Further safety instructions for all saws

Causes and operator prevention of kick- back:

-kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the work-piece toward the operator;

-when the blade is pinched or bound tight- ly by the kerf closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back to-ward the operator;

-if the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood caus-ing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator.

Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

1)Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your arms to resist kick-back forces. Position your body to either side of the blade, but not in line with the blade.

Kickback could cause the saw to jump back- wards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.

2)When blade is binding, or when interrupt- ing a cut for any reason, release the trig- ger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a com- plete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or pull the saw back- ward while the blade is in motion or kick- back may occur.

Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding.

3)When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the kerf and check that saw teeth are not engaged into the material.

If saw blade is binding, it may walk up or kick- back from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.

4)Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback.

Large panels tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the edge of the panel.

5)Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades pro-

duce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.

6)Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making cut.

If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.

7)Use extra caution when making a “plunge cut” into existing walls or other blind areas.

The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.

Safety instructions for this saw

1)Check lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the open position.

If saw is accidentally dropped, lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the retracting handle and make sure it moves freely and does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.

2)Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use.

Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build- up of debris.

3)Lower guard should be retracted manual- ly only for special cuts such as “plunge cuts” and “compound cuts.” Raise lower guard by retracting handle and as soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released.

For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.

4)Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing saw down on bench or floor.

An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is released.

5)Do not use any abrasive wheels.

6)Wear a dust mask, if the work causes dust.

7)Use saw blades recommended by Manu- facture.

8)Wear ear protectors when using the tool for extended periods.

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