English
to minimize body exposure, blade binding, or loss
of control.
d ) Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces
when performing an operation where the cutting
tool may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a
"live" wire will also make exposed metal parts of the
power tool "live" and shock the operator.
e ) When ripping always use a rip fence or straight
edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and
reduces the chance of blade binding.
f ) Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades
that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw
will run eccentrically, causing loss of control.
g ) 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.
Further Safety Instructions for All Saws
Kickback Causes and Related Warnings
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
4
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.
Safety Instructions for Plunge-Type Saws
Guard Function
a ) Check guard for proper closing before each use.
Do not operate the saw if guard does not move
freely and enclose the blade instantly. Never
clamp or tie the guard with the blade exposed. If
saw is accidentally dropped, guard may be bent.
Check to make sure that guard moves freely and does
not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles
and depths of cut.
b ) Check the operation and condition of the guard
return spring. If the guard and the spring are not
operating properly, they must be serviced before
use. Guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged
parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
c ) Assure that the base plate of the saw will not
shift while performing the "plunge cut" when
the blade bevel setting is not at 90°. Blade shifting
sideways will cause binding and likely kickback.
d ) Always observe that the 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
Riving Knife Function
a ) 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.
b ) Adjust the riving knife as described in this
instruction manual. Incorrect spacing, positioning
and alignment can make the riving knife ineffective in
preventing kickback.
c ) For the riving knife to work, it must be engaged
in the workpiece. The riving knife is ineffective in
preventing kickback during short cuts.