wedge under the rip fence and create a
kickback.
3) Kickback causes and related warnings
Kickback is a sudden reaction of the workpiece
due to a pinched, jammed saw blade or mis
aligned line of cut in the workpiece with respect
to the saw blade or when a part of the work
piece binds between the saw blade and the rip
fence or other fixed object.
Most frequently during kickback, the workpiece
is lifted from the table by the rear portion of the
saw blade and is propelled towards the opera
tor.
Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or in
correct operating procedures or conditions and
can be avoided by taking proper precautions as
given below.
–
Never stand directly in line with the saw
blade. Always position your body on the
same side of the saw blade as the fence.
Kickback may propel the workpiece at high
velocity towards anyone standing in front
and in line with the saw blade.
–
Never reach over or in back of the saw
blade to pull or to support the workpiece.
Accidental contact with the saw blade may
occur or kickback may drag your fingers in
to the saw blade.
–
Never hold and press the workpiece that
is being cut off against the rotating saw
blade. Pressing the workpiece being cut off
against the saw blade will create a binding
condition and kickback.
–
Align the fence to be parallel with the saw
blade. A misaligned fence will pinch the
workpiece against the saw blade and create
kickback.
Use a featherboard to guide the workpiece
–
against the table and fence when making
non-through cuts such as rabbeting, dado
ing or resawing cuts. A featherboard helps
to control the workpiece in the event of a
kickback.
Use extra caution when making a cut into
–
blind areas of assembled workpieces. The
protruding saw blade may cut objects that
can cause kickback.
–
Support large panels to minimise the risk
of saw blade pinching and kickback. Large
panels tend to sag under their own weight.
Support(s) must be placed under all por
tions of the panel overhanging the table
top.
Use extra caution when cutting a work
–
piece that is twisted, knotted, warped or
does not have a straight edge to guide it
with a mitre gauge or along the fence. A
warped, knotted, or twisted workpiece is
unstable and causes misalignment of the
kerf with the saw blade, binding and kick
back.
Never cut more than one workpiece,
–
stacked vertically or horizontally. The saw
blade could pick up one or more pieces and
cause kickback.
When restarting the saw with the saw
–
blade in the workpiece, centre the saw
blade in the kerf so that the saw teeth are
not engaged in the material. If the saw
blade binds, it may lift up the workpiece
and cause kickback when the saw is restar
ted.
Keep saw blades clean, sharp, and with
–
sufficient set. Never use warped saw
blades or saw blades with cracked or bro
ken teeth. Sharp and properly set saw
blades minimise binding, stalling and kick
back.
4) Table saw operating procedure warnings
Turn off the table saw and disconnect the
–
power cord when removing the table in
sert, changing the saw blade or making
adjustments to the riving knife or saw
blade guard, and when the machine is left
unattended. Precautionary measures will
avoid accidents.
Never leave the table saw running unat
–
tended. Turn it off and don't leave the tool
until it comes to a complete stop. An unat
tended running saw is an uncontrolled haz
ard.
Locate the table saw in a well-lit and level
–
area where you can maintain good footing
and balance. It should be installed in an
area that provides enough room to easily
handle the size of your workpiece. Cram
ped, dark areas, and uneven slippery floors
invite accidents.
Frequently clean and remove sawdust
–
from under the saw table and/or the dust
collection device. Accumulated sawdust is
combustible and may self-ignite.
–
The table saw must be secured. A table
saw that is not properly secured may move
or tip over.
Remove tools, wood scraps, etc. from the
–
table before the table saw is turned on.
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