to prevent the blade from flexing out of position or
off-line during cutting.
Adjust the height of the blade guard to suit the thick-
ness of the workpiece as follows:
1. Loosen the lock knob .
2. Turn the handwheel clockwise to raise or counter
clockwise to lower the blade guard.
3. Re-tighten the lock knob before turning on the saw. WORK PIECE
ADJUSTING THE UPPER AND LOWER BLADE GUIDES AND SUPPORT BEARINGS
To avoid injury, make sure that the switch is in the “OFF” position and that the power cord is unplugged before per-
forming any adjustments on the bandsaw.
Note: Before adjusting the upper and lower blade guides and support bearings, make sure the blade is tensioned and
tracking properly. Adjust the upper and lower blade guides and support bearings after each blade tension and tracking
adjustment. Whenever the upper blade guide and support bearing are adjusted, the lower blade guide and support bear-
ing should also be adjusted.
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 support bearings 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 dam-
age to the blade during cutting. Adjust as follows:

18
POSITIONING THE UPPER/LOWER BLADE GUIDES
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 blade to overheat and break.
Adjust the positionning of the blade guides as follows:
1. Loosen the two bolts with a 12 mm open end
wrench.
2. Use a flat head screwdriver to make a quarter of a
turn toward the outside to both guide bearings ,
so as to obtain maximum blade clearance.
1. Loosen the bolt .
2.Move the assembly bracket forward along the
shaft , until the blade guide bearings are at least
1/32" behind the blade teeth , (do not protrude
past the hollowed part of the teeth of the blade.
3. Tighten the bolt to lock the assembly in place.
1/32"
3. Loosen the two bolts on the blade guides/support
bearing assembly mounting bracket.
4. Move the bracket left or right along the bolts , until
the blade is centered between both guide bearings.
POSITIONING THE UPPER/LOWER BLADE GUIDES AND SUPPORT BEARING ASSE BLIES
The upper/lower blade guides and support bearing are both assembled as one unit which can be moved back or
forward. To prevent damage to the blade, the blade guide bearings must remain behind the blade teeth during
operation.
Proceed as follows:

19
5. Make a quarter of a turn (approx) toward the inside
, so as to obtain a space of 0.02" (the thickness of
a sheet of paper) between both bearings and the
blade .
Tip: Place a feeler gauge or sheet of paper between each
guide bearing and the blade to make sure there is a 0.02"
space.
6.Tighten the bolts to lock the guide bearings in po-
sition.
0.02"
0.02"
2. Move the support bearing shaft in or out , until
the support bearing barely touches the blade (is
1/64" behind the back of the blade) .
3. Tighten the bolt to lock the support bearing in posi-
tion.
1. Loosen the bolt with a 12 mm open end wrench.
POSITIONING THE UPPER/LOWER SUPPORT BEARINGS
The support bearings 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.
Adjust the positioning of the upper/lower support bearing as follows:
1/64"
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: Now that you have completed the four adjustment steps which are an essential part of safe, accurate bandsaw oper-
ation, it would be a good idea to make yourself a checklist as follows to ensure that each adjustment to the bandsaw is
made in the proper order starting with the general safety precaution:
1. Turn off the bandsaw and unplug the power cord.
2. Adjust blade tension.
3. Adjust blade tracking.
4. Adjust upper blade guides and support bearing.
5. Adjust lower blade guides and support bearing.
CHECKLIST BEFORE STARTING

20
These additional safety measures should be be included in your checklist:
6. Make sure all the blade guards are in place.
7. Make sure the bandsaw table and work area in general are clean and free of sawdust and debris.
These steps should always be followed when any adjustment is performed, the blade is changed, or periodically as vibra-
tion and normal wear and tear on the machine could throw these parts out of alignment.
CONNECTING TO A DUST COLLECTOR
A dust port with a 4” opening is provided to accommo-
date connection to a dust collector (not included).
Once the dust port has been installed (See Previous
section “ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONs”), be sure to use
appropriate sized hose and fittings (not included) and
check that all connections are sealed tightly to help
minimize airborne dust.
If you do not already own a dust collection system con-
sider contacting your General® International distributor
for information on our complete line of dust collection
systems and accessories or visit our Web Site at:
www.general.ca.
OPERATIONS STEP-BY-STEP
1. Trace the cutting line on your workpiece with a pencil.
2. Set the height of the blade guard according to the thickness of your workpiece (see section: “ADJUSTING THE
BLADE GUARD OR DEPTH O CUT” on page 17.)
3. If a dust collector is connected to your bandsaw, turn it on.
To reduce the risk of damage to the bandsaw or the workpiece, as well as a potential for personal injury, after ini-
tial set-up as well as before each use, make sure that everything is securely installed and that all fasteners and
moving parts on this bandsaw are locked in place before starting the machine.
ake sure to have on safety glasses at all times when using the bandsaw.
ake sure you are wearing safe appropriate workshop attire. Roll up long sleeves, secure long hair and remove
any jewelry: watches, rings, bracelets or anything that could get stuck into the moving parts of the bandsaw,
potentially causing serious injuries.
4. Press the green "ON" button to start the bandsaw.
Note: The red inner part of the red "OFF" button must first be turned to the right to release the stop button.
5. Align the cutting line on your workpiece with the blade.
Tip: The use of a roller stand provides an extra support for more convenience when working with longer workpieces.