8 –
English
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
•
Check that the blade is not in contact with anything when
the machine is started
•
Always cut at maximum speed.
•
Start cutting smoothly, allowing the machine to work
without forcing or pressing in the blade.
•
Move the blade slowly forwards and backwards to achieve
a small contact area between the blade and the material
to be cut. This reduces the temperature of the blade and
ensures effective cutting.
•
Feed down the machine in line with the blade. Pressure
from the side can damage the blade and is very
dangerous.
•
The guard for the cutting equipment should be adjusted so
that the rear section is flush with the work piece. Spatter
and sparks from the material being cut are then collected
up by the guard and led away from the user.
Sharpening diamond blades
Diamond blades can become dull when the wrong feeding
pressure is used or when cutting certain materials such as
heavily reinforced concrete. Working with a blunt diamond
blade causes overheating, which can result in the diamond
segments coming loose.
Sharpen the blade by cutting in a soft material such as
sandstone or brick.
Blade vibration
The blade can become out-of-round and vibrate if an
excessive feed pressure is used.
A lower feed pressure can stop the vibration. Otherwise
replace the blade. The blade must be of the recommended
type for the material to be cut.
How to avoid kickback
What is kickback?
The word kickback is used to describe the sudden reaction
that causes the power cutter and cutting blade to be thrown
from an object when the upper quadrant of the blade, known
as the kickback zone, touches an object.
General rules
•
Never cut with the cutting blades upper quadrant, i.e. the
kickback zone.
•
Always hold the machine in a firm grip with both hands.
Hold it so that the thumbs and fingers grip round the
handles.
•
Keep a good balance and a firm foothold.
•
Always cut at maximum speed.
•
Stand at a comfortable distance from the work piece.
•
Take care when inserting the blade in an existing cut.
•
Never cut above shoulder height.
•
Be alert to movement of the work piece or anything else
that can occur, which could cause the cut to close and
pinch the blade.
Pull in
Pull in occurs when the discs lower section suddenly stops or
when the cut closes. (To avoid, see the heading ”Basic rules”
and ”Jamming/rotation”, here below.)
!
WARNING! Under all circumstances avoid
cutting using the side of the blade; it will
almost certainly be damaged, break and can
cause immense damage. Only use the
cutting section.
Do not pull the power cutter to one side, this
can cause the blade to jam or break
resulting in injury to people.
!
WARNING! Kickback can happen very
suddenly and violently; kicking the power
cutter and cutting blade back at the user. If
this happens when the cutting blade is
moving it can cause very serious, even fatal
injuries. It is vital you understand what
causes kickback and that you can avoid it by
taking care and using the right working
technique.
