Safety

The PowerTower 8™ is a power tool! Please observe these safety considerations as you use it.

• Wear safety glasses while operating this saw or setting up this saw..

• The PowerTower 8 must be plugged into a grounded electrical outlet. It could have a ground position which is not connected. Test it with a ground tester or have a qualified electrician test it. The saw is intended to be used indoors in a dry working area.

• Keep this saw out of the reach of children and unplugged when not in use.

• Do not operate this saw unless the front cover secured and closed.

• Unplug the saw before you open the front cover to avoid the possibility of the saw being turned on while you are setting up the saw, making adjustments, changing blades, etc..

(1) PowerTower 8™ saw.
(1) White plastic worktable for diamond sawing (it is attached to the table bracket).
(1) Coolant feed bottle and drip control clip.
(1) Black metal triangular coolant drain pan 
(1) Metal worktable for wood sawing
(1) Straight line fence for wood sawing
(1) Miter gauge for wood sawing.
(1) Bag marked "Hand Wrenches" with:

• (1) Table mounting handle

• (1) Small allen wrench

• (1) Large allen wrench

(1) Bag marked "Diamond Saw Set up" with: 

• (1) Diamond band saw blade

• (3) White blade guide BladeSerts^™ 

• (1) 1/16" allen wrench

• (1) Gray plastic hose nipple

• (1) 3 feet of - 7/16" clear plastic tubing

(1) Bag marked "Parts for Wood Saw Set up" with:

• (1) Red metal upper guard cover

• (4) Split ring washers 

• (4) Standard metal washers

• (4) Hex machine screws for mounting the metal wood table

• (1) Upper blade guide unit 

• (1) Upper blade guide roller

•  (1) Lower blade guide unit

• (1) Medium socket head machine screw

•  (4) Small socket head machine screws

How to set up the PowerTower 8™ for Diamond Sawing

Your saw is shipped set up for diamond sawing as these pictures show.

1. Position the saw with the front facing you. The power cord should be disconnected.

2. Remove the metal stabilizer plate from the rear of the white plastic worktable . You will remount these parts as soon as the blade is mounted so keep them handy.

3. Remove the plastic worktable from the metal table bracket by loosening the four wing nuts.

4. A screw hole and crescent mounting "ridge" for the metal table bracket are on the back of the saw frame. Mount the metal worktable bracket on the rear of the saw frame with the "forks" to the front of the saw. Level the metal table bracket and tighten it by screwing in the black table handle.

5. Unlock/open the saw front cover by lifting the black plastic cover latches up and pulling outward. 

6. Remove the metal cowling (see picture below) that covers the lower wheel by pulling it out.
   

   metal cowling installed	note hose and blade in sponge positions

7. Locate the black plastic tension latch on the top of the saw. Release the tension by raising the latch.

8. With the diamond edge of the blade facing you mount it around the large upper and lower drive wheels of the saw. Push down on the spring-loaded upper drive wheel when you mount the blade.

9. Position the blade between the leather wiper strip and the lower drive wheel. The leather wiper strip is located at about 8:00 on the lower drive wheel.

10.  Cut a small slit in the sponge on the adjustable upper guide arm to allow the blade to pass through the sponge (see picture above on page 2)

11.  Gently add tension to the blade by slowly pushing down the black plastic tension latch (see photo at left) from straight up to a perpendicular position. Check the blade tension. It should be as loose as possible. This means that you can easily push the blade left or right about 1/4 to 3/8", 3" above the worktable when the BladeSert™ blade guide is in place (also see STEP 3 ). If the blade is too tight or too loose, flip the black plastic tension latch straight up and increase or decrease the tension by rotating it clockwise or counter-clockwise, then slowly push it back to the perpendicular position. Repeat this step as necessary. The diamond band saw blade is very thin allowing you to saw very small.  It can break if you have excessive tension

12. Check the blade tracking by turning the upper drive wheel several revolutions by hand. Tracking is preset in our factory. You may need to change the tilt of the upper drive wheel (to center the blade on the drive wheels) by turning the black plastic tilt adjustment knob located on the back of the saw. Tilting the wheel to position the blade forward on the upper drive wheel moves it back on the lower drive wheel, and vice versa. (Also see Adjusting Blade Tracking and Tension - p. 4.). 

13. Place the metal cowling over the lower wheel. Close and latch the front cover.

14. Re-attach the plastic work table to the metal table bracket. Make sure the blade slot is behind the blade. Pull the plastic worktable forward in the metal table bracket and tighten the four wing nuts. Turn the left front wing nut parallel to the side of the worktable for the front cover to open and close properly.

15. Re-attach the metal stabilizer plate in the blade slot at the rear of the. plastic worktable.

Step 2 -- Installing the BladeSert™ Blade Guide

The BladeSert™ "blade guide" improves the stability of the diamond blade while you saw. It supports the blade at the top of the worktable, precisely where it is needed. BladeSerts™ help you saw more accurately. Two extra BladeSerts™ are included with your saw. Replacements are inexpensive and available at your Inland Dealer.

1. 1. Place the white plastic BladeSert™ behind the blade with its groove facing forward. Move it forward into the blade, then slide it down into the worktable. 

2. An upper blade guide is not required for diamond sawing. The BladeSert™ provides adequate support.

3. The BladeSert™ must be removed if the worktable is tilted.

Step 3 -- Adjusting Blade Tension and Tracking

NOTE: Unplug your saw from the electrical outlet before making these adjustments. The blade tension must not be too tight or too loose. If it is too tight you risk breaking the blade. If it is too loose it will not saw properly. Use this rule of thumb: With correct tension you should be able to move the blade left or right 1/4 to 3/8" at a point 3 inches above the worktable with the BladeSert™ blade guide in place.

1. The black plastic blade tension adjustment lever is on the top of the saw frame. To make an adjustment, flip the "lever" up straight. This releases the spring-loaded tension on the upper drive wheel and the blade. Turn the lever clockwise to increase blade tension. Turn it counterclockwise to reduce tension. After making the adjustment, push the lever back down to perpendicular to lock the adjustment.

2. Make tension adjustments in half-turn increments repeating the procedure as many times as necessary to achieve the correct tension as indicated above.

Step 4 -- Coolant Feed System:

1. Slide the coolant bottle into the wire retainers on the rear of the saw (see photo below). The bottle fits snugly in the wire retainers. You can loosen the wire retainer screws before you insert the bottle.

2. Insert the free end of the plastic feed tube through the white plastic clip on the aluminum arm above the worktable. Position the end of the hose behind the blade and above the sponge. Secure the tube in the white plastic clip by tightening the clip screw using the allen wrench provided.
   

   coolant bottle mounted in wire retainers	bottom of saw with drain pan in place

3. Insert the gray plastic hose nipple into the black metal triangular drain pan. (See picture above). HINT: Run cold water over the gray plastic hose nipple (temporarily shrinking it) and/or apply lubricant to the nipple before inserting it into the .black triangular drain pan.

4. Tilt the saw back slightly. Insert the rear lip of the black metal triangular drain pan in the slot between the gray saw frame and the black foot casting. Lower the saw. The drain pan should sit flat on your work bench with the drain hole extending over the edge of your workbench. (See picture to the left).

5. Slide one end of the 3 foot section of 7/16" clear plastic tubing onto the gray plastic hose nipple and place the other end of the hose in a bucket to collect used coolant. HINT: Run hot water over the end of the hose and/or put soap or lubricant inside the hose to ease the fit.

Operating the PowerTower 8™ with a Diamond Band Saw Blade

1. Plug the saw into your grounded electrical outlet.

2. Fill the coolant bottle with water (and a capful of Inland Diamond Coolant™ to maximize blade life).

3. Adjust the coolant "drip rate" via the white plastic drip control clip so that it merely keeps the sponge damp and the blade wiped clean. Coolant reduces the friction between the glass or other material you are sawing and your diamond blades. Never run the saw without coolant. However, only a small amount of coolant is required. Excess coolant is unnecessary and will not significantly increase blade life. Coolant should run only into the drain tray. Never off the edge of the worktable. If coolant builds up around the worktable, reduce the coolant drip rate.

4. Turn the saw on. The switch is on the front left side of the saw. NOTE: The red on/off switch is a safety feature. It allows you to lock the saw in off by pulling out the red key portion of the switch. We recommend you do this when you are not using the saw.

5. With the saw running, place a scrap piece of glass flat on the worktable in front of the blade. Using light pressure initially, slowly push the glass into the blade. Let the blade do the work and for now just get a "feel" for the sawing action. The best way to saw is to let the blade do the work letting it saw the glass at its own speed! Learning to get a feel for this is the real secret to using a diamond blade. This is especially important when you are sawing anything other than a straight line.

6. If the blade seems loose or limp as you saw, you need to increase the blade tension. Refer to the Adjusting Blade Tracking and Tension section on page 4.

1. Push the glass straight into the blade. Twisting is not necessary if you let the blade do the work. Twisting a blade can break it and will not increase the sawing speed.

2. Use lighter pressure when: beginning a cut, making intricate cuts, completing or backing out of a cut.

3. If a white powder appears on the glass or the blade, increase the drip rate slightly and make sure the sponge is positioned to "wipe" the blade. Periodically remove the sponge and rinse it out to remove glass build up and renew it's ability to "wipe" the blade with coolant. 4. If excess coolant is "spraying" off the blade or coolant is puddling , decrease the drip rate of the coolant.

4. Sawing effectively with a thin, narrow diamond blade is an acquired skill. If you let the diamond do the work, you will not break the blade by putting too much stress on it. Sawing with a diamond blade is quite different than sawing wood. The materials you are sawing are usually hard and the diamond is actually wearing away the material as opposed to ripping wood fibers. The rate at which diamond "saws" depends on the material you are sawing. The key is to never twisted the blade excessively.

Problem: The blade is slipping or seems limp and too loose to cut.
Solution: Blade tension is too loose. Turn the tension control lever on the top of the saw clockwise.

Problem: The blade is breaking or wheels strain while running.
Solution: Blade tension is too tight. Decrease by turning the tension control lever counter-clockwise.

Problem: The blade "walks" around or off of the upper drive wheel.
Solution: Adjust the upper drive wheel tilt. Open the front cover to watch the movement of the wheel as you adjust it. To prevent the blade from "walking" off the front of the wheel, turn the black plastic tilt adjustment knob clockwise. "Walking" too far to the back of the wheel requires turning the tilt adjustment knob counterclockwise. This adjustment requires trial and error to get the correct adjustment. It becomes easy to do quickly. NOTE: Adjusting the tilt on the upper drive wheel has the opposite effect to the blade position on the lower drive wheel. Learn to adjust the upper wheel tilt to get the best blade position on both wheels.

1. Unplug saw.

2. Shut off the drip feed. Remove the sponge and the white clip that holds the feed tube in the upper guide arm. Save the long socket head machine screw. Position the feed tube out of the way.

3. Remove the drip tray from under the saw.

4. Remove the plastic work surface from the table bracket.

5. Remove the diamond blade and dry the saw interior. (You may remove the cap covering the saw dust vacuum tube if you intend to use it.)

1. Install the wood cutting blade making sure that the teeth point down toward the table. Check blade for proper tension and tracking. Refer to Adjusting Blade Tracking and Tension section on page 4

2. Install the upper blade support bearing into the upper left hole of the guide arm and secure it with the socket screw (the one from the clip, see picture at left).

3. Install the upper blade guide unit into the lower right hole of the blade guide arm and secure in place using the medium size black socket machine screw.

4. Attach the lower blade guide unit to the lower frame using 2 of the short black socket machine screws (see picture below).

5. Adjust the position of the upper and lower blade guides:

• Lower: Adjust the metal blade guide pins by loosening the guide pin screws. Adjust guide pins close to blade (1/64" away) but not pinching the blade. Tighten screws. Loosen the two screws that secure the lower blade guide unit to the frame. Move the entire unit in or out until the front edge of the guide pins is behind the "gullets" of the blade. Tighten the two screws. 

• Upper: Adjust the metal blade guide pins by loosening the guide pin screws. Adjust guide pins close to blade (1/64" away) but not pinching the blade. Tighten screws. Loosen the screw that secures the upper blade guide unit to the arm. Move the entire unit in or out until the front edge of the guide pins is behind the "gullets" of the blade. Tighten the screw. 

• Upper Blade Support Bearing: This bearing prevents the blade from being pushed too far back when sawing. Loosen the screw that secures it in the arm. Adjust its position in or out so that it sits 1/32" behind the rear edge of the blade. Tighten in place.

6. Remove the alignment screw, washer and wing nut from the front of the table. Use the 4 silver hex machine screws, split ring washers and metal washers to secure the metal wood cutting table to the table bracket. The blade slot will face forward. Replace the alignment screw, washer and wing nut.

7. Turn on the saw and check for proper blade guide position. Make any adjustments needed to ensure the lade is correctly positioned in the guides.

8. Attach the red blade protector to the upper blade guide arm using 2 of the small black socket machine screws.

1. Adjust the placement of the upper blade guide unit. It should be positioned 1/8" above the material being cut. Loosen the guide arm knob located on the back of the saw. Position the guide unit and re-tighten.

2. The same basic rules for sawing glass apply to sawing wood.

3. When converting back to a diamond saw make sure to remove all blade guide units and screws. Clean all wood dust from the saw interior and drain grate. Cover the saw dust vacuum tube hole.

Step 4 -- Using the Special Features and Accessories.

• Tilt Table: The table surface can be tilted to a maximum of 45^o. Loosen the table tilt knob on the lower rear of the saw and tilt the table until the red pointer indicates the desired angle on the scale. Tighten the knob. NOTE: The plastic table can be tilted but the BladeSert™ blade guide MUST BE REMOVED!

• Straight Line Fence: The fence can only be used with the metal table. It is attached to the table by operating the latch on the fence front. The clamping action of the fence is tightened or loosened by lifting the lever and rotating it clockwise or counter-clockwise.

• Miter Gauge: The miter is for use with the metal table only. It adjusts up to 45^o right or left by loosening the lock knob, rotating the desired angle and tightening the knob. It operates by sliding in the table groove.

• Blade Guide Replacement: The BladeSert™ blade guide wears over time and requires periodic replacement. Two extra BladeSerts ™ are included with the saw. More are available from your Inland Dealer, Stock #90012.

• Plastic Work Surface: Wipe or rinse clean periodically. Replacement surfaces are available from you Inland dealer, Stock #90013.

• Saw: Keep interior clean of glass or wood residue. Make sure drain grate remains clear.

• Motor: The motor housing is protected from water by a shrink fit sleeve. DO NOT REMOVE!

• Tension Unit: Periodically check the nuts, bolts and screws. Periodically grease behind the tension slide using Inland Motor Lubricant Inland Stock #50022.

• Standard diamond coated blades: Stock # 91085

• Fine diamond coated blade: 91086

• Wood cutting blade: 91090

Service

If you have any questions or comments regarding the use of this or any Inland product please call Inland Customer Service at 1-800-521-8428 9 AM to 5 PM EST., email us,  or write us at:

Inland Craft Products, Co.
32052 Edward
Madison Heights, MI 48071

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