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Tips on Lancelot use.

Lancelot and Squire are versatile blades which will cut in any direction. Whether you're using the 22 tooth or 14 tooth Lancelots , the following tips will apply.

WARNING: FAILURE TO OBSERVE ALL SAFETY RULES, INSTRUCTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO USER OR OTHERS. DO NOT OPERATE LANCELOT OR SQUIRE WITHOUT FIRST ADJUSTING THE SAFETY GUARD

Your work piece is secured in a work bench, vise or any other manner that insures it is safe to cut. You’re wearing protective safety clothing and all instructions for the assembly of our tools have been faithfully carried out! Don't carve sitting down, don't remove the side handle, wear good gloves and pay attention. A great tool that can do a great deal of damage if it gets away from you.

You will see constant references to Lancelot, however, you can assume the same principles apply to Squire should you use Squire on its own. I’m going to refer to wood as the object being cut, however, if your subject is ice, bonsai trees, rubber or any other soft non-ferrous materials, the cutting techniques are the same. For your information, the depth of cut on Lancelot is 1-3/16", Squire is 11/16". The width of cut is ¼" ±. You may want to remember this when making vertical and horizontal cuts. These tips are written for right hand use carving simply because our tools fit right hand angle grinders. The standard hand position is to lightly but firmly grip the auxiliary handle with your left hand and the body of the grinder with your right. There’s no need to use a vise grip and make your knuckles go white with the pressure - you’ll exert much easier control with a firm relaxed grip.

Instructions for Use

  • Recommended for use with disc/angle grinders equipped with constant pressure switch (paddle, dead man or kill switch.)
  • Unplug power source from grinder when assembling, cleaning, sharpening or removing the tool. Grinder switch must be OFF before connecting power.
  • It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT the safety guard is RESET to the ‘CORRECT’ position as detailed in these instructions. DO NOT REMOVE SAFETY GUARD.
  • Always ensure work piece is securely held in a vice. Do not grip or support the work piece with hands, feet or other body parts.
  • Leather or chain saw or kevlar lined gloves and footwear are highly recommended.
  • At all times, both hands must be used to operate the grinder.
  • Always use safety glasses and/or a full face visor during operation.
  • Inspect and remove all nails, staples and wire obstructions from lumber before cutting.
  • Never start the grinder when the blades are in contact with stock material.
  • Never put the grinder down until it has stopped completely. Failure to do so could cause the grinder to ‘walk’, causing injury or damage. Similarly, do not ram the blades into wood to stop them turning prematurely once the power switch is turned off.
  • Regularly clean the disc grinder’s on/off switch and remove wood shavings and dust. Accumulated debris around and under the switch could clog the mechanism, making it hazardous in operation.
  • Only operate Lancelot and Squire at a safe distance from others.
  • Let the cutting tools do the work. They are fully capable. Do not force tools into the work or apply excessive pressure.
  • Keep hands away from Lancelot and Squire’s blades during operation. Do not reach underneath work or attempt to remove material while blades are rotating.
  • Keep blades clean and sharp using a 5/32" (4mm) saw chain file.
  • Read these instructions in conjunction with the disc grinder owner’s manual for additional user instructions and safety rules.

General Setup

Remove any non-KAT accessory from the disc grinder. Adjust the safety guard as shown on WARNING - SAFETY GUARD and assemble Lancelot or Squire as instructed in CHAIN AND DISC ASSEMBLY.

Insure the grinder’s threaded shaft diameter matches the blade center hole diameter. It is generally recommended that the manufacturer’s backing plate/adaptor is removed so that blade sits on the bottom flange of threaded shaft. There should be ample and sufficient distance and clearance for safe operation where the cutting teeth and the safety guard come closest. This method is especially recommended for grinders with oversize backing discs that will cause an interference to the depth of cut. Tighten securely with manufacturer’s lock nut. If, however, blades touch safety guard, replace the manufacturer’s backing plate, remount blade to sit on arbor and retighten. There must be no movement or slippage of the saw chain between discs.

Safety Guard

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD LANCELOT OR SQUIRE BE OPERATED UNLESS THE POSITION OF THE SAFETY GUARD HAS FIRST BEEN ADJUSTED AS INSTRUCTED.

The angle of adjustment for the safety guard varies with each disc grinder manufacturer. THE MAIN CRITERIA IS THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE SAFETY GUARD MUST BE AS LEVEL AS POSSIBLE WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE BODY OF THE DISC GRINDER. In this position, the SAFETY GUARD WILL ADJUST BETWEEN THE (APPROXIMATE) ANGLES OF 23 degrees and 45 degrees.

DO NOT REMOVE SAFETY GUARD

ADJUST THE SAFETY GUARD 23 degrees TO 45 degrees – LEVEL WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE DISC GRINDER–SEE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. LANCELOT AND SQUIRE ARE DESIGNED TO CUT WITH THE GUARD ADJUSTMENT SET 23 degrees TO 45 degrees .

WITHOUT THE GUARD RESET, THESE CUTTERS WILL NOT CUT PROPERLY AND POSE A DANGER TO THE USER.

Main reasons for this requirement

  1. Safe and efficient operation: Lancelot and Squire were designed to cut, shape, carve etc. with their bottom and partially exposed left side cutting edges. Lancelot and Squire cut on their periphery (cutting edge), different than a traditional grinding wheel or sanding attachment which operates on its side (or face). With the guard rotated to the position stated in these instructions, it opens up the bottom surface of these cutting heads near the bottom of the grinder. This is where a considerable amount of the main cutting is done and is:
    1. a vital part of its versatility
    2. allows for optimum cutting utilization in a comfortable and safe position.
  2. Direction of Waste: With the safety guard properly adjusted, direction of wood chips and shavings will be angularly deflected over the top of Lancelot and Squire, hitting the top of the work piece and away from the operator’s hands and face. If the guard is retained at 90 degrees, wood waste is directed upwards toward the hands/face.

DANGERS of not adjusting SAFETY GUARD

Without the guard reset, it is very difficult and dangerous to complete even the simplest of cuts and no cutting operation must be attempted. Operating the grinder at 90 degrees forces the user to constantly operate the grinder in an awkward and unsafe manner for which these accessories were not designed.

Method of Adjustment: Grinders may have two or three adjustable screws (generally Phillips) or a single screw “clamp” securing the safety guard. As a guide to this procedure, lay the grinder face up, remove the lock nut(s) and backing plate, loosen screws, turn the safety guard toward the left and upwards until the bottom of the guard is level with (or as close to) the bottom of the disc grinder and retighten. Refer CORRECT Diagram.

DO NOT OPERATE LANCELOT OR SQUIRE WITHOUT FIRST ADJUSTING THE SAFETY GUARD.

How To Use Lancelot And Squire As Single Blade

Plunge cuts for rough carving

This is the easiest of all the cuts to execute. Holding the disc grinder and Lancelot in the vertical position with the end of the blade about 2 -3’ above the wood, press downwards into the wood and use slight pressure on the handle to cut deeper. Lift out of the wood and down again next to the first cut, repeating this movement until completed. Using this motion constantly with cuts close to each other will result in rapid wood removal leaving ridged surfaces at the bottom which you can smooth out using the side to side or raker cuts.

Straight cuts

There are so many different applications, lengths and positions for making long or short straight cuts. Is it a log or board requiring one long straight cut or do you need a groove or trench wider than the¼" width of a Lancelot or Squire blade? Are you removing a stump below ground level? Do you want to slice the sides off wood? Is your work piece upright, horizontal, on the ground, on a work bench at waist height or somewhere in between. Whatever your application, the tips below will work for you.

A major rule

To make long or short straight cuts, hold the disc grinder in front of you. The grinder must be switched on prior to making contact with the wood. Cut the wood by pulling Lancelot toward you, against the direction of blade rotation and motor direction. It works safest this way. This cut is totally opposite to the way you make a cut using a circular saw where you push the blade forward and away from you. AGAIN, DO NOT PUSH THE BLADE AWAY FROM YOUR BODY. It is unsafe and you may experience the tendency of Lancelot starting to "run" away from you. Inexperienced users will face the potential of losing control as it "skims" the wood. Nothing will happen but you will no doubt stop that direction of cut and do it the right way. I never make a straight cut pushing Lancelot away from my body.

Long cuts

In general, when making a long cut, position your body and legs comfortably so that you can pull the disc grinder toward you. This is an example of a technique which can apply to any long straight cut. Let’s say you want to make a straight cut¼" wide x 4’ long. You can either do this with or without a line to guide your direction. For the straightest cut, I suggest you mark a pencil line down the middle of the board. Secure the board so that about 18" is protruding out the left side of the work bench. This is to give sufficient support and prevent the board from swaying underneath as you cut. A second person would be helpful to hold the other end (right hand side) for better balance. In this case, you stand in front of the work bench and turn your body to the left so that the disc grinder is at the end of board. Comfortably lean and position your body to the left of the work bench, switch the disc grinder on and position Lancelot so that the left side of the blade cuts down the center line. Hold the grinder a comfortable arm’s length from your waist and start cutting by pulling Lancelot toward your waist. You will control the approximate depth by the amount of downward pressure you apply. Don’t press too hard or you may go down deeper than you expected. You can easily adjust the depth after your initial pass. Pull Lancelot out once you reach your waist and inspect your line. Readjust your board in the workbench and continue the cut from your last position. Repeat until you complete the cut. Practice will enable you to walk backwards and make long cuts with minimal adjustment to the board in the workbench and achieve even cuts.

If you want to make the cut wider or deeper, after your first pass, start at the same end, this time placing the right side of the blade on the center line and repeat the process, Two passes with a single blade will result in a½" wide cut. Each subsequent pass increases the width by¼".

Short straight cuts

For cuts of one foot or shorter, start by depressing Lancelot into the wood to the depth you want or as far as the wood will allow, and pull toward you.¯ Repeat this method, making cuts to the left or right, until completed. This method will enable you to cut as wide as you want to go. Once you have widened out the wood to accommodate the width of the disc grinder, repeat the straight cut procedure, but this time you’ll be cutting at the new, lower level. Repeating this will allow you to go deeper and deeper into the wood. Obviously, you can increase the width and length with each pass.

Sideways cutting

Hold Lancelot about½" above the wood in a vertical position, handle straight up. Switch the grinder on, and tilt it slightly to the left. The handle will be on the right of the blade at about 80° to 85°. Sweep lightly from left to right ø, left to right about three to four times in the same place across the surface of the wood so that you get the cut started. Then start sweeping left to right ø, right to left Ü in a continuous motion from side to side Ö. This will allow you to go deeper into the wood with each pass and give you an arched design. You can even hollow the wood out to where you could fit a wine bottle in the cut.

Raker cuts

You can achieve different effects by using Lancelot in a raking position either from left to right or right to left where removal and shaping is performed with the face of the chain saw teeth. Right to left motion. Turn the grinder on its side so that the face of Lancelot is at about 10° to the wood surface. Not quite horizontal but close! With this cut it is very important that you change the position of your left hand over the auxiliary handle, similar to holding a bicycle handlebar, palm down. Adjust your left hand over the right hand side of the grinder. With your left and right arms extended slightly to the right, pull Lancelot lightly across the surface of the wood toward your waist. This cutting action leaves an incredibly smooth surface finish and lets you remove layers of material without gouging the wood. Left to right motion. Everything is the same as "right to left" above except that your arms are extended to the left and you pull the blade across the wood from the left toward your waist Ø. While removing wood rapidly, this motion leaves a nice ridged or "arched" effect on the surface. A word of caution. Any of these cutting actions result in wood shavings being directed rapidly toward your face, which is why we recommend using a full face visor. At 10,000 rpm’s, they can sting!

Horizontal cuts

In combination with a short straight cut and horizontal cut, this method is great for notching, removing stumps and accelerated wood removal by taking 1" blocks out at a time. Firstly, hold the disc grinder in the same way as a raker cut. Simply turn the grinder on its side so that the face of Lancelot is horizontal to the wood. Hold your left hand over the auxiliary handle, similar to holding a bicycle handlebar, palm down. Comfortably adjust your left hand over the right hand side of the grinder. Brace your legs in a slightly bent but firm position so that they balance your body as you make a forward cut as follows. Place Lancelot horizontally against the side of the wood, lean into and apply slight pressure as you cut straight into the side. Follow the cut around the edge of the wood as required. The blade will penetrate a maximum of 1-3/16".

Notching

Let’s say you want to make a notch in a 2x4. You can free form cut it out if you like or pencil mark the notch. Do a short vertical cut across the top, again pulling Lancelot toward your waist and down to the required depth. Then make a horizontal cut into the side of the wood. This simple process is great for small notches, however, if the length is longer than 1-1/4", make several vertical cuts, the first one being the butt end followed by a series of side by side vertical cuts. You can finish the notch with either a side to side or raker cut. The other method is to make a series of vertical cuts about½" -1" apart followed by a combination of horizontal and side to side cuts. You can also use the raking cut to finish.

Stump removal

Finally, a way to remove unwanted stumps below ground level. If you’ve got a stump grinder I won’t kid you it will do a much faster job but if you’ve felled a tree or have old useless stumps still in the way of your lawn mower, Lancelot is the only hand held power tool that will do such an incredible job. You’ll be working on your knees a majority of the time so you may want to invest in a set of knee pads as well as making sure to have power reaching out to the stump via an approved extension cord for your disc grinder. This job will allow you to use the full range of cuts but here’s a simple technique to remove chunks at a time. Make sure you clear dirt away from the base as much as possible to give you room to work below ground level. You’ll make short straight cuts in the shape of a series of tic-tac-toe patterns. ##, pulling down and across. To start, make your first series of short straight cuts about 1" apart and pull them down to the edge of the stump. These can be as many as the width of the stump will allow. Make the second series of cuts across the first so that you have a pattern of small squares. Position Lancelot horizontally to the stump at the bottom of these squares (about 1" below the top of the squares) and proceed to horizontally cut them out as you scythe through the base of the squares and across the new surface of the stump.

Keep repeating this cut to continue lowering the height of the stump as quickly as possible. You can also utilize the full range of different cutting positions and angles until completed. The stump should be forever dead and level. Cover it with dirt and you’re done!

Cutting upwards in a curved surface

If you’re into free form bowl carving, this is a great cut to shape the inside of bowls. You must already have removed a lot of the center and see a rough shape to the sides. This technique can be used in conjunction with raking and side to side cuts. Looking at the inside of the bowl, hold the disc grinder in the raking position. Pick a starting point at the base of the inside of the bowl. Brace and balance yourself as you gently but firmly push upwards and away from your body toward the top of the wood. Use a smooth controlled motion. Continue this action to shape the inside of the bowl. It will result in rapid wood removal and smooth shaping, taking off light layers at a time.

Feathering

Using a gentle touch, you can move across the surface of the wood in any direction using repetitive side to side or up and down motions. Whether you want to shape the sides or top, hold the grinder in the vertical or horizontal position to gently feather small sections at a time. You will find this technique extremely useful toward to the end of your power carving for final shaping and detailing. Always remember to use a very light feather touch - Lancelot can be unforgiving if you make a mistake.