Craftsman 5411.3 Operator's Manual page 10

Whenrestarting a
saw in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the
kerr and check that saw teeth are not engaged into the material. If saw
blade is binding, it may walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the saw
is restarted.
• Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and
kickback. Large panels tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must
be placed under the panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the
edge of the panel.
• Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set
blades produce narrow kerr causing excessive friction, blade binding
and kickback.
• Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and
secure before making cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may
cause binding and kickback.
• Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or other blind areas.
The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.
Safety instructions for lower guard of saws
• Check the lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not
operate the saw if the lower guard does not move freely and close
instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the open position. If the
saw is accidentally dropped, the lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower
guard with the retracting handle and make sure that it moves freely and does
not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and all depths of cut.
Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the
spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use.
The lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy
deposits, or a build-up of debris.
= The lower guard may be retracted manually only for special cuts,
such as "plunge cuts" and "compound cuts". Raise the lower guard by
retracting the 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.
= 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 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.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES FOR CIRCULAR SAWS
= Keep hands away from cutting area and blade. Keep your second hand
on the auxiliary handle or motor housing. If both hands are holding the saw,
they cannot be cut by the blade.
= Do not use any abrasive wheels with the circular saw.
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