MasterForce 241-0440 User manual

Operator’s Manual
18 Volt Lithium-Ion Portable
Band Saw
Model No. 241-0440
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
safety symbols and their explanations require your full understand-
ing. The safety warnings do not, by themselves, eliminate any dan-
ger, nor are they substitute for proper accident prevention measures.
This Safety Alert Symbol indicates caution, warning, or danger. Failure to
obey a safety warning can result in serious injury to yourself or others. To reduce
the risk of injury, fire, or electric shock, always follow the safety precautions..

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Symbols ................................................................................................page 2
Safety Instructions ..........................................................................................page 4
Description .......................................................................................................page 10
Assembly ..........................................................................................................page 11
Operation ..........................................................................................................page 12
Maintenance ....................................................................................................page 14
Warranty ...........................................................................................................page 16
INTRODUCTION
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
This 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.
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 warning 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 following 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.

3
CAUTION:
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury.
CAUTION: (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a
situation that may result in property damage.
WARNING: To ensure safety and reliability, all repairs should be per-
formed by a qualified service technician at an Authorized Service Center.
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
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
No Load
Speed Rotational speed, at no load
Class II
Construction Double-insulated construction
Per Minute Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits
etc., per minute
.../min
.../min
.../min
.../min

4
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
operator’s manual.
Eye Protection
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses
with side shields, or 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.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENRAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING!Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the
warningsandinstructionsmayresultinelectricshock,fireand/orseriousinjury.
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.
.../min

5
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 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 tool. Do not use 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.

6
Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat,
or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal
injuries.
Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position
before connecting to 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 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 marking 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.

7
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, 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.
When 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 INSTRUCTIONS FOR BAND SAW
Use battery only with charger listed.
Battery pack Charger
252-8024
252-8028
252-8032
252-8036
DANCER! Keep hands away from cutting area and blade. Keep your
second hand on the auxiliary handle or motor housing. If both hands are
holding the saw, the blade cannot cut them.

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DANCER! Blades coast after saw is switched off.
Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces (handles) when performing an
operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its own
cord. Contact with a “live” wire will make the exposed metal parts of the
tool “live” and shock the operator.
Cutting workpieces covered with oil can cause the blade to come off
unexpectedly. Wipe off all excess oil from workpieces before cutting.
Keep your body positioned to either side of the saw blade, but not in line
with the saw blade.
Do not touch the blade or the workpiece immediately after operation; they
may be extremely hot and could burn your skin.
Do not cut an oversized workpiece.
Check for the proper clearance under the workpiece before cutting
so that the blade will not strike the workbench or material under the
workpiece.
Make sure the blade is not contacting the workpiece before reaching full
speed.
Secure material before cutting. Never hold a workpiece in your hand or
legs. Small or thin material may flex or vibrate with the blade, causing loss
of control.
Never reach into the cutting path of the blade.
SAFETY RULES FOR CHARGER
WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all
instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious
personal injury.
Before using the battery charger, read all instructions and cautionary
markings in this manual and on the battery charger, the battery, and the
product using the battery to prevent misuse of the products and possible
injury or damage.
CAUTION! To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to the charger
and battery, charge only these rechargeable batteries specifically designated
on your charger’s label. Other types of batteries may burst, causing personal
injury or damage.
Do not use the charger outdoors or expose it to wet or damp conditions.

9
Water entering the charger will increase the risk of electric shock.
Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the battery-charger
manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock or injury to
persons.
Do not abuse the cord or charger. Never use the cord to carry the charger.
Do not pull the charger cord to disconnect the plug from receptacle.
Damage to the cord or charger could occur and create an electric shock
hazard. Replace damaged cords immediately.
Make sure that the cord is located so that it will not be stepped on, tripped
over, come in contact with sharp edges or moving parts, or otherwise
besubjected to damage or stress. This will reduce the risk of accidental
falls, which could cause injury and damage to the cord, which could then
result in electric shock.
Keep the cord and charger from heat to prevent damage to the housing or
internal parts.
Do not allow gasoline, oils, petroleum-based products, etc. to come in
contact with plastic parts. These materials contain chemicals that can
damage, weaken, or destroy plastic.
An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of
an improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock.
If an extension cord must be used, make sure that:
The pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size and shape as
those of the plug on charger.
The cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition
The size is large enough for AC ampere rating of charger as specified below:
The Cord Length (Feet) 25’ 50’ 100’
Cord Size (AWG) 16 16 16
NOTE: AWG = American Wire Gauge
cause shorting and electric shock. If damaged, have the charger repaired
or replaced by an authorized service technician at an authorized Service
Center.
Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped,
or has otherwise been damaged in any way. Take it to an authorized
service technician at an authorized Service Center for an electrical check
to determine if the charger is in good working order.
Do not disassemble the charger. Take it to an authorized service

10
technician at a Service Center when service or repair is required.
Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
Unplug the charger from the electrical outlet before attempting any
maintenance or cleaning to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Disconnect charger from the power supply when not in use. This will
reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to the charger if metal items
should fall into the opening. It will also help prevent damage to the
charger during a power surge.
Risk of electric shock. Do not touch the uninsulated portion of output
connector or uninsulated battery terminal.
Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct
others who may use this tool. If you lend this tool to someone else, also
lend these instructions to them to prevent misuse of the product and
possible injury
DESCRIPTION
KNOW YOUR BAND SAW (Fig. 1)
Before attempting to use this cordless band saw, become familiar with all of
its operating features and safety requirements. For optimum performance and
safety, read the following operating instructions carefully before using the
saw.
WARNING! Do not allow familiarity with your band saw to make you
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to
inflict severe injury.
Lock-off button
Trigger switch
Side handle
Blade holder Blade
Work steady rest
Blade
tightening lever
Fig. 1

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SPECIFICATIONS
Motor 18 Volt DC
No Load Blade Speed 550FPM
Blade dimension
28-13/16“ Length
1/2” Width
.020“ Thickness
Cutting capacity Round piece Dia. 2 1/2”
Or Rectangle piece 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”
Saw Weight (with battery) 7LBs 11OZ
Battery Type Lithium-Ion
Battery Voltage 18 Volt DC
Charger Input 120-Volts, 60 Hz AC only
WARNING! The safe use of this product requires an understanding of the
information on the tool and in this operator’s manual, as well as knowledge of
the project you are attempting. Before use of this product, familiarize yourself
with all operating features and safety rules.
ASSEMBLY
WARNING! If any part is broken or missing, do not attempt to attach the
battery or operate the saw until the broken or missing parts are replaced.
Failure to do so could result in possible serious injury.
WARNING! Do not attempt to modify this saw or create accessories not
recommended for use with this saw. Any such alteration 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 personal
injury, always remove the battery pack from the saw when assembling 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 no breakage or damage occurred

12
during shipping.
Do not discard the packing material until you have carefully inspected and
satisfactorily operated the tool.
PACKING LIST
Portable band saw, Saw blade, Side handle and Operator’s manual
OPERATION
TO ATTACH BATTERY PACK (Fig.2)
1. Lock the trigger switch in the “off”
position
2. Align the raised portion on the
battery pack with the grooves
on the saw, and then attach the
battery pack to the tool as shown.
NOTE: Make sure that the latch on
the battery pack snaps into place and
the battery pack is secured to the tool
before beginning operation.
CAUTION! when placing battery pack on the tool, be sure that the raised
rib on battery pack aligns with the groove on the saw and the latches snap into
place properly. Improper assembly of the battery pack can cause damage to
internal components.
TO DETACH BATTERY PACK (Fig. 2)
1. Lock the trigger switch in the “off”
position.
2. Depress the battery release button
located on the battery pack to
release battery pack.
3. Pull the battery pack out and remove
it from the tool.
TRIGGER SWITCH (Fig. 3)
To turn the tool ON, push the lock-off
button and depress the trigger switch.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

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To turn the tool OFF, release the
switch trigger.
INSTALLING A SAW BLADE (FIG.4-6)
WARNING! To prevent personal
injury, always remove the battery pack
from the tool before installing or re-
moving the saw blade!
1. Detach the battery pack from the
saw.
2. Detach the side handle.
3. Turn the blade tightening lever
counter clockwise 180°.
4. Making sure that the teeth on the
left side of the tool point towards
the rear of the tool.
5. Position the blade around the
wheel and insert the other side of
the blade into upper holder and the
lower holder until the blade back
contact the bottom of the upper and
lower holder.
6. Hold the blade in place and turn
the blade tightening lever counter-
clockwise 180°, this places proper
tension on the blade.
7. Start and stop the saw two or three
time to make sure the blade runs
properly on the wheel.
WARNING!Be sure that the blade is properly seated on the pulleys before
starting the cut.
To remove the blade, follow the installation procedure in reverse.
WARNING! The blade may kick up as you released the blade tightening
lever. Do not face to the blade or position the blade toward your body. Keep
distance with it.
Fig. 4
3
11. Blade
2. Bearing
3. Upper holder
4. Lower holder
4
2
Fig. 5
3
1
1. Upper holder
2. Lower holder
3. Wheel
2
Fig. 6

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TYPICAL APPLICATION (Fig.7)
1. Keep the blade off the workpiece
until the motor has reached the
selected speed.
2. Start cutting on a surface where
the greatest number of teeth will
be in contact with the workpiece at
one time (Fig 7).
3. Place the work steady rest against
the workpiece and lower the moving saw blade into the cut.
4. Do not bear down while cutting. The weight of the tool will supply
adequate pressure for the fastest cutting.
5. When completing a cut, hold the tool firmly so it will not fall against the
work-piece.
MAINTENANCE
WARNING! Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields during power tool operations, or when blowing dust. If operation is
dusty, also wear a dust mask.
It has been found that electric tools are subject to accelerated wear and
possible premature failure when they are used to work on fiber glass boats
and sports cars, wallboard, spackling compounds or plaster. The chips and
grindings from these materials are highly abrasive to electrical tool parts, such
as bearings, brushes, commutators, etc. Consequently, it is not recommended
that this tool be used for extended work on any fiberglass material, wallboard,
spackling compound or plaster. During any use on these materials, it is
extremely important that the tool is cleaned frequently by blowing with an
air jet.
WARNING! Do not at any time let brake fluid, gasoline, petroleum-based
products, penetrating oils, etc. come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals
can damage, weaken or destroy plastic, which may result in serious personal
injury.
Periodic maintenance allows for long life and trouble-free operation. A
cleaning and maintenance schedule should be maintained. As a common
preventive maintenance practice, follow these recommended steps:
When work has been completed, clean the tool to allow smooth functioning
Fig. 7
CORRECT INCORRECT

15
of the tool over time.
Use clean damp cloths to wipe the tool.
Check the state of all electrical cables.
Keep the motor air openings free from oil, grease and sawdust or woodchips,
and store tool in a dry place.
Be certain that all moving parts are well lubricated, particularly after lengthy
exposure to damp and/or dirty conditions.
LUBRICATION
All of the bearings in this tool are lubricated with a sufficient amount of high-
grade lubricant for the life of the tool under normal operating conditions.
Therefore, no further lubrication is required.
WARNING!To ensure safety and reliability, all repairs should be performed
by a qualified service technician at an authorized Service Center.
WARNING! For your safety, always turn off the switch and remove the
battery from the band saw before performing any maintenance or cleaning.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The tool may be cleaned most effectively with compressed dry air. Always
wear safety goggles when cleaning tools with compressed air.
Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are
susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and may
be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease,
etc.
WARNING! When servicing, use only identical MASTERFORCE replacement
parts. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage.
To ensure safety and reliability, all repairs should be performed by a qualified
service technician at an authorized Service Center.

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WARRANTY
If, during normal use, this MASTERFORCETM power tool breaks or fails due
to a defect in material or workmanship within three years from the date of
original purchase, simply bring this tool and its sales receipt back to your
nearest Menards®retail store for a free equivalent replacement within those
three years.
The warranty:
(1) excludes expendable parts including but not limited to blades, bits, light
bulbs, and/or batteries;
(2) shall be void if this tool is used for commercial or/and rental purposes;
and
(3) does not cover any losses, injuries to persons/properties, or costs. This
warranty does give you specific legal rights and you may have other
rights, which vary from state to state.
*SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. Your warranty is void without them. For help, please
call to our customer center, toll free number: 1-866-917-4374.