INSTRUCTIONS • ENGLISH
a) Pointers at the front and rear of the guard allow a line to be
followed, when cutting. (Diagram I)
b) For more accurate and neater cutting a metal ruler, held
with the free hand, can be followed. To position the ruler
draw a second line 10 mm to the left of the cutting line.
(Or 33 mm to the right of the cutting line for left handed
operators.) (Diagram J)
Measuring the Cutting Width
When making cut outs it is desirable to know exactly where
the cut will start and stop to prevent unsightly over cutting.
Indication numbers, which correspond to the depth setting, are
marked on both sides of the guard to show where the blade
starts and stops. (Diagram K)
a) Mark the area to be cut out on the material to be cut. If the
area is not a square or rectangle, separate start and finish
lines may have to be drawn. These are drawn from the start
and finish point, at right angles to the line of cut.
b) To use the width indication system first set the cutting depth,
(See Setting the Cutting Depth Section) for example, to 9 mm.
c) Identify this number (e.g. 9) both on the front and rear of the
guard.
d) Align the indication mark below the rearmost number on the
guard with the start line on the material to be cut.
e) Proceed with the cut until the indication mark below the
forward number aligns with the finish line on the material
being cut.
Cut-outs
NB. Plunge cutting may not be possible in some hard
materials.
a) Set the depth of cut, (See Setting the Cutting Depth
Section) plug in the mains supply and then place the metal
base plate onto the work surface. Ensure that the rear width
indication mark on the guard aligns with the start line. (See
Measuring the Cutting Width Section) To ensure accurate
cut-outs the guard can be held with the free hand, but
ensure it does not come into contact with the blade.
b) Switch on the tool and wait for one second for the blade to run
up to speed. Next, plunge the blade into the material slowly
and gently, but firmly. Then push the tool forwards along the
line to be cut. (Never draw the tool backwards)
c) Once the finish line has been reached, lift the tool from the
work surface before switching off. If a lot of dust has been
created, keep switched on for a few seconds extra to allow
the dust to clear from within the tool.
d) Cutting out tips:
• If the cut is to be covered, for example by a vent cover, the
corners can be overlapped to ensure that the waste material
is completely detached.
• If the cut out is to be seen, do not overlap the corners. In
this circumstance, as the cutting blade is circular, the waste
material will not be fully detached. The corners will therefore,
require finishing with a knife. If the material is thin and the
back surface unimportant, the waste material can just be
pushed out.
• Where there is access to the back surface of the material to
be cut, the cut out can be marked out with an over cutting
allowance. The cut is then made from the back surface to
ensure perfect corners on the front surface. A table of over
cutting allowances is shown in the specifications section.
Cutting particularly Tough or Abrasive Materials
NB. Learn to use the tool by cutting wood before
attempting to cut anything tougher. When cutting
tougher material, such as metals and some plastics,
more force is required to hold the work piece and
clamping may be required.
Never cut materials that produce toxic dust or fumes
such as PTFE or asbestos.
1. Sheet metal:
•Always set the depth adjustment to at least 1 mm greater
than the material thickness to avoid the blade riding up over
the surface. Scrap material is required underneath the work
surface.
•Remove burrs and rust as these impede the feed across the
material.
•Thick beeswax (furniture polish) applied to the base plate of
the tool makes metal cutting easier.
•Do not cut galvanised steel.
•Every 2 minutes of metal cutting should be followed by a rest
of at least 3 minutes.
2. Ceramic tiles, slates etc:
•Only use a blade specifically designed for the purpose.
•Always use with a suitable vacuum cleaner or dust extractor
connected as the dust can be hazardous to the operator and
prevent the guard operating correctly.
•Applying masking or PVC tape to the base plate of the tool,
or alternatively to the work piece can make cutting easier and
avoid scratching the tile.
3. Plasterboard:
• The EXAKT Precision Saw is only recommended for making
occasional cut outs in plasterboard and always with a suitable
vacuum cleaner or dust extractor connected. The dust can
prevent the guard operating correctly.
• Conventional tools such as keyhole saws or knives generally
give excellent results, though the EXAKT Precision Saw can
be used if a particularly neat, dust free cut is required or if
there is a danger of cutting pipes or cables.
Dust Extraction
The EXAKT Precision saw is a powerful tool capable of producing
a large amount of dust. As the tool has a fully enclosed blade,
forced dust extraction is particularly efficient. Forced dust
extraction should be used for all but small trimming jobs.
a) An industrial vacuum dust extractor or domestic vacuum
cleaner can be connected to the dust outlet nozzle of the tool,
using the dust hose kit from EXAKT Precision Tools Ltd.
b) Before using ensure that the metal retaining clip is flush with
the end of the hose.
The saw will cut up to 12 mm deep. Material up to twice as
thick can be cut if cutting is performed on both sides.
Holding and Switching On
Holding the tool correctly will result in easier and safer operation,
with less fatigue.
Right handed operator: (Diagram F)
c) Grasp the handle firmly with the right hand so that it feels
comfortable. The thumb should be towards the rear of the
power switch.
d) Do not cover any of the front vents and no more than one rear
vent.
e) To operate, ensure that any part of the thumb between the
tip and middle joint is over the serrated area of the switch.
(Whichever part is most comfortable). Squeeze the switch in
towards the handle and then pull backwards.
Left handed operator: (Diagram G)
a) Grasp the handle firmly with the left hand so that it feels
comfortable. The forefinger should be towards the rear of the
power switch.
b) Do not cover any of the front vents and no more than one rear
vent.
c) To operate, ensure that any part of the forefinger between the
tip and middle joint is over the serrated area of the switch.
(Whichever part is most comfortable)
Squeeze the switch in towards the handle and then pull
backwards.
Guard Lock
a) Place the tool at the start of the cut.
b) Switch on the tool in accordance with the instruction manual.
Next release the guard lock. (Diagram H). Then plunge the
saw blade to start the cut. The guard lock is released by
pushing in the direction of the arrow in the diagram. Either the
hand holding the tool or work piece can be used, whichever is
easier.
c) After the cut has been finished and the tool switched off,
ensure the guard lock has fully returned to its resting position.
If not clean thoroughly with a soft brush.
Cutting
The EXAKT Precision Saw is unique because it clamps the
material to be cut between its base plate and the work surface
using a plunge action to ease the blade into the cut. This results
in a faster, easier and cleaner cut.
NB. Always cut in a forward direction. Never draw the tool
backwards. If you are a novice user, practice by cutting
thin wood until proficient.
a) Check the specifications to ensure the suitability of the
material to be cut.
b) Fit the correct blade ensuring it is sharp and not damaged.
c) Set the depth of cut. (See Setting the Cutting Depth Section)
d) Place the material to be cut onto a flat surface such as a
workbench, table or floor. Use a piece of scrap material
underneath if:
• You do not wish to mark the work surface.
• The work surface is likely to damage the blade. E.g. a
concrete floor.
e) Plug into mains supply.
f) Grasp the tool firmly (See Holding & Switching on Section)
and rest its metal base plate onto the surface to be cut.
Ensure that the rear half of the base plate overhangs the work
surface. Do not plunge the blade into the material.
g) Switch on the tool and wait for one second for the blade
to run up to speed. Next, depress the guard lock lever and
plunge the blade into the material slowly and gently, but firmly.
Then push the tool forwards along the line to be cut. (Never
draw the tool backwards)
h) Very little force should be used to feed the tool along the cut.
Excess force will cause operator fatigue and excessive wear
to the blade and tool. Excess force is also likely to cause the
temperature cut-out to trip, resulting in delays.
i) Ensure that the base plate is always held flat on the material
being cut. This is particularly important at the start or finish of
a cut or if thin strips are being cut where the base plate is not
fully supported.
j) Once the cut has been finished, lift the tool from the work
surface before switching off. If a lot of dust has been created,
keep switched on for a few seconds extra to allow the dust to
clear from within the tool.
Line Following
