90577317 FME305 CIRC. SAW.qxd:??????-00 Cir Saw book
arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run
eccentrically, causing loss of control.
h. Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolt. The blade washers and
bolt were specially designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of
operation.
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF KICKBACK:
• Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, causing
an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.
• When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing down, the blade stalls
and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator.
• 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:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center 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.
d. Support large panels to minimize 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.
e. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades
produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
f. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before
making cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
g. 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.
LOWER GUARD SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
a. 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.
b. 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 of debris.
c. 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 blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released.
For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.
d. 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
• Use clamps or another practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a
stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body leaves it unstable and
may lead to loss of control.
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1:06 PM
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• Keep your body positioned to either side of the blade, but not in line with the
saw blade. KICKBACK could cause the saw to jump backwards (see Causes and
Operator Prevention of Kickback and KICKBACK).
• Avoid cutting nails. Inspect for and remove all nails from lumber before cutting.
• Always make sure nothing interferes with the movement of the lower blade guard.
• Accessories must be rated for at least the speed recommended on the tool
warning label. Wheels and other accessories running over rated speed can fly apart
and cause injury. Accessory ratings must always be above tool speed as shown on tool
nameplate.
• Always be sure all components are mounted properly and securely before using tool.
• Always handle the saw blade with care when mounting or removing it.
• Always wait until the motor has reached full speed before starting a cut.
• Always keep handles dry, clean and free of oil and grease. Hold the tool firmly with
both hands when in use.
• Always be alert at all times, especially during repetitive, monotonous operations.
Always be sure of position of your hands relative to the blade.
• Stay clear of end pieces that may fall after cutting off. They may be hot, sharp and/or
heavy. Serious personal injury may result.
• Replace or repair damaged cords. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition.
Use only 3-wire extension cords that have 3-prong grounding-type plugs and 3-pole
receptacles that accept the toolʼs plug.
• An extension cord must have adequate wire size (AWG or American Wire Gauge)
for safety. The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the
cable, that is 16 gauge has more capacity than 18 gauge. An undersized cord will
cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. When using
more than one extension to make up the total length, be sure each individual extension
contains at least the minimum wire size. The following table shows the correct size to
use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next
heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord.
Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets
Volts
Total Length of Cord in Feet
120V
0-25
26-50
(0-7,6m) (7,6-15,2m) (15,2-30,4m) (30,4-45,7m)
240V
0-50
51-100
(0-15,2m) (15,2-30,4m) (30,4-60,9m) (60,9-91,4m)
Ampere Rating
More
Not more
American Wire Gauge
Than
Than
0
-
6
18
16
6
-
10
18
16
10
-
12
16
16
12
-
16
14
12
WARNING:
Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling,
and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some
examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work.
To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with
approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter
out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling,
and other construction activities. Wear protective clothing and wash exposed
areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the
skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.
WARNING:
Use of this tool can generate and/or disperse dust, which may
cause serious and permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA
51-100
101-150
101-200
201-300
16
14
14
12
14
12
Not Recommended
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