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j. Make sure that the saw blade is installed to rotate in the proper direction. Do not use grinding wheels, wire
brushes, or abrasive wheels on a table saw. Improper saw blade installation or use of accessories not recommended may
cause serious injury.
k. DO NOT REMOVE A WORKPIECE that is damaged or jammed without first turning off the saw and unplugging it from
the power source.
SAW BLADE GUARD, ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS AND RIVING KNIFE
ASSEMBLY
Your table saw is equipped with a blade guard, anti-kickback
pawls and riving knife assembly that covers the blade and
reduces the possibility of accidental blade contact.
The riving knife is a flat plate that fits into the cut made by
the saw blade and effectively fights kickback by lessening the
tendency of the blade to bind in the cut.
Two anti-kickback pawls are located on the sides of the riving
knife that allow the wood to pass through the blade in the cutting
direction but reduce the possibility of the material being thrown
backwards toward the operator.
The blade guard and anti-kickback pawls can ONLY be used
when making through cuts that sever the wood. When making
rabbets and other non-through cuts, the blade guard and anti-
kickback pawls MUST be removed and riving knife lowered to the
non-through cut position marked on the riving knife.
KICKBACKS
Kickbacks can cause serious injury. A kickback occurs when a part
of the workpiece binds between the saw blade and the rip fence,
or other fixed object, and rises from the table and is thrown
toward the operator. Kickbacks can be minimized by attention to
the following conditions.
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF KICKBACKS AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM POSSIBLE INJURY:
Be certain that the rip fence is parallel to the saw blade.
DO NOT rip by applying the feed force to the section of the
workpiece that will become the cut-off (free) piece. Feed force
when ripping should ALWAYS be applied between the saw
blade and the fence; use a push stick for narrow work, 6 inches
(152mm) wide or less.
KEEP saw blade guard, riving knife and anti-kickback assembly
in place and operating properly. The riving knife MUST be in
alignment with the saw blade and the anti-kickback assembly
MUST stop a kickback once it has started. Check their action
before ripping by pushing the wood under the anti-kickback
assembly. The teeth MUST prevent the wood from being pulled
toward the front of the saw. If any part of assembly is not
operational, return to the nearest authorized service center for
repair.
TABLE SAW SAFETY RULES
Use all components of the guarding system (blade guard
assembly, riving knife and anti-kickback pawls) for every operation
for which they can be used including all through-cutting. If
you elect not to use any of these components for a particular
application, exercise additional caution regarding control of the
workpiece, the use of push sticks, the position of your hands
relative to the blade, the use of safety glasses, the means to avoid
kickback and all other warnings contained in this manual and
on the saw itself. Replace the guarding systems as soon as you
return to through-cutting operations. KEEP the guard assembly in
working order.
Plastic and composite materials (like hardboard) may be cut
on your saw. However, since these are usually quite hard and
slippery, the anti-kickback pawls may not stop a kickback.
Therefore, be especially attentive to following proper set up and
cutting procedures for ripping.
Use saw blade guard, anti-kickback pawls, and riving knife
assembly for every possible operation, including all through-cut
sawing.
Push the workpiece past the saw blade prior to releasing control.
NEVER rip a workpiece that is twisted or warped, or does not
have a straight edge to guide along the fence.
NEVER saw a large workpiece that CANNOT be controlled.
NEVER use the fence as a guide or length stop when
crosscutting.
NEVER saw a workpiece with loose knots, flaws, nails or other
foreign objects.
NEVER rip a workpiece shorter than 10 inches (254mm).
NEVER use a dull blade. A dull blade should be replaced or
re-sharpened.
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