Use and Care Manual

98
REDUCING 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, in-
creasing the chances of serious personal injury. Do not
rely on the safety devices built into the saw. Track saw
users should take as many precautions as possible to
minimize on-site accidents. Kickback is the result of tool
misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures. These
conditions can be minimized with the following steps:
1. Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and
position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position
your body to either side of the blade but not in line with
the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump back-
wards, however, if proper precautions are taken, kick-
back forces can be controlled by the operator. Do not let
go of the track saw.
2. If the blade is binding, or interrupting a cut for any
reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless
in the workpiece until the blade comes to a complete
stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work
or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion.
Investigate and take corrective action to eliminate the
cause of blade binding.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR YOUR TRACK SAW
WARNING: Do not operate the track saw until you have read and understood the following instruc-
tions and the warning labels.
3. When restarting a saw within an incomplete cut, cen-
ter the saw blade in the kerf and check that the saw teeth
are not engaged into the material (a binding saw blade
may ‘propel upwards’ or kickback from the workpiece as
the tool is restarted).
4. A large workpiece should be supported close to the
line of the cut, and at the edge of the panel, to prevent
sagging. This will minimize the risk of blade pinching
and kickback.
5. Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or
improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing ex-
cessive friction, blade binding, and kickback.
6. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must
be tight and secure before making a cut. If blade ad-
justment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and
kickback.
7. Use extra caution when making a ‘plunge cut’ into
existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade
may cut objects causing kickback.
8. Do not use abrasive wheels, doing so will void the
warranty.