DeWalt DCS391-XE Instruction Manual page 13

LOWER BLADE GUARD
WARNING: The lower blade guard is a safety feature which reduces the
risk of serious personal injury. Never use the saw if the lower blade guard is
missing, damaged, misassembled or not working properly. Do not rely on the
lower blade guard to protect you under all circumstances. Your safety depends
on following all warnings and precautions as well as proper operation of the
saw. Check lower blade guard for proper closing before each use as outlined in
Further Safety Instructions for All Saws. If the lower blade guard is missing or not
working properly, have the saw serviced before using. To assure product safety
and reliability, repair, maintenance and adjustment should be performed by an
authorized service center or other qualified service organization, always using
identical replacement parts.
Blades
WARNING: To minimize the risk of eye injury, always use eye protection. Carbide
is a hard but brittle material. Foreign objects in the workpiece such as wire or nails
can cause tips to crack or break. Only operate saw when proper saw blade guard is in
place. Mount blade securely in proper rotation before using, and always use a clean,
sharp blade.
WARNING: Do not cut ferrous metals (steel), masonry, glass, masonry-type
planking, cement board or tile with this saw.
Do not use abrasive wheels or blades. A dull blade will cause slow inefficient cutting,
overload on the saw motor, excessive splintering, and could increase the possibility
of kickback. Please refer to the table below to determine the correct size replacement
blade for your model saw.
Blade Diameter Teeth
DW9155 165 mm (6-1/2")
DW9154 165 mm (6-1/2")
DW9153 165 mm (6-1/2")
If you need assistance regarding blades, please call 1800 444 224 (Aust) or
0800 339 258 (NZ).
Application
18 General Purpose Cutting
24 Smooth Wood Cutting
90 Non-carbide, Plywood/
Vinyl Siding Cutting
KICKBACK
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, causing
an uncontrolled saw 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 wood 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
A. Sagging or improper lifting of the cut off piece can cause pinching of the blade
and lead to kickback (Fig. 12).
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. 12).
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 (as in ripping) 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
To make the most efficient cut, the blade should protrude only far enough to
expose one-half of a tooth as shown in Figure 7. This allows the shoe to support
the blade and minimizes twisting and pinching in the material. See the section
titled Cutting Depth Adjustment.
3. BLADE TWISTING (MISALIGNMENT IN CUT)
A. Pushing harder to cut through a knot, a nail, or a hard grain area 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.
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