Makita 5008MGA - Manual (Page 5)

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Never force the saw. Forcing the saw can
cause uneven cuts, loss of accuracy, and
possible kickback. Push the saw forward at
a speed so that the blade cuts without slowing.
10. Check lower guard for proper closing before
each use. Do not operate the saw if lower
guard does not move freely and close instantly.
Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the
open position. If saw is accidentally dropped,
lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower guard
with the retracting handle and make sure it moves
freely and does not touch the blade or any other
part, in all angles and depths of cut.
To check lower guard, open lower guard by hand,
then release and watch guard closure. Also check
to see that retracting handle does not touch tool
housing. Leaving blade exposed is VERY
DANGEROUS and can lead to serious personal
injury.
11. Check the operation of the lower guard spring.
If the guard and the spring are not operating
properly, they must be serviced before use.
Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to
damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of
debris.
12. Lower guard should be retracted manually
only for special cuts such as "plunge cuts"
and "compound cuts." Raise lower guard by
retracting 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.
13. 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. Before setting the tool down after
completing a cut, be sure that the lower guard has
closed and the blade has come to a complete
stop.
14. Use extra caution when cutting damp wood,
pressure treated lumber, or wood containing
knots. Adjust speed of cut to maintain smooth
advancement of tool without decrease in blade
speed.
15. Avoid Cutting Nails. Inspect for and remove all
nails from lumber before cutting.
16. Place the wider portion of the saw base on that
part of the workpiece which is solidly
supported, not on the section that will fall off
when the cut is made. As examples, Fig. 1
illustrates the RIGHT way to cut off the end of
a board, and Fig. 2 the WRONG way. If the
workpiece is short or small, clamp it down. DO
NOT TRY TO HOLD SHORT PIECES BY HAND!
Fig. 1
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Fig. 2
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17. Never attempt to saw with the circular saw
held upside down in a vise. This is extremely
dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.