Kickback; To Avoid Kickback; To Make A Push Stick - Ryobi BT3000 Operator's Manual

KICKBACK

See Figure 29.
Kickback can occur when the blade stalls or binds, kicking
the workpiece back toward the front of the saw with great
force and speed. Kickback can cause serious injury. Precau-
tions must be taken to avoid the risk of kickback.
AVOID:
• making a cut with incorrect blade depth
• sawing into knots or nails in the workpiece
• twisting the wood while making a cut
• failing to properly position riving knife

TO AVOID KICKBACK

Use these guidelines to avoid kickback:
1. Always use the correct blade depth setting. The top
point of the blade teeth should clear the workpiece, 1/8 inch
to 1/4 inch.
2. Inspect the work for knots or nails before beginning a
cut. Knock out any loose knots with a hammer. Never
saw into a loose knot or nail.
3. Make straight cuts. Always use the rip fence when rip
cutting. This helps prevent twisting the wood in the cut.
4. Always use clean, sharp, and properly-set blades. Never
make cuts with dull blades.
5. To avoid pinching the blade, support the work properly
before beginning a cut.
6. When making a cut, use steady, even pressure. Never
force cuts.
7. Do not cut wet or warped lumber.
8. Always hold your workpiece firmly with both hands or
use push blocks, push sticks, and featherboards to keep
your body in a balanced position to be able to resist
kickback should it occur. Always use push blocks, push
sticks, or featherboards when making dado and other
non-through cuts to avoid the risk of serious injury.
WARNING:
Never stand directly in line with the blade or allow hands
to come closer than 3 inches to the blade. Do not reach
over or across the blade. Failure to comply can result in
serious personal injury.
9. Use the right type of blade for the cut being made.

TO MAKE A PUSH STICK

A push stick is a device used to safely push a workpiece
through the blade instead of using your hands. Push sticks
in various sizes and shapes can be made from scrap wood.
The stick must always be narrower than the workpiece. If it
is too wide, it may jam on the rip fence or blade. When ripping
narrow stock, always use a push stick so your hand does not
come close to the saw blade.
OPERATION
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ANTI-KICKBACK
PAWLS IN PLACE
Page 20
making a cut with a dull, gummed-up, or improperly
set blade
failing to support work
forcing a cut
cutting warped or wet lumber
not following correct operating procedures
failing to use the anti-kickback pawls
using the wrong blade for the type of cut
CORRECT
BLADE DEPTH
NO KNOTS, NAILS OR WARPS IN WOOD
WOOD FED AND SUPPORTED CORRECTLY
Figure 29: Anti-kickback Practices
PUSH STICK
PUSH BLOCKS
Figure 30: Push Block And Push Stick Designs
BLADE GUARD
IN PLACE
PUSH
STICK