makita 4131 Metal Cutter Instruction Manual

4131 Metal Cutter
Instruction Manual

4131 Metal Cutter

SPECIFICATIONS

• Due to our continuing program of research and development, the specifications herein are subject to change without notice.
• Specifications may differ from country to country.
• Weight according to EPTA-Procedure 01/2014

Symbols
The following show the symbols used for the equipment. Be sure that you understand their meaning before use.

| Read instruction manual.
---|---
| DOUBLE INSULATION
| Pay attention! It may become too hot.
| Only for EU countries
Do not dispose of electric equipment together with household waste material!
In observance of the European Directive, on Waste Electric and Electronic
Equipment and its implementation in accordance with national law, electric equipment that have reached the end of their life must be collected separately and returned to an environmentally compatible recycling facility.

Intended use
The tool is intended for cutting in mild steel.
Power supply
The tool should be connected only to a power supply of the same voltage as indicated on the nameplate, and can only be operated on single-phase AC supply. They are double-insulated and  can, therefore, also be used from sockets without earth wire.
General power tool safety warnings
WARNING: Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below 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

1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents. 2. 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.
2. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Use of power supply via an RCD with a rated residual current of 30 mA or less is always recommended.

8. Power tools can produce electromagnetic fields (EMF) that are not harmful to the user.
   However, users of pacemakers and other similar medical devices should contact the maker of their device and/or doctor for advice before operating this power tool.

9. Do not touch the power plug with wet hands.

10. If the cord is damaged, have it replaced by the manufacturer or his agent in order to avoid a safety hazard.

Personal safety

1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or  medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
2. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection used for appropriate  conditions will reduce personal injuries.
3. 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 energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
4. 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.
5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
6. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
7. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
8. Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
9. Always wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from injury when using power tools. The goggles must comply with ANSI Z87.1 in the USA, EN 166 in Europe, or AS/NZS 1336 in  Australia/New Zealand. In Australia/New Zealand, it is legally required to wear a face shield to protect your face, too.
   It is an employer’s responsibility to enforce the use of appropriate safety protective equipment’s by the tool operators  and bother persons in the immediate working area.

Power tool use and care

1. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

2. 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.

3. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, 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.

4. 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 ands of untrained users.

5. Maintain power tools and accessories. 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.

6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

7. 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.

8. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

9. When using the tool, do not wear cloth work gloves which may be entangled. The entanglement of cloth work gloves in the moving parts may result in personal injury.

Service

1. 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.
2. Follow instruction for lubricating and changing accessories.

Metal Cutter safety warnings

Cutting procedures

1. DANGER: Keep hands away from cutting area and the blade. Keep your second hand on auxiliary handle, or motor housing. If both hands are holding the saw, they cannot be cut by the  blade.
2. Do not reach underneath the workpiece. The guard cannot protect you from the blade below the workpiece.
3. Adjust the cutting depth to the thickness of the workpiece. Less than a full tooth of the blade teeth should be visible below the workpiece.
4. Never hold the workpiece in your hands or across your leg while cutting. Secure the workpiece to a stable platform. It is important to support the work properly to minimise body  exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.
5. Hold the power 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 also make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
6. When ripping, always use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces the chance of blade binding.
7. Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run off-centre, causing loss of control.
8. Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation. Kickback causes and related warnings
   — kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, jammed or misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator;
   — when the blade is  pinched or jammed tightly by the kerf closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator;
   — if the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top surface of the workpiece causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and  jump back toward the operator.

Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

1. Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position your body to either side of the blade, but not in line with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
2. When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to  remove the saw from the work or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding.
3. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that the saw teeth are not engaged into the material. If a saw blade binds, it may walk up or kickback from the  workpiece as the saw is restarted.
4. Support large panels to minimise the risk of blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the panel on both sides, near the  line of cut and near the edge of the panel.
5. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
6. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making the cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
7. Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
8. ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both hands. NEVER place your hand, leg or any part of your body under the tool base or behind the saw, especially when making cross-cuts. If  kickback occurs, the saw could easily jump backwards over your hand, leading to serious personal injury.
9. Never force the saw. Push the saw forward at a speed so that the blade cuts without slowing. Forcing the saw can cause uneven cuts, loss of accuracy, and possible kickback.

Lower guard function

1. Check the lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if the lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the  open position. If the saw is accidentally dropped, the lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the retracting handle and make sure it moves freely and does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.
2. Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use. Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
3. The lower guard may be retracted manually only for special cuts such as “plunge cuts” and “compound cuts”. Raise the lower guard by the retracting handle and as soon as the blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.
4. Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing the saw down on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is released.
5. To check lower guard, open lower guard by hand, then release and watch guard closure. Also check to see that retracting handle does not touch tool housing. Leaving blade exposed is VERY DANGEROUS and can lead to serious personal injury.

Additional safety warnings

1. Do not stop the blades by lateral pressure on the saw blade.
2. DANGER: Do not attempt to remove cut material when blade is moving. CAUTION: Blades coast after turn off.
3. Place the wider portion of the saw base on that part of the workpiece which is solidly supported, not on the section that will fall off when the cut is made. If the workpiece is short or small, clamp it down. DO NOT TRY TO HOLD SHORT PIECES BY HAND!
4. Never attempt to make a cut with the tool held upside down in a vise. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.
5. Wear safety goggles and hearing protection during operation.
6. Do not use any abrasive wheels.
7. Only use the saw blade with the diameter that is marked on the tool or specified in the manual. Use of an incorrectly sized blade may affect the proper guarding of the blade or guard operation which could result in serious personal injury.
8. Always use the saw blade intended for cutting the material that you are going to cut.
9. Only use the saw blades that are marked with a speed equal or higher than the speed marked on the tool.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

WARNING: DO NOT let comfort or familiarity with product (gained from repeated use) replace strict adherence to safety rules for the subject product. MISUSE or failure to follow the safety rules stated in this instruction manual may cause serious personal injury.

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

CAUTION:

• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unplugged before adjusting or checking function on the tool.
  Adjusting the depth of cut
  ► Fig.1: 1. Lever 2. Depth guide
  Loosen the lever on the depth guide and move the base up or down. At the desired depth of cut, secure the base by tightening the lever.
  CAUTION:

• After adjusting the depth of cut, always tighten the lever securely.
  Sighting
  ► Fig.2: 1. Cutting line
  When cutting, align the A position on the front of the base with your cutting line on the workpiece.
  Switch action
  CAUTION:

• Before plugging in the tool, always check to see that the switch trigger actuates properly and returns to the “OFF” position when released.
  For tool with lock-off button
  ► Fig.3: 1. Switch trigger 2. Lock-off button
  To prevent the switch trigger from being accidentally pulled, a lock-off button is provided.
  To start the tool, push in the lock-off button and pull the switch trigger. Release the switch trigger to stop.
  CAUTION:

• Do not pull the switch trigger hard without pressing in the lock-off button. This can cause switch breakage.
  For tool without lock-off button
  ► Fig.4: 1. Switch trigger
  To start the tool, simply pull the switch trigger. Release the switch trigger to stop.

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION:

• Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unplugged before attempting to perform inspection or maintenance.
• Clean out the upper and lower guards to ensure there is no accumulated metal chips which may impede the operation of the lower guarding system. A dirty guarding system may limit the proper operation which could result in serious personal injury. When using compressed air to blow metal chips out of the guards, wear a proper eye and breathing protection.
• Never use gasoline, benzine, thinner, alcohol or the like. Discoloration, deformation or cracks may result.

Inspecting saw blade

• Check the blade carefully for cracks or damage before and after each use. Replace a cracked or damaged blade immediately.
• Continuing to use a dull blade may cause a dangerous kickback and/or motor overload. Replace with a new blade as soon as it no longer cuts effectively.
• Carbide-tipped saw blades for metal cutter cannot be re-sharpened.

Replacing carbon brushes
► Fig.15: 1. Limit mark
Remove and check the carbon brushes regularly.
Replace when they wear down to the limit mark. Keep the carbon brushes clean and free to slip in the holders.
Both carbon brushes should be replaced at the same time. Use only identical carbon brushes.
► Fig.16: 1. Screwdriver 2. Brush holder cap
Use a screwdriver to remove the brush holder caps.
Take out the worn carbon brushes, insert the new ones and secure the brush holder caps.
To maintain product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, any other maintenance or adjustment should be performed by Makita Authorized Service Centers, always using Makita replacement  parts.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

CAUTION:

• These accessories or attachments are recommended for use with your Makita tool specified in this manual. The use of any other accessories or attachments might present a risk of injury to persons. Only use accessory or attachment for its stated  purpose.

If you need any assistance for more details regarding these accessories, ask your local Makita Service Center.

• Rip fence (Guide rule)
• Safety goggle
• Recommended Carbide-tipped saw blades & workpiece ranges

NOTE:

• Some items in the list may be included in the tool package as standard accessories. They may differ from country to country.

Carbide-Tipped Metal Blades for Many Applications

CAUTION:

• Always use carbide-tipped saw blades appropriate for your job. Do not cut aluminum, wood, plastics, concrete, tiles, etc.
• Carbide-tipped saw blades for metal cutting saw are not to be re-sharpened.

Makita Corporation
3-11-8, Sumiyoshi-cho,
Anjo, Aichi 446-8502 Japan
www.makita.com

References

• MAKITA Industrial Power Tools - The Leader In Cordless with 18V LXT Lithium-Ion

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