Woodstock W1824 manual Avoiding Kickback, Protecting Yourself from Kickback

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Kickback

Kickback is a high speed expulsion of the workpiece from the saw blade, which occurs when the saw blade grabs the workpiece instead of cuts it.

The danger of kickback is that it happens faster than the operator can react, so if the operator’s hands are in a bad position, they could get pulled into the blade. Also, kickback can cause serious impact injuries if the operator is struck by the ejected workpiece.

The lack of warning and high risk of injury from kickback makes it extremely important to: (1) avoid doing anything that will increase the risk of occurrence, and (2) work carefully to protect yourself in case it does occur.

Avoiding Kickback

•DO NOT cut a workpiece that is excessively warped or twisted. The workpiece must be able to slide across the table and fence in a stable manner without any rocking, rotating, or shifting—if any of these movements occur during the cut, kickback will likely occur.

Workpieces that have minor warping must be cut with the cupped-side down against the table; the edge of the workpiece that is placed against the fence must be straight or straightened with a jointer.

•Never attempt freehand cuts. Always use the rip fence or miter gauge to support the workpiece. If the workpiece is not fed parallel with the blade, kickback will likely occur.

•Make sure the splitter or riving knife is aligned with the blade. A misaligned splitter or riving knife can cause the workpiece

to catch or bind, increasing the chance of kickback. If you think that your splitter or riving knife is not aligned with the blade, check it immediately!

•Ensure that the rip fence locks parallel with the blade; otherwise, the chances of kickback are extreme.

•The splitter or riving knife maintains the kerf in the workpiece, reducing the chance of kickback. Always use the riving knife for all non-through operations, unless a dado blade is installed. Always use the splitter with the blade guard for all through cuts.

•Feed cuts through to completion. Anytime you stop feeding a workpiece in the middle of a cut, the chance of kickback is greatly increased.

•Keep the blade guard installed and in good working order. Only remove it when performing non-through cuts and immediately re-install the blade guard when finished. Remember, always use the riving knife for all non-through operations, unless a dado blade is installed.

•Make multiple, shallow passes when performing a non-through cut. Making a deep non-through cut will greatly increase the chance of kickback.

Protecting Yourself from Kickback

•Stand to the side of the blade during every cut. If kickback does occur, the thrown workpiece usually travels directly in front of the blade.

•Wear safety glasses or a face shield. In the event of kickback, your eyes and face are the most vulnerable part of your body.

•Never, for any reason, place your hand behind the blade. Should kickback occur, your hand will be pulled into the blade.

•Use a push stick to keep your hands farther away from the moving blade. If kickback occurs, the push stick will most likely take the damage that your hand would have received.

•Use featherboards or anti-kickback devices to prevent or slow down kickback.

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