Chicago Electric 7-1/4" Circular Metal Cut Saw 8897 - Manual (Page 4)

Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 08897
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 workpiece 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:
a.
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 backwards,
but kickback forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken.
b. 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.
c. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center
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.
d. 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.
e. Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades
produce narrow kerf causing excessive
friction, blade binding and kickback.
f. 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.
g. Use extra caution when making a
″plunge cut″ into existing walls or other
blind areas. The protruding blade may
cut objects that can cause kickback.
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.
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.
14. DO NOT USE THIS SAW WITH THE SAW
HELD UPSIDE DOWN IN A VISE. The
saw is not designed for such use and
cannot be used safely in that position.
15. Use for metal cutting only. Do not use
to cut logs, tree limbs, or lumber.
16. Do not use blades made from high-speed
steel, abrasive blades or masonry-cutting
blades. The guards of this saw are not designed
to protect against the failure of such blades.
17. Place the larger portion of the saw base
on the larger, supported part of the
workpiece. This will help maintain balance
and control while the cut is completed.
18. Blades must be rated to at least the
maximum speed marked on the tool.
19. Maintain labels and nameplates on the tool.
These carry important safety information. If
unreadable or missing, contact Harbor
Freight Tools for a replacement.
20. Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to
begin work before turning on the tool.
21. Do not lay the tool down until it has come to
a complete stop. Moving parts can grab the
surface and pull the tool out of your control.
22. When using a handheld power tool,
maintain a firm grip on the tool with both
hands to resist starting torque.