Skil CR5440B-00 Owner's Manual page 6

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 elimi-
nate the cause of blade binding.
When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the kerf so that the saw
teeth are not engaged into the material. If the saw blade binds, 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
a cut. I
f 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.
Lower guard function
Check the lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if
the lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower
guard into the open position. If the saw is accidentally dropped, the lower guard may be
bent. Raise the lower guard with the retracting handle and make sure that it moves freely and
does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and all depths of cut.
Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring are not oper-
ating properly, they must be serviced before use. Lower guard may operate sluggishly due
to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
The lower guard may be retracted manually only for special cuts, such as "plunge cuts"
and "compound cuts." Raise the lower guard by the retracting handle and as soon as
the blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the
lower guard should operate automatically.
Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing the saw down
on the 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.
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