material, lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard should
operate automatically.
10. 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.
11. When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This improves the accuracy
of cut and reduces the chance for blade binding.
12. Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) arbor holes.
Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run eccentrically,
causing loss of control.
13. Never use saw blades made of high-speed steel.
14. Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolts. The blade washers and bolt
were specially designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation.
15. 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 operator.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or
conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to
allow you to resist KICKBACK forces. KICKBACK forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken.
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.
