Basic Saw Operations, Body and Hand Position

Basic Saw Operations

Correct Use

Incorrect Use

Body and Hand Position

FIG. 16

!Position your body and hands properly to WARNING make cutting easier and safer. Observe

the following instructions (Figure 16).

• Never place hands near cutting area. Keep hands
outside the “No Hands Zone”. The “No Hands Zone” is
defined as the area between marked lines on the left and
right side of the Base, including the entire Table and
portion of the Fence within these marked lines. This zone	Correct Use	Incorrect Use
is labeled by “No Hands” symbols placed just inside the	Correct Use	Incorrect Use
marked lines on the Base.

• Hold workpiece firmly to the fence to prevent movement.

• Keep hands in position until trigger has been released and blade has stopped completely.

• Keep feet firmly on the floor and maintain proper balance.

• Follow the miter arm when mitering left or right. Stand slightly to the side of the saw blade.

• Sight through the lower guard if following a pencil line.

• Before making any cut, with the power off, lower the blade to preview the blade path.

The lower guard may not automatically ! WARNING open under certain cutting conditions. If

this occurs:	2	FIG. 17
	2

• Typically this may occur when trying to cut workpieces that are near the maximum cutting height capacity. Under these conditions, the workpiece can stop the lower guard movement before the downward motion of the arm could preopen the lower guard. If this occurs:

•Workpiece must be securely clamped. This frees your left

hand to raise the guard 1 by the lip 2 just enough to clear the workpiece (Figure 17).

• Start the saw and begin your cut.

• Once you have cleared the position where the lower guard may bind, release the guard and it will continue to raise automatically as you cut.

Be aware of the path of the sawblade. Make a dry run with	1
the saw OFF by conducting a simulated cutting cycle, and	1
observe the projected path of the sawblade. Keep hands out
of the path of sawblade.

DRY RUN—It is important to know where the blade will intersect with the workpiece during cutting operations. Always perform the simulated cutting sequence with the power tool switched OFF to gain an understanding of the projected path of the sawblade. Mentally note where the path of sawblade will fall and set up your work to keep your hands and arms out of the path of the spinning blade. Adjust your clamps and fences so that the smooth lower guard and cutting action is not interfered with during cutting operation.