15
English
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
material causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump
back toward the operator.
Kickback is more likely to occur when any of the following
conditions exists.
1.
iMPROPER WORKPiECE sUPPORT
a. Sagging or improper lifting of the cut off piece can cause
pinching of the blade and lead to kickback (Fig. I).
b. Cutting through material supported at the outer ends
only can cause kickback. As the material weakens it sags,
closing down the kerf and pinching the blade (Fig. I).
c. Cutting off a cantilevered or overhanging piece of
material from the bottom up in a vertical direction can
cause kickback. The falling cut off piece can pinch the
blade.
d. Cutting off long narrow strips can cause kickback. The
cut off strip can sag or twist closing the kerf and pinching
the blade.
e. Snagging the lower guard on a surface below the
material being cut momentarily reduces operator control.
The saw can lift partially out of the cut increasing the
chance of blade twist.
2.
iMPROPER DEPTh OF CUT sETTing On sAW
To make the most efficient cut, the blade should protrude
only far enough to expose a tooth as shown in Figure H. This
allows the shoe to support the blade and minimises twisting
and pinching in the material. See the section titled
Depth
Adjustment
.
3.
BlADE TWisTing (MisAlignMEnT in CUT)
a. Pushing harder to cut can cause the blade to twist.
b. Trying to turn the saw in the cut (trying to get back on
the marked line) can cause blade twist.
c. Overreaching or operating the saw with poor body
control (out of balance), can result in twisting the blade.
d. Changing hand grip or body position while cutting can
result in blade twist.
e. Backing up the saw to clear blade can lead to twist.
4.
UsE OF DUll OR DiRTY BlADEs
Dull blades cause increased loading of the saw. To
compensate, an operator will usually push harder which
further loads the unit and promotes twisting of the blade
in the kerf. Worn blades may also have insufficient body
clearance which increases the chance of binding and
increased loading.
5.
REsTARTing A CUT WiTh ThE BlADE TEETh JAMMED
AgAinsT ThE MATERiAl
The saw should be brought up to full operating speed
before starting a cut or restarting a cut after the unit has
been stopped with the blade in the kerf. Failure to do so can
cause stalling and kickback.
Any other conditions which could result in pinching, binding,
twisting, or misalignment of the blade could cause kickback.
Refer to the sections
Further Safety Instructions for All Saws
and
Blades
for procedures and techniques that will minimise
the occurrence of kickback.
Depth Adjustment (Fig. H)
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn tool off and disconnect battery pack
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories.
An accidental
start-up can cause injury.
The metal-cutting saw is equipped with a pivoting shoe that
allows the operator to set the depth of cut. For the most
efficient cutting action, set the depth adjustment so that one
tooth of the blade projects below the material to be cut. This
distance is from the tip of the tooth to the bottom of the gullet
in front of the tooth. This keeps blade friction at a minimum,
removes metal chips from the cut, results in cooler, faster
sawing and reduces the chance of kickback.
To Set the Depth of Cut
1. Lay the piece of material you plan to cut along the blade
as shown.
2. Note how much tooth projects beyond the material.
3. Loosen the depth adjustment lever
3
and move the shoe to
change the depth of cut.
4. Retighten the depth adjustment lever securely.
Workpiece Support (Fig. I)
Cutting Sheets of Metal
Figure I shows the correct and incorrect way to support a large
sheet. To avoid kickback, support material near the cut. Do not
support it away from the cut. If material is supported away from
the cut, it will bind the blade and cause kickback. When cutting
thin strips, keep the blade at least 13 mm from the edge of the
material. Thin strips may bind, causing kickback and increasing
the risk of personal injury.
Cutting Rectangular Metal Stock
Clamp the material you plan to cut to a workbench or other
work surface as shown above.
Cutting (Fig. J, K)
1. Hold the saw securely using both hands. Figure J shows
appropriate hand position. Keep your body to one side of
the line along which you are cutting. This will protect you
from injury related to kickback.
2. When cutting ends off of rectangular metal stock, place the
widest part of the shoe on the part of the material that is
clamped to the workbench or other support, not on the part
of the material that will fall when the cut is made.
3. Depress the trigger switch and allow the saw to reach full
speed before the blade contacts the material to be cut
(Fig. K).
4. Push the saw forward at a speed that allows the blade to cut
without laboring.
5. As you finish a cut, release the trigger and allow the blade to
stop before lifting the saw from the work. As you lift the saw,
the guard will automatically close under the blade.
Summary of Contents for DCS373N
Page 1: ...DCS373 Final page size A5 148mm x 210mm ...
Page 2: ...B Copyright DeWALT English original instructions 5 ...
Page 3: ...1 Fig A Fig B Fig C 21 2 1 4 5 3 12 5 15 14 13 9 8 6 7 10 11 4 9 13 9 13 ...
Page 4: ...2 Fig E Fig D 16 18 6 20 19 17 Fig F 17 18 6 19 17 20 18 6 ...
Page 5: ...3 13 mm Fig G Fig I Fig H 4 4 A B 3 ...
Page 6: ...4 Fig J Fig K 15 14 ...
