Craftsman 315.CT2040 Operator's Manual page 10

SAW BLADES
The best of saw blades will not cut efficiently if they are
not kept clean, sharp, and properly set. Using a dull blade
will place a heavy load on the saw and increase the dan-
ger of kickback. Keep extra blades on hand, so that sharp
blades are always available.
Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades will slow the
saw down. Remove saw blade from the saw and use gum
and pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene to remove these
accumulations. DO NOT USE GASOLINE.
BLADE GUARD SYSTEM
See Figure 9, page ii.
The lower blade guard attached to the circular saw is
there for your protection and safety. Do not alter it for any
reason. If it becomes damaged, do not operate the saw
until you have the guard repaired or replaced. Always
leave guard in operating position when using the saw.
DANGER:
When sawing through work, lower blade
guard does not cover blade on the underside of
work. Since blade is exposed on underside of work,
keep hands and fingers away from cutting area. Any
part of your body coming in contact with moving
blade will result in serious injury.
CAUTION:
Never use saw when guard is not oper-
ating correctly. Check the guard for correct opera-
tion before each use. The guard is operating cor-
rectly when it moves freely and readily returns to the
closed position. If you drop the saw, check the lower
blade guard and bumper for damage at all depth set-
tings before reuse.
If at any time the lower blade guard does not snap closed,
remove the battery from the saw. Exercise the lower guard
by moving it rapidly back and forth from the full open
position to the closed position several times. Normally this
will restore the guard to its normal operating condition.
If it does not correct a slow or sluggish closing lower
guard, do not use the saw. Take it to an authorized factory
service center for repair.
STARTING/STOPPING THE SAW
See Figure 10, page ii.
To start the saw:
 Depress the lock-off button.
 Squeeze the switch trigger.
Always let the blade reach full speed, then guide the saw
into the workpiece.
OPERATION
WARNING:
workpiece before it reaches full speed could cause
the saw to "kick back" toward you resulting in seri-
ous injury.
To stop the saw: Release the switch trigger.
After you release the switch trigger, allow the blade to
come to a complete stop. Do not remove the saw from
the workpiece while the blade is moving.
LOCK-OFF BUTTON
See Figure 10, page ii.
The lock-off button reduces the possibility of acciden-
tal starting. The lock-off button is located on the handle
above the switch trigger. The lock-off button must be de-
pressed before you pull the switch trigger. The lock resets
each time the trigger is released.
NOTE: You can depress the lock-off button from either the
left or right side.
ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH
See Figure 11, page ii.
Always keep correct blade depth setting. The correct
blade depth setting for all cuts should not exceed 1/4 in.
below the material being cut. More blade depth will
increase the chance of kickback and cause the cut to be
rough. For more depth of cut accuracy, a scale is located
on the back of the upper blade guard.
 Remove battery pack from saw.
 Loosen depth lock knob.
 Determine the desired depth of cut.
 Locate depth of cut scale on back of upper blade
guard.
 Hold base flat against the workpiece and raise or lower
saw until the indicator mark on bracket aligns with
notch on blade guard.
 Tighten depth lock knob securely.
OPERATING THE SAW
See Figures 12 - 14, page ii.
It is important to understand the correct method for
operating the saw. Refer to the figures in this section to
learn the correct and incorrect ways for handling the saw.
DANGER:
the blade is exposed on the underside of the saw
until the lower blade guard closes. Make sure the
lower blade guard is closed before setting the saw
down.
10 – English
The blade coming in contact with the
When lifting the saw from the workpiece,