Operation - DeWalt DW357 Instruction Manual

382782-00/DW359 7/18/00
shoe, as shown in Figure 12.
3. Adjust the shoe until it is parallel to the blade by measuring from
the edge of the shoe to the blade, front & rear. You can measure
from the outside edge of the blade to the shoe as shown in
Figure 12 or from the inner edge of the blade to the wider part
of the shoe. (Do not measure from the tips of any saw blade
teeth.)
4. When shoe is parallel, tighten all screws.
ADJUSTING DEPTH ADJUSTMENT & QUADRANT LEVERS OR
KNOBS
It may be desirable to adjust the Depth Adjustment and Quadrant
Adjustment lever or knob. (They will sometimes hit the shoe before
tightening or loosening completely.) To adjust either lever, follow the
steps below.
1. Disconnect plug from power supply.
2. Using a small screwdriver, pry the lock ring off, as shown in Figure
13.
3. Remove the lever and rotate it in the desired direction about 1/8
revolution. (More or less as necessary.)
4. Reinstall the lever and insert the lock ring with concave side
against lever to hold it in place. (Figure 14)

Operation

SWITCH
Pull the trigger switch to turn the motor "ON". Releasing the trigger
turns the motor "OFF". Releasing the trigger also automatically
actuates the electric brake on units so equipped. This tool has no
provision to lock the switch in the "ON" position, and should never
be locked "ON" in any way.
WORKPIECE SUPPORT
Figure 15 shows proper sawing position. Note that hands are kept
away from cutting area, and power cord is positioned clear of the
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cutting area so that it will not get caught or hung up on the work.
To avoid kickback, DO support board or panel NEAR the cut, (Figure
16). DON'T support board or panel away from the cut (Figure 17).
When operating the saw, keep the cord away from the cutting area
and prevent it from becoming hung up on the work piece. Note that
a special Cord Keeper has been provided on the tool's handle. Press
the cord firmly into the cord keeper to keep it out of the way but in
sight so you know where it is at all times.
WARNING: It is important to support the work properly and to hold the
saw firmly to prevent loss of control which could cause personal
injury; Figure 15 illustrates typical hand support of the saw.
ALWAYS DISCONNECT SAW BEFORE MAKING ANY ADJUST-
MENTS! Place the work with its "good" side – the one on which
appearance is most important – down. The saw cuts upward, so any
splintering will be on the work face that is up when you saw it.
CUTTING
Support the work so that the cut will be on your right. Place the wider
portion of the saw shoe on that part of the work piece which is solidly
supported, not on the section that will fall off when the cut is made.
As examples, Figure 16 illustrates the RIGHT way to cut off the end
of a board, and Figure 17 the WRONG way. Always clamp work.
Don't try to hold short pieces by hand! Remember to support
cantilevered and overhanging material. Use caution when sawing
material from below.
Be sure saw is up to full speed before blade contacts material to be
cut. Starting saw with blade against material to be cut or pushed
forward into kerf can result in kickback.
Push the saw forward at a speed which allows the blade to cut
without laboring. Hardness and toughness can vary even in the same
piece of material, and knotty or damp sections can put a heavy load
on the saw. When this happens, push the saw more slowly, but hard
enough to keep it working without much decrease in speed.
Forcing the saw can cause rough cuts, inaccuracy, kickback and
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