Skil 5740 CA: 2) KICKBACK CAUSES AND RELATED WARNINGS 5) SERVICE SAFETY WARNINGS FOR CIRCULAR SAWS 1) CUTTING PROCEDURES 3) LOWER GUARD FUNCTION

b) Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn

2) KICKBACK CAUSES AND RELATED WARNINGS

it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled

• Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or

with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift

c) Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or

up and out of the workpiece toward the operator

the battery pack from the power tool before making

• When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf

any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing

closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction

power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce

drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator

the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

• If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the

d) Store idle power tools out of the reach of children

teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top

and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power

surface of the wood causing the blade to climb out of the

tool or these instructions to operate the power tool.

kerf and jump back towards operator

Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

• Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect

e) Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or

operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided

binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any

by taking proper precautions as given below

other condition that may affect the power tool’s

a) Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and

operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired

position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position

before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly

your body to either side of the blade, but not in line

maintained power tools.

with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump

f) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly

backwards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the

maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less

operator, if proper precautions are taken.

likely to bind and are easier to control.

b) When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut

g) Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc., in

for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw

accordance with these instructions, taking into

motionless in the material until the blade comes to a

account the working conditions and the work to be

complete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw

performed. Use of the power tool for operations dierent

from the work or pull the saw backwards while the

from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

blade is in motion or kickback may occur. Investigate

5) SERVICE

and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of

a) Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair

blade binding. Avoid cutting nails or screws.

person using only identical replacement parts. This

c) When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre the

will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

saw blade in the kerf and check that saw teeth are

not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding,

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR CIRCULAR SAWS

it may walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the saw

is restarted.

1) CUTTING PROCEDURES

d) Support large panels to minimise the risk of blade

a)

DANGER : Keep hands away from cutting area

pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under

and the blade. Keep your second hand on auxiliary

their own weight. Supports must be placed under the

handle, or motor housing. If both hands are holding the

panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the

saw, they can not be cut by the blade.

edge of the panel.

b) Do not reach underneath the workpiece. The guard

e) Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or

cannot protect you from the blade below the workpiece.

improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing

c) Adjust the cutting depth to the thickness of the

excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.

workpiece. Less than a full tooth of the blade teeth

f) Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must

should be visible below the workpiece.

be tight and secure before making cut. If blade

d) Never hold the workpiece being cut in your hands or

adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and

across your leg. Secure the workpiece to a stable

kickback.

platform. It is important to support the work properly to

g) Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or

minimize body exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.

other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects

e) Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only,

that can cause kickback.

when performing an operation where the cutting tool

3) LOWER GUARD FUNCTION

may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with a

a) Check lower guard for proper closing before each

“live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of the power

use. Do not operate the saw if lower guard does not

tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.

move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie

f) When ripping always use a rip fence or straight

the lower guard into the open position. If saw is

edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and

accidentally dropped, lower guard may be bent. Disconnect

reduces the chance of blade binding.

the plug, raise the lower guard with the retracting handle

g) Always use blades with correct size and shape

and make sure it moves freely and does not touch the

(diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades that

blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.

do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run

b) Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the

eccentrically, causing loss of control.

guard and the spring are not operating properly,

h) Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or

they must be serviced before use. Lower guard may

bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially

operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy

designed for your saw, for optimum performance and

deposits, or a build-up of debris.

safety of operation.

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