Tiger™ Diamond Band Saw
User Instructions

Thank you for buying what we believe is the finest in diamond band saws available. If used properly, this Tiger Diamond Band Saw will last for thousands of hours of regular glass cutting. To ensure your complete satisfaction with this product, please read this Owner's Manual completely so that you will learn more about your saw.

Safety

1. Always wear safety glasses while operating.
2. The Tiger™ requires a grounded power outlet.
3. Keep out of the reach of children.
4. Operate only with the wheel cover in place.
5. Unplug when setting up or changing blades.

SET UP

The Tiger Band Saw ships to you fully assembled and ready to use.  All saws are tested and adjusted before shipping to the consumer. There should not be any need to make any adjustments on your new saw. However, there are a few point to check before you begin cutting glass.

First, your saw comes with two allen wrenches which can be used for future adjustments of your saw. Please make sure that these wrenches are not in the water reservoir, or in any way interfering with the moving drive wheels of the saw.

Second, double check that the plug is installed on the lower right side of your water reservoir. This plug is used to more easily drain the water during clean up procedures. It must be tight in place to hold water properly.

Third, place the compressed sponge in place under the lower drive wheel. Then, you may pour water into the reservoir. You do not need a lot of water. About ¼" (6mm) of water should be sufficient. Remember that the sponge will initially absorb some of the water so keep adding it until the sponge is saturated and the level is at ¼" (6mm). 

Finally, check to make sure that your saw is plugged into a properly grounded wall socket. It is the responsibility of the user to make sure that a grounded plug is always used. Under no circumstances should and ungrounded wall receptacle be used nor should the plug be altered in any way to prevent a good earth ground to take place. The Tiger Band Saw is an electrical tool which utilizes a water reservoir. Serious injury can occur if a grounded connection is not used!

As will all glass working tools, always wear eye protection when operating your Tiger Band Saw. Your band saw is not ready to operate.

BLADE INSTALLATION & TRACKING

Remove the Front cover of your saw by loosening the top bolt and Tracking Adjustment Screw on the Upper Blade Guide Arm. Mount the blade first onto the Lower Drive Wheel and then onto the Upper Drive Wheel. It will be necessary to slightly depress the Upper Drive Wheel Assembly so that the blade is riding on the center of the Drive Wheels.

If you are mounting a blade which has been repaired, you may need to lower the Upper Drive Wheel Assembly to account for the shorter blade length due to the repair. To do this, simply loosen the Tension Adjustment rings and lower the Assembly slightly. Then tighten both Tension Adjustment Rings taking care so that they are even.

To correct tracking on a repaired blade or on a new replacement blade, loosen either Tracking Adjustment Bolt and rock the Drive Wheel forward or backward to correct the tracking. Generally, it will no be necessary to correct the Lower Drive Wheel so always try the top wheel first. If the blade "walks" off the front of the Upper Drive Wheel, rock the top wheel backwards. If it "walks" off the back of this wheel rock the top of this wheel forwards. Always adjust a small amount at a time. Then, turn the saw on at a very slow speed so that you can observe how the blade is riding. When you believe it is riding true, gradually build the speed to top speed.

DRIVE BELT TENSION

The tension on the drive belt is factory set. It should never need adjustment. However, if you believe that the belt needs tightening, please send the saw back to the factory for re-adjustment. Over-tightening of the Drive Belt will cause excessive wear of the Motor and the sleeve bearing in the Lower Drive Wheel Assembly. Remember, your saw has a Two Year Full Confidence Warranty so this type of Factory Service is free of charge.

OPERATING THE TIGER

When using your band saw, remember that diamonds will grind glass away at their own speed. Increased pressure of glass on the blade will not cut more quickly. In fact, too much pressure will actually slow the blade down resulting in decreased cutting speed. So, feed the material in as the blade removes it. A little practice will show the proper pressure to put on the material to be cut. Be patient.

Diamond coated blades can be destroyed very quickly if they are used without and water/coolant. Never run the saw when the reservoir is dry! As you run the saw you will notice a small puddle of water forms on the table top around the blade itself. This means that the saw is getting a sufficient amount of water from the cooling sponge. If you do not see this puddle, or you notice that the blade builds up with a white powder (ground glass, tile, etc.) then you should add a little water to the reservoir - fill it ¼" (6mm) deep.

To increase cutting speed and blade life, We recommend the use of a cutting fluid such as Inland's Router Coolant. This will be a very nominal investment in the added life of your saw blades.

MAINTENANCE

The Tiger Band Saw requires a little bit of regular maintenance to maximize its life and performance. 

First, drain the water from the reservoir after every use. Keep the sponge and reservoir rinsed clean of residue. This will maximize the cutting speed of your blades and extend their life. Replace the reservoir sponge as needed.

Second, Put a few drops of light machine oil or mineral oil onto the felt wasters located behind both the lower and the upper drive wheels every 100 hours of running time. Also, lubricate these felt washers if you are using the saw for the first time in several months.

Third, check the white polymer blade guides located top and bottom of the table top. As the saw is used, these guides will wear. This in normal and will prevent blade damage. However, as they wear, it may be necessary to move these guides forward to better control the blade. To do this, simply loosen the mounting plate by loosening the set screw using the large allen wrench provided. Move the guide forward as needed, and tighten the mounting plate back in place. Replace them when necessary.

DIAMOND BLADES

The blades on a diamond band saw are both very expensive and very fragile. For these reasons, it is important to take the best of care of your band saw blades. Inland has developed blades which will offer the most aggressive cutting action along with the longest life of any blades available. However, extreme care must still be taken to ensure that you receive all of the useful cutting life from your blades.

Almost all saw blades break from severe twisting of the blade. Therefore, take exceptional care when cutting very tight curves to prevent this twisting from occurring. Remember to let the blade cut the material at its own speed. if you need to back the blade out of a cut, slow the blade speed down considerably, and back the blade out gently.

Diamond blades are designed to cut hard materials such as glass, tile, ceramic, marble, granite, etc. They will also cut most hard plastics very well. However, should the blade bind up form cutting a softer material (like plastics) simply cut a few inches of scrap float (window) glass to clear the diamond crystals. Never use the diamond blades to cut metals as they will destroy the blades very quickly.

Inland also makes a variety of other fine glass working tools and supplies. We offer the most complete line of any manufacturer. Look for these other quality products:

Stained Glass Grinders & Accessories
Diamond Grinding Bits
Diamond Core Drills
Soldering Irons & Accessories
Dura-Life Hand Tools
Carbide Glass Cutters
Specialty Glass Cutters
Flux, Patinas & Cutting Fluids
Cement System Glazing Compound
EdgeMaster Glass Foiler
Electric Engraver
Decorative Wood Products

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 Drive
Madison Heights, MI 48071 USA