24
Figure 33
Cutting Operatio ns There are two basic types of cuts: ripping and
crosscutting. Ripping is cutting along the length and
the grain of the workpiece. Crosscutt ing is cutting
either across the width or across the grain of the
workpiece. (It is not safe to rip or crosscut by
freehand). Ripping requires the use of the rip fence,
and crosscutting requires the miter gauge. NEVE R
USE THE TWO AT THE SAME TIME.
Before using the saw each time,
check the following:
• The blade is tightened to the arbor.
• The bevel angle lock knob is tightened.
• If ripping, make sure the fence is locked into
position and is parallel to the miter gauge
slot.
• The blade guard is in place and working
properly.
• Safety glasses are worn.
• The failure to adhere to these common safety
rules, and those printed in the f ront of this
manual, can greatly increase the likelihood
of injury.
Ripping
To prevent serious injury:
• Never use a miter gauge when ripping.
• Never use more than one rip fence during a
single cut.
• Do not allow familiarity or frequent use of
your table saw to cause careless mistakes.
Remember that even a careless fr action of a
second is enough to cause a severe injury.
• Keep both hands away from the blade and
clear from the path of the blade.
• The workpiece must have a stra ight edge
against the fence and must not be warped,
twisted, or bowed when ripping.
1. Remove the miter gauge a nd store it in the
“storage” compartment in the base of the saw.
2. Secure the rip fence to the table.
3. Raise the blade so it is about 1/8 in. higher than
the top of the workpiece.
4. Place the workpiece flat on the table and against
the fence. Keep the workpiece away from t he
blade.
5. Turn the saw ON and wait for the bl ade to come
to full speed.
6. Slowly feed the workpiece into the blade by
pushing forward only on the workpiece sect ion
(A, Fig. 34) that will pass between the blad e a nd
the fence.
AVOID KICKBACK by pus hing
forward on the section of the workpiece that
passes between the blade and the fence. Never
perform any freehand operations.
Figure 34
Referring to Figure 35:
7. Keep your thumbs off the table top. When both of
your thumbs touch the front edge of the table (C),
finish the cut with a push stick. To make an
additional push stick, use the pattern on page 29.
8. The push stick (D) sho uld always be used for
any ripping operation.
9. Conti nue pushing the workpiece with the push
stick (D) until it passes through t he blade g uard
and clears the rear of the table.
10. Never pull the piece back when the blade is
turning. Turn the switch OFF. W hen the blade
completely stops, you can then remove the
workpiece.
Never attempt to pull the
workpiece backwards during a cutting operation.
This will cause kickback and serious injury to
the user can occur. When the blade completely