RIDGID ms12500, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 36

17
Dress For Safety
The operation of any power miter saw can throw foreign
objects into the eyes. This can result in permanent eye
damage. Wear safety goggles (not glasses) that comply
with ANSI Z87.1 (or in Canada CSA Z94-3-M88) shown
on package. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact
resistant lenses. They are not safety glasses. Safety gog-
gles are available at many local retail stores. Glasses or
goggles not in compliance with ANSI or CSA could seri-
ously hurt you when they break
• Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties or jewelry
(rings, wrist watches) They can get caught and draw
you into moving parts.
• Wear nonslip footwear.
• Tie back long hair.
• Roll long sleeves above the elbow.
• Noise levels vary widely. To reduce the risk of possible
hearing damage, wear ear plugs or muffs when using
miter saw for hours at a time.
• For dusty operations, wear a dust mask along with
safety goggles.
Preparing to Make the Cut
Inspect Your Workpiece. Make sure there are no nails
or foreign objects in the part of the workpiece to be cut.
Plan your work to avoid thrown pieces caused when
the workpiece binds on the blade and is torn from
your hands.
Plan the way you will hold the workpiece from start to finish.
Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a
sudden slip could cause fingers or hand to move into the
blade.
Don’t Overreach. Keep good footing and balance.
Keep your face and body to one side of sawblade, out of
line with a possible throwback.
Cut only one workpiece at a time.
Never cut Freehand:
• Brace your workpiece solidly against the fence and
table top so it will not rock or twist during the cut.
• Make sure there’s no debris between the workpiece
and its supports.
• Make sure no gaps between the workpiece, fence and
table will let the workpiece shift after it is cut in two.
• Keep the cut off piece free to move sideways after it's
cut off. Otherwise, it could get wedged against the
blade and could be thrown violently.
• Clear everything except the workpiece and related
support devises off the table before turning the miter
saw on.
• Secure Work. Use clamps or a vise to help hold the
work when it’s practical.
Use extra caution with large, very small or awkward
workpieces:
• Use extra supports (tables, saw horses, blocks, etc.)
for any workpieces large enough to tip when not held
down to the table top.
• Never use another person as a substitute for a table
extension, or as additional support for a workpiece that
is longer or wider than the basic miter saw table or to
help feed, support or pull the workpiece.
• Do not use this saw to cut pieces too small to let you
easily hold the work while you keep the thumb side of
your index (pointer) finger against the outside edge of
the fence.
• When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your
work so it will not slip and pinch the blade and be torn
from your hands. A piece of molding, for example,
must lie flat or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let
it twist, rock or slip while being cut.
• Properly support round material such as dowel rods, or
tubing. They have a tendency to roll while being cut,
causing the blade to "bite." To avoid this, always use a
fixture designed to properly hold your workpiece.
WARNING: If planning to cut aluminum or other
non-ferrous metals: Under adverse conditions, the
blade can grab and throw the workpiece suddenly
and unexpectedly. To reduce the risk of injury, fol-
low all applicable safety instructions, as you nor-
mally would, and:
• Use only sawblades specifically recommended for
non-ferrous metal cutting.
• Do not cut metal workpieces that must be hand
held. Use auxiliary clamps or other equipment as
needed.
• Cut non-ferrous metals only if you are experi-
enced or under the supervision of an experienced
person.
Whenever Saw Is Running
WARNING: Don't allow familiarity (gained from fre-
quent use of your miter saw) cause a careless mis-
take. A careless fraction of a second is enough to
cause a severe injury.
Before starting your cut, watch the miter saw while it
runs. If it makes an unfamiliar noise or vibrates a lot, stop
immediately. Turn the saw off. Unplug the saw. Do not
restart until finding and correcting the problem.
Keep Children Away. Keep all visitors a safe distance
from the miter saw. Make sure bystanders are clear of the
miter saw and workpiece.