CAUSES OF KICKBACK
Kickbackcan occur when the blade stallsor binds, kick-
ingthe workpieca back toward youwith greatforce and
speed. If your handsare nearthe saw blade,they may
bejerked loose fromthe workpieceand may contact the
blade. Kickbackcan cause seriousinjury.Useprecautions
to avoidthe risks.
Kickbackcan be caused by any actionthat pinchesthe
bladein the wood such as:
• Makinga cutwith incorrect blade depth
•Sawlnginto knots or nailsin the workpiece
•Twistingthewood while makinga out
•Failingto supportwork
•Forcinga cut
•Cuttingwarped orwet lumber
•Us{ngthe wrong blade for the type of cut
• Not following oorrect operatingprocedures
•Misusingthe saw
•Failingto usethe an_-kick.baokpawls
•Cuttingwith a dull, gummed-up,or h'npmperiy set
b_ad_
AVOIDING KICKBACK
•Alwaysuse the correctblade depth setting. The top of
theblade teeth should clearthe workpieceby 1/8 in. to
114in.
•Inspect the work for knots or nailsbeforebeginninga
cut KnocY,outany loose knotsw_thahamme_'.Never
saw into aloose knotor na|(.
•Alwaysuse the rip fencewhen rip cutting and themiter
gaugewhen crosscutting. Thishelps preventtwisting
thewood inthe cut.
•Alwaysuse cLsan,sharp,and properly-set blades,
Nevermake outs withdull blades.
•TOavoid pinchingthe blade, supportthe work properly
beforebeginningacut,
•When making a cut. usesteady, even pressure.Never
force outs.
•Do not cutwet orwarped lumber.
•Alwaysherdyour workplece fLrmtywith both hands or
with push sticks.Keep your bodyin a balanoed posi-
tionto be ready to resist kickbackshouldit occur.
Never standdirec_y in line with theblade.
•Usethe right type of blade for the cut being made.
CUTTING AIDS
See Figure24.
Pushsticksare devices used for safelypushinga
workpLscethroughtheblade.They can be made _'orn
scrapwood invarious sizes and shapesto be used in
aspecific project.The stick must be narrowerthan the
workpieoe,withs g0°notch in one end and shapingfor a
gripon the otherend.
A pushblock hasahandle fastened by recessed screws
fromthe underside. Use iton non-throughcuts.
CAUTION: Besure the screwsin a pushblockare
recessedtoavoid damagingthe saw or workpiece.
PUStlSTICKS
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