Operating Components - MasterCraft 055-6755-8 Instruction Manual

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model no. 055-6755-8 | contact us 1-800-689-9928
WARNING!
Never operate the saw with the blade guard removed except for non-through cuts. Reinstall the
blade guard immediately after finishing any non-through cut operations which require removal of
the blade guard. Failure to heed this instruction could result in serious personal injury.
APPLICATIONS
You can use this tool for the purposes listed below:
• Straight-line cutting operations, such as crosscutting, ripping, mitring, and compound cutting.
CAUTION!
This table saw is designed to cut wood and wood composition products only. Never cut metals,
cement board, or masonry.

OPERATING COMPONENTS

• The upper portion of the blade projects up through the table and is surrounded by an insert called the
table insert. The height of the blade is set with a height-adjusting knob on the height/bevel adjusting
handwheel. Detailed instructions are provided in this manual for the basic cut: cross cuts, mitre cuts,
bevel cuts, and compound cuts.
• The rip fence is used to position workpiece for lengthwise cuts.
• It's very important to use the riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and blade guard for all through-cut
sawing operations.
CAUSES OF KICKBACK
Kickback can occur when the blade stalls or binds, causing the workpiece to be kicked back toward the
operator with great force and speed. If your hands are near the saw blade, they may be jerked loose from the
workpiece and come into contact with the blade. Obviously, kickback can cause serious injury, and it is well
worth using precautions to avoid the risks. Kickback can be caused by any action that pinches the blade in
the wood, such as the following:
• Making a cut with incorrect blade depth.
• Sawing into knots or nails in the workpiece.
• Twisting the wood while making a cut.
• Failing to support the workpiece.
• Forcing a cut.
• Cutting warped or wet lumber.
• Using the wrong blade for the type of cut.
• Not following correct operating procedures.
• Misusing the saw.
• Failing to use the anti-kickback pawls.
• Cutting with a dull, gummed-up, or improperly set blade.
AVOIDING KICKBACK
Kickback can be avoided by taking following proper precautions:
• Always use the correct blade depth setting. The top of the blade teeth should clear the workpiece by
1/8" (3 mm) to 1/4" (6 mm).
• Inspect the work for knots or nails before beginning a cut. Knock out any loose knots with a hammer.
Never saw into a loose knot or nail.
• Always use the rip fence when rip cutting. Use the mitre gauge when cross cutting. This helps prevent
twisting the wood in the cut.
• Align the fence to be parallel with the saw blade. A misaligned fence will pinch the workpiece against
the saw blade and create kickback.
• Always use a clean, sharp, and properly set blade. Never make cuts with a dull blade. Never use a
warped saw blade or saw blade with cracked or broken teeth. Sharp and properly set saw blades
minimize binding, stalling and kickback.
• To avoid pinching the blade, support the workpiece properly before beginning a cut.
• Support large panels to minimize the risk of saw blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag
under their own weight. Support(s) must be placed under all portions of the panel overhanging the table
top.
• When making a cut, use steady, even pressure. Never force cuts.
• Do not cut wet or warped lumber.
• Use extra caution when cutting some prefinished or composition wood products as the anti-kickback
pawls may not always be effective.
• Use extra caution when making a cut into blind areas of assembled workpieces. The protruding saw
blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
• Use extra caution when cutting a workpiece that is twisted, knotted, warped or does not have a straight
edge to guide it with a mitre gauge or along the fence. A warped, knotted, or twisted workpiece is
unstable and causes misalignment of the kerf with the saw blade, binding and kickback.
• Always guide your workpiece with both hands or with push sticks and/or push blocks. Keep your body in
a balanced position to be ready to resist kickback should it occur. Never stand directly in line with the
blade. Always position your body on the same side of the saw blade as the fence. Kickback may propel
the workpiece at high velocity towards anyone standing in front and in line with the saw blade.
• Never reach over or in back of the saw blade to pull or to support the workpiece. Accidental contact with
the saw blade may occur or kickback may drag your fingers into the saw blade.
• Never hold and press the workpiece that is being cut off against the rotating saw blade. Pressing the
workpiece being cut off against the saw blade will create a binding condition and kickback.
• Use of a featherboard will help hold the workpiece securely against the saw table or fence when making
non-through cuts such as rabbets or dado cuts. A featherboard helps to control the workpiece in the
event of a kickback.
• Never cut more than one workpiece, stacked vertically or horizontally. The saw blade could pick up one
or more pieces and cause kickback.
• Clean the saw, blade guard, under the table insert, and any areas where saw dust or scrap workpieces
may gather.
• Use the right type of blade for the cut being made.
• Always use the riving knife for every operation where it is allowed. The use of this device will greatly
reduce the risk of kickback.
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