Here at TechShop in San Jose, we have our Jet "Cold Saw". This tool works very similarly to a Miter saw in the wood shop, but it is for metal. It uses a different type blade, and a coolant liquid to cut though metals. Eventually this blade does get dull, and dull blades will take forever to cut through material, and are dangerous. The best thing to do is to just change the blade.

*As a note, this instructable is intended for people who have their own shop/ shop tools. If you are working at a TechShop location, do not change the blade yourself. Have a staff member help instead!

**As a second note, this guide is here to help you when using your own manual. Do not use this guide alone if you are inexperienced with servicing tools. Use this guide as your own risk.

Step 1: Un Plug the Machine

UN PLUG This is one of the first things you should do when performing maintenance on any machine. This will make it so the machine cannot be accidentally turned on, which would be very very dangerous

Step 2: Gain Access to the Blade

Remove the bolt from the jointed arm that controls the protective housing of the blade. This will allow for easy access to the blade space. do not open the protective area and then let go now, because there is no leverage to make the mouth of the housing close slowly. you could pinch a finger if you are not paying attention.

Step 3: My Name Is Alan, Alan Wrench

Get a VERY large Alan wrench to loosen the screw that holds the blade in place. Keep in mind that this screw is threaded reverse!

With the screw removed, you are now free to remove the cutter cap, and the to slide the blade off of the spindle bolt (it is the housing that also had the rod that the blade is resting on.

Slide the blade out.

Step 4: New Blade! (Sans Westley Snipes)

Here is a pic of the new blade (it has a protective rubber coating over the teeth right now. Remove the rubber coating, but make sure to not place the blade on a metal surface. Our shop happens to use carbide blades, but it is a general rule to not place the blade on a metal surface to avoid dangers of chipping a blade. On that note, make sure to inspect the blade for any defects. If the blade is defective, DO NOT USE THE BLADE.

Step 5: Insert the Blade

Make sure that the teeth on the blade will be cutting in a downward motion when you reinstall the blade. Now, re-mount the blade into the housing. Make sure to line up the cutter cap pins when you are mounting the blade. If they are not aligned, spin the blade into the pins fall into place. Then screw in the screw back into place with the alan wrench to a tight, but not overly tight state. Spin the blade once to make sure that it is aligned and has no wobble. Then put the arm back together for the housing. Plug in the machine and then test the blade once more without any hing to cut. If there are no problems, then your job is done!