English
Kickback is more likely to occur when any of the following
conditions exists.
1. iMPROPER WORKPiECE sUPPORT
a. Sagging or improper lifting of the cut off piece can
cause pinching of the blade and lead to kickback.
b. Cutting through material supported at the outer ends
only can cause kickback. As the material weakens it
sags, closing down the kerf and pinching the blade.
c. Cutting off a cantilevered or overhanging piece of
material from the bottom up in a vertical direction
can cause kickback. The falling cut off piece can pinch
the blade.
d. Cutting off long narrow strips (as in ripping) can cause
kickback. The cut off strip can sag or twist closing the
kerf and pinching the blade.
e. Snagging the lower guard on a surface below the
material being cut momentarily reduces operator
control. The saw can lift partially out of the cut
increasing the chance of blade twist.
2. iMPROPER DEPTh OF CUT sETTing On sAW
a. To make the most efficient cut, the blade should
protrude only far enough to expose one-half of a
tooth. This allows the shoe to support the blade and
minimizes twisting and pinching in the material. See
the section titled Cutting Depth Adjustment.
3. BlADE TWisTing (MisAlignMEnT in CUT)
a. Pushing harder to cut through a knot, a nail or a hard
grain area can cause the blade to twist.
b. Trying to turn the saw in the cut (trying to get back on
the marked line) can cause blade twist.
c. Overreaching or operating the saw with poor body
control (out of balance), can result in twisting
the blade.
d. Changing hand grip or body position while cutting
can result in blade twist.
e. Backing up the saw to clear blade can lead to twist.
4. MATERiAls ThAT REQUiRE EXTRA ATTEnTiOn
a. Wet lumber
b. Green lumber (material freshly cut or not kiln dried)
c. Pressure treated lumber (material treated with
preservatives or anti-rot chemicals)
5. UsE OF DUll OR DiRTY BlADEs
a. Dull blades cause increased loading of the saw. To
compensate, an operator will usually push harder
which further loads the unit and promotes twisting
of the blade in the kerf. Worn blades may also have
insufficient body clearance which increases the
chance of binding and increased loading.
6. liFTing ThE sAW WhEn MAKing A BEVEl CUT
a. Bevel cuts require special operator attention to proper
cutting techniques – especially guidance of the
saw. Both blade angle to the shoe and greater blade
surface in the material increase the chance for binding
and misalignment (twist) to occur.
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7. REsTARTing A CUT WiTh ThE BlADE TEETh
JAMMED AgAinsT ThE MATERiAl
a. The saw should be brought up to full operating speed
before starting a cut or restarting a cut after the unit
has been stopped with the blade in the kerf. Failure to
do so can cause stalling and kickback.
Any other conditions which could result in pinching, binding,
twisting, or misalignment of the blade could cause kickback.
Refer to the sections Further Safety Instructions for All
Saws and Blades for procedures and techniques that will
minimize the occurrence of kickback.
Cutting Depth Adjustment (Fig. A, K)
1. Hold the saw firmly and loosen (clockwise) the depth
adjustment lever
4
and move shoe (
the desired depth of cut.
2. Make sure the depth adjustment lever has been
retightened (counterclockwise) before operating saw.
For the most efficient cutting action, set the depth
adjustment so that one-half tooth of the blade will project
below the material to be cut. This distance is from the tip of
the tooth to the bottom of the gullet in front of it. This keeps
blade friction at a minimum, removes sawdust from the cut,
results in cooler, faster sawing and reduces the chance of
kickback. A method for checking for correct cutting depth
is shown in Figure K. Lay a piece of the material you plan to
cut along the side of the blade, as shown, and observe how
much tooth projects beyond the material.
Bevel Angle Adjustment (Fig. A, L)
The full range of the bevel adjustment is from 0° to 50°. The
quadrant is graduated in increments of 1°. On the front of the
saw is a bevel angle adjustment mechanism consisting of a
calibrated quadrant and a bevel adjustment lever
To Set the Saw for a Bevel Cut
1. Loosen (counterclockwise) the bevel adjustment
lever
10
and tilt shoe (
5
aligning the pointer with the desired angle mark.
2. Retighten lever firmly (clockwise).
Kerf Indicator (Fig. A)
The front of the saw shoe has a kerf indicator
and bevel cutting. This indicator enables you to guide the
saw along cutting lines penciled on the material being cut.
The kerf indicator lines up with the left (inner) side of the
saw blade, which makes the slot or "kerf" cut by the moving
blade fall to the right of the indicator. Guide along the
penciled cutting line so that the kerf falls into the waste or
surplus material.
Mounting the Dust Extraction
Port (Fig. A, H, I)
Your circular saw is supplied with a dust extraction port.
To Install the Dust Extraction Port
1. Fully loosen depth adjustment lever
2. Place the shoe
5
in the lowest position.
5
, Fig. A) to obtain
10
.
, Fig. A) to the desired angle by
9
for vertical
4
.