21
HK 55
g.
Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes.
Blades that do not match the mounting hard-
ware of the saw will run off-centre, causing
loss of control.
h.
Never use damaged or incorrect blade wash-
ers or bolt.
The blade washers and bolt were
specially designed for your saw, for optimum
performance and safety of operation.
i.
Wear suitable protective equipment
such as
ear protection, safety goggles, a dust mask
for work which generates dust, and protective
gloves when working with raw materials and
when changing tools.
Kickbacks causes and related warnings
– kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched,
jammed or misaligned saw blade, causing
an uncontrolled 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.
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 opera-
tor, 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, 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.
d.
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.
e.
Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharp-
ened 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 the
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 function
a.
Check the lower guard for proper closing be-
fore 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.
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 build-up
of debris.
c.
The lower guard may be retracted manually
only for special cuts such as “plunge cuts” and
“compound cuts”. Raise the lower guard by
the retracting handle and as soon as the 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 cove-
ring the blade before placing the 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
