g)
Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbour holes.
Blades that
do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run eccentrically, causing
loss of control.
h)
Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolt.
The blade washers and bolt were specially
designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation.
Further safety instructions for all saws
Kickback causes and related
warnings
•
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 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 operator, 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 and check that saw teeth
are not engaged into the material.
If saw blade is binding, 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.
Unsharpened 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 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 lower guard for proper closing
before each use. Do not operate the saw if
lower guard does
not move freely and close
instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard
into the open position.
If
saw is accidentally
dropped, 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)
Lower guard may be retracted manually
only for special cuts such as “plunge cuts”
and “compound
cuts”.
Raise lower guard by
retracting handle and as soon as 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
covering the blade before placing 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
time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is
released.
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