SETUP & OPERATION MANUAL FEATURES Sturdy welded steel frame & precision balanced wheels with replaceable tires. 12” WOOD CUTTING BANDSAW Easy-to-assemble open-base steel stand. Precision easy-adjust European style blade guide bearings included. Two cutting speeds for excellent results in either hard or soft woods. Miter gauge with aluminum crosscut fence included. Deluxe dual-position rip fence system. Hinged doors and easily accessible blade tension knob, for fast blade changes and adjustments.
GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL 8360 Champ-d’Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3 Telephone (514) 326-1161 • Fax (514) 326-5555 • www.general.ca THANK YOU for choosing this General® International model 90-040 12” Wood Cutting Bandsaw. This bandsaw has been carefully tested and inspected before shipment and if properly used and maintained, will provide you with years of reliable service.
GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY All component parts of General® International and Excalibur by General International® products are carefully inspected during all stages of production and each unit is thoroughly inspected upon completion of assembly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Rules for safe operation...................................................................................................... 5 Electrical requirements....................................................................................................... 6 Identification of main parts and components................................................................... 7 Unpacking..................................................................................................................
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION To help ensure safe operation, please take a moment to learn the machine’s applications and limitations, as well as potential hazards. General® International disclaims any real or implied warranty and hold itself harmless for any injury that may result from the improper use of it’s equipment. 1. Do not operate the bandsaw when tired, distracted or under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medIcation that impairs reflexes or alertness. 2.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE CONNECTING THE MACHINE TO THE POWER SOURCE, VERIFY THAT THE VOLTAGE OF YOUR POWER SUPPLY CORRESPONDS WITH THE VOLTAGE SPECIFIED ON THE MOTOR I.D. NAMEPLATE. A POWER SOURCE WITH GREATER VOLTAGE THAN NEEDED CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE USER AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE. IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE CONNECTING TO THE POWER SOURCE. THIS TOOL IS FOR INDOOR USE ONLY. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN WET OR DAMP LOCATIONS.
IDENTIFICATION OF MAIN PARTS AND COMPONENTS E F D G H C I B N L J K A M A. STAND H. BLADE B. RIP FENCE I. C. ON/OFF SWITCH WITH REMOVABLE KEY J. LOWER DOOR LOCK KNOB D. UPPER WHEEL DOOR K. BELT TENSION KNOB E. BLADE TENSION KNOB L. LOWER WHEEL DOOR F. M. DUST TRAY UPPER DOOR LOCK KNOB G. BLADE GUARD LOCK KNOB MITER GAUGE N.
UNPACKING Carefully unpack and remove the unit and its components from the box and check for missing or damaged items as per the list of contents below. NOTE: PLEASE REPORT ANY DAMAGED OR MISSING ITEMS TO YOUR GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR IMMEDIATELY. U. CARRIAGE BOLT........................................................................ 1 V. RIP FENCE GUIDE HOOK.......................................................... 1 W. 10 - 13 MM COMBINATION WRENCH.....................................
BASIC FUNCTIONS This 12” Wood Cutting Bandsaw is supplied with a 1/2” general purpose blade and is designed to accommodate blade widths from 1/8” to 3/4”. Ideal blade length for this model 90-040 is 88” (2240 mm). Note: Generally speaking, because the upper wheel height is somewhat adjustable (to allow for blade tensioning), a blade length variation of plus or minus 1/2” from the “ideal blade length” can be accommodated. Maximum inboard width of cut is 12”.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ASSEMBLING, MAKE SURE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN THE “OFF” POSITION AND THAT THE POWER CORD IS UNPLUGGED. DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON THE MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION STEPS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OF THE MANUAL. ASSEMBLING THE STAND 10 2. 1. Attach two stand legs and a small cross brace using the carriage bolts, flat washers and nuts. Note: Tighten the nuts by hand only. 3.
BEFORE ASSEMBLING, MAKE SURE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN THE “OFF” POSITION AND THAT THE POWER CORD IS UNPLUGGED. DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON THE MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION STEPS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OF THE MANUAL. ATTACHING THE MACHINE TO STAND THE BANDSAW IS HEAVY. DO NOT OVER-EXERT. THE HELP OF ASSISTANTS WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING STEP. DO NOT GRIP THE BANDSAW BY THE LOWER WHEEL COVER DOOR WHEN LIFTING. KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM BLADE AT ALL TIMES. A 1.
BEFORE ASSEMBLING, MAKE SURE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN THE “OFF” POSITION AND THAT THE POWER CORD IS UNPLUGGED. DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON THE MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION STEPS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OF THE MANUAL. INSTALLING THE TABLE AND THE 90° STOP (CONTINUED) D F C 5. Screw the table stop bolt with jam nut in the mounting hole C under the table, and then set the table in the horizontal position by hand. E 6.
BEFORE ASSEMBLING, MAKE SURE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN THE “OFF” POSITION AND THAT THE POWER CORD IS UNPLUGGED. DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON THE MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION STEPS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OF THE MANUAL. INSTALLING THE RIP FENCE (CONTINUED) 5. Thread the lock knob of the fence handle. 6. B Slide the fence handle into the fence slot as shown. C D A 7. Pull the handle back towards you and place the fence on the rail.
BASIC ADJUSTMENTS & CONTROLS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SHOCK OR FIRE DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WITH A DAMAGED POWER CORD OR PLUG. REPLACE DAMAGED CORD OR PLUG IMMEDIATELY. TO AVOID UNEXPECTED OR UNINTENTIONAL START-UP, MAKE SURE THE POWER SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION BEFORE CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE. CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE Once the assembly steps have been completed, plug the power cord into an appropriate outlet.
CHOOSING AND CHANGING THE BLADE (CONTINUED) Common causes of blade breakage: • Poor blade guide alignment and adjustment. • Too much blade tension. • Forcing or twisting a wide blade around a short radius. • Setting the blade guard too high above the workpiece. • Feeding the workpiece too quickly. • • Dull teeth. Lumpy or improperly finished braze or weld on the blade. • Continuous running blade when not cutting.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. CHOOSING AND CHANGING THE BLADE (CONTINUED) D 7. Tilt the table to the right as shown, and then pivot the lower guard to the left D. 8. Remove the dust tray as shown. RIGHT SIDE VIEW E 9. Release the blade tension by turning the tension E lever E to the right. Remove the blade carefully starting on the right as shown. 10.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. ADJUSTING BLADE TRACKING Blade tracking means centering the blade on the wheels A. Ideally, the blade should stay relatively centered on both the upper and lower wheels. B 3mm (1/8") Due to natural variations in castings, blade thickness or density and tire wear, absolute perfect centering alignment is rarely attainable.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. AJUSTING THE UPPER AND LOWER BLADE GUIDES RIGHT SIDE VIEW B B 1/32" E A 1. A 0,02" 0,02" F Loosen the two knurled nuts A. Adjust the guides using the knobs B so that the space between each guide and the blade is 0.02“. Note: Use a feeler gauge. 2.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. AJUSTING THE UPPER AND LOWER THRUST BEARING RIGHT SIDE VIEW 1/64" A B 1. For the upper thrust bearing, loosen thumbscrew A. 2. Then manually adjust the thrust bearing shaft B in or out until the bearing is 1/64” behind the blade. Retighten the thumbscrew A. C D 1/64" 3. For the lower thrust bearing (under the table), loosen thumbscrew C. 4.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. SELECTING AND CHANGING THE BLADE SPEED (CONTINUED) A 3. Place the belt on the motor pulley and on the wheel pulley as per the desired speed. See the diagram below. 4. Turn the tension knob clockwise until the desired tension is achieved. Re-install the dust tray, and then close the wheel cover. Note: check the tension by pushing on the belt with your finger.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. CONNECTING TO A DUST COLLECTOR A multi-size dust port fits 4”, 3”, or 2” hose is provided to accommodate connection to a dust collector (not included). Be sure to use appropriate sized hose and fittings (not included). Check that all connections are sealed tightly to help minimize airborne dust.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. USING THE MITER GAUGE 1. Insert the miter gauge into the “T” slot of the table as shown. 2. A 3. Loosen knurled nut A to adjust face fence, and then retighten it to secure the face in place. Lift tab as shown to slide the miter gauge on the table. B 4. Loosen handle B, and lift tab to adjust the face angle with the graduated scale. Tighten the handle.
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS. CHANGING THE BELT AND ALIGNING THE PULLEYS 1. Open the lower wheel cover, and then remove the dust tray. 2. Release blade tension by turning the tension lever A to the right, then loosen the belt by turning the knob B counterclockwise. 3. Remove the blade from the lower wheel only. 4. Remove the retention ring C, and remove the wheel and the belt. 5.
DIAGRAM STAND & MITER GAUGE STAND 203 200 204 205 202 205 204 201 206 IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired. PART # 90040-200 90040-201 90040-202 90040-203 DESCRIPTION SPEC. LEG LONG CROSS BRACE SHORT CROSS BRACE HEX HEAD BOLT M8 X 16 QTY 4 2 2 4 PART # 90040-204 90040-205 90040-206 DESCRIPTION WASHER NUT CARRIAGE BOLT SPEC.
DIAGRAM RIP FENCE IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.
DIAGRAM BANDSAW 26
PARTS LIST BANDSAW IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.
PARTS LIST BANDSAW IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.
PARTS LIST BANDSAW IMPORTANT: When ordering replacement parts, always give the model number, serial number of the machine and part number. Also a brief description of each item and quantity desired.
8360 Champ-d’Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3 Tel.: (514) 326-1161 Fax: (514) 326-5565 - Parts & Service / (514) 326-5555 - Order Desk orderdesk@general.ca www.general.