Performax 241-0988 User manual

OPERATING MANUAL
Reciprocating Saw
241-0988
IMPORTANT:
Read through this operating manual carefully before using this tool. Pay close
attention to all Safety Instructions, Warnings, and Caution sections. Use this tool
properly and only for its intended use.
Safety symbols in this manual are used to call attention to possible dangers.
The safety symbols and their explanations require the operator’s full understand-
ing. The safety warnings do not, by themselves, eliminate any danger, nor are
they a 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 the operator or to others.
To reduce the risk of injury, fire, or electric shock, always follow the safety pre-
cautions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Specifications……………..……………………………………….......Page 2
Safety Symbols…..…………………………………….….....................Page 3
Rules for Safe Operation…..…………………………………….….......Page 4
Description……………..………………………………………............Page 9
Assembly and Adjustment…………….…………………………..……Page 10
Operation……………..……………………………………….........…Page 12
Maintenance……………..…………………………………….....……Page 14
Warranty……………..………………………………………..........…Page 15
SPECIFICATIONS
Motor: 120V 60Hz 8.5A
Variable Speed: 0–2,700 SPM (no load)
Blade stroke: 1-1/8” (28.6 mm)
Cutting Capacity: Metal: 5/8” (15.9mm)
Wood: 6” (152.4mm)
Weight: 7 lbs (3.2kg)

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SAFTEY 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 reciprocating saw. 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 an potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury.
NOTE: (Without SafetyAlert 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 at 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

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SAFETY SYMBOLS FOR YOUR TOOL
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
KNOW THE TOOL
To operate this tool, carefully read this Owner’s Manual and all labels affixed to
the saw before using. Keep this Manual available for future reference.
IMPORTANT
This tool should only be serviced by a qualified service technician. For more
information, call the toll-free helpline, 1-866-858-2664.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES FOR ALL POWER TOOLS
Warning: Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all in-
structions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal
injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
WORK AREA
Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and 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 bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power
tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Double insulated tools are equipped with
a polarized plug (one blade is wider than
the other). This plug will fit in a polarized
outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit
fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still
does not fit, contact a qualified electrician
to install a polarized outlet. Do not change
the plug in any way. Double insulation
eliminates the need for the three wire
grounded power cord and grounded power
supply system.
Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators,
ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your
body is grounded.
Don’t 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 to carry the tool or to pull
the plug from an outlet. Keep the cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges
or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords
increase the risk of electric shock.
When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord
marked “W-A” or “W”. These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce 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 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.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair.
Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose
clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure that the switch is off before plugging
in the tool. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging in tools
that have the switch on invites accidents.
Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool on. A wrench
or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal
injury.
120V~ ,60Hz

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Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
Proper footing and balance enable better control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid
safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate
conditions.
Before connecting the tool to a power source (receptacle, outlet, etc.),
be sure that the voltage supplied is the same as that specified on
the nameplate of the tool. A power source with voltage greater than that
specified for the tool can result in serious injury to the user – as well as
damage to the tool.
Tool Use and Care
Use clamps or another practical way to support and secure the workpiece
to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is
unstable and may lead to loss of control.
Do not force the tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct
tool will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which is designed.
Do not use the tool if the switch does not turn it on or off. Any tool that
cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive
safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons.
Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly
maintained tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier
to control.
Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts,
and any other condition that may affect the tools operation. If damaged,
have the tool serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly
maintained tools.
Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for
your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool, may become
hazardous when used on another tool.
Do not alter or misuse tool. These tools are precision built. Any alteration or
modification not specified is misuse and may result in a dangerous condition.

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SERvICE
Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel.
Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in
a risk of injury.
When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow
instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized
parts or failure to follow Maintenance instructions may create a risk of electric
shock or injury.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR RECIPROCATING SAW
Hold the tool by 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.
Secure material before cutting. Never hold the material you are cutting in
your hand or across legs. Small pieces or thin material may flex or vibrate with
the blade, causing loss of control.
Obtain advice from a qualified person if the operator is not thoroughly
familiar with the operation of a reciprocating saw.
The reciprocating saw is double insulated. When servicing, use only
identical replacement parts.
Avoid cutting nails when using the wood blade. Inspect the workpiece
carefully and remove all nails and staples before cutting.
Verify that the blade always extends beyond the shoe and the workpiece
throughout the stroke. Blades may shatter if they strike the workpiece or the
shoe.
Do not cut oversized workpieces.
Check for proper clearance beyond the workpiece before cutting, so that the
blade will not strike the floor, the workbench, etc.
Verify that the blade is not in contact with the workpiece before the switch
is turned on.
Keep the saw blades clean and sharp.
Use only correct blades. Always use blades that are recommended for the
material and type of workpiece being cut.
Do not leave the tool running. This tool is only intended to be operated when
hand held.

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Turn the switch to the OFF position and wait for the tool to come to a
complete stop before removing the blade from the workpiece.
Keep the handle dry, clean, and free of oil and grease. Always use a
clean cloth when cleaning. Do not use solvents, brake fluids, gasoline or
other petroleum products to clean the tool, because they may damage plastic
parts.
Do not force the tool. Apply firm pressure against the saw pivot shoe for the
sawing operation. Too little pressure or too much pressure may cause jumping
and vibration, and may break the blade.
Do not operate the saw without the pivot shoe in position. The spindle
may strike against the workpiece and damage the reciprocating mechanism.
Do not touch the blade or the workpiece immediately after the sawing
operation. It may be extremely hot, and could burn your skin.
Keep hands away from cutting area. Do not reach under the material being
cut. The proximity of the blade to your hand is hidden from your sight.
Always wear safety goggles or eye protection when using this tool. Use
a dust mask or respirator or connect the tool with an external dust vacuum if
the cutting generates a great amount of dust.

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DESCRIPTION
KNOW YOUR RECIPROCATING SAW (Fig. 1)
Before attempting to use this reciprocating saw, familiarize yourself with all of its
operating features and safety requirements.
WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with your reciprocating saw to make you
careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient enough to
inflict severe injury.
1. Pivoting Shoe Plate
2. Front Grip
3. Variable Speed Trigger Switch
4. Blade Clamp Release Lever
WARNING: To avoid injury and damage, do not operate the saw without the
pivot shoe in place. The spindle may strike against the workpiece and damage
the reciprocating mechanism.
1
2
3
4
Fig.1

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ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT
Remove the reciprocating saw from the carton and inspect it carefully. Do not
discard the carton or any packaging material until all parts have been inspected.
WARNING: If any part of the saw is missing or damaged, do not plug the re-
ciprocating saw in until the damaged part is repaired or replaced.
WARNING: To avoid injury, ALWAYS turn the switch OFF and disconnect the
reciprocating saw from the outlet before installing or changing the saw blade.
ON/OFF SWITCH AND VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL (Fig. 2)
This reciprocating saw is equipped with
a trigger On/Off switch that allows the
operator to turn the saw on and off and to
control the speed
1. To start the saw, squeeze the trigger
switch.
2. To stop the saw, release the trigger
switch and allow it to return to the OFF
position.
3. To vary the speed, simply increase or decrease the pressure on the trigger
switch. The more tightly the trigger switch is squeezed, the higher the
speed.
INSTALLING AND REMOVING BLADES
1. Disconnect the saw from the power
source.
2. Push the blade clamp release lever
down with one thumb.
3. Insert the blade into the slot of the tool-
less blade clamp. (see Fig. 3)
4. Release the blade clamp release lever
to lock the blade.
WARNING: When changing a blade immediately after operation, allow the
blade to cool before removing in order to avoid possible burns.
WARNING: Test to make sure the blade was clamped securely.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

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PIVOT SHOE
Slide the Shoe In or Out
The pivot shoe adjusts towards the back
and the front of the saw to expose different
areas of teeth over the full length of the
blade or for special applications that
require a low clearance.
1. Disconnect the saw from the power
supply.
2. Use the hex key (included) to loosen the 2 screws on bottom of saw housing
(Fig. 4).
3. Adjust pivot shoe towards the back
or the front of the saw, to the desired
position, and retighten both screws.
Pivoting the Shoe (Fig. 5)
The shoe pivots in order to provide
maximum control against the surface
being cut.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

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OPERATION
GENERAL CUTTING (Fig. 6)
WARNING! Before plugging in the tool,
always check to determine that the switch
performs properly and returns to the “OFF”
position when released.
WARNING! To help prevent electrical
shock, hold the tool only by the plastic
handle and the insulated grip area. When
sawing into walls or floors you may en-
counter electrical wiring. Sawing into a
“live” wire will cause electric shock.
1. Unplug the saw.
2. Make sure that the workpiece is firmly anchored: clamp the workpiece to
prevent slipping or moving while cutting.
3. Use the appropriate type and size of blade for the workpiece material and
size.
4. Adjust the pivot shoe as necessary to expose unworn blade teeth for longer
blade life. Carefully follow the instructions in Sliding the Shoe In or Out
5. Check for clearance behind the workpiece so that the blade will not impact
another surface.
6. Clearly mark the line of cut on the workpiece.
7. If cutting metal, apply cutting oil on the line.
8. Plug the reciprocating saw into an electrical outlet.
9. Hold the saw firmly with both hands. Make sure to keep your hands only on
the insulated gripping areas.
10. Depress the trigger switch to start the saw and bring it to the maximum
desired cutting speed before applying the blade to the workpiece.
11. Do not force the tool. Place the shoe firmly on the workpiece while cutting.
Use only enough steady pressure on the blade to keep the saw cutting.
12. Reduce pressure as the blade comes to the end of the cut.
13. Release the trigger switch. Allow the saw to come to a complete stop before
removing the blade from the workpiece.
14. If sawing fiberglass, plaster, wallboard, or spackling compound, clean the
motor vents frequently with a vacuum or compressed air. These materials are
highly abrasive and may accelerate the wear on motor bearings and brushes.
Fig. 6

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WARNING! Do not allow familiarity with the saw to make you careless. One
careless fraction of a second is enough to inflict serious injury.
NOTE: Cutting speeds should vary with the workpiece. Hard materials, such as
metals, require lower speeds; for softer materials use higher speeds.
PLUNGE CUTTING (Fig. 7)
Your reciprocating saw is ideal for plunge cutting directly into surfaces that
cannot be cut from an edge, such as walls or floors. Plunge cutting may be done
two ways, depending on how the blade is
inserted. Column A shows how to plunge
cut with the teeth of the blade facing
down. Column B shows how to plunge cut
with the teeth of the blade facing up.
WARNING! Do not plunge cut into
metal material.
1. Unplug the saw.
2. Insert the blade into the tool. If the
blade was inserted with the teeth
facing down toward the lower surface
of the tool, hold the tool as shown in
Column A, resting the edge of the shoe on the workpiece.
3. If the blade was inserted with the teeth facing up toward the upper surface
of the tool, hold the tool as shown in Column B, resting the edge of the shoe
on the workpiece as shown.
4. With the tip of the blade just above the workpiece, pull the trigger and allow
the tool to come to the desired speed.
5. Carefully pivot the tool on the edge of the shoe, so that the moving saw
blade pierces the workpiece.
6. As the blade starts cutting, continue to pivot the tool until the entire shoe
rests firmly on the workpiece. Then guide the tool along your cutting line to
make the desired cut.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of explosion, electric shock and property dam-
age, always check the work area for hidden gas pipes, electrical wires or water
pipes when making blind or plunge cut.
7. Release the trigger switch. Allow the saw to come to complete stop before
removing the blade from the workpiece.
WARNING! To avoid loss of control and serious injury, make sure that the
blade reaches maximum speed before touching it to the workpiece.
A B
Fig. 7

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METAL CUTTING
The saw can be used to cut metals, such as sheet steel, pipe, steel rods,
aluminum, brass, and copper. Be careful not to twist or bend the saw blade. Do
not force the saw.
The use of cutting oil is recommended when cutting soft metals and steel.
Cutting oil will keep the blade cool, increase cutting action, and prolong blade
life.
WARNING! Never use gasoline, because normal sparking could ignite the
fumes.
1. Securely clamp the workpiece in position and make the cut close to the
clamping point in order to minimize workpiece vibration.
2. When cutting conduit pipe or angle iron, clamp the work in a vise, if possible,
and cut close to the vise.
3. To cut thin sheet material, “sandwich” the material between pieces of
hardboard or plywood, and clamp the layers together in order to reduce
vibration and tearing of the material.
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: To ensure safety and reliability, all repairs should be performed by
a qualified service technician.
WARNING! For your safety, always turn off the switch and unplug the re-
ciprocating saw from the power source before performing any maintenance or
cleaning.
Periodic maintenance of your reciprocating saw allows for long life and trouble-
free operation. The saw can generate considerable quantities of cutting residue.
A cleaning and maintenance schedule should be maintained.
As a common-sense and preventive maintenance practice, follow these
recommended steps:
Inspect the blade; Check it for wear or damage.
Keep the ventilation slots of the motor clean to prevent overheating of the
motor.
Electric tools are subject to accelerated wear and possible premature failure
when they are used to work on fiberglass, 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

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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.
Use a soft, clean and damp cloth to wipe the tool housing. A mild detergent
can be used but nothing like alcohol, petrol or other cleaning agent. Never
use caustic agents to clean plastic parts.
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.
WARNING! When changing a blade immediately after operation, allow the
blade to cool before removing it to avoid possible burning.
NOTE: Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are sus-
ceptible 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.
WARRANTY
If, during normal use, this PERFORMAXTM power tool breaks or fails due to a
defect in material or workmanship within two 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 two
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: 1-866-858-2664.

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