DeWalt DWS520 Instruction Manual page 15

RIPPING
Ripping is cutting wood lengthwise. This operation is performed in
the same manner as crosscutting with the exception of supporting
the workpiece. If the workpiece is supported on a large table,
bench, or fl oor, several pieces of scrap stock approximately 1"
(25.4 mm) thick should be placed beneath the material to allow
clearance for the portion of the saw blade that extends thru the
workpiece. Large sheets of paneling or thin plywood supported on
saw horses should have 2 x 4's placed lengthwise between the horses
and the workpiece to prevent it from sagging in the center.
BEVEL CUTTING
Make your bevel cuts in the same manner as crosscuts and rip cuts,
but set the blade at an angle between 0° and 47°.
The bevel cut made at an angle to the edge of a board is called a
compound cut.
KICKBACK
When the saw blade becomes pinched or twisted in the cut, kickback
can occur. The saw is thrust rapidly back toward the operator. When
the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing down, the
blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit backward. When the
blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back
edge of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood causing
the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator.
Kickback is more likely to occur when any of the following conditions
exist.
1. IMPROPER WORKPIECE SUPPORT
A. Sagging or improper lifting of the cut off piece can cause
pinching of the blade and lead to kickback.
B. Cutting through material supported at the outer ends only can
cause kickback. As the material weakens it sags, closing down
the kerf and pinching the blade.
C. Cutting off a cantilevered or overhanging piece of material from
the bottom up in a vertical direction can cause kickback. The
falling cut off piece can pinch the blade.
D. Cutting off long narrow strips (as in ripping) can cause kickback.
The cut off strip can sag or twist closing the kerf and pinching
the blade.
E. Snagging the lower guard on a surface below the material
being cut momentarily reduces operator control. The saw can
lift partially out of the cut increasing the chance of blade twist.
2. IMPROPER DEPTH OF CUT SETTING ON SAW
To make the most effi cient cut, the blade should protrude only far
enough to expose 1/2 of a tooth. This allows the shoe to support
the blade and minimizes twisting and pinching in the material. See
the section titled Cutting Depth Adjustment.
3. BLADE TWISTING (MISALIGNMENT IN CUT)
A. Pushing harder to cut through a knot, a nail, or a hard grain area
can cause the blade to twist.
B. Trying to turn the saw in the cut (trying to get back on the
marked line) can cause blade twist.
C. Over-reaching or operating the saw with poor body control (out
of balance), can result in twisting the blade.
D. Changing hand grip or body position while cutting can result in
blade twist.
E. Backing up the saw to clear blade can lead to twist.
4 MATERIALS THAT REQUIRE EXTRA ATTENTION
A. Wet lumber
B. Green lumber (material freshly cut or not kiln dried)
C. Pressure treated lumber (material treated with preservatives or
anti-rot chemicals)
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