7
AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC BRAKE
Your saw is equipped with an automatic electric blade brake which stops
the saw blade within 5 seconds of trigger release. This is not adjustable.
On occasion, there may be a delay after trigger release to brake
engagement. On rare occasions, the brake may not engage at all
and the blade will coast to a stop.
If a delay or “skipping” occurs, turn the saw on and off 4 or 5 times. If
the condition persists, have the tool serviced by an authorized D
E
WALT
service center.
Always be sure the blade has stopped before removing it from the kerf.
The brake is not a substitute for guards or for ensuring your own safety
by giving the saw your complete attention.
GUARD ACTUATION AND VISIBILITY
The blade guard on your saw has been designed to automatically raise
when the arm is brought down and to lower over the blade when the
arm is raised.
The guard can be raised by hand when installing or removing saw
blades or for inspection of the saw. NEVER RAISE THE BLADE GUARD
MANUALLY UNLESS THE SAW IS TURNED OFF.
NOTE:
Certain special cuts of large material will require that you manually
raise the guard. See page 12.
The front section of the guard is louvered for visibility while cutting.
Although the louvers dramatically reduce flying debris, they are openings
in the guard and safety glasses should be worn at all times when view-
ing through the louvers.
MITER LOCK ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 10)
The miter lock rod should be adjusted if the table of the saw can be
moved when the miter lock handle is locked down. To adjust, put the
miter lock handle in the up position. Using a 3/32 hex wrench, loosen the
set screw (W) on the pivot pin. Using a slotted screwdriver, adjust the
lock rod in 1/8 clockwise turn increments to increase the lock force. To
ensure the miter lock is functioning properly, re-lock miter lock handle to
a non-detent miter angle. Tighten set screw.
Brushes
DISCONNECT PLUG FROM POWER SUPPLY
Inspect carbon brushes regularly by unplugging tool, removing the motor
end cap (Fig. 2), lift the brush spring and withdraw the brush assembly.
Keep brushes clean and sliding freely in their guides. Always replace a
used brush in the same orientation in the holder as it was prior to its
removal. Carbon brushes have varying symbols stamped into their sides,
and if the brush is worn down to approximately 12.7mm (1/2”), the
spring will no longer exert pressure and they must be replaced. Use only
identical D
E
WALT brushes. Use of the correct grade of brush is essential
for proper operation of electric brake. New brush assemblies are available
at D
E
WALT service centers. The tool should be allowed to “run in” (run at
no load) for 10 minutes before use to seat new brushes. The electric
brake may be erratic in operation until the brushes are properly seated
(worn in). Always replace the brush inspection cap after inspection or
servicing the brushes.
While “running in” DO NOT TIE, TAPE, OR OTHERWISE LOCK THE
TRIGGER SWITCH ON. HOLD BY HAND ONLY.
Controls
Your compound miter saw has several main controls, which will be
discussed briefly here. For more information on these controls, see
the respective sections later in the manual.
MITER CONTROL (FIG. 5)
The miter lock/adjustment lever and trigger allows you to miter your saw
50˚ left and right. To miter the saw, unlock miter lock lever (J) by pulling
upward, squeeze the detent trigger (K) and set the miter angle desired on
the miter scale. Lock miter lock handle by pressing downward. Override
the detent trigger by rotating knob (Fig. 9, V).
TRIGGER SWITCH (FIG. 2)
The trigger switch turns your saw on and off. A hole is provided in the
trigger for insertion of a padlock to secure the saw.
BEVEL LOCK (FIG. 8)
The bevel lock knob (L) allows you to bevel the saw 48˚ left or right. To
loosen the handle and adjust the bevel setting, turn the handle counter-
clockwise, the saw head bevels easily to the left. To tighten, turn the han-
dle clockwise. Bevel degree markings are on the bottom front of the saw
arm (Fig. 7, M).
0˚/45˚ BEVEL STOP OVERRIDES (FIG. 8)
The bevel stop overrides (N) are held secure with their attachment screw
to prevent inadvertent movement. Use the bit on the blade wrench to
loosen the attachment screw. This allows the slides, to be pulled outward
and the saw head to pivot past the 0˚/45˚ mark. Be sure to retighten the
attachment screw when finished.
33.85˚ BEVEL STOPS (FIG. 8)
The pawl (P) is used to stop the saw head bevel setting at 33.85˚. This
setting is used primarily for cutting crown moldings laid flat on the table.
HEAD DOWNLOCK PIN (FIG. 8)
To lock the saw head in the down position, push the head down, push the
pin (U) in and release the saw head. This will hold the saw head safely
down for moving the saw from place to place. To release, press the saw
head down and pull the pin out.
Operation
Plug the saw into any household 60 Hz power source. Refer to the name-
plate for voltage. Be sure the cord will not interfere with your work.
SWITCH
To turn the saw on, depress the trigger switch. To turn the tool off,
release the switch. Allow the blade to spin up to full operating rpm before
making the cut. Release the trigger switch and allow the brake to stop the
blade before raising the saw head. There is no provision for locking the
switch on, but a hole is provided in the trigger for insertion of a padlock
to lock the saw off.
CUTTING WITH YOUR SAW
NOTE:
Although this saw will cut wood and many non-ferrous materials,
we will limit our discussion to the cutting of wood only. The same guide-
lines apply to the other materials.
DO NOT CUT FERROUS (IRON AND
STEEL) MATERIALS OR MASONRY WITH THIS SAW.
Do not use any
abrasive blades.
CROSSCUTS
Cutting of multiple pieces is not recommended but can be done safely by
ensuring that each piece is held firmly against the table and fence. A
crosscut is made by cutting wood across the grain at any angle. A
straight crosscut is made with the miter arm at the zero degree position.
Set the miter arm at zero, hold the wood on the table and firmly against
the fence. Turn on the saw by squeezing the trigger.
When the saw comes up to speed (about 1 second) lower the arm
smoothly and slowly to cut through the wood. Let the blade come to a
full stop before raising arm.
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
MITER
SCALE
POINTER
J
K
M
FIG. 7
POINTER
ADJUSTMENT
SCREW
L