Performax 241-0944 Owner's Manual page 6

KICKBACK
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled
saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.
- When a blade is pinched or bound tightly by the Nerf closing down, the blade stalls and the motor
reaction may drive the unit back toward the operator rapidly.
- If the blade is twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into
the top surface of the wood which may cause the blade to climb out of the Nerf or jump back toward
the operator.
- Using dull blades or improperly supported work will increase the tendency of kickback.
- To prevent kickback, wet lumber, green lumber or pressure treated lumber all require special atten-
tion during cutting operations.
Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.
- Maintain a firm grip on the saw and position your arm to resist kickback forces. Position your body
to either side of the blade, but not in line with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump
backwards, but kickback force can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
- When a blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger and hold the
saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove
the saw from the work or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur.
Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding.
- When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the Nerf and check that saw
teeth are not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding, it may walk up or kickback from the
workpiece as the saw is restarted.
- Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag
under their own weight. Support must be placed under the panel on both sides, near the line of cut
and near the edge of the panel.
Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow Nerf
causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
- Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making a cut. If
blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
- Use extra caution when making a "plunge cut" into existing walls or other blind areas. The
protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
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