3
PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR CIRCULAR
SAWS
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened
or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing
excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
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Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers
must be tight and secure before making a cut.
If
blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause
binding and kickback.
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Use extra caution when making a "plunge cut"
into existing walls or other blind areas.
The
protruding blade may cut objects that can cause
kickback.
Safety instructions for saws with lower guard
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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.
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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 debris.
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Lower guard should be retracted manually only
for special cuts such as "plunge cuts" and
"compound cuts." Raise lower guard by retracting
handle and as soon as the blade enters the
material, the lower guard must be released.
For all
other sawing, the lower guard should operate
automatically.
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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.
Additional safety instructions for all saws with riving
knife
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Use the appropriate riving knife for the blade
being used.
For the riving knife to work, it must be
thicker than the body of the blade but thinner than the
tooth set of the blade.
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Adjust the riving knife as described in this
instruction manual.
Incorrect spacing, positioning
and alignment can make the riving knife ineffective in
preventing kickback.
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Always use the riving knife except when plunge
cutting.
Riving knife must be replaced after plunge
cutting. Riving knife causes interference during
plunge cutting and can create kickback.
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For the riving knife to work, it must be engaged in
the workpiece.
The riving knife is ineffective in
preventing kickback during short cuts.
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Do not operate the saw if riving knife is bent.
Even
a light interference can slow the closing rate of a
guard.
