Makita DCS550 Instruction Manual page 6

6. When ripping, always use a rip fence or straight
edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and
reduces the chance of blade binding.
7. Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades
that do not match the mounting hardware of the tool
will run eccentrically, causing loss of control.
8. Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or
bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially
designed for your tool, for optimum performance and
safety of operation.
Kickback causes and related warnings
- kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or
misaligned blade, causing an uncontrolled tool 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 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 workpiece causing the blade to climb
out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below.
9. Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the tool
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
tool to jump backwards, but kickback forces can be
controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are
taken.
10. When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut
for any reason, release the trigger and hold the
tool motionless in the material until the blade
comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to
remove the tool from the work or pull the tool
backward while the blade is in motion or kickback
may occur. Investigate and take corrective actions to
eliminate the cause of blade binding.
11. When restarting a tool in the workpiece, center the
blade in the kerf and check that blade teeth are not
engaged into the material. If blade is binding, it may
walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the tool is
restarted.
12. 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.
13. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened
or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing
excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
14. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers
must be tight and secure before making cut. If
blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause
binding and kickback.
15. Use extra caution when making a "plunge cut"
into existing walls or other blind areas. The
protruding blade may cut objects that can cause
kickback. For plunge cuts, retract lower guard using
retracting handle.
6
Lower guard function
16. Check lower guard for proper closing before each
use. Do not operate the tool if lower guard does
not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp
or tie the lower guard into the open position. If tool
is accidentally dropped, lower guard may be bent.
Raise the lower guard with the retracting lever and
make sure it moves freely and does not touch the
blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.
17. 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.
18. Lower guard may be retracted manually only for
special cuts such as "plunge cuts" and
"compound cuts". Raise lower guard by retracting
handle and as soon as blade enters the material,
the lower guard must be released. For all other
sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.
19. Always observe that the lower guard is covering
the blade before placing tool down on bench or
floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the
tool 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.
20. 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.
Additional safety warnings
21. Do not stop the blades by lateral pressure on the
blade.
22. DANGER:
Do not attempt to remove cut material when blade
is moving.
CAUTION: Blades coast after turn off.
23. Place the wider portion of the tool base on that
part of the workpiece which is solidly supported,
not on the section that will fall off when the cut is
made.
24. Never attempt to make a cut with the tool held
upside down in a vise. This is extremely
dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.
25. Wear safety goggles and hearing protection
during operation.
26. Always use blades recommended in this manual.
Do not use any abrasive wheels.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
WARNING:
DO NOT let comfort or familiarity with product (gained
from repeated use) replace strict adherence to safety
rules for the subject product. MISUSE or failure to
follow the safety rules stated in this instruction
manual may cause serious personal injury.