DeWalt DCS373 Manual page 10

Eng lis h
– If 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 the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given
below:
a) Maintain a firm grip with both hands on
the saw and position your arms 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 forces can be
controlled by the operator, if proper precautions
are taken.
b) When 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.
c) When restarting a saw in the workpiece,
centre the saw blade in the kerf 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.
d) Support large panels to minimise the risk of
blade pinching and kickback. Large panels
tend to sag under their own weight. Supports
must be placed under the panel on both sides,
near the line of cut and near the edge of the
panel.
e) Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce
narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade
binding and kickback.
f) Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking
levers must be tight and secure before
making cut. If blade adjustment shifts while
cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
g) Use extra caution when sawing into existing
walls or other blind areas. The protruding
blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
8
lower guard safety instructions
a) Check lower guard for proper closing before
each use. Do not operate the saw if lower
guard does not move freely and close
instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard
into the open position. If saw is accidentally
dropped, lower guard may be bent. Raise the
lower guard with the retracting handle and
make sure it moves freely and does not touch
the blade or any other part, in all angles and
depths of cut.
b) Check the operation of the lower guard
spring. If the guard and the spring are not
operating properly, they must be serviced
before use. Lower guard may operate
sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy
deposits, or a build-up of debris.
c) Lower guard should be retracted manually
only for special cuts such as "plunge cuts"
and "compound cuts." Raise lower guard
by retracting handle and as soon as blade
enters the material, the lower guard must be
released. For all other sawing, the lower guard
should operate automatically.
d) Always observe that the lower guard is
covering the blade before placing saw down
on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting
blade will cause the saw to walk backwards,
cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the
time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is
released.
NOTE: Although the above information references
wood, this saw is only to be used to cut metal.
Kickback can occur when cutting metal.
additional specific safety
instructions for Circular saws
• Do not use abrasive wheels or blades.
• Do not use water feed attachments.
• Do not attempt to cut stainless steel, rebar,
hardened or heat-treated steel, cast iron,
masonry or unknown materials
• Use clamps or another practical way to
secure and support the workpiece to a
stable platform. Holding the work by hand or
against your body leaves it unstable and may
lead to loss of control.
• Keep your body positioned to either side
of the blade, but not in line with the saw
blade. KICKBACK could cause the saw to
jump backwards (see Causes and Operator
Prevention of Kickback and KICKBACK).