Tapmedic Cutting Jig

The cutting jig is supplied with two thumb screws. These screw are designed to ‘help’ hold the spindle or sleeve length you are cutting in place. They are not used when cutting a screw.

Over-tightening the thumb screws will cause damage to whatever is being held.
When that happens, that component is scrap.
The design of the screws is such that they can be tightened appropriately by using only your fingers. Doing it this way holds the piece in place, rather than damages it.

When you have marked the ‘cut line’ onto your chosen spindle, make sure the marked line is clearly visible in the cutting slot. It really is worth adjusting it so it’s spot-on.

When trimming a handle screw, make sure you thread (screw in) the side you want to be left with.
Doing it like way means that the part you remove (the part you will use) will have to be unscrewed giving you a beautifully clean thread. Warning. The ‘wrong’ way could well mean you having to buy a new jig!

Advice. As most people will use the jig mainly for cutting splined spindles, always draw the hacksaw blade back over the work firmly for its full length before cutting forward. Doing so takes the tops off the splines and stops the blade getting caught up on them going forward. This makes cutting simpler and faster.