10 11
General Operation
Always clamp the workpiece securely on a
saw horse or bench (Fig. 10). See “APPLICA-
TIONS” for the correct way to support your
work in different situations.
1. Draw a cutting line. Place the front of
the shoe on the edge of the workpiece
without making blade contact. Hold
the handle with one hand and the front
handle with the other (Fig. 12).
4. While cutting, keep the shoe fl at against
the workpiece and maintain a firm
grip. Do not force the saw through the
workpiece. Forcing a saw can cause
KICKBACK.
5. If making a partial cut, restarting in
mid-cut or correcting direction, allow
the blade to come to a complete stop.
To resume cutting, center the blade in
the kerf, back the saw away from cutting
edge a few inches, push the lock-off
button down while pulling the trigger and
re-enter the cut slowly.
6. If the saw binds and stalls, maintain
a fi rm grip and release the trigger im-
mediately. Hold the saw motionless in
the workpiece until the blade comes to
a complete stop.
7. After fi nishing a cut, be sure the lower
guard closes and the blade comes to a
complete stop before setting the saw
down.
Electric Brake
The electric brake engages when the trig-
ger is released, causing the blade to stop
and allowing you to proceed with your work.
Generally, the saw blade stops within two
seconds. However, there may be a delay
between the time you release the trigger
and when the brake engages. Occasionally
the brake may miss completely. If the brake
misses frequently, the saw needs servicing
by an authorized MILWAUKEE service facil-
ity. The brake is not a substitute for the guard,
and you must always wait for the blade to
stop completely before removing the saw
from the workpiece.
Fig. 11
WARNINGOPERATIONTo reduce the risk of injury, keep hands
away from the blade and other moving
parts. Always wear safety goggles or
glasses with side shields. Use only
specifi cally recommended accesso-
ries. Others may be hazardous.
Causes and Operator Prevention of
KICKBACK:
KICKBACK is a sudden reaction to a
pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade,
causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out
of the workpiece toward the operator.
When the blade is pinched or bound tightly
by the kerf, or cutting slot, closing down, the
blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the
unit rapidly back toward the operator.
If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned
in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the
blade can dig into the top surface of the wood
causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and
jump back toward operator.
KICKBACK is the result of tool misuse and/or
incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper precau-
tions as given below:
1. Maintain a fi rm grip with both hands
on the saw and position your body
and arm to allow you to resist KICK-
BACK forces. KICKBACK forces can
be controlled by the operator, if proper
precautions are taken.
2. When blade is binding, or when inter-
rupting a cut for any reason, release
the trigger and hold the saw motion-
less in the material until the blade
comes to a complete stop. Never
attempt to remove the saw from the
work or pull the saw backward while
the blade is in motion or KICKBACK
may occur. Investigate and take cor-
rective actions to eliminate the cause
of blade binding.
3. When restarting a saw in the work-
piece, center the saw blade in the
kerf, or cut, and check that saw teeth
are not engaged into the material. If
saw blade is binding, it may walk up or
KICKBACK from the workpiece as the
saw is restarted.
4. Support large panels to minimize
the risk of blade pinching and KICK-
BACK. Large panels tend to sag under
their own weight. Supports must be
placed under the panel on both sides,
near the line of cut and near the edge
of the panel.
5. Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades
produce narrow kerf causing excessive
friction, blade binding and KICKBACK.
6. Blade depth and bevel adjusting lock-
ing levers must be tight and secure
before making cut. If blade adjustment
shifts while cutting, it may cause binding
and KICKBACK.
7. Use extra caution when making a
“Pocket Cut” into existing walls
or other blind areas. The protruding
blade may cut objects that can cause
KICKBACK.
8. Set the depth of cut for no more than
1/8" to 1/4" greater than the thickness
of the stock. The less blade exposed,
the less chance of binding and KICK-
BACK. Before cutting, be sure depth
and bevel adjustments are tight.
9. Be cautious of pitchy, knotty, wet or
warped stock. These are most likely to
create pinching conditions and possible
KICKBACK. Do not rip warped lumber.
Avoid cutting nails.
10. Use a rip fence or edge guide when
ripping. Guides improve control and
reduce blade binding.
11. Stay alert. Any distraction can cause
twisting or binding. Repetitive cuts may
lull the user into careless movements.
Fig. 12
2. Line up the sight line with your cutting
line. Position your arms and body to
resist KICKBACK.
3. To start the saw, push the lock-off button
down while pulling the trigger. Allow the
motor to reach full speed before begin-
ning cut.