Skil CR541301 Owner's Manual page 6

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.
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.
When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that the saw
teeth are not engaged into the material. If a saw blade binds, it may walk up or kickback
from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.
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.
Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow
kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making
the cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding
blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
Lower guard function
Check the lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if
the lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower
guard into the open position. If the 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, in all angles and depths of cut.
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.
The lower guard may be retracted manually only for special cuts such as "plunge cuts"
and "compound cuts". Raise the lower guard by the retracting handle and as soon as
the blade enters the material, the 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 the 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.
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