DeWalt DCS373 Manual page 18

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C. Overreaching or operating the saw with poor
body control (out of balance), can result in
twisting the blade.
D. Changing hand grip or body position while
cutting can result in blade twist.
E. Backing up the saw to clear blade can lead
to twist.
4. USE OF DULL OR DIRTY BLADES
Dull blades cause increased loading of the
saw. To compensate, an operator will usually
push harder which further loads the unit and
promotes twisting of the blade in the kerf.
Worn blades may also have insufficient body
clearance which increases the chance of
binding and increased loading.
5. RESTARTING A CUT WITH THE BLADE
TEETH JAMMED AGAINST THE MATERIAL
The saw should be brought up to full operating
speed before starting a cut or restarting a cut
after the unit has been stopped with the blade
in the kerf. Failure to do so can cause stalling
and kickback.
Any other conditions which could result in pinching,
binding, twisting, or misalignment of the blade could
cause kickback. Refer to the sections Further
Safety Instructions for All Saws and Blades for
procedures and techniques that will minimise the
occurrence of kickback.
depth adjustment (fig. 8)
WARNING: To reduce the risk of
serious personal injury, turn tool
off and disconnect battery pack
before making any adjustments or
removing/installing attachments or
accessories. An accidental start-up
can cause injury.
The metal-cutting saw is equipped with a pivoting
shoe that allows the operator to set the depth of cut.
For the most efficient cutting action, set the depth
adjustment so that one tooth of the blade projects
below the material to be cut. This distance is from
the tip of the tooth to the bottom of the gullet in front
of the tooth. This keeps blade friction at a minimum,
removes metal chips from the cut, results in cooler,
faster sawing and reduces the chance of kickback.
to set tHe dePtH of Cut
1. Lay the piece of material you plan to cut along
the blade as shown.
2. Note how much tooth projects beyond the
material.
16
3. Loosen the depth adjustment lever (c) and
move the shoe to change the depth of cut.
4. Retighten the depth adjustment lever securely.
workpiece support (fig. 9)
Cutting sHeets of Metal
Figure 9 shows the correct and incorrect way to
support a large sheet. To avoid kickback, support
material near the cut. Do not support it away
from the cut. If material is supported away from
the cut, it will bind the blade and cause kickback.
When cutting thin strips, keep the blade at least
1/2" (approximately 13 mm) from the edge of the
material. Thin strips may bind, causing kickback and
increasing the risk of personal injury.
Cutting reCtangular Metal stoCk
Clamp the material you plan to cut to a workbench
or other work surface as shown above.
Cutting (fig. 10, 11)
1. Hold the saw securely using both hands.
Figure 10 shows appropriate hand position.
Keep your body to one side of the line along
which you are cutting. This will protect you from
injury related to kickback.
2. When cutting ends off of rectangular metal
stock, place the widest part of the shoe on
the part of the material that is clamped to the
workbench or other support, not on the part of
the material that will fall when the cut is made.
3. Depress the trigger switch and allow the saw to
reach full speed before the blade contacts the
material to be cut (fig. 11).
4. Push the saw forward at a speed that allows
the blade to cut without laboring.
5. As you finish a cut, release the trigger and allow
the blade to stop before lifting the saw from
the work. As you lift the saw, the guard will
automatically close under the blade.
CorreCting a Cut
Should your cut begin to leave the cutting line, don't
try to force it back on. Forcing a correction can stall
the saw and cause kickback. Instead, release the
switch and allow the blade to come to a complete
stop. Then, back the saw out of the cut. Restart
the saw and re-enter the cut, following the desired
cutting line.
CAUTION: Do not cut through bolts
with the metal-cutting saw. Damage to
the saw or personal injury could result.