Craftsman 320.46123 Operator's Manual page 9

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.
• 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.
• When the 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set
blades produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding
and kickback.
• 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.
• Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or other blind areas.
The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
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