General Safety Information
WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Work Area Safety
•Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents.
•Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo- spheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
•Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
Electrical Safety
•Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet, properly installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the ground- ing prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is prop- erly grounded. If the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.
Cover of
grounded 
outlet box
Grounding prong | Grounding prong |
•Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical shock if your body is grounded.
•Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of elec- trical shock.
•Do not abuse cord. Never use the cord to carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electrical shock.
•When operating a power tool outside, use an out- door extension cord marked
cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electrical shock.
•Use only
•Use proper extension cords. (See chart.) Insufficient conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop, loss of power.
Minimum Wire Gauge for Extension Cord
Nameplate |
| Total Length (in feet) | |||
Amps |
| ||||
|
|
|
| ||
|
| 0 – 25 |
| 26 – 50 | 51 – 100 |
0 | – 6 | 18 AWG |
| 16 AWG | 16 AWG |
6 | – 10 | 18 AWG |
| 16 AWG | 14 AWG |
10 | – 12 | 16 AWG |
| 16 AWG | 14 AWG |
12 | – 16 | 14 AWG |
| 12 AWG | NOT RECOMMENDED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Before using, test the Ground Fault Circuit Inter- rupter (GFCI) provided with the power cord to insure it is operating correctly. GFCI reduces the risk of electrical shock.
•Extension cords are not recommended unless they are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) found in circuit boxes or outlet receptacles. The GFCI on the machine power cord will not prevent electrical shock from the extension cords.
•Keep all electric connections dry and off the ground. Do not touch plug with wet hands. Reduces the risk of electrical shock.
Personal Safety
•Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com- mon sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious per- sonal injury.
•Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jew- elry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jew- elry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
•Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF be- fore plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging tools in that have the switch ON in- vites accidents.
•Remove adjusting keys or switches before turning the tool ON. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.
2 | Ridge Tool Company |