Central Machinery 8 1/4" compound miter saw

[dcroak]

I have a hand-me-down Central Machinery 8 1/4 " miter saw model S1078. I haven't used it yet but am looking to start building planter boxes with landscape timbers. I would like to match 45 degree cuts in the corners for a better look than butting the timbers up to one another. I can't figure out how to rotate the blade horizontally as a unit to 45 degrees. Can someone please help? I have stared at it and loosened screws over and over again. I can't figure it out. Thanks

[sailor55330]

I don't know if this will help, but when I googled the machine, this link to a manual came up. It says Chicago Electric, which is a HF brand, but it might be the same.

http://images.harborfreight.com/manu...2999/42654.PDF

[joedad]

Try loosening the handle on the front and then turning to 45

[phrog]

I have the S1078. There is a knurled screw on top of the green fence about 4 or 5 inches to the right of the blade slot. It should be hand-tight only. Loosen that screw. Now, using the handle of the saw with one hand and holding the green frame (or the fence) with your free hand (assuming you haven't screwed the frame to a table), rotate the saw to the angle you want. The aluminum platter will rotate with the saw. Once you get the angle set correctly, re-tighten the screw and you're ready to saw. Be sure that you are NOT holding the aluminum platter as you try to rotate the saw or you will be working against yourself.

[capncarl]

dcroak, Ive found that planter boxes and landscape edging made with stacked landscap timbers seem to work better and hold up good with the timbers stacked like a log cabin and a long screw run through the stack at corners and at intervals. Stacked and mitered they tend to fall over and move around when someone steps on them or whacks it with the mower.
capncarl

[LCHIEN]

you can cut through a landscape timber (3" or so thick) with an 8.25" miter saw??? (incredulous).

A 10" saw will only cut 3.5", an 8.25" saw would cut about 7/8 of an inch less... barely 2.5"

[dcroak]

Thanks for all the responses. Sailer, the manual you found is very similar and describes how to rotate as phrog, does. Unfortunately it still won't turn. Joedad there isn't a handle on the front, only a small screw that loosens with an allen wrench. I have removed the screw and a small spring is behind it. Doesn't seem to help.

[leehljp]

Knowing Central Machinery as I do, I would be willing to bet that the steel/iron fittings inside have rusted together. Other than that, if it is like the one in the PDF that Sailor posted, there are two bolts - number 25 that must be loosened. If they have been loosened, re-tighten them barely snug and tap them lightly with a hammer. Then loosen them as per the instructions and see if the platter will rotate.

[dcroak]

There is only one bolt #25 on the right side that can be hand screwed. It does seem to tighten down to the platter when screwed down. There isn't a bolt or hole for one on the left. When in doubt use the hammer method.

[dcroak]

Thanks for the help. It took some serious hammering but now moves freely when screws are loosened.