8
9
OPERATION
Causes 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 top surface of the wood
causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and
jump back toward operator.
KICKBACK is the result of saw misuse and/or
incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper precau-
tions as given below:
• Maintain a fi rm 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 jumb backwards, but kickback
forces can be controlled by the operator,
if proper precautions are taken.
• When blade is binding, or when inter-
rupting 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 re-
move the saw from the work or pull the
saw backward while the blade is in mo-
tion 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 saw teeth are not engaged
into the material.
If saw blade is binding,
it may walk up or kickback from the work-
piece as the saw is restarted.
4. While cutting, keep the shoe fl at against
the workpiece and maintain a fi rm grip. Do
not force the saw through the workpiece.
Forcing a saw can cause KICKBACK.
5. If making a partial cut, restarting in mid-cut
or correcting direction, allow the blade to
come to a complete stop. To resume cut-
ting, center the blade in the kerf, back the
saw away from cutting edge a few inches,
push the lock-off button down while pulling
the trigger and re-enter the cut slowly.
6. If the saw binds and stalls, maintain a fi rm
grip and release the trigger immediately.
Hold the saw motionless in the workpiece
until the blade comes to a complete
stop.
7. After fi nishing a cut, be sure the lower
guard closes and the blade comes to
a complete stop before setting the saw
down.
Electric Brake
The electric brake engages when the trig-
ger is released, causing the blade to stop
and allowing you to proceed with your work.
Generally, the saw blade stops within two
seconds. However, there may be a delay
between the time you release the trigger
and when the brake engages. Occasionally
the brake may miss completely. If the brake
misses frequently, the saw needs servicing
by an authorized
MILWAUKEE
service facil-
ity. The brake is not a substitute for the guard,
and you must always wait for the blade to
stop completely before removing the saw
from the workpiece.
Troubleshooting
If the blade does not follow a straight line:
•
Teeth are dull. This is caused by hitting a
hard object such as a nail or stone, dull-
ing teeth on one side. The blade tends to
cut to the side with the sharpest teeth.
•
Shoe is out of line or bent
•
Blade is bent
•
Rip fence or guide is not being used
If the blade binds, smokes or turns blue
from friction:
•
Blade is dull
•
Blade is on backwards
•
Blade is bent
•
Blade is dirty
•
Workpiece is not properly supported
•
Incorrect blade is being used
WARNING
To reduce the risk of
injury, keep hands away from the blade
and other moving parts. Always wear
safety goggles or glasses with side
shields. Use only specifi cally recom-
mended accessories. Others may be
hazardous.
• 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 blade.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades
produce narrow kerf causing excessive
friction, blade binding and kickback.
• Blade depth and bevel adjusting lock-
ing levers must be tight and secure
before making cut.
If blade adjustment
shifts while cutting, it may cause binding
and kickback.
• Use extra caution when making a
"plunge cut" (or pocket cut) into ex-
isting walls or other blind areas.
The
protruding blade may cut objects that can
cause kickback.
General Operation
Always clamp the workpiece securely on a
saw horse or bench. See “APPLICATIONS”
for the correct way to support your work in
different situations.
1. Draw a cutting line. Place the front of the
shoe on the edge of the workpiece without
making blade contact. Hold the handle
with one hand and the front handle with
the other (Fig. 6).
2. Line up the sight line with your cutting
line. Position your arms and body to resist
KICKBACK.
3. To start the saw, push the lock-off button
down while pulling the trigger. Allow the
motor to reach full speed before beginning
cut.
APPLICATIONS
Cutting Large Panels
Large panels and long boards sag or bend
if they are not correctly supported. If you
attempt to cut without leveling and properly
supporting the workpiece, the blade will tend
to bind, causing KICKBACK.
Support large panels. Be sure to set the
depth of the cut so that you only cut through
the workpiece, not through the supports.
Cross-Cutting Wood
Cross-cutting is cutting across the grain.
Select the proper blade for your job. Ad-
vance the saw slowly to avoid splintering
the wood.
Ripping Wood
Ripping is cutting lengthwise with the grain.
Select the proper blade for your job. Use a
rip fence for rips 4" wide or less. To install the
rip fence, slide the bar through the rip fence
slot in either side of the shoe. The width of
the cut is the distance from the inside of the
blade to the inside edge of the rip fence.
Adjust the rip fence for the desired width, and
lock the setting by tightening the rip fence
adjusting knob.
When ripping widths greater than 4", clamp
or tack 1" lumber to workpiece and use the
inside edge of the shoe as a guide.
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
