3.To make sure the blade is 90 degrees to the shoe, place saw on the blade side and retract lower guard. Place a square against the blade and shoe to inspect the degree setting (Fig. 11).
4.To adjust the degree setting, loosen the bevel adjusting lever up by lifting it up towards the blade. Turn the bevel adjustment screw in or out until the blade is at a 90 degree angle with the shoe.
5.Check that the bevel pointer is at 0 degrees. To adjust the bevel pointer, loosen the two screws in the front handle and reposition the bevel pointer to 0 degrees.
Fig.11
Bevel adjustment screw
OPERATION
WARNING!
To reduce the risk of injury, wear safety goggles or glasses with side shields. Unplug the tool be- fore changing accessories or making adjust- ments .
8.Set the depth of cut for no more than 1/8" to 1/4" greater than the thickness of the stock. The less blade exposed, the less chance of binding and KICKBACK. Before cutting, be sure depth and bevel adjustments are tight.
9.Be cautious of pitchy, knotty, wet or warped stock. These are most likely to create pinching conditions and possible KICKBACK. Do not rip warped lumber. Avoid cutting nails.
Causes and Operator Prevention of KICKBACK:
KICKBACK is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or mis- aligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.
When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf, or cut- ting slot, closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward 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 causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward operator.
KICKBACK is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operat- ing 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 body and arm to allow you to resist KICKBACK forces. KICKBACK forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precau- tions are taken.
2.When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or KICKBACK may oc- cur. 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, or cut, and check that saw teeth are not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding, it may walk up or KICKBACK 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 produce 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 “Pocket Cut” into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause KICKBACK.
10.Use a rip fence or edge guide when ripping. Guides improve control and reduce blade binding.
11.Stay alert. Any distraction can cause twisting or binding. Repetitive cuts may lull the user into careless movements.
General Operation (Fig. 12 & 13)
Always clamp the workpiece securely on a saw horse or bench (Fig. 12). See “APPLICATIONS” for the correct way to support your work in different situations.
Fig. 12
1.Draw a cutting line. Place the front of the shoe on the edge of the workpiece without making blade contact. Hold the
Fig. 13
2.Line up the sight line with your cutting line. Position your arms and body to resist KICKBACK. Pull the trigger, allowing the motor to reach full speed before beginning to cut.
3.While cutting, keep the shoe flat against the workpiece and maintain a firm grip. Do not force the saw through the workpiece. Forcing a saw can cause KICKBACK.
page 8