Makita SJ401 User manual

1116" Variable Speed
Throat Blade length Stroke
per minute Overalllength
16
(406 mm) 5" (125 mm)
400 - 1,600 2348"(600 mm)
Scroll Saw
Netweight
14.1 kg (31
Ibs)
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

GENERAL SAFETY RULES ...................... .2
SPECIAL SAFETY RULES FOR SCROLL SAW
...... .3
MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS AND
ELECTRICALREQUIREMENTS
................. .4
UNPACKINGAND CHECKING CONTENTS..
....... .5
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SCROLL SAW ......... .6
GLOSSARY
OF TERMS ......................... .7
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTING ...................... .8
Mounting Scroll Saw to Workbench ................ .8
Settingthe Table for Horizontal or BevelCutting
...... 8
Adjusting Holddown ........................... .9
Adjusting Dust Blower .......................... .9
Aligning the Bevel Indicator ....................... 9
InstallingPin End Blade ......................... 10
Removing PlainEnd Blade
...................... 11
On-Off Knob
................................. 12
BASIC SCROLL SAW OPERATION .............. .13
Making InteriorScroll Cuts ...................... 14
Before Each Use
.............................. 14
Choice of Blade and Speed
...................... 14
MAINTAININGYOUR SCROLL SAW.. ............ .15
CONTENT PARTS
............................ .16
TROUBLE SHOOTING
......................... .19
InstallingPlainEnd Blade ....................... 11
GeneralSafetyRules
1. Know Your PowerTool
Read and understand the owner's manual and labels
affixed
to the tool. Learnitsapplication and limitations as
well as the specific potentialhazardspeculiar
to this tool.
This tool is equippedwith an approved 3-conductor cord
and a 3-prong grounding type plug
to fit the proper
grounding type receptacle. The green conductor in the
cord isthe grounding wire. Neverconnectthegreenwire
to a liveterminal.
Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents. Floor
must not beslippery due
to wax or sawdust.
Don't use power
tools in damp or wet locations or ex-
pose them
to rain. Keep work area well lighted. Provide
adequate surrounding work space.
Inworking order, and inadjustment and alignment.
Form a habit of checking
to see that keys and adjusting
wrenches are removedfrom tool before turningit on.
All visitors should be kept a safe distance from work
area.
With padlocks, master switches, or by removing starter
keys.
9. Don't ForceTool
It will do the job betterand safer at the rate for which it
was designed.
Serious injury could occur
if the tool is tipped or if the
cutting
tool isaccidentally contacted.
Do not store materials above or nearthe tool such that it
is necessaryto standon thetool
to reachthem.
11. Use Right Tool
Don't force tools or attachment to do a job it was not
designed for.
Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties
or jewelry
(ringswristwatches)
to get caught inmovingparts. NON-
SLIP footwear is recommended.
Wear protectivehair covering
to contain long hair, Roll
longsleeves above the elbow.
2. Ground allTools
3. Keep Work Area Clean
4. Avoid Dangerous Environment
5. Keep Guards in Place
6. Remove Adjusting keysand Wrenches
7. Keep Children Away
8. MakeWorkshop Child Proof
10. Never Stand on Tool
12. Wear Proper Apparel
2
13. Secure Work
Use clamps or a vise to hold work when practical. It's
safer than using your hands and frees both hands to
operate tool.
Wear safety goggles (must comply with ANSIZ87.1) at
all times. Everyday eyeglasses only have impact
resistant lenses,they are NOT safety glasses. Also, use
face or dust mask
if cutting operation is dusty, and ear
protectors (plugs or muffs) during extended periods or
operation.
Keep proper footingandbalanceat alltimes.
Beforefurther use of the
tool, aguardor other partthat is
damaged should be carefully checked
to ensure that it
will operate properly and perform its intendedfunction.
Check for alignment of movingparts, bindingof moving
parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other
conditions that may affect its operation.
A guard or any
part that is damaged should be properly repaired or
replaced.
Consult the owner's manual for recommended acces-
sories. Follow the instructionsthat accompany the ac-
cessories. The use of improper accessories may cause
hazards.
Before servicing; when changing accessories such as
blades, bits, cutter, etc.
Feedwork into a blade or cutter against the directionof
rotation of the blade or cutter only.
Keep tools sharp and clean for best and safest
performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and
changingblades, bits, cutters, etc.
Makessure switchisin"OFF" positionbeforepluggingin
power cord.
Turn power
off. Don't leave tool until it comes to a
complete stop.
14. Use Safety Goggles
15. Don'tOverreach
16. Check Damaged Parts
17. Use RecommendedAccessories
18. Disconnect Tools
19. Directionof Feed
20. MaintainTools with Care
21. Avoid Accidental Starting
22. Never LeaveTool RunningUnattended

WARN": your scroll saw until it is completely
assembled and installed according to the instruc-
tions
... and until your have read and understoodthe
I. Shouldany part of this scroll saw bemissing, bent, or fail
in any way, or any electrical component fail to perform
properly, shut
off power switch and remove plug from
power supply outlet. Replace damaged, missing, andor
failedpartsbeforeresumingoperation.
Safety is a combination of operator common sense and
alertnesswhenever the scrollsaw is in operation.
Your scroll saw must be boltedsecurely to stand or work
bench. In addition,
if there is any tendency for the scroll
saw to move during certain operations, bolt your scroll
saw stand or workbench to the floor.
To avoid fire or explosions, never use this tool where
flammable vapors or gases are in the air. To avoid injury
from dropped unit, unplug saw before moving it. This
scrollsaw is intendedfor indoor use only.
2. Think Safety
3. Stability of Tool
4. Location
5. Protection:Eyes, Hands,Face Ears,and Body
A. To avoid being pulled intothe blade:
Roll long sleeves above elbows
*Do not wear gloves, jewelry, ties or other loose
Tie back longhair
6. Do not cut piecesof materialtoo small to holdby hand
outsidethe bladeguard/holddown.
C. Avoid awkward hand positions where a sudden slip
couldcause a handto move intothe blade.
D. To avoid slips due to lifting of the work piece make
sure the blade teeth point downwardtowardthe table.
E. To avoid blade breakage always adjust blade tension
correctly.
clothing.
F. To avoidlosingcontrolof the workpiece or tool:
When cuttinga large piece of materialmakesure it is
Holdthe workpiecefirmly againstthe table.
Do not feed the materialtoo fast while cutting. Only
feed the materialfast enough
so that the blade will
cut.
*Use caution when cutting
off material which is
irregular in cross section and could pinch the blade
before the cut is completed.
A piece of molding, for
example, must lay flat on the table and not be
permittedto rock while beingcut.
Use caution when cutting off round materialsuch as
dowel rods, or tubing. They have a tendency to roll
while being cut causing the blade to bite. Use a
V-
blockto controlthe piece.
G. When backing the blade out of the workpiece, the
blademay bindinthe kerf (cut)
.. this isusuallycaused
by sawdust clogging up the kerf.
If this happens:Turn
off the scroll saw .. remove plug from power source
outlet
... wedge open the kerf ... back the blade out of
the workpiece.
H. To avoid unsupervised use or accidents due to in-
attention.
Never leavethe scroll saw work area with the power
on, beforethe tool has cometo a completestop.
*Do not perform layout, assembly or set up work on
the table while the cuttingtool is in operation.
*Turn saw "OFF" and remove plugfrom power supply
outlet before installing or removing an accessory
attachment.
Never turn your scroll saw "ON" before clearing the
table of all objects: (tools, scraps of wood, etc.)
except for the work pieceand relatedfeed or support
devices for the operationplanned.
fully supportedat table height.
3

Motor Specifications
and ElectricalRequirements
This tool is designed to use, and is wired for operation on
120volts,
60 Hz., altematingcurrent. (TOOLMUSTNOT BE
CONVERTED
TO OPERATE ON 230 VOLT)
CONNECTINGTO POWER SUPPLY OUTLET
This tool must be grounded while in use to protect the
operator from electric shock.
Plug power cord into a 120
V properly grounded type outlet
protectedby a 15-amp.fuse or circuitbreaker.
If you are not
surethat your outlet isproperly grounded, have it checkedby
a qualifiedelectrician.
WARNING: Do not permit fingers to touch the
terminals of plugs when installing or removing the
plug
to or from the outlet.
WARNING:
If not properlygroundedthis power tool
can causean electricalshock, particularlywhen used
in damp locationsclose to plumbing.
If an electrical
shock occurs there is the potential of a secondary
If power cord isworn or cut, or damaged in any way, have it
replaced immediately.
Your unit is for use on 120 volts, and has a plug that looks
likethe one shown below.
GROUNDING
PRONG
PROPERLY
GROUNDED
3-PRONGOUTLET
This power tool is equipped with a 3-conductor cord and
grounding type plug approved by Underwriters Labora-
tories. (Approved by CSA in CANADA.) The ground
conductor has a green jacket and is attached to the
tool
housing at one end and to the ground prong in the
attachment plugat the other end.
NOTE: If the internal overload protector has been
tripped, pushing the Speed Control Knob
“OFF” will
resetit.
This plug requires a mating 3-conductor grounded type
outletas shown.
If the outlet you are planningto usefor this powertool isof
the two prong type, DO NOT REMOVE
OR ALTER THE
GROUNDING PRONG INANY MANNER. Usean adapter
asshown below andalways connectthe grounding means
to a known ground.
It is recommended that you have a qualified electrician
replace the
TWO prong outlet with a properly grounded
THREE prongoutlet.
GROUNDINGMEANS
SCREW
I
3-PRONG MAKESURE THIS
IS
- CONNECTEDTO
A KNOWN GROUND
I
ADAPTER 2-PRONG
RECEPTACLE
An adapter as illustratedis available for connectingplugs
to 2-prong receptacles. The green grounding lug extend-
ing from the adapter must be connected
to a permanent
ground such as
to a properly grounded outlet box.
NOTE: The adapter illustratedis for use only if you already
have a properlygrounded 2-prongreceptacle.
NOTE:The adapter illustrated is not approved recom-
mended for
use in CANADA . Use an approved 3-
prongreceptacle.
The useof any extensioncordwillcause some loss of power.
To keep
this to a minimum and to prevent overheating and
motor burn-out, use the table below
to determine the
minimumwire size (A.W.G.) extension cord.
Use only a single cordwhen an extension cord is required.
The cord must be a 3 wire extensioncord which has a 3-
prongreceptacle that will accept the
tool’s plug.
I Length of the Cord
0 - 25 Feet
26
- 50 Feet
51
- 100 Feet
(American Wire Gage Number)
120 V Lines
No. 16
No. 14
No. 12
4

Unpacking and Checking Contents
TABLE OF LOOSEPARTS
Basicsaw assembly
...................................
Owners Manual .........................................
Loose PartsBag
Containingthe following parts:
BladeChange Rod
.....................................
Hex Wrench "L" .........................................
Saw blade .................................................
TOOLS NEEDED FORASSEMBLY
QTY
1
1
1
1
6
COMBINATION SQUARE MUST BE TRUE
Straight E- d BoWd
- -
W4" mi, This E* Mu.(
k PertuAy Stnmt.
Medium Screwdriver PhillipsScrewdriver Draw Light Line On
Board Along This Edge I
Combinationsquare 10 mm Wrench
LJ.
WARNING: To avoid injury from unexpected start-
ingor electricalshock, do not plugthe saw inuntilall
assembly and alignment steps are complete. The
power cord must remain unplugged whenever you
are workingonthesaw.
Hose
--
In 111
Should BeNo'GapOr Overlap
Here
When Square Is Flipped
Over
In Dotted Position
The Scroll Saw isshipped complete in one carton.
Separate all parts from packing materials and check each
item with illustration and 'Table
of Loose Parts". Make
certain all items are accounted for, before discarding any
packingmaterial.
NOTE: Insertthe hosetoair diaphragm before starting.
assemble the scroll saw, plug
in the power cord or
turntheswitchonuntilthemissingpartsare obtained
and installedcorrectlv.
5

Getting To Know Your Scroll Saw
Base
7. Table Lock Knob
&2&
9. SpeedControl I On-Off Knob
\
Lampsupport
5. HoldDown Foot BladeTensionLever
11. BladeSupport & Guard
2. Sawdust Blower
. Hold DownFoot
3. SawdustEjectionPort
1. BladeStorageCase
6

Getting To Know Your Scroll Saw
This versatile heavy-duty scroll saw is great for making
toys, puzzles, games, artwork, andjewelry, and because of
its cutting capacity, it is a handy do-it-yourselftool. It cuts
wood andplastic up
to 2 inchesthick.
1. BladeStorageCase
Your scroll saw is equipped with a blade storage area
located on the side of the saw. The blade storage area
conveniently stores the blade set screws, allen wrenches
and both pin and plain end blades.
You can open the
case with pressingthe top.
2. Sawdust Blower
Keepsworkpiece cleanfor more accurate scroll cuts. For
best results, always direct air flow from blower tube at
blade and workpiece. To adjust, loosen set screw in
the foot assembly, position tube and tighten screw.
CAUTION: To prevent blower tube from collapsing
DO
NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
3. Sawdust EjectionPort
Your scrollsaw is equipped with a vacuum hook-up. This
feature will allow you to attach any
1-1/4" vacuum hose
intothe hole providedfor convenient sawdust removal.
4. Hold Down Foot
The foot should always belowereduntilitjust rests on top
of the workpiece to prevent workpiece from lifting,but not
so muchthat the workpiece drags.
5. HoldDown Foot Adjusting Knob
Allows you to raise or lower the foot and lock it at desired
heights.
6. BladeTension Lever
Allows you to loosen or tighten the blade tension by
rotatingthe lever.
7. Table Lock Knob
Allows you to tiltthe table and lock it at desiredangle up
to 45 degrees.
8. DegreeScale
Shows the degree the table istilted.
9. SpeedControWOn-off Knob
For speed control setting, refer to the "Choice of Blade
and Speed" table. The On-Off Knob has a locking
feature.
THIS FEATURE
IS INTENDED TO HELP PREVENT
UNAUTHORIZED USE BY CHILDRENAND OTHERS.
10. BladeHolders
Retainand positionthe blade
11. BladeSupport 4% Guard
Defines areaof movingbladeandsupportsblade
12. Table
Providesworking surfaceto support workpiece.
Glossary of Tenns
Kerf BladeTooth Set
The slot cut bythe blade.
LeadingEdge
The edge of the workpiece which is pushed into the blade
first.
The distance that the edge of the saw blade tooth is bent
(onset)outward from the side of the blade.
Trailing Edge
The workpiece edge last cut by the saw blade.
Sawblade Path Workpiece
The area of the workpiece directly in line with and moving
towardthe saw bladeedge. The itemonwhichthe cuttingoperationisbeingperformed.
7

Assembly & Adjusting
MOUNTINGSCROLL SAW
TO WORKBENCH
I
WARNING: Turn off saw and unplug beforemaking
any adjustments.
When mountingthissaw to aworkbench, asolidbench is
preferable to a plywood bench where noiseand vibration
will be more noticeable.
Hardware to mount this saw
to a workbench is NOT
SUPPLIED with the saw. However, we recommend the
hardware used benosmaller than the following.
I1
r II
Quantity Description ;I
3 Hex Head Bolts, 1/4-20Length ;I
Required I1
3 FlatWashers, 9/32 I.D. !I
3 Lockwasher, 9/32 I.D.
6 Hex Nuts, 1/4-20
Example of mounting this scroll saw to workbench, as
shown.
SETINGTHE TABLE FOR
HORIZONTALOR BEVELCUlTlNG
1. Loosen the table lock knob, and the saw table can be
tilted to the left and locked at any angle from
0 degree
horizontal cutting position up
to 45 degrees for bevel
cutting
2.
A degree scale is also providedunderthe work table as a
convenient reference for setting the approximate table
angle for bevel cutting. When greater precision is re-
quired, make practicecuts andadjust the table as neces-
sary for your requirements.
3. NOTE: When cutting at angles, the hold down can be
tilted
so it'sparallelto the table and rests flat against the
workpiece.
To tilt foot, loosen allen screw, tilt foot so it's
parallelto table andsecurely tightenscrew.
a

Assembly dk Adjusting
ADJUSTING HOLDDOWN
The hold down should be adjusted so it contacts the
top surface
of the work beingcut by loosening
adjustingknob and moving holddown rodup
or down.
Tightenadjustingknob after adjustment has been
made.
HoldDownRod
Lock Knob
ADJUSTING DUSTBLOWER
The dust blower may be moved to direct air to the most
effectivepoint on the cuttinglineby loosening screw, adjust
dust blower accordingly and tightenscrew.
Bladesupport &
Guard Set Screw
Bladesupport
& Guard
Sawdust Blower
Set Screw
SawdustBlower
ALIGNING THE BEVEL INDICATOR
1. Looseningthe holddownadjustingknoband movinghold
down rodup. Then tightenadjustingknob.
2. Loosen the table lock knob and move the table until it is
approximately perpendicular, or at a right angle
to the
blade.
3. Placeasmallsquare onthe table next to the
blade
to check if thetable is 90 degrees to the blade.
If adjustment is needed, raise or lower the table
untiltable isapproximately
90 degrees to the
blade and securely tightenthe table lock knob.
4. Loosen the screw holdingthe degree scale
pointer, movepointer
to the 0 degree mark and
securely tightenscrew. Remember, the degree
scale isa convenient guide butshouldnotbe
reliedupon for precision.Make practicecuts
on scrap wood
to determine if your angle
settingare correct.
DWrm
5. Removethe holddown rodto desired position.
9

Assemb/y & Adjusting
INSTALLING PIN ENDBLADES
WARNING: To avoid injury from unexpected tool
movement, always unplugthe saw before installing,
removing,or replacingthe blade.
1. Unplugpower cord from outlet.
2. Installblade with the tension lever invertical position.,
Lever
3. Install the blade through the insert opening. Have the
teeth pointingdown. Engage the pin into the
"V" notch of
the lower blade holder.
w Lower Blade Holder
4. Pull up on the blade and engage the upper pin in the
notch
of the upper blade holder.
BladeHolder
5. Flip tension lever down to horizontalposition to lock in
tension.
NOTE: For your own need, turn blade tension lever
clockwise untilblade is tensioned.
10