16.Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use.

Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.

17.Lower guard should be retracted manually only for special cuts such as ″plunge cuts″ and ″compound cuts.″ Raise lower guard by retracting handle and as soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.

18.Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing saw down on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever

is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is released.

19.DO NOT USE THIS SAW WITH THE SAW HELD UPSIDE DOWN IN A VISE. The saw is not designed for such use and cannot be used safely in that position.

20.Do not use blades made from high-speed steel, metal-cutting blades or toothed circular saw blades. The guards of this saw are not designed to protect against the failure of such blades.

21.Place the larger portion of the saw base on the larger, supported part of the workpiece. This will help maintain balance and control while the cut is completed.

22.Blades must be rated to at least the maximum speed marked on the tool.

23.Maintain labels and nameplates on the tool. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for

a replacement.

24.Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to begin work before turning on the tool.

25.Do not lay the tool down until it has come to a complete stop. Moving parts can grab the surface and pull the tool out of your control.

26.When using a handheld power tool, maintain a firm grip on the tool with both hands to resist starting torque.

29.This product is not a toy. Keep it out of reach of children.

30.Verify that there are no utility lines or hardware in or near the workpiece. This is especially critical for plunge cuts.

31.People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with pacemakers should:

Avoid operating alone.

Do not use tool with power switch locked on.

Properly maintain and inspect to avoid electrical shock.

Any power cord must be properly grounded. Ground

Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.

32.WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities, contains chemicals known [to the State of California] to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

Lead from lead-based paints

Crystalline silica from bricks and cement or other masonry products

Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)

33.WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)

34.The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must

be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.

27.Do not leave the tool unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet. Turn off the tool, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.

28.Use clamps (not included) or other practical ways to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.

Vibration Safety

This tool vibrates during use. Repeated or long-term exposure to vibration may cause temporary or permanent physical injury, particularly to the hands, arms and shoulders. To reduce the risk of vibration-related injury:

SKU 68298

For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

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Harbor Freight Tools 68298 manual Vibration Safety