Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback - DeWalt DW007 Instruction Manual

• Do not reach underneath the work. The guard can not protect
you from the blade below the work.
• Check lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do
not operate saw if lower guard does not move freely and close
instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the open posi-
tion. If saw is accidentally dropped, the 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, at all angles and depth of cut.
• Check the operation and condition 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 buildup
of debris.
• Lower guard should be retracted manually only for special
cuts such as "Pocket Cuts" and "Compound Cuts." Raise
lower guard by Retracting Handle. As soon as blade enters the
material, lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the
lower guard should operate automatically.
• 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.
• NEVER hold piece being cut in your hands or across your
leg. It is important to support the work properly to minimize body
exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.
• Hold 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 tool "live" and shock the operator.
• When ripping, always use a rip fence or straight edge
guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces the
chance for blade binding.
• Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond
vs. round) arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mount-
ing hardware of the saw will run eccentrically, causing loss of
control.
• Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolts.
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 mis-
aligned 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 rap-
idly 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 operator.
• KICKBACK is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operat-
ing procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking prop-
er precautions as given below:
• Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position
your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces.
KICKBACK forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper
precautions are taken.
• When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any
reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless in
the material into 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.
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