Table Saw Specific Safety Rules

BEFORE CONNECTING THE TOOL TO A POWER SOURCE (RECEPTACLE, OUTLET, ETC.), BE SURE VOLTAGE SUPPLIED IS THE SAME AS THAT SPECIFIED ON THE NAMEPLATE OF THE TOOL.

A power source with voltage greater than that specified for

the tool can result in serious injury to the user — as well as damage to the tool. If in doubt, DO NOT PLUG IN THE TOOL. Using a power source with voltage less than the nameplate rating is harmful to the motor.

Basic Operation and Set Up.

Table saws are intended to cut wood, wood like or plastic materials. Do not cut metal with table saws. Plastic and composition (like hardboard) materials may be cut on your saw. However, since these are usually quite hard and slippery, the anti-kickback pawls may not stop a kickback. Therefore, be especially attentive to following proper set-up and cutting procedures for ripping. Do not stand, or permit anyone else to stand, in line with a potential kickback.

Unplug saw before making adjustments, repairs or storing. Accidental start-ups can cause serious personal injury.

Wear eye, ear and dust protection. Dust and particles from cutting should not be inhaled. Eye protection can shield your eyes if small pieces of wood or other objects are thrown back during operation. Power tools are loud in operation, protect your hearing with earplugs or muffs.

Do not wear such items as loose fitting gloves, loose clothing, necktie, or jewelry. Tie back long hair and roll long sleeves above elbows. Loose clothing or jewelry can be caught in rotating parts and you may be dragged into the cutting element of the power tool.

Use the table saw in a well-lit area and on a level surface, clean and smooth enough to reduce the risk of trips and falls. Cluttered work areas are accidents waiting to happen.

Make sure the floor is clean and non-slippery or non- skid where the table saw is set up. Wear non-slip footwear. If you cannot control your motion, you cannot control the work.

Never turn the saw “ON” before clearing the table of all tools, wood scraps, etc., except the workpiece and related feed or support devices for the operation planned.

To avoid tipping your table saw in operation, BOLT it securely to a stand or workbench. Long workpieces need extra support on the outfeed side such as an auxiliary support or roller stand. Long and heavy pieces may cause the table saw to tip over if not supported properly.

Don’t try to cut large sheets that you cannot guide with the fence or miter gauge. If you cannot see the tabletop under the workpiece, the workpiece is too big for safe cutting with the table saw.

Turn the table saw “OFF” and let the spinning blade stop before attempting to remove cutoff or workpiece from table. You may inadvertently contact the coasting blade.

Use common sense – if your set up doesn’t feel right or is not complete – Don’t attempt the cut! Complete the set up using clamps, feather boards, push sticks, fence, miter

gauge, outfeed support, side support or whatever it takes to keep the workpiece moving through the blade cleanly, smoothly and without making contact with you.

Stop operating immediately if any part of your saw is missing, malfunctioning, has been damaged or broken such as the motor switch, or other operating control, a safety device or the power cord. Repair or replace the particular part before operating the table saw again.

Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback

with a Table Saw:

Kickbacks are caused by operator inattention and misuse of the table saw (i.e. binding the blade, lack of guard, splitter, kickback pawls or use of miter gauge with rip fence). Kickbacks can cause serious injury. A “KICKBACK” occurs when a part of the workpiece binds between the blade and the rip fence or other fixed object. Workpiece binding the blade due to misalignment can also cause kickback. During kickback, workpiece rises from table and is thrown rapidly back toward the operator. Keep your face and body to one side of the blade, out of line with a possible “KICKBACK”.

In general, some simple procedures and setups can usually avoid kickbacks and possible injury:

Adjust the blade so that it is parallel to the miter gauge slots on the table then adjust the fence so that it is parallel to the blade. Do not use miter gauge and rip fence together in cutting operations. A misaligned fence, miter gauge or these two devices used together could cause the workpiece to become like a wedge and bind the spinning blade.

Always use the guard for every through cutting operation. The guard system (hood, splitter and anti- kickback pawls) is designed to reduce the intensity of a kickback and keep your hands away from the spinning blade.

When using a push stick or block the trailing end of the work must be square. A push stick or block against an uneven end can slip off or push the work away from fence.

Keep the saw blade clean and sharp. Dull and sticky blades will increase the tendency to bind in the workpiece.

Do not trap or confine the cut-off piece when ripping or crosscutting. Let the cut off piece be free to move away from the blade. Trapping the workpiece between the fence and the blade will cause a kickback.

Do not position your hands or fingers in the path of the blade. You may slip into the blade if you apply uneven or excessive force. You can be dragged back into the blade during a kickback.

Push the workpiece through against the rotation of the blade. Never feed material from the back of the saw as the blade can launch the workpiece at great velocity across the tabletop.