Inspect Your Workpiece - RIDGID MS1050 Owner's Manual

CAUTION: When cutting any metals, sparks or hot
fragments could cause a fire. To reduce the risk of
this, disconnect any dust collecting bag or hose
from the miter saw, and remove all traces of wood
dust from inside dust traps in the miter saw.
Dress For Safety
Any power tool can throw foreign objects into the eyes.
This can result in permanent eye damage. Wear safety
goggles (not glasses) that comply with ANSI Z87.1 (or in
Canada CSA Z94.3-99) shown on package. Everyday
eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses. They are
not safety glasses. Safety goggles are available at many
local retail stores. Glasses or goggles not in compliance
with ANSI or CSA could seriously hurt you when they
break.

Inspect Your Workpiece

• Make sure there are no nails or foreign objects in the
part of the workpiece to be cut.
Plan your work to avoid thrown pieces caused - when
the workpiece binds on the blade and is torn from
your hands.
Plan the way you will hold the workpiece from start to finish:
Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a
sudden slip could cause fingers or hand to move into the
blade.
Don't Overreach. Keep good footing and balance.
Keep your face and body to one side of saw blade, out of
line with a possible throwback.
Never Cut Freehand:
• Cut only one workpiece at a time.
• Brace your workpiece solidly against the fence and
table top so it will not rock or twist during the cut.
• Make sure there's no debris between the workpiece
and its supports.
• Make sure no gaps between the workpiece, fence and
table will let the workpiece shift after it is cut in two.
• Keep the cut off piece free to move sideways after it's
cut off. Otherwise it could get wedged against the
blade and could be thrown violently.
• Clear everything except the workpiece and related
support devices off the table before turning the miter
saw on.
• Secure Work. Use clamps or a vise to help hold the
work when it's practical.
Use extra caution with large, very small or awkward
workpieces:
• Use extra supports (tables, saw horses, blocks, etc.)
for any workpiece large enough to tip when not held
Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties or jewelry
(rings, wrist watches) They can get caught and draw you
into moving parts.
• Wear nonslip footwear.
• Tie back long hair.
• Roll long sleeves above the elbow.
• Noise levels vary widely. To reduce the risk of possible
hearing damage, wear ear plugs or muffs when using
miter saw for hours at a time.
• For dusty operations, wear a dust mask along with
safety goggles.
down to the table top.
• Never use another person as a substitute for a table
extension, or as additional support for a workpiece that
is longer or wider than the basic miter saw table.
• Do not use this saw to cut pieces too small to let you
easily hold the work. The thumb side of your index
(pointer) finger should not be closer to the blade than
the outside edge of the fence.
• When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your
work so it will not slip and pinch the blade and be torn
from your hands. A piece of molding, for example,
must lie flat or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let
it twist, rock or slip while being cut.
• Properly support round material such as dowel rods, or
tubing. They have a tendency to roll while being cut,
causing the blade to "bite." To avoid this, always use a
fixture designed to properly hold your workpiece.
WARNING: If planning to cut aluminum or other
non-ferrous metals: Under adverse conditions, the
blade can grab and throw the workpiece suddenly
and unexpectedly. To reduce the risk of injury, fol-
low all applicable safety instructions, as you nor-
mally would, and:
• Use only sawblades specifically recommended
for non-ferrous metal cutting.
• Do not cut metal workpieces that must be hand
held. Use auxiliary clamps or other equipment as
needed.
• Cut non-ferrous metals only if your are experi-
enced or under the supervision of an experi-
enced person.
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