Operation; Workpiece Support - DeWalt DW377 Instruction Manual

158629-03/dw377 5/17/02
depth adjustment lever and move shoe to obtain the desired depth
of cut, as shown in Figure 5. Make sure the depth adjustment lever
has been retightened (lowered) before operating saw.
Your saw is equipped with a carbide tipped saw blade for long life
and efficient cutting.
For the most efficient cutting action using a carbide tipped saw
blade, set the Depth Adjustment so that about one half of a tooth
projects below the surface of the wood to be cut. The height of a
whole tooth is the distance from the tip of the tooth to the bottom
of the gullet in front of it. Study Figures 5A and 5B to determine
what one half tooth means. (5A shows one half tooth projecting
below the surface and figure 5B shows a whole tooth projecting
below the surface.)
Setting the saw at the proper cutting depth keeps blade friction to
a minimum, removes sawdust from between the blade teeth,
results in cooler, faster sawing and reduces the chance of kick-
back.
A method of checking for the correct cutting depth is shown in
Figure 6. Lay a piece of the material you plan to cut along the side
of the blade, as shown in the figure, and observe how much tooth
projects beyond the material.
NOTE: When using a non carbide tipped blade, make an excep-
tion to the above procedure and allow a full tooth to project below
the material, as shown in Figure 5B.
BEVEL ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
DISCONNECT THE SAW FROM THE POWER SUPPLY.
The full range of the bevel adjustment is from 0 TO 45 DEGREES.
The quadrant is graduated in increments of 5 degrees.
On the front of the saw is a bevel angle adjustment mechanism
(Figure 7) consisting of a calibrated quadrant and a lever. To set
the saw for a bevel cut, raise to loosen the quadrant lever and tilt
shoe to the desired angle by aligning the pointer with the desired
angle mark. Retighten lever firmly by lowering it.
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BLADE GUIDE ADJUSTMENTS
TURN OFF TOOL AND DISCONNECT FROM POWER SUPPLY.
1. With the saw bevel adjustment set on 90°, retract the blade
guard and place a straight edge guard against the inside of the
blade.
2. Hold the saw handles in normal operating position and align the
90° blade guide notch with the straight edge (Figure 8), then
tighten the screw.
3. Take a scrap piece of wood and make a cut to see if the saw
cuts where you want before doing any work.

Operation

SWITCH
Pull the trigger switch to turn the motor ON. Releasing the trigger
turns the motor OFF. This tool has no provision to lock the switch
in the ON position, and should never be locked ON in any way.

WORKPIECE SUPPORT

Figure 9 shows proper sawing position. Note that hands are kept
away from cutting area, and power cord is positioned clear of the
cutting area so that it will not get caught or hung up on the work.
To avoid kickback, DO support board or panel NEAR the cut,
(Figure 10). DON'T support board or panel away from the cut
(Figure 11).
When operating the saw, keep the cord away from the cutting area
and prevent it from becoming hung up on the work piece.
WARNING: It is important to support the work properly and to hold
the saw firmly to prevent loss of control which could cause per-
sonal injury; Figure 12 illustrates typical hand support of the saw.
ALWAYS DISCONNECT SAW BEFORE MAKING ANY ADJUST-
MENTS! Place the work with its "good" side - the one on which
appearance is most important - down. The saw cuts upward, so
any splintering will be on the work face that is up when you saw it.
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