DeWalt DCS578 Original Instructions Manual page 22

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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
material causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump
back toward the operator.
Kickback is more likely to occur when any of the following
conditions exists.
1. iMPROPER WORKPiECE SUPPORT (Fig. X)
a. Sagging or improper lifting of the cut off piece can cause
pinching of the blade and lead to kickback (Fig. X).
b. Cutting through material supported at the outer ends
only can cause kickback. As the material weakens it sags,
closing down the kerf and pinching the blade (Fig. X).
c. Cutting off a cantilevered or overhanging piece of
material from the bottom up in a vertical direction
can cause kickback. The falling cut off piece can pinch
the blade.
d. Cutting off long narrow strips can cause kickback. The
cut off strip can sag or twist closing the kerf and pinching
the blade.
e. Snagging the lower guard on a surface below the
material being cut momentarily reduces operator control.
The saw can lift partially out of the cut increasing the
chance of blade twist.
2. iMPROPER DEPTh OF CUT SETTing On SAW (Fig. h)
To make the most efficient cut, the blade should protrude
only far enough to expose a tooth as shown in Figure H. This
allows the shoe to support the blade and minimises twisting
and pinching in the material. See the section titled Depth of
Cut Adjustment.
3. BlADE TWiSTing (MiSAlignMEnT in CUT)
a. Pushing harder to cut can cause the blade to twist.
b. Trying to turn the saw in the cut (trying to get back on
the marked line) can cause blade twist.
c. Overreaching or operating the saw with poor body
control (out of balance), can result in twisting the blade.
d. Changing hand grip or body position while cutting can
result in blade twist.
e. Backing up the saw to clear blade can lead to twist.
4. USE OF DUll OR DiRTY BlADES
Dull blades cause increased loading of the saw. To
compensate, an operator will usually push harder which
further loads the unit and promotes twisting of the blade
in the kerf. Worn blades may also have insufficient body
clearance which increases the chance of binding and
increased loading.
5. RESTARTing A CUT WiTh ThE BlADE TEETh JAMMED
AgAinST ThE MATERiAl
The saw should be brought up to full operating speed
before starting a cut or restarting a cut after the unit has
been stopped with the blade in the kerf. Failure to do so can
cause stalling and kickback.
Any other conditions which could result in pinching, binding,
twisting, or misalignment of the blade could cause kickback.
Refer to the sections Further Safety Instructions for All Saws
20
and Blades for procedures and techniques that will minimise
the occurrence of kickback.
Depth of Cut Adjustment (Fig. F–H)
1. Raise the depth adjustment lever
2. To obtain the correct depth of cut, align the appropriate
mark on the depth adjustment strap
the upper blade guard.
3. Tighten the depth adjustment lever.
4. For the most efficient cutting action using a carbide tipped
saw blade, set the depth adjustment so that about one half
of a tooth projects below the surface of the wood to be cut.
5. A method of checking for the correct cutting depth is
shown in Fig. H. Lay a piece of the material you plan to cut
along the side of the blade, as shown in the Figure, and
observe how much tooth projects beyond the material.
Adjusting Depth Adjustment Lever (Fig. G)
It may be desirable to adjust the depth adjustment lever
may loosen in time and hit the base plate before tighten ing.
To Tighten the lever
1. Hold depth adjustment lever
locknut .
28
2. Adjust the depth adjustment lever by rotating it in the
desired direction about 1/8 of a revolution.
3. Retighten nut.
Bevel Angle Adjustment (Fig. A, I)
The bevel angle adjustment mechanism
between 0° and 57°.
To achieve better accuracy in cutting, use the fine adjustment
markings located on the pivot bracket
1. Raise the bevel adjustment lever
2. Tilt the base plate to the desired angle by aligning the fine
bevel pointer 30 with the desired angle mark on the pivot
bracket 29 .
3. Lower the bevel adjustment lever to retighten.
Bevel Detent (Fig. I)
The DCS578 and DCS579 are equipped with a bevel detent
feature. As you tilt the base plate you will hear a click and feel
the base plate stop at both 22.5 and 45 degrees. If either of
these is the desired angle, retighten the lever
If you desire another angle, continue tilting the base plate until
the coarse bevel pointer 31
the desired mark.
Cut Length Indicator (Fig. J)
The markings on the side of the base plate
of the slot being cut into the material at the full depth of the cut.
The markings are in increments of 5 mm.
Mounting and Adjusting the Parallel Fence
(Fig. K)
The parallel fence 33 is used for cutting parallel to the edge of
the workpiece.
25 to loosen.
26 with notch
and loosen the
25
9 can be adjusted
29 .
8 to loosen.
by lowering it.
8
or the fine pointer 30 aligns with
11 show the length
27 on
25 . It