SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
How to avoid kickback
WARNING! Kickback can happen very
!suddenly and violently; kicking the power cutter and cutting blade back at the user. If this happens when the cutting blade is moving it can cause very serious, even fatal injuries. It is vital you understand what causes kickback and that you can avoid it by taking care and using the right working technique.
What is kickback?
The word kickback is used to describe the sudden reaction that causes the power cutter and cutting blade to be thrown from an object when the upper quadrant of the blade, known as the kickback zone, touches an object.
General rules
•Never start to cut with the upper quadrant of the blade as shown in the figure, also known as the kickback zone.
•Always hold the machine in a firm grip with both hands. Hold it so that the thumbs and fingers grip round the handles.
•Keep a good balance and a firm foothold.
•Always cut at maximum speed.
•Stand at a comfortable distance from the work piece.
•Take care when inserting the blade in an existing cut.
•Never cut above shoulder height.
•Be alert to movement of the work piece or anything else that can occur, which could cause the cut to close and pinch the blade.
Pull in
Pull in occurs when the disc’s lower section suddenly stops or when the cut closes. (To avoid, see the heading ”Basic rules” and ”Jamming/rotation”, here below.)
Pinching/rotation
If the cut is pressed together this can lead to jamming. The machine can be pulled down suddenly with a very powerful jerk.
How to avoid pinching
Support the work piece in such a way that the cut remains open during the cutting operation and when the cut is finished.
Cutting blades
WARNING! A cutting blade may burst and
!cause injury to the operator.
Never use a cutting blade at a lower speed rating than that of the power cutter.
Never use a cutting blade for any other purpose than that it was intended for.
WARNING! Cutting plastics with a diamond
!blade or rescue blade can cause kickback when the material melts due to the heat produced when cutting and sticks to the blade.
General
Cutting blades are available in two basic designs; abrasive discs and diamond blades.
Always remove the cutting blade when the machine is transported.
Make sure that the right bushing is used for the cutting blade to be fitted on the machine. See the instructions under the heading Assembling the cutting blade.
Water cooling
WARNING! Water cooling, which is used
!when cutting concrete, cools the blade and increases its service life while also reducing the formation of dust. Disadvantages include difficulties at very low temperatures, the risk of damaging floors and other structural elements, and the risk of slipping.
After using an abrasive disc with water cooling, run the disc dry for about half a minute. If an abrasive disc is stored in humid conditions, this can cause imbalance and result in injury.
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