Makita DHS660RTJ Instruction Manual page 5

— when the blade is pinched or jammed tightly by the
kerf closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reac-
tion 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.
When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre the saw
3.
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
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.
5. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened
or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf caus-
ing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
6. 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.
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, leg or any part of your
body under the tool base or behind the saw,
especially when making cross-cuts. If kickback
occurs, the saw could easily jump backwards over
your hand, leading to serious personal injury.
9. Never force the saw. Push the saw forward at a
speed so that the blade cuts without slowing.
Forcing the saw can cause uneven cuts, loss of
accuracy, and possible kickback.
Lower guard function
Check the lower guard for proper closing
1.
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
2.
the guard and the spring are not operating prop-
erly, they must be serviced before use. Lower
guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged
parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
3. 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.
4. Always observe that the lower guard is cover-
ing 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.
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.
5 ENGLISH