Saw Blade Guard, Anti-Kickback Pawls And Riving Knife - RIDGID R4550 Operator's Manual

k. When restarting the saw with the saw blade in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that the
saw teeth are not engaged in the material. If the saw blade binds, it may lift up the workpiece and cause kickback
when the saw is restarted.
l. Keep saw blades clean, sharp, and with sufficient set. Never use warped saw blades or saw blades with cracked or
broken teeth. Sharp and properly set saw blades minimize binding, stalling and kickback.
4.
Table saw operating procedure warnings
a. Turn off the table saw and disconnect the power cord when removing the table insert, changing the saw
blade or making adjustments to the riving knife, any kickback device or saw blade guard, and when the
machine is left unattended. Precautionary measures will avoid accidents.
b. Never leave the table saw running unattended. Turn it off and don't leave the tool until it comes to a complete stop.
An unattended running saw is an uncontrolled hazard.
c. Locate the table saw in a well-lit and level area where you can maintain good footing and balance. It should
be installed in an area that provides enough room to easily handle the size of your workpiece. Cramped, dark areas, and
uneven slippery floors invite accidents.
d. Frequently clean and remove sawdust from under the saw table and/or the dust collection device.
Accumulated sawdust is combustible and may self-ignite.
e. The table saw must be secured. A table saw that is not properly secured may move or tip over.
f. Remove tools, wood scraps, etc. from the table before the table saw is turned on. Distraction or a potential jam
can be dangerous.
g. Always use saw blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbor holes. Saw blades that
do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run off-center, causing loss of control.
h. Never use damaged or incorrect saw blade mounting means such as flanges, saw blade washers, bolts or
nuts. These mounting means were specially designed for your saw, for safe operation and optimum performance.
i. Never stand on the table saw, do not use it as a stepping stool. Serious injury could occur if the tool is tipped or if
the cutting tool is accidentally contacted.
j. Make sure that the saw blade is installed to rotate in the proper direction. Do not use grinding wheels, wire
brushes, or abrasive wheels on a table saw. Improper saw blade installation or use of accessories not recommended may
cause serious injury.
k. DO NOT REMOVE A WORKPIECE that is damaged or jammed without first turning off the saw and unplugging it from
the power source.

SAW BLADE GUARD, ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS AND RIVING KNIFE

ASSEMBLY
Your table saw is equipped with a blade guard, anti-kickback
pawls and riving knife assembly that covers the blade and reduces
the possibility of accidental blade contact.
The riving knife is a flat plate that fits into the cut made by
the saw blade and effectively fights kickback by lessening the
tendency of the blade to bind in the cut.
Two anti-kickback pawls are located on the sides of the riving
knife that allow the wood to pass through the blade in the cutting
direction but reduce the possibility of the material being thrown
backwards toward the operator.
The blade guard and anti-kickback pawls can ONLY be used
when making through cuts that sever the wood. When making
rabbets and other non-through cuts, the blade guard and anti-
kickback pawls MUST be removed and riving knife lowered to the
non-through cut position marked on the riving knife.
TABLE SAW SAFETY RULES
Use all components of the guarding system (blade guard
assembly, riving knife and anti-kickback pawls) for every
operation for which they can be used including all through-
cutting. If you elect not to use any of these components for
a particular application, exercise additional caution regarding
control of the workpiece, the use of push sticks, the position of
your hands relative to the blade, the use of safety glasses, the
means to avoid kickback and all other warnings contained in this
manual and on the saw itself. Replace the guarding systems as
soon as you return to through-cutting operations. Keep the guard
assembly in working order.
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