Freehand Sole Plate; Changing Collet Insert; Installing Freehand Sole Plate - Craftsman 183.172521 Owner's Manual

CHANGING COLLET INSERT
The cutting bits for this tool are locked into place with a
collet nut (1) and collet (see Fig. 3). The tool is assembled
at the factory with NO collet installed. Both the 118"and ¼"
collets can be found in the carrying case front lid storage
compartment. The 1/8" collet (2) is used for holding hobby
tool accessory bits. The ¼" collet (3) is supplied for
holding SMALL router bits with a ¼" shank.
3
4 2 1
Fig. 3
To change from one collet s_e to the other:
1. Remove bit from the tool.
2. Continue turning the collet nut counter clockwise until
it can be removed from the motor shaft (4).
3.
Pull the collet out of the motor shaft and replace it with
the other one.
NOTE: Each collet is the same on both ends, so either
end can be inserted into the motor shaft.
4. Re-install the collet nut and slightly tighten it by hand.
5. Install the new bit as outlined in INSTALLING
CUTTING BITS on Page 9.
NOTE: Tightening the collet nut without a bit in the collet
will cause the collet hole to become smaller and make
installing bits difficult. When storing the tool with no bit
installed, leave collet nut loose,
INSTALLING FREEHAND SOLE PLATE
The freehand sole plate is designed for basic freehand
cutting with the cutting bit. It is ideally suited for cutting
electrical outlet holes in dr/wall.
IA WARNINGI
Do NOT use the freehand sole plate with router bits.
Limited control with this accessory could cause you
to loose control and inc_ase the chance of serious
injury.
INSTALLING FREEHAND SOLE PLATE - cont'd
Slide freehand sole plate mounting bracket (1) on"
the bottom of motor housing (2) until the slot in th
bracket (3) lines up with the shaft locking button /
the motor housing,
NOTE: The mounting bracket must be pushed on
the motor housing as far as it will go.
Lock the sole plate to the motor housing by snapr
the quick locking lever (5) firmly against the mote
housing.
2
5
!
,3
L--1
Fig. 4
ADJUSTING FREEHAND SOLE PLATE
2.
3.
Adjust freehand sole plate depth by loosening th,
depth gauge locking knob (6) and rotating the
adjusting knob (7) to move the sole plate in or eL
required (see Fig. 5).
NOTE: Set the depth gauge so the cutting bit
protrudes beyond the sole plate 1/8"more than tt _
thickness of the material being cut. For example
you are cutting s/s" drywall, the bit should protru¢
beyond the sole plate.
Securely tighten depth gauge knob.
Before starting to cut you should re-check bit der
Make sure sole plate is at right angles to the bi!
securely tightened. Re-check the collet to make -
the bit is securely fastened.
Fig. 5
10