RIDGID R8656 Operator's Manual page 8

OPERATION
 Making a cut with a dull, gummed up, or improperly set
blade.
 Supporting the workpiece incorrectly.
 Forcing a cut.
 Cutting warped or wet lumber.
 Operating the tool incorrectly or misusing the tool.
To lessen the chance of kickback, follow these safety
practices:
 Keep the blade at the correct depth setting. Less than a
full tooth of the blade teeth should be visible below the
workpiece.
 Inspect the workpiece for knots or nails before cutting.
Never saw into a knot or nail.
 Make straight cuts. Always use a straight edge guide
when rip cutting. This helps prevent twisting the blade.
 Use clean, sharp, and properly set blades. Never make
cuts with dull blades.
 Support and clamp the workpiece properly before begin-
ning a cut.
 Use steady, even pressure when making a cut. Never
force a cut.
 Do not cut warped or wet lumber.
 Always let the blade reach full speed before beginning a
cut.
 Hold the saw firmly with both hands and keep your body
in a balanced position so as to resist the forces if kickback
should occur.
WARNING:
When using the saw, always stay alert and exercise
control. Do not remove the saw from the workpiece
while the blade is moving.
SAW BLADES
The best of saw blades will not cut efficiently if they are not
kept clean, sharp, and properly set. Using a dull blade will
place a heavy load on the saw and increase the danger of
kickback. Keep extra blades on hand, so that sharp blades
are always available.
Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades will slow the saw
down. Remove saw blade from the saw and use gum and
pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene to remove these ac-
cumulations. DO NOT USE GASOLINE.
BLADE GUARD SYSTEM
See Figure 9, page 14.
The lower blade guard attached to your circular saw is there
for your protection and safety. Do not alter it for any reason.
If it becomes damaged, do not operate the saw until you
have the guard repaired or replaced. Always leave guard in
operating position when using the saw.
DANGER:
When sawing through work, lower blade guard
does not cover blade on the underside of work.
Since blade is exposed on underside of work, keep
hands and fingers away from cutting area. Any part
of your body coming in contact with moving blade
will result in serious injury.
WARNING:
To avoid possible serious injury, never use saw
when guard is not operating correctly. Check the
guard for correct operation before each use. The
guard is operating correctly when it moves freely,
and instantly returns to the closed position. If you
drop the saw, check the lower blade guard and
bumper for damage at all depth settings before
reuse.
WARNING:
Never tie the lower blade guard in a raised position.
Leaving the blade exposed could lead to serious
injury.
If at any time the lower blade guard does not snap closed,
remove the battery from the saw. Exercise the lower guard
by moving it rapidly back and forth from the full open posi-
tion to the closed position several times. Normally this will
restore the guard to its normal operating condition. If it does
not correct a slow or sluggish closing lower guard, do not
use the saw. Take it to an authorized factory service center
for repair.
LOCK-OFF BUTTON
See Figure 10, page 14.
The lock-off button reduces the possibility of accidental
starting. The lock-off button is located on the handle above
the switch trigger. The lock-off button must be depressed
before you pull the switch trigger. The lock resets each time
the trigger is released.
NOTE: You can depress the lock-off button from either the
left or right side.
8 - English