OPERATION
WARNING:
Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict serious injury.
WARNING:
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating power tools. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes resulting in possible seri- ous injury.
WARNING:
Do not use any attachments or accessories not recommended by the manufacturer of this tool. The use of attachments or accessories not recommended can result in serious personal injury.
APPLICATIONS
You may use this tool for the purposes listed below:
Straight line cutting operations such as cross cutting, ripping, mitering, beveling, and compound cutting
Dado or molding cuts with optional accessories
Cabinet making and woodworking
NOTE: This table saw is designed to cut wood and wood composition products only.
BASIC OPERATION OF THE TABLE SAW
A table saw can be used for
The
NOTE: This table saw is designed to cut wood and wood composition products only. Do not use to cut other materials.
CAUSES OF KICKBACK
Kickback can occur when the blade stalls or binds, kicking the workpiece back toward you with great force and speed. If your hands are near the saw blade, they may be jerked loose from the workpiece and may contact the blade. Obviously, kickback can cause serious injury, and it is well worth using precautions to avoid the risks.
Kickback can be caused by any action that pinches the blade in the wood, such as the following:
Making a cut with incorrect blade depth
Sawing into knots or nails in the workpiece
Twisting the wood while making a cut
Failing to support work
Forcing a cut
Cutting warped or wet lumber
Using the wrong blade for the type of cut
Not following correct operating procedures
Misusing the saw
Failing to use the
Cutting with a dull,
AVOIDING KICKBACK
Always use the correct blade depth setting. The top of the blade teeth should clear the workpiece by 1/8 in. to 1/4 in.
Inspect the work for knots or nails before beginning a cut. Knock out any loose knots with a hammer. Never saw into a loose knot or nail.
Always use the rip fence when rip cutting and the miter gauge when cross cutting. This helps prevent twisting the wood in the cut.
Always use clean, sharp, and properly set blades. Never make cuts with dull blades.
To avoid pinching the blade, support the work properly before beginning a cut.
When making a cut, use steady, even pressure. Never force cuts.
Do not cut wet or warped lumber.
Always hold your workpiece firmly with both hands or with push sticks. Keep your body in a balanced position to be ready to resist kickback should it occur. Never stand directly in line with the blade.
Use the right type of blade for the cut being made.
CUTTING AIDS
See Figure 40.
Push sticks are devices used for safely pushing a workpiece through the blade instead of using your hands. They can be made in various sizes and shapes from scrap wood to use in a specific project. The stick must be narrower than the workpiece, with a 90° notch in one end and shaping for a grip on the other end.
A push block has a handle fastened by recessed screws from the underside. Be sure the screw is recessed. Use it on
29