Makita BSS610 Instruction Manual page 6

•
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.
•
ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both
hands. NEVER place your hand or fingers
behind the saw. If kickback occurs, the saw
could easily jump backwards over your hand,
leading to serious personal injury.
•
Never force the saw. Forcing the saw can
cause uneven cuts, loss of accuracy, and
possible kickback. Push the saw forward at a
speed so that the blade cuts without slowing.
10. Check lower guard for proper closing before
each use. Do not operate the saw if lower guard
does not move freely and close instantly. Never
clamp or tie the lower guard into the open posi-
tion. If saw is accidentally dropped, lower guard
may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the retract-
ing handle and make sure it moves freely and does
not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles
and depths of cut.
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 DANGER-
OUS and can lead to serious personal injury.
11. Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If
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.
12. Lower guard should be retracted manually only
for special cuts such as "plunge cuts" and
"compound cuts." Raise lower guard by retract-
ing 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.
13. Always observe that the lower guard is covering
the blade before placing saw down on bench or
floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the
6
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. Before setting the tool
down after completing a cut, be sure that the lower
guard has closed and the blade has come to a com-
plete stop.
14. Use extra caution when cutting damp wood,
pressure treated lumber, or wood containing
knots. Adjust speed of cut to maintain smooth
advancement of tool without decrease in blade
speed.
15. Avoid Cutting Nails. Inspect for and remove all
nails from lumber before cutting.
16. Place the wider portion of the saw base on that
part of the workpiece which is solidly sup-
ported, not on the section that will fall off when
the cut is made. As examples, Fig. 1 illustrates
the RIGHT way to cut off the end of a board, and
Fig. 2 the WRONG way. If the workpiece is short
or small, clamp it down. DO NOT TRY TO HOLD
SHORT PIECES BY HAND!
Fig. 1
Fig. 2