Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/
or incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper precau-
tions as given below.
a) Maintain a fi rm grip on the power tool and
position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces. The operator can control kick-
back forces, if proper precautions are taken.
b) Use special care when working corners, sharp
edges etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the ac-
cessory. Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have
a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and
cause loss of control or kickback.
c) Do not attach a toothed saw blade. Such bla-
des create frequent kickback and loss of control.
d) Always feed the bit into the material in the same
direction as the cutting edge is exiting from the
material (which is the same direction as the chips
are thrown). Feeding the tool in the wrong direction
causes the cutting edge of the bit to climb out of the
work and pull the tool in the direction of this feed.
e) When using rotary fi les, cut-off wheels, high-
speed cutters or tungsten carbide cutters, always
have the work securely clamped. These wheels
will grab if they become slightly canted in the
groove, and can kickback. When a cut-off wheel
grabs, the wheel itself usually breaks. When a
rotary fi le, high-speed cutter or tungsten carbide
cutter grabs, it may jump from the groove and you
could lose control of the tool.
Safety warnings specifi c for grinding and
abrasive cutting-off operations:
a) Use only wheel types that are recommended for
your power tool and only for recommended appli-
cations. For example: do not grind with the side of a
cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended
for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to these
wheels may cause them to shatter.
b) For threaded abrasive cones and plugs use
only undamaged wheel mandrels with an un-
relieved shoulder fl ange that are of correct size
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and length. Proper mandrels will reduce the pos-
sibility of breakage.
c) Do not "jam" a cut-off wheel or apply ex-
cessive pressure. Do not attempt to make an
excessive depth of cut. Overstressing the wheel
increases the loading and susceptibility to twis-
ting or snagging of the wheel in the cut and the
possibility of kickback or wheel breakage.
d) Do not position your hand in line with and
behind the rotating wheel. When the wheel, at
the point of operation, is moving away from your
hand, the possible kickback may propel the spin-
ning wheel and the power tool directly at you.
e) When wheel is pinched, snagged or when inter-
rupting a cut for any reason, switch off the power
tool and hold the power tool motionless until the
wheel comes to a complete stop. Never attempt
to remove the cut-off wheel from the cut while
the wheel is in motion otherwise kickback may
occur. Investigate and take corrective action to eli-
minate the cause of wheel pinching or snagging.
f) Do not restart the cutting operation in the
workpiece. Let the wheel reach full speed and
carefully re-enter the cut. The wheel may bind,
walk up or kickback if the power tool is restarted
in the workpiece.
g) Support panels or any oversized workpiece
to minimize the risk of wheel pinching and kick-
back. Large workpieces tend to sag under their
own weight. Supports must be placed under the
workpiece near the line of cut and near the edge
of the workpiece on both sides of the wheel.
h) Use extra caution when making a "pocket cut"
into existing walls or other blind areas. The protru-
ding wheel may cut gas or water pipes, electrical
wiring or objects that can cause kickback.
Safety warnings specifi c for wire brushing
operations:
a) Be aware that wire bristles are thrown by the
brush even during ordinary operation. Do not over-
stress the wires by applying excessive load to the