Makita 4303C User manual

Electronic Jig Saw
Length of
stroke
MODEL 4303C
weight
I Net
Strokes Overall
per minute length
Max. cutting capacities
Wood Steel
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SPECIFICATIONS
2.5 kg
'Omm I I!$: 1 1,000 - 3,000 I 219mm
(1") 1 (2.318") (8-518") 1 (5.5 Ibs)
26 mm
Manufacturer reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
Note: Specifications may differ from country to country.
WARNING: For your personal safety, READ and UNDERSTAND before using.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(For All Tools)
WARNING: WHEN USING ELECTRICTOOLS, BASICSAFETY
PRECAUTIONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED TO REDUCE
THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, AND PERSONAL
INJURY, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches invite injuries.
CONSIDER WORK AREA ENVIRONMENT. Don't use power tools
in damp
or wet locations. Keep work area well lit. Don't expose power tools torain.
Don't use tool in presence of flammable liquids
or gases.
KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. All visitors should be kept away from work area.
Don't let visitors contact tool or extension cord.
STORE IDLETOOLS. When not
in use, tools should bestored in dry, and high
or locked-up place - out of reach of children.
DON'T FORCETOOL.
It willdo thejob better and safer atthe ratefor which
it was intended.
USE RIGHT TOOL. Don't force small tool or attachment to do thejob of a
heavy-dutytool. Don't use toolfor purpose not intended; for example, don't
use circular saw for cutting tree limbs or logs.
DRESS PROPERLY. Don't wear looseclothing orjewelry. They can be caught
in moving parts. Rubber gloves and non-skid footwear are recommended
when working outdoors. Wear protective hair covering to contain longhair.
USE SAFETY GLASSES. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is
dusty.
DON'T ABUSE CORD. Never carry tool by cordor yank
it todisconnect from
receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
SECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold work. It's safer than using
your hand and
it frees both hands to operate tool.
DON'T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times.
MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp and clean for better and
safer performance. Follow instructionsfor lubricatingand changing acces-
sories. Inspecttool cordsperiodicallyandif damaged, have repairedbyautho-
rized service facility. Inspect extension cords periodically and replace if
damaged. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.
13. DISCONNECTTOOLS. When not in use, before servicing, and whenchang-
ing accessories, such as blades, bits, cutters.
2

14. REMOVE ADJUSTING KEYS AND WRENCHES. Form habit of checking to
see that keys andadjustingwrenches are removedfrom tool beforeturning
it on.
15. AVOID UNINTENTIONALSTARTING. Don’t carry tool with finger onswitch.
Be sure switch is OFF when plugging
in.
16. EXTENSION CORDS. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition.
When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry
the current your product
will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop
inline voltage resulting
in loss of power and overheating. Table 1 shows the
correct size touse depending oncord lengthand nameplateampere rating.
If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the gage number, the
heavier the cord.
TABLE 1
MINIMUM GAGE FOR CORD SETS
Ampere Rating
More Not More
Than Than
Total Length
of Cord in Feet
0 - 25 26 - 50 51 - 100 101 - 150
AWG
0- 6
6 - 10
10
- 12
12
- 16
3
18 16 14
16 16 14 12
14 12
Not Recommended
18 16 :: I 12

VOLTAGE WARNING: Beforeconnectingthetooltoa powersource (receptacle,
outlet, etc.) be sure the voltage supplied isthe same as that specified on the
nameplateof thetool. A power source withvoltage greater than that specified
for the tool can result
in SERIOUS INJURY tothe user - as well as damageto
the tool. If in doubt, DO NOT PLUG INTHE TOOL. Usinga power source with
voltage less than .the nameplate rating is harmful to the motor.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
1. Avoidcutting nails. Inspectfor and removeall nailsfrom the workpiece be-
2. Don't cut hollow pipe.
3. Do not cut oversize workpiece.
4. Check for the properclearancebeneath the workpiecebeforecutting so that
5. Hold the tool firmly.
6. Make sure the blade is not contacting the workpiece before the switch is
7. Keep hands away from moving parts.
8. When cutting through walls, floors or wherever "live" electrical wires may
be encountered, DO NOT TOUCH ANY METAL PARTS
OF THE TOOL!
Holdthetoolonly by theinsulatedgraspingsurfacestopreventelectricshock
if you cut through
a "live" wire.
fore operation.
the blade will not strike the floor, workbench, etc.
turned on.
9. Do not leave the tool running. Operate the tool only when hand-held.
IO. Always switch off andwait for the bladetocometoa completestop before
11. Do not touch the bladeor the workpiece immediately after operation; they
removing the blade from the workpiece.
may be extremely hot and could burn your skin.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
4

InstallingMakitajigsaw blade
CAUTION
:
Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unpluggedbefore installing or removing
the blade.
Use the hex wrench to loosenthe bolt.
With the blade teeth facing forward, insert
the blade into the blade holder
as far as
it will go.
Make sure that the back edge of the blade
fits into the roller and tighten the bolt
securely with the hex wrench.
I* Jig saw blade
CAUTION :
Use a lubricant or cutting oil betweenthe blade and roller when cutting ironor composi-
tion board, etc. Failure to do
so will shorten the service life of your blade and roller.
5

Installinguniversalshank jig saw blade
CAUTION
:
Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unpluggedbefore installingor removing
the blade.
If the universal blade clamp is used, you
can use blades of other makes which have
a universal shank like the one shown in
the figure, with a blade width of 6.35 mm
(1/4").
Insert the blade into the blade holder as far
as it will go. Make sure that the end of the
blade shank reaches the bottom of the
inner
slit and tightenthe boltsecurely with
the hex wrench.
The end of the blade
shank should reach the
bottom of the inner slit
il
6

Straight line or orbital cutting action
I
Conventional jig saws cut with a straight
line action, that
is, the blade moves only
up and down in
a straight line. Your saw
also cuts in this manner but, for softer
workpieces, an orbital cutting action can
be selected. Softworkpieces like wood and
plastic permit deep penetration of indivi-
dual saw teeth. The orbital action thrusts
the blade forward on the cutting stroke
and greatly increases cutting speed over
conventional jig saws. Harder workpieces
like metal should be cut using the straight
line cutting action or
a very low orbital
setting. To select straight line or orbital
cutting, adjust the number on the saw.
\
Lever
Position 0
- For cutting in mild steel, stainless steel and plastics.
For clean cuts inwood and plywood.
Position
I
- For cutting in mild steel, aluminum and hard wood.
Position
I1 - For cutting inwood and plywood.
For fast cutting inaluminum and mild steel.
Position I11 - For fast cutting inwood and plywood.
Switch action
To start the tool, simply pull the trigger.
Release the trigger to stop. For continuous
operation, pull the trigger and then push in
the lock button. To stop the tool from the
locked position, pull the trigger fully, then
release
it.
Lock button
/ Switch triqqer
CAUTION :
Before plugging in the tool, always check to see that the switch trigger actuatesproperly
and returns to the "OFF" position released.

Speed change
To adjust the tool speed, turn the speed
change dial. The tool speed can be adjusted
between
1,000 and 3,000 strokes per
minute.
Number
1
The reference table on the right denotes
the relationship between the number set-
tings on the speed change dial and the
approximate strokes per minute at that
setting.
Strokes per minute
1,000
1
Refer to the table on the right to select
suggested speed for the workpiece to be
cut. However, proper speed may differ
depending upon the type or thickness
of
the workpiece.
2
I
3
1
4
1
1,200
I
1,700
1
2,200
1
5
I
6
2,700
I
3,000
Wor
kpiece I Number
Plastics
Wood 5-6
Mild
steel I 3-6
1-4
Stainless steel
Aluminum
3-4
I 2-3
In general, higher speeds will allow you to cut a workpiece faster but the service life of
the blade will be reduced.
CAUTION
:
Adjust the speed change dial only within the range of numbers 1 through 6. Do not force
the dial beyond this range.
8

Operation
Turn the tool on and wait until the blade
attains full speed. Then rest the base flat
on the workpiece and gently move the tool
forward along the previously marked cut-
ting line. When cutting curves, advance the
tool very
slowly.
I . I
CAUTION :
Failure to holdthe tool base flush with the workpiece may cause blade breakage.
Bevel cutting
With the base tilted, you can make bevel
cuts at any angle between 0" and 45" (left
or right).
Loosen the bolt on the back of the base
with the hex wrench and slide the base
backwards. Tilt the base to the desired
angle. The edge
of the housing indicates
the bevel angle.
Then check the contact between the back
edge of the blade and the roller.
Now tighten the bolt securely on the back
of the base.
Edge of housing
9

I
I
Frontflush cuts
Loosen the bolt on the back of the base
with the hex wrench, then slide the base
backwards. Check the contactbetween the
back edge of the blade and the roller, then
secure the bolt.
Plunge cutting
Starting
a cut at other than the edge of the
workpiece without first drilling
a starting
hole requires
a "plunge cut". This can be
accomplished by tipping the tool forward
untilthe front end of the base rests against
the workpiece. Switch the tool on and
lower the back end of the tool slowly,
gradually allowing the bladeto saw through
the workpiece until the base
is able to sit
flat on the workpiece. You may then pro-
ceed forward with the cut in
a normal
manner.
If using
a drill for a starting hole, bore a
hole over 12 mm (1/2") in diameter. Then
insert the blade in
it and proceed.
Finishingedges
To trim edges or make dimensional adjust-
ments run the blade lightly along the cut
edges.
For smoother cutting of plywood or other
workpieces with easily splintered surfaces,
transparent tape may be used over your
cutting line.
10