6
SaFETY iNFOrmaTiON
Further Safety instructions For all Saws
Cause and operator prevention of kickback:
— 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.
— 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.
— If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade
can dig into the upper 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 the 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, center the saw blade in the kerf and check that the
saw teeth are not engaged in the material.
If the saw blade is binding, it may walk up or kickback
from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.
• Support larger panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback.
Larger 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.
Dull 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 a
cut.
If the blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
• Use extra caution when making a “plunge cut” into existing walls or other blind areas.
The
protruding blade may contact hidden objects that can cause kickback.
Safety instructions For Lower Blade Guard
•
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 that it moves freely and does not touch the
blade or any other part, in all angles and all 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.
A lower guard may operate sluggishly due to
damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
