e. Hold 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 shock the operator.
f.
When ripping always use a rip fence or straight
edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and
reduces the chance of blade binding.
g. 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 eccentrically, causing loss of control.
h. 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.
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF
KICKBACK
f 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.
f 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.
f 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:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. When restarting a saw in the 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.
d. 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.
e. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened
or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing
excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
f.
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.
g. Use extra caution when sawing into existing
walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may
cut objects that can cause kickback.
LOWER GUARD SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
a. Check lower guard for proper closing before
each use. Do not operate the saw if lower guard
does not move freely and close instantly. Never
clamp or tie the lower guard into the open position.
If saw is accidentally dropped, 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.
b. 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 buildup of debris.
c. Lower guard should be retracted manually only for
special cuts such as "plunge cuts" and "compound
cuts." Raise lower guard by retracting handle and as
soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard
must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard
should operate automatically.
d. Always observe that the lower guard is covering
the blade before placing saw down on bench or
floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the
saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path.
Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after
switch is released.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
f Use clamps or another practical way to secure
and support the workpiece to a stable platform.
Holding the work by hand or against your body leaves
it unstable and may lead to loss of control.
f Keep your body positioned to either side of the
blade, but not in line with the saw blade. KICKBACK
could cause the saw to jump backwards (see Causes
and Operator Prevention of Kickback and KICKBACK).
f Avoid cutting nails. Inspect for and remove all
nails from lumber before cutting.
f Always make sure nothing interferes with the
movement of the lower blade guard.
ENGLISH • 23