to minimize body exposure, blade binding, or loss of
control.
A typical illustration of proper hand support and work-
piece support.
5.
Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces
when performing an operation where the cutting
tool may contact hidden wiring or its own cord.
Contact with a "live" wire will also make exposed
metal parts of the power tool "live" and shock the
operator.
6.
When ripping always use a rip fence or straight
edge guide. This improves the accuracy cut and
reduces the chance of blade binding.
7.
Always use blades with correct size and shape
(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades
that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw
will run eccentrically, causing loss of control.
8.
Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers
or bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially
designed for your saw, for optimum performance and
safety of operation.
9.
Causes and Operator Prevention of 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 work-
piece 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 the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given
below.
•
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the
saw and position your arms to resist kick-
back forces. Position your body to either
side of the blade, but not in line with the
blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump
backwards, but kickback forces can be con-
trolled by the operator, if proper precautions are
taken.
•
When blade is binding, or when interrupting
a cut for any reason, release the trigger and
hold the saw motionless in the material 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 or kickback may occur. Investigate
and take corrective actions to eliminate the
cause of blade binding.
•
When restarting a saw in the workpiece,
centre the saw blade in the kerf 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 minimise 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.
To minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback.
When cutting operation requires the resting of the
saw on the workpiece, the saw should be rested on
the larger portion and the smaller piece cut off.
To avoid kickback, do support board or panel near the
cut.
Do not support board or panel away from the cut.
•
Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce
narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade
binding and kickback. Keep blade sharp and
clean. Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades
slows saw and increases potential for kickback.
Keep blade clean by first removing it from tool,
then cleaning it with gum and pitch remover, hot
water or kerosene. Never use gasoline.
4