SteelTrak User Guide – Get to know your cutter

The Cutting Head runs up and down the Main Body of the machine on two stainless steel tracks and has zero side movement giving perfect blade control. The Main Body also encloses a balance weight system that allows the Cutting Head to be suspended at any height, benefiting blade changing and maintenance but also minimising the effort required to lift the heavy duty Cutting Head.


There are four cutting functions built into the machine the top part of the Cutting Head houses the Twin Wheel or TW Cutter, the standard Composite TW Cutter is used for cutting tougher materials than a normal blade can handle. Composite boards such as Dibond (r) and other materials including MDF, Masonite and Hardboard up to 4mm thick are all cut with ease in one stroke. The TW cutter can be easily engaged and disengaged at will.


An optional Aluminium TW Cutter is also available for cutting aluminium up to 1.6mm (16swg) and can be attached to the machine in just a few seconds. If you need further advice regarding materials please contact your supplier.

Cutting boards above 165cm high can be cut in two stages, the first using the Pull Bar then disengaging the Pull Bar and using the handle directly connected to the Cutting Head.

Raise the Cutting Head to chest height, select the cutting tool required and engage it in position ready for cutting. Check the black plastic handle on the Pull Bar is pointing out towards you.


Push the Cutting Head up far enough so the stub shaft on the Pull bar can be twisted to engage in the slot of the handle bracket, and push the Cutting Head to the top of the machine.


Insert the material to be cut into the machine and clamp in position.

Pull down on the Pull bar to cut, the stub shaft is designed so that it locks itself in position when the Cutting head is moved up or down preventing the Pull bar from being able to twist out of place


When the board has been cut as far as the Pull bar will allow, slightly push the Pull Bar up and twist it away from the Cutting Head to disengage it. Raise the Pull bar all the way up to its rest position.

Continue the cut using the Cutting Head handle in the normal way

On the lower half of the Cutting Head is the Multi-Cutter Head housing three instantly selectable cutting tools. To change between the cutting tools just pull the Turret Handle out to the left and rotate it one third of a turn until the indicating label shows which cutter is active.

The Multi-Cutter Head also incorporates the unique Keencut Ratchet System which gives two main advantages. Firstly, it enables thick, tough materials to be cut in multiple passes by setting the ratchet to cut through the board in stages giving the best cut quality achievable and reducing operator effort to suit the operator. Secondly, it locks the cutting blade at the required depth and holds it there mechanically so concentration can be applied to pushing the blade through the material without having to worry about applying effort to hold the blade in the material. Once the blade reaches the bottom of the cut it the ratchet is automatically disengaged and the Cutting Head moves out to its rest position ready to be set for the next cut

The Clamping system enables the operator to control the grip pressure by means of an integral friction brake that maintains the clamping force at the pressure applied by the operating lever. Soft materials can be held firmly without sustaining damage and solid materials held rigidly without movement.

For soft materials such as Foamcore boards, lightweight card, etc… you can use medium pressure. The underside of the clamp grips an area nearly 4cm (1 1/2″) wide with non-marking sponge rubber. Reasonable force can be applied.

if in doubt clamp a sample first with the good surface facing outwards.


For harder materials such as PVC foam board, MDF or Composite boards such as Dibond Use medium to heavy pressure.


For cropping to trim lines, pencil marks, etc… place material in approximate position under clamp, apply light clamp pressure to allow the material to be repositioned. Align the trim marks with the edge of the Sight-line strip and clamp