Raider RD-CS22, User Manual

Page: 13 / 114

13
FUNCTION OF THE LOWER GUARD:
• 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, and all angles
and 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. Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged
parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
• 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.
• 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 for the blade to stop after switch is released.
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:
• 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 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, centre the saw blade in the kerf and check that saw
teeth are not engaged into the material. If sawblade is binding, it may walk up or kickback from the
workpiece as the saw is restarted.
• Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to