DeWalt XR FLEX VOLT DCS520 Manual page 10

English
e ) Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces when
performing an operation where the cutting tool may
contact hidden wiring. Contact with a "live" wire will
also make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live" and
shock the operator.
f ) When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge
guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces the
chance of blade binding.
g ) Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades that
do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run
eccentrically, causing loss of control.
h ) Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or
bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially designed
for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of
operation.
Causes and Operator Prevention
of 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 the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing
down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit
rapidly back toward the operator;
• 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.
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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 making a "plunge cut" into
existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding
blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
Safety Instructions for Plunge-Type Saws
a ) Check guard for proper closing before each use. Do
not operate the saw if guard does not move freely
and enclose the blade instantly. Never clamp or tie
the guard with the blade exposed. If saw is accidentally
dropped, guard may be bent. Check to make sure that
guard moves freely and does not touch the blade or any
other part, in all angles and depths of cut.
b ) Check the operation and condition of the guard
return spring. If the guard and the spring are not
operating properly, they must be serviced before
use. Guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts,
gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
c ) Assure that the guide plate of the saw will not shift
while performing the "plunge cut" when the blade
bevel setting is not at 90°. Blade shifting sideways will
cause binding and likely kickback.
d ) Always observe that the 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.
Additional Safety Instructions for All Saws
with Riving Knife
a ) Use the appropriate riving knife for the blade being
used. For the riving knife to work, it must be thicker than
the body of the blade but thinner than the tooth set of the
blade.
b ) Adjust the riving knife as described in this
instruction manual. Incorrect spacing, positioning
and alignment can make the riving knife ineffective in
preventing kickback.
c ) Always use the riving knife except when plunge
cutting. Riving knife must be replaced after plunge
cutting. Riving knife causes interference during plunge
cutting and can create kickback.
d ) For the riving knife to work, it must be engaged in
the workpiece. The riving knife is ineffective in preventing
kickback during short cuts.
e ) Do not operate the saw if riving knife is bent. Even a
light interference can slow the closing rate of a guard.