- Hold the power tool by insulated gripping
surfaces, when performing an operation where
the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or
its own cord. Contact with a "live" wire will also
make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live"
and could give the operator an electric shock.
- When ripping, always use a rip fence or
straight edge guide. This improves the accuracy
of cut and reduces the chance of blade binding.
- Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades
that do not match the mounting hardware of the
saw will run off-centre, causing loss of control.
- Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers
or bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially
designed for your saw, for optimum performance
and safety of operation.
Kickback causes and related warnings
- kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched,
jammed or misaligned saw blade, causing
anuncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the
workpiece toward the operator;
- When the blade is pinched or jammed 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 saw 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 arms 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 actions to eliminate the cause of blade
binding.
- When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre
the saw blade in the kerf so that the saw teeth
are not engaged into the material. If a saw blade
binds, it may walk up or kickback from the
workpiece as the saw is restarted.
- Support large panels to minimise 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 blades.
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 the
cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may
cause binding and kickback..
- Use extra caution when sawing into existing
walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade
may cut objects that can cause kickback.
Lower guard function
- Check the lower guard for proper closing
before each use. Do not operate the saw if the
lower guard does not move freely and close
instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard
into the open position. If the saw is accidentally
dropped, the lower guard may be bent. Raise the
lower guard with the retracting handle and make
sure it moves freely and does not touch the blade
or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.
- Check the operation of the lower guard spring.
If the guard and the spring are not operating
properly, they must be serviced before use.
Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to
damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of
debris.
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