Operations - Powermatic PM3000BT Operating Instructions And Parts Manual

9.0 Operations

Model PM3000BT has an
industrial-grade low-friction corrosion-resistant
coating on the table and table extensions.
While the coating is durable, it can be damaged
if metal or other hard and/or sharp objects
strike, gouge, or
Significant damage to the coating may affect its
performance. Use care when operating the
machine.
Familiarize yourself with the location and operation
of all controls and adjustments and the use of
accessories such as miter gauge and rip fence.
Note: The following figures are general in nature
and may not show your particular saw model.
9.1 Kickback Prevention
Serious injury can result from kickbacks which
occur when a workpiece binds on the saw blade or
binds between the blade and rip fence or other
fixed object. This binding can cause the workpiece
to lift up and be thrown toward the operator.
Listed below are conditions which can cause
kickbacks:
Confining the cutoff piece when crosscutting
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or ripping.
Releasing workpiece
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operation or not pushing workpiece all the
way past saw blade.
Not using splitter/riving knife when ripping or
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not maintaining alignment of splitter/ riving
knife with saw blade.
Using dull saw blade.
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Not maintaining alignment of rip fence so that
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it tends to angle toward rather than away
from saw blade front to back.
Applying feed force when ripping to the cutoff
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(free) section of workpiece instead of the
section between saw blade and fence.
Ripping wood that is twisted (not flat), or
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does not have a straight edge, or has twisted
grain.
To minimize or prevent injury from kickbacks:
Avoid conditions listed above.
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Wear a safety face shield, goggles, or safety
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glasses.
Do not use miter gauge and rip fence in the
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same operation unless provision is made by
use of a facing board on the fence, to allow
the cutoff section of workpiece to come free
before the actual cut begins (See Figure 9-
8).
As the machine receives use, the operation
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of the anti-kickback pawls should be checked
periodically (Figure 9-1). If the pawls do not
stop the reverse motion of a workpiece,
resharpen all the points.
scratch the surface.
before completing
Where possible, keep your face and body out
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of line with potential kickbacks, including
when starting or stopping the machine.
Dull, badly set, improper, or improperly filed
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cutting tools, and cutting tools with gum or
resin adhering to them can cause accidents.
Never use a cracked saw blade. The use of a
sharp, well maintained, and correct cutting
tool for the operation will help avoid injuries.
Support the work properly and hold it firmly
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against gauge or fence. Use a push stick or
push block when ripping short, narrow (6"
width or less), or thin work. Use a push block
or miter gauge hold-down when dadoing or
molding.
Never use the fence as a length stop when
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crosscutting. Do not hold or touch the free
end or cutoff section of a workpiece. On
through-sawing operations, the cutoff section
must NOT be confined.
Always keep your hands out of line of the
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saw blade and never reach back of the
cutting blade with either hand to hold the
workpiece.
Bevel ripping cuts should always be made
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with the fence on the right side of saw blade
so that the blade tilts away from the fence
and minimizes possibility of the work binding
and the resulting kickback.
9.2 Rip Sawing
Ripping is feeding the workpiece with the grain into
the saw blade using the fence or other positioning
device as a guide to ensure desired width of cut
(Figure 9-2).
Always use a push stick or
similar device when ripping narrow pieces.
Before starting a rip cut, verify
that fence is clamped securely and aligned
properly.
Never rip freehand or use miter gauge in
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combination with the fence.
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Figure 9-1