CAUSES OF KICKBACK
Kickbackcan occurwhen theblade stallsor binds,kick-
ingtheworkpieca backtowardyouwith greatforce and
speed. If yourhandsare near the saw blade, theymay
be jerked loosefromthe workpieceand may contactthe
blade. Kickbackcancause seriousinjury.Use precautions
to avoidthe risks.
Kickback can be caused by any actionthatpinchesthe
blade in the wood such as:
• Making a cutwith incorrect blade depth
• Sawlnginto knots or nailsin theworkpiece
• Twistingthewood while makinga out
• Failingto supportwork
• Forcinga cut
• Cuttingwarped orwet lumber
• Us{ngthe wrong blade for thetype of cut
• Not following oorrect operatingprocedures
• Misusingthe saw
• Failingto usethe an_-kick.baokpawls
• Cuttingwith a dull, gummed-up, or h'npmperiy set
b_ad_
AVOIDING KICKBACK
• Always use the correctblade depth setting.The top of
the blade teeth shouldclearthe workpieceby 1/8 in. to
114in.
• Inspect the work for knotsor nailsbeforebeginninga
cut KnocY,out any loose knotsw_tha hamme_'.Never
saw into a loose knot orna|(.
• Always usethe ripfencewhen ripcuttingand themiter
gaugewhen crosscutting.Thishelpspreventtwisting
thewood inthe cut.
• Always use cLsan,sharp, and properly-setblades,
Never make outs with dullblades.
• TOavoid pinchingthe blade, supportthe work properly
beforebeginninga cut,
• When making a cut. usesteady,evenpressure.Never
force outs.
• Do not cutwet orwarped lumber.
• Always herdyourworkplece fLrmtywith both hands or
with pushsticks.Keep yourbodyin a balanoed posi-
tionto be ready toresist kickbackshouldit occur.
Never stand direc_yin line withthe blade.
• Use the righttype of blade for the cutbeing made.
CUTTING AIDS
See Figure 24.
Pushsticksare devicesused for safelypushinga
workpLscethroughthe blade.They can be made _'orn
scrapwood invarioussizes and shapesto be usedin
a specificproject.The stickmust be narrowerthan the
workpieoe,with s g0°notchin one end and shapingfor a
gripon the otherend.
A pushblockhasa handle fastened by recessed screws
from the underside. Use iton non-throughcuts.
CAUTION: Be surethe screwsin a pushblockare
recessedto avoiddamagingthe saw orworkpiece.
PUStlSTICKS
Rg. 24
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