MasterForce 241-0429 User manual

Operator’s Manual
18.0-Volt Cordless Jig Saw (Tool only)
241-0429
IMPORTANT :
WARNING! To reduce the risk of injury, user must read instruction manual.
Safety symbols in this manual are used to flag possible dangers. The safe-
ty symbols and their explanations require your full understanding. The safety
warnings do not, by themselves, eliminate any danger, nor are they substitutes
for proper accident prevention measures.
This Safety Alert Symbol indicates caution, warning, or danger. Failure to
obeyasafetywarningcanresultinseriousinjurytoyourselforothers.Toreduce
the risk of injury, fire, or electric shock, always follow the safety precautions.
CHARGE BATTERY
BEFORE FIRST USE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Symbols......................................................................................... Page 3-4
Safety Instructions...................................................................................Page 5-8
Description................................................................................................ Page 9-10
Assembly ................................................................................................... Page 10
Operation................................................................................................... Page 11-14
Maintenance............................................................................................. Page 15
Warranty.................................................................................................... Page 16
INTRODUCTION
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
This jig saw has many features for making its use more pleasant and
enjoyable. Safety, performance, and dependability have been given top
priority in the design of this product, making it easy to maintain and operate.

3
SAFETY SYMBOLS
The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible
dangers.The safety symbols and the explanations with them deserve your
careful attention and understanding. The symbol warnings do not, by
themselves, eliminate any danger. The instructions and warnings they give
are no substitutes for proper accident prevention measures.
WARNING: Be sure to read and understand all safety instructions in this
manual, including all safety alert symbols such as “DANGER,” ”WARNING”
and “CAUTION,” before using this tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed
below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING
DANGER!
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING!
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION!
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderately severe injury.
NOTE: (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a
situation that may result in property damage.
WARNING: To ensure safety and reliability, all repairs should be performed
by a qualified service technician.
WARNING! The operation of any power tool can
result in foreign objects being thrown into your eyes,
which can result in severe eye damage. Before
beginning power tool operation, always wear safety
goggles or safety glasses with side shields and a
full-face shield when needed. We recommend a
Wide Vision Safety Mask for use over eyeglasses or
standard safety glasses with side shields. Always
use eye protection which is marked to comply with
ANSI Z87.1

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SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Some of these following symbols may be used on this tool. Please study them
and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow
you to operate the tool better and more safely.
SYMBOL NAME DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION
V Volts Voltage
A Amperes Current
Hz Hertz Frequency (cycles per second)
W Watt Power
min Minutes Time
Alternating Current Type of current
Direct Current Type or a characteristic of current
No Load Speed Rotational speed, at no load
Class II
Construction
Double-insulated construction
.../min Per Minute Revolutions, strokes, surface speed,
orbits, etc., per minute
Wet Conditions
Alert
Do not expose to rain or use in damp
locations.
Read The
Operator’s Manual
To reduce the risk of injury, user must
read and understand operator’s manual
before using this product.
Eye Protection Always wear safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields and a full face
shield when operating this product.
Safety Alert Precautions that involve your safety.
No Hands Symbol Failure to keep your hands away from the
blade will result in serious personal injury.
No Hands Symbol Failure to keep your hands away from the
blade will result in serious personal injury.
No Hands Symbol Failure to keep your hands away from the
blade will result in serious personal injury.
No Hands Symbol Failure to keep your hands away from the
blade will result in serious personal injury.
Hot Surface To reduce the risk of injury or damage,
avoid contact with any hot surface.

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENRAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING! Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow
the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious
injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term power tool in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded)
power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.
WORK AREA SAFETY
Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite
accidents.
Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the
presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any
way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools.
Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce the risk of electric
shock.
Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric
shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a
power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or
unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric
shock.
When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable
for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of
electric shock.
If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a
residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces
the risk of electric shock.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when
operating a power the tool. Do not use the tool while tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while
operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat,
or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal
injuries.

6
Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure that the switch is in the OFF-
position before connecting the tool to a power source and/or battery
pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your
finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on
invites accidents.
Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on.
A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may
result in personal injury.
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This
enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or
long hair can be caught in moving parts.
If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and
collection facilities, ensure that these are connected and properly used.
Use of these devices can reduce dust-related hazards.
POWER TOOL USE AND CARE
Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your
application. The correct power tool will do the job better and more safely
at the rate for which it was designed.
Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any
power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and
must be repaired.
Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from
the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or
storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of
starting the power tool accidentally.
Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow
persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate
the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained
users.
Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the
power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before
use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with
sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc., in accordance with
these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the
work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from
those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE
Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger
that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when
used with another battery pack.
Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of
any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.

7
When the battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal
objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small
metal objects that can make a connection from one terminal to another.
Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery;
avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid
contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the
battery may cause irritation or burns.
SERVICE
Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only
identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power
tool is maintained.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR CORDLESS JIG SAW
Use only those batteries and the charger listed.
Battery pack Charger
252-8024
252-8028
252-8032
252-8036
Hold the power tool by its insulated gripping surfaces when performing
an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its own
cord. Contact with a “live” wire will make exposed metal parts of the tool
“live” and shock the operator.
Use clamps or another practical way to secure and support the
workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your
body leaves it unstable and may lead to loss of control.
When using the jigsaw, use safety equipment including safety goggles or
shield, ear protection, dust mask and protective clothing including safety
gloves.
Ensure that the lighting is adequate.
Do not use the saw unless the guards are in place.
Keep the shoe plate on the workpiece.
Do not put pressure on the saw, such that it slows the motor down. Allow
the saw blade to cut without pressure. You will get better results and you
will be taking better care of your tool.
Keep the area free of tripping hazards.
Do not let anyone under 18 years operate this jigsaw.
Only use blades in good condition.
Before cutting, check that there is sufficient clearance for the blade
under the workpiece.
Do not touch the blade after operation, it will be very hot.
Keep your hands away from under the workpiece.
Never use your hands to remove sawdust, chips or waste close to the
blade.

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Rags, cloths, cord, string and the like should never be left around the work
area.
Avoid cutting nails. Inspect the workpiece and remove all nails and other
foreign objects before beginning sawing.
Never reach over the blade to remove waste or off cuts.
Do not attempt to free a jammed blade before first switching off the
machine.
If you are interrupted when operating the saw, complete the process and
switch off before looking up.
Periodically check that all nuts, bolts and other fixings are properly
tightened.
Do not store materials or equipment above a machine in such a way that
they could fall into it.
Do not secure the jigsaw upside down in a vice or work bench and use it
as a saw bench. This can lead to serious injury.

9
DESCRIPTION
KNOW YOUR JIG SAW (Fig. 1)
Before attempting to use this cordless jig saw, familiarize yourself with all of
its operating features and safety requirements.
WARNING! Do not allow familiarity with your cordless jig saw to make you
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict
severe injury
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Motor Voltage 18V DC
No load speed 0-2200 SPM
Blade stroke distance 1 in. (25 mm)
Cutting angle range 0-45°
Blade compatibility “ T” and “U” shank
Weight (without battery) 4lbs 3oz
Max. cutting capacity
65mm on wood
10mm on aluminum
6mm on steel
Battery Voltage 18Volt DC
Charger input 120-Volt 60Hz AC only
Fig. 1 Lock-off Button
Trigger Switch
LED Worklight
Blade Guard
Locking
Screw
Blade Clamp
Lever
Blade Roller
Guide
Parallel Guide
Shoe Plate
Cutting Angel Guide
Tool-less Blade
Clamp
Orbital Control Lever
Hex Key
Blade

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WARNING! The safe use of this product requires an understanding of
the information included on the tool and in this operator’s manual, as well as
knowledge of the project you are attempting. Before using this product, famil-
iarize yourself with all operating features and safety rules.
ASSEMBLY
WARNING! If any part is broken or missing, DO NOT attempt to plug in the
power cord, attach the battery, or operate the cordless jig saw until the broken
or missing part is replaced. Failure to do so could result in possible serious
injury.
WARNING! Do not attempt to modify this cordless jig saw or create ac-
cessories not recommended for use with this cordless jig saw. Any such al-
teration or modification is misuse and could result in a hazardous condition
leading to possible serious injury.
WARNING! To prevent accidental starting that could cause serious per-
sonal injury, always remove the battery pack from the jig saw when assem-
bling parts.
UNPACKING
This product has been shipped completely assembled.
Carefully remove the tool and any accessories from the box. Make sure
that all items listed in the packing list are included.
Inspect the tool carefully to make sure that no breakage or damage
occurred during shipping.
Do not discard the packing material until you have carefully inspected and
satisfactorily operated the tool.
PACKING LIST
Cordless Jig Saw, Parallel Guide, 3pcs Blades, Hex Key and Operator’s
Manual.

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OPERATION
TO ATTACH BATTERY PACK (FIG. 2)
Align the raised rib on the battery pack
with the grooves on the bottom of the
jig saw and then attach the battery
pack to the jig saw.
CAUTION! When placing the bat-
tery pack in the tool, be sure that the
raised rib on battery pack aligns with
the groove on the jig saw and that the
latches snap into place properly. Im-
proper assembly of the battery pack
can cause damage to internal compo-
nents.
TO DETACH BATTERY PACK (Fig. 2)
1. Depress the battery-release button located on the front of the battery
pack to release battery pack.
2. Pull the battery backward and remove it from the tool.
SWITCHING ON AND OFF (Fig. 3)
To turn the jig saw ON, keep the lock-off button depressed and squeeze the
trigger switch. To turn it OFF, release the trigger switch.
CAUTION! Allow the blade to come to a complete stop before setting the
jigsaw down.
VARIABLE SPEED TRIGGER SWITCH
(Fig. 3)
This tool has a variable speed switch
that delivers higher speed with
increased trigger pressure. Speed is
controlled by the amount of switch
trigger depression.
NOTE: Use the variable speed
feature for a short time only. Do not
continuously operate the tool at
different speeds. It may damage the
switch.
ELECTRIC BRAKE
To stop the jig saw, release the trigger switch and allow the tool to come to
a complete stop. The electric brake quickly stops the saw blade stroke. This
feature engages automatically when you release the trigger switch.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

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LED WORKLIGHT (Fig. 4)
The LED worklight, located above
the tool-less blade clamp, provides
additional lighting on the surface
of the workpiece for operation in
lower-light areas. The LED worklight
will come on automatically when the
trigger switch is depressed, and it
will turn off when the trigger switch is
released.
INSTALLING SAW BLADE (Fig. 5)
1. Remove the battery pack.
2. Turn the tool upside down and
press the blade clamp lever as
far as it can go; the lever will not
rebound back.
3. Insert the blade into the slot until it
locks into place automatically.
REMOVING SAW BLADE (Fig. 5)
CAUTION! Allow the blade to cool
after use. The blade can become dan-
gerously hot.
1. Remove the battery pack.
2. Press down on the blade clamp lever to remove the blade.
3. The clamp stays open when the blade is removed; it automatically locks
when you push in another blade, providing for very easy one-hand blade
change.
BLADE SELECTION
To obtain the best performance from the saw, it is important to select the
correct blade for the particular application and type of material you wish to
cut. By doing this, you will get a smoother, faster cut and prolong blade life.
ORBIT ADJUSTMENT (Fig. 6)
The jigsaw has orbital action whereby
the blade roller guide moves back and
forth to make the blade swing slightly
as it cuts.
Orbital action increases the speed of
cut but may result in a rougher finish
to the cut in some materials.
Set the orbit control lever to one of the
four settings according to degree of
orbit action required:
0- No orbit action
1- Minimal orbit action
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 4
LED worklight

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2- Medium orbit action
3- Maximum orbit action for the most aggressive action, for quick cutting
plywood or soft material.
Experiment on a piece of scrap material to determine the optimum orbit
action setting.
ADJUSTING THE SHOE FOR ANGULAR CUTTING (Fig. 7&Fig. 8)
CAUTION! Always ensure that the
jigsaw is switched off and the battery
pack is removed before making any ad-
justments.
1. Loosen the hex screw located on the
underside of the tool using hex key.
2. Move the shoe plate backwards
so that the teeth on the plate no
longer engage with the retaining
teeth and the shoe can be tilted to
the left or right.
3. Select 15°, 30° or 45° to the left
or right or select 0°, and push the
shoe plate forward so that the
teeth on the plate mesh with the
retaining teeth.
4. Retighten the hex screw.
The angle selected can be read on the
cutting angle guide on the shoe plate.
For accurate work it is necessary to
make a trial cut, then measure the
work and reset the angle with the
shoe plate moved a little towards the
rear so that the teeth on the plate do
not mesh with the retaining teeth.
Repeat the trial cut and reset the angle setting until the correct setting is
achieved.
PARALLEL GUIDE (Fig. 9)
The parallel guide fits into the shoe
plate and is locked in place by the
locking screw.
Use the parallel guide to guide the jigsaw
along a straight line which can be an
edge of a workpiece or a piece of straight
timber clamped to the workpiece.
By changing the position of the guide
and using the same straight edge as a
guide, it is possible to quickly and easily
make parallel cuts in the workpiece.
NOTE: When adjusting the cutting angle, you can move the parallel guide
locking screw to the left or right.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

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MAKING A CUT (Fig. 10)
1. Turn on the jigsaw and allow the
blade to reach maximum speed. Do
not allow the blade to contact the
workpiece until it has reached full
speed.
2. Slowly guide the jigsaw forward
using both hands, keeping the shoe
plate flat against the workpiece.
NOTE: Use only enough pressure to
keep the blade cutting. Do not force
the cutting; allow the blade and the
saw to do the work.
STRAIGHT CUTING
A straight cut can be made by
clamping a piece of wood or a straight edge to the workpiece and guiding
the edge of the saw against it. Make the cut from one direction only. NEVER
cut halfway and then complete the cut from the opposite end.
The straight cut can be also made by using the parallel guide supplied.
PLUNGE CUTTING (Fig. 11)
Plunge cutting is useful and time-
saving for making rough openings in
soft materials. It makes it unnecessary
to drill a hole for an inside or pocket
cut.
1. Draw lines for the opening you
want to cut.
2. Hold saw firmly and tilt it forward
so the toe of the saw foot rests on
the workpiece.
3. Make sure that the blade is well
clear of the workpiece.
4. Start the saw and then gradually
lower the blade into the workpiece,
firmly holding the toe of the saw base to prevent side wobble.
5. Keeping the toe of the foot on the workpiece, slowly pivot the saw
downward like a hinge until the blade cuts through and the base rests flat
on the workpiece.
6. Begin sawing in the usual manner along the cut line.
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

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MAINTENANCE
WARNING! When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Use of
any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage.
CAUTION! Before performing maintenance or cleaning, remove the bat-
tery pack from the jig saw.
1. The tool may be cleaned most effectively with compressed dry air. Always
wear safety goggles when cleaning tools with compressed air.
2. Use a small brush or the air discharge of a small vacuum cleaner brush to
clear dust or debris from the air vents on the motor housing.
3. Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are
susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents. Use
clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.
4. Lubricate the roller guide from time to time with a drop of oil. It will extend
the life of the roller.

16
WARRANTY
3-MONTH MONEY BACK GUARANTEE:
This MASTERFORCE™ brand power tool carries our 3-Month Money Back
Guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your MASTERFORCE™
brand power tool for any reason within three (3) months from the date of
purchase, return the tool with your original receipt to any retail
store, and we will provide you a refund – no questions asked.
3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY:
This MASTERFORCE™ brand power tool carries our famous No Hassle
3-Year Limited Warranty to the original purchaser. If the tool fails within
three (3) years from the date of purchase, simply bring this tool and its sale
receipt back to your nearest retail store for a free equivalent
replacement within those three years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
limited warranty does not cover any damage that has resulted from abuse or
misuse of the Merchandise. This warranty: (1) excludes expendable parts
including but not limited to blades, belts, bits, light bulbs, and/or batteries;
(2) shall be void if this tool is used for commercial and/or rental purposes;
and (3) does not cover any losses, injuries to persons/property or costs. This
warranty does give you specific legal rights and you may have other rights,
which vary from state to state. Be careful, tools are dangerous if improperly
used or maintained. Seller’s employees are not qualified to advise you on
the use of this Merchandise. Any oral representation(s) made will not be
binding on seller or its employees. The rights under this limited warranty
are to the original purchaser of the Merchandise and may not be transferred
to any subsequent owner. This limited warranty is in lieu of all warranties,
expressed or implied including warranties or merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose. Seller shall not be liable for any special, incidental, or
consequential damages. The sole exclusive remedy against the seller will be
for the replacement of any defects as provided herein, as long as the seller
is willing or able to replace this product or is willing to refund the purchase
price as provided above. For insurance purposes, seller is not allowed to
demonstrate any of these power tools for you.
For questions / comments, technical assistance or repair parts –
Please Call Toll Free at: 1-866-917-4374 (M-F 8am – 6pm)
SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. THIS WARRANTY IS VOID WITHOUT THEM.