Makita HS301D Instruction Manual page 7

of the saw will run eccentrically, causing loss of
control.
Never use damaged or incorrect blade wash-
8.
ers or bolt. The blade washers and bolt were
specially designed for your saw, for optimum
performance and safety of operation.
Kickback causes and related warnings
— 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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Support large panels to minimise the risk of
4.
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.
►Fig.2
►Fig.3
5. Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce
narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade
binding and kickback.
6. 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.
7. Use extra caution when sawing into existing
walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade
may cut objects that can cause kickback.
8. ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both hands.
NEVER place your hand or fingers behind the
saw. If kickback occurs, the saw could easily jump
backwards over your hand, leading to serious
personal injury.
►Fig.4
Never force the saw. Push the saw forward at a
9.
speed so that the blade cuts without slowing.
Forcing the saw can cause uneven cuts, loss of
accuracy, and possible kickback.
Lower guard function
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Lower guard may 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 oper-
ate automatically.
4. Always observe that the lower guard is cov-
ering 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.
5. To check lower guard, open lower guard by
hand, then release and watch guard closure.
Also check to see that retracting handle does
not touch tool housing. Leaving blade exposed
is VERY DANGEROUS and can lead to serious
personal injury.
Additional safety warnings
1. Use extra caution when cutting damp wood,
pressure treated lumber, or wood containing
knots. Maintain smooth advancement of tool with-
out decrease in blade speed to avoid overheating
the blade tips.
2. Do not attempt to remove cut material when
blade is moving. Wait until blade stops before
grasping cut material. Blades coast after turn off.
3. Avoid cutting nails. Inspect for and remove all
nails from lumber before cutting.
4. Place the wider portion of the saw base on
that part of the workpiece which is solidly
supported, not on the section that will fall off
when the cut is made. If the workpiece is short
or small, clamp it down. DO NOT TRY TO HOLD
SHORT PIECES BY HAND!
►Fig.5
5. Before setting the tool down after completing a
cut, be sure that the guard has closed and the
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