Table Saw Safety Rules - Porter-Cable PCX362010 Instruction Manual

TERMINOLOGY
The following terms will be used throughout the manual and you should become familiar with them.
— Through-cut - any cut that completely cuts through
the workpiece.
— Non-through cut - any cut that does not completely
cut through the workpiece.
— Push stick - a wooden or plastic stick, usually
homemade, that is used to push a small workpiece
through the saw and keeps the operator's hands
clear of the blade. (See illustration 26 on page 23)
— Kickback - when the saw blade binds in the cut or
the workpiece binds between the blade and the
fence and the workpiece is thrust back toward the
operator.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.
• SEE GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY SECTION OF THIS MANUAL. Read entire instruction manual
before operating saw. Learning the saw's proper applications, limitations, and specific potential hazards will
greatly minimize the possibility of accidents and injury. Make sure all users are familiar with its warnings and
instructions before using saw.
• SEE POWER CONNECTION SECTION OF THIS MANUAL for instructions and warnings regarding power
cords and connections.
1. AVOID KICKBACK. Pay particular attention to the
instructions (below) for reducing risk of kickback.
2. O B TA I N A D V I C E f ro m y o u r s u p e r v i s o r,
instructor, or another qualified person if you are
not thoroughly familiar with the operation of this
machine. Knowledge is safety.
3. DRESS PROPERLY. Wear appropriate apparel,
eye protection, hearing protection and dust
protection as specified in the General Power Tool
Safety Section of this manual.
4. PROPER ASSEMBLY. Do not operate this saw until
it is completely assembled and installed according
to the instructions.
5. STABILITY. Make sure table saw is properly
assembled and located on a stable surface before
use to keep saw from moving during cut.
6. USE CORRECT BLADE AND RIVING KNIFE for
the intended operation. The blade must be installed
so the points of the teeth are pointing toward the
front of the saw. Do not use oversized blade or
blade with incorrect arbor opening. Always tighten
the blade arbor nut securely. Before use, inspect
the blade for cracks or missing teeth. Do not use
a damaged or dull blade. Always use blade within
the thickness range for which the riving knife is
designed.
7. USE PROPER THROAT PLATE. The proper throat
plate must be in place and properly secured at all
times to reduce the risk of a thrown workpiece and
possible injury.
8. USE SAW BLADE GUARD, RIVING KNIFE
AND ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS. Your saw
is equipped with a modular blade guard, riving
knife and anti-kickback pawl assembly, each
component of which should be used for every
possible operation, including all through cuts. This
assembly is discussed in more detail below. Make

TABLE SAW SAFETY RULES

5
— Freehand - cutting without the use of a miter
gauge or rip fence or any other means of guiding
or holding the workpiece other than the operator's
hand.
— Plunge cutting - blind cuts in the workpiece made
by either raising the blade through the workpiece or
lowering the workpiece down to the blade.
— Re-sawing - flipping the workpiece to complete a
cut the saw is not capable of making in one pass.
— Cove cutting - an operation where the work is fed at
an angle across the blade. (Also known as "coving")
sure components are securely installed prior to
operation.
9. NEVER CUT METALS, CEMENT BOARD OR
MASONRY. Certain man-made materials have
special instructions for cutting on table saws.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations at all
times.
10. SUPPORT YOUR WORKPIECE based on its size
and the type of operation to be performed. Hold
the workpiece firmly against the fence and down
against the table surface. Do not leave a wide
panel or long board (or other large workpiece)
unsupported – the weight of the workpiece may
causes it to shift on the table resulting in loss of
control.
11. NEVER PERFORM LAYOUT, ASSEMBLY OR SET-
UP WORK ON THE TABLE/WORK AREA when
the saw is running.
12. USE A PUSH STICK that is appropriate to the
application to push and hold down a workpiece
through the completion of the cut. A push stick is
a wooden or plastic stick, usually homemade, that
should be used whenever the size or shape of the
workpiece would cause you to place your hands
within 6 in. (152 mm) of the blade. Instructions for
making a push stick are included in this manual. A
push stick is also provided with this saw.
13. NEVER Perform freehand cutting, plunge cutting,
re-sawing, or cove cutting.
14. CHECK WORKPIECE AND SET-UP before
each operation. Knots, irregularities, or nails
in workpiece and positioning mistakes or
incomplete set-up may interfere with or affect saw
performance and personal safety.
15. NO FREEHAND CUTS. Always use a rip fence,
miter gauge, or other appropriate devices to guide
or hold down the workpiece. Use hold-downs, jigs,