- When the cut is finished, switch off and withdraw the
saw when the blade has stopped moving.
- Place the saw in a safe rest position.
PLUNGE CUTTING AND MAKING
CUT-OUTS
To start in the middle of a workpiece or cut out a shape
either drill a starting hole in the waste area of the work-
piece (recommended) or use plunge cutting.
- Practice. Before plunge cutting on the workpiece
practice on scrap material first to determine if it’s sui-
table for the material/blade being used.
- Use short blades only.
- Ensure the bottom edge of the footplate rests on the
workpiece as shown below.
- Start off slowly at a shallow angle, gradually moving
the saw to 900 angle to the surface and continue
along the cutting line.
- When the cut is finished, switch off and withdraw the
saw when the blade has stopped moving.
DURING USE
- Place the blade gently onto the work piece
- Adjust the stroke rate to suit the material and profile of
the cut.
- Tight radius cuts require narrow saw blades.
- Check material for foreign bodies
- For example check wood, plasterboard and building
materials for nails screws etc.
- Check for services. Make sure that there no electrical
wires, water or gas pipes in the material being cut. Do
not proceed if you are unsure.
- Apply suitable lubricant, when cutting metal.
- Do not use water as a lubricant/coolant.
- Clamp material properly. Do not use hand or foot to
support the work piece.
- Keep the footplate on the surface of material.
- Use constant gentle pressure.
- If the blade seizes in the cut, switch off and open the cut
with a suitable tool before pulling the blade out – never
switch the saw on with the blade jammed.
- Reciprocating blade. Be aware of backlash if you touch
the floor or workpiece with the saw running.
- Do not put the machine down with the motor still run-
ning.
- Do not put the machine down on a dusty surface – dust
will get into the air vents and damage the motor.
- Regularly inspect the blade during use (switch off first)
for signs of damage or wear and replace when required.
- Switch the machine off before removing the plug from
the mains socket.
- Be careful. Do not point the saw at yourself or other
people. Keep your hands away from the blade. Saw
away from yourself.
MAINTENANCE, CARE AND
REPAIR
Switch off and unplug the machine before carrying
out any cleaning, adjusting or changing blades.
CLEANING
Do not use flammable liquids to clean the saw, they will
damage the casing and are a fire risk.
Clean with a soft brush or a cloth moistened with soapy
water – dry off afterwards.
FAULTS
Switch OFF immediately at the mains plug and
remove the plug when:
- The plug or cable is damaged.
- The switch on the machine is defective.
- The motor runs hot.
- You smell or see smoke caused by scorched insula-
tion in the machine.
The saw overheats
- Use less pressure
- Clean ventilation slots
- Defective motor, take to your Ferm dealer.
The saw does not work when switched on
- Damaged/faulty plug, switch or power lead, take to
your Ferm dealer for repair.
The saw wanders off the cut line
- Worn or bent blade, replace blade
The saw makes a lot of noise and does not run
smoothly.
- The carbon brushes are worn; take to your Ferm
dealer for replacement.
There are no user serviceable/repairable parts in this
unit. Qualified service engineers must carry out repair
and servicing.
MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE
Keep the tool clean for better and safer performance.
Store the blades properly in accordance with the
maker’s instructions.
Follow instructions for changing accessories. Inspect
tool and extension cables periodically and if damaged,
have them repaired by a qualified person or authorised
service body. Keep handles free from oil or grease. Keep
the ventilation slots clean to prevent the motor overhea-
ting.
Ferm 5
FITTING/CHANGING SAW BLADES
Refer to illustration below.
When changing blades make sure that the blade
slot, clamp plate and guide wheel are free from
sawdust, swarf etc.
- Slide the clear safety shield to its upper position.
- Loosen both bolts (A) with the 3mm Allen key provi-
ded; this is kept in a slot under the dust extractor
opening.
- Insert the blade, with the teeth facing upwards
towards the saw, into the holder (C) on the jigsaw.
- Ensure the blade is fully home and is in the groove (D)
and the rear edge of the blade is in the groove of the
roller.
- Make sure the clamping plate (E) is square to the
blade and tighten the bolts firmly to secure the blade.
- Stow the Allen key in its holder.
- Slide the clear safety shield to its lowest position.
ADJUSTING THE ANGLE OF THE SAW
FOOTPLATE
- Loosen the two footplate securing bolts with the
Allen key provided.
- Slide the footplate towards the rear of the saw.
- Tilt the footplate to required angle – maximum 45o
to left or right.
- Slide the footplate forwards to engage one of the pre-
set angle positions if required.
- Tighten bolts securely
SETTING PENDULUM ACTION
To get the best cutting performance on different materi-
als alter the pendulum action which affects the angle that
the saw teeth cut into the material.
For best results use this control in conjunction with the
electronic speed control (C) - see ‘ operation’ section.
You can alter the pendulum action by moving the orange
lever on the left side on the saw. The lever can be moved
while the saw is in operation.
Here are some suggested settings:
- Setting ‘O’ – soft materials, softwood, aluminium and
cutting curves. Use higher speed
- Setting ‘I’ – thin materials and clean cutting. Use
medium speed.
- Setting ‘II’ – Harder materials, hard wood, metal,
plastics etc. Use lower speed.
To determine the best settings - test on a piece of scrap
before proceeding with the job.
DUST COLLECTION
The saw has a connection for dust extraction; it can be
connected to a suitable vacuum cleaner. Note this does
nor give complete protection against fine dust – wear
appropriate personal protection equipment.
USING THE SAW
BEFORE OPERATING
- Check the voltage on the saw corresponds with your
power supply voltage and that the plug and lead are in
good condition.
- Check you have the correct type of saw blade for the
machine and that it is mounted correctly. Do not use
parts other than supplied with the machine to make
the blade fit properly.
- Check you have a blade suitable for the material being
cut and that it is in good condition.
- Run idle for 30 seconds - if there is any abnormal
vibration or other fault – switch off, inspect and rec-
tify before continuing.
OPERATION
Refer to illustration below.
- Plug into a suitable mains supply and switch on.
- To switch the saw ON – Push in the trigger switch (A)
- To switch OFF release the trigger switch.
- Continuous operation, depress the trigger switch
and push in the trigger lock button (B)
- To unlock trigger switch depress and release the trig-
ger switch.
- To control speed (stroke rate) rotate the speed con-
trol wheel (C) Wheel position A is slow - G is fast.
The speed required depends on the material being
cut and the blade used, as a general guide start slow
and increase until the best speed is found.
CUTTING
- Place the saw in a safe rest position, route mains cable
so that it cannot come into contact with the blade and
plug into mains.
- Place the footplate on the workpiece without the
blade touching and switch ON
- Using gentle pressure, move the saw along the line of
cut, keep the footplate in firm contact with the work-
piece.
- Let the saw do the cutting, undue pressure will over-
load the saw resulting in overheating and broken bla-
des.
4 Ferm
