SM 1619X02967 05-08 4/30/08 11:34 AM Page 4
wiring or it own cord. Contact with a "live" wire will also make exposed metal parts of the tool “live” and shock the operator.
When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This improves accuracy of cut and reduces the chance for blade binding.
Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond vs. round) of arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run eccentrically, causing loss of control.
Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolts. The blade washers and bolt were specially designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation.
Inspect the condition and quality of the wood and remove all nails from lumber before cutting. Wet lumber, green lumber or pressure treated lumber require special attention during cutting operation to prevent kickback.
Hold the saw firmly to prevent loss of control. Figures in this manual illustrate typical hand support of the saw.
Depending upon use, the switch may not last the life of the saw. If the switch should fail in the “OFF” position, the saw may not start. If it should fail while the saw is running, the saw may not shut off. If either occurs, unplug the saw immediately and do not use until repaired.
This circular saw should not be mounted to a table and converted to a table saw. Circular saws are not designed or intended to be used as table saws.
Kickback and related warnings 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 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 the operator.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces. Position your body to either side of the blade, but not in line with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless 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 corrective action to eliminate the cause of blade binding.
When restarting a saw in a workpiece, center the saw blade in the kerf 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.
Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback. 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.
Do not use dull or damaged blade. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
Use extra caution when making a “Plunge Cut” into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
The blade washers and the bolt on your saw have been designed to work as a clutch to reduce the intensity of a kickback. Understand the operation and settings of the
