Porter-Cable PCB222TS Instruction Manual page 7

SAW BLADe GUARD ASSeMBLY, ANTI-KICKBACK
ASSEmBLY ANd rIvINg KNIfE
Your table saw is equipped with a blade guard assembly,
anti-kickback assembly and riving knife 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. The blade guard assembly and anti-kickback
assembly can only be used when making through
cuts that sever the wood. When making rabbets and
other cuts that make non through cuts, the blade guard
assembly and anti-kickback assembly must be removed
and riving knife lowered to the non through cut position
marked on the riving knife. 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. Use all components
of the guarding system (blade guard assembly, riving
knife and anti-kickback assembly) 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 thru-cutting operations. Keep the guard
assembly in working order.
KIcKBAcKS
KICKBACKS: Kickbacks can cause serious injury. A
kickback occurs when a part of the workpiece binds
between the saw blade and the rip fence, or other fixed
object, and rises from the table and is thrown toward the
operator. Kickbacks can be avoided by attention to the
following conditions.
How to Avoid Them and Protect Yourself from
Possible Injury:
a. Be certain that the rip fence is parallel to the saw
blade.
b. Do not rip by applying the feed force to the section
of the workpiece that will become the cut-off (free)
piece. feed force when ripping should always be
applied between the saw blade and the fence; use
a push stick for narrow work, 6 in. (5 mm) wide or
less.
TABLE SAW SAfETY
c. Keep saw blade guard assembly, riving knife and anti-
kickback assembly in place and operating properly. If
anti-kickback assembly is not operational, return your
unit to the nearest authorized service center for
repair. The riving knife must be in alignment with the
saw blade and the anti-kickback assembly must stop
a kickback once it has started. Check their action
before ripping by pushing the wood under the anti-
kickback assembly. The teeth must prevent the wood
from being pulled toward the front of the saw.
d. Plastic and composite (like hardboard) materials may
be cut on your saw. however, since these are usually
quite hard and slippery, the anti-kickback pawls may
not stop a kickback. Therefore, be especially attentive
to following proper set up and cutting procedures for
ripping.
e. Use saw blade guard assembly, anti-kickback
assembly and riving knife for every operation for
which it can be used, including all through-sawing.
f. Push the workpiece past the saw blade prior to
release.
g. Never rip a workpiece that is twisted or warped, or
does not have a straight edge to guide along the
fence.
h. Never saw a large workpiece that cannot be
controlled.
i. Never use the fence as a guide or length stop when
crosscutting.
j. Never saw a workpiece with loose knots, flaws, nails
or other foreign objects.
k. Never rip a workpiece shorter than 0 in. (54 mm).
l. NEVER use a dull blade – replace or have
resharpened.
m.NEVER use a rip fence and miter gauge together.
n. Keep hands out of saw blade.
7