Craftsman 125.46569 Operator's Manual

Contents

5 ― Englishthe workpiece to a stable platform. It isimportant to support the workpiece properlyto minimize body exposure, blade binding,or loss of control.■ When ripping, always use a rip fence orstraight edge guide. This improves theaccuracy of cut and reduces the chance ofblade binding.■ Always use blades with correct size andshape (diamond versus round) of arbourholes. Blades that do not match themounting hardware of the saw will runeccentrically, causing loss of control.■ Never use damaged or incorrect bladewashers or bolt. The blade washers andbolt were specially designed for your saw,for optimum performance and safety ofoperation.KICKBACK CAUSES AND RELATEDWARNING■ Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched,bound or misaligned saw blade, causingan uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of theworkpiece toward the operator;■ When the blade is pinched or bound tightlyby the kerf closing down, the blade stallsand the motor reaction drives the unitrapidly back toward the operator;■ If the blade becomes twisted or misalignedin the cut, the teeth at the back edge of theblade can dig into the top surface of thewood causing the blade to climb out of thekerf and jump back toward the operator.Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/orincorrect operating procedures or conditionsand can be avoided by taking properprecautions as given below:■ Maintain a firm grip with both hands onthe saw and position your arms to resistkickback forces. Position your body toeither side of the blade, but not in line withthe blade. Kickback could cause the sawto jump backwards, but kickback forcescan be controlled by the operator, if properprecautions are taken.■ When blade is binding, or when interruptinga cut for any reason, release the trigger andSAFETY INSTRUCTIONShold the saw motionless in the material untilthe blade comes to a complete stop. Neverattempt to remove the saw from the work orpull the saw backward while the blade is inmotion or kickback may occur. Investigateand take corrective actions to eliminate thecause of blade binding.■ When restarting a saw in the workpiece,center the saw blade in the kerf and checkthat saw teeth are not engaged into thematerial. If the saw blade is binding, it maywalk up or kickback from the workpiece asthe saw is restarted.■ Support large panels to minimize the riskof blade pinching and kickback. Largepanels tend to sag under their own weight.Supports must be placed under the panelon both sides, near the line of cut and nearthe edge of the panel.■ Do not use dull or damaged blades.Unsharpened or improperly set bladesproduce narrow kerf causing excessivefriction, blade binding and kickback.■ Blade depth and bevel adjusting lockinglevers must be tight and secure beforemaking cut. If blade adjustment shifts whilecutting, it may cause binding and kickback.■ Use extra caution when sawing into existingwalls or other blind areas. The protrudingblade may cut objects that can causekickback.LOWER GUARD FUNCTION■ Check the lower guard for proper closingbefore each use. Do not operate the saw ifthe lower guard does not move freely andclose instantly. Never clamp or tie the lowerguard into the open position. If the saw isaccidentally dropped, the lower guard maybe bent. Raise the lower guard with theretracting handle and make sure it movesfreely and does not touch the blade or anyother part, in all angles and depths of cut.■ Check the operation of the lower guardspring. If the guard and the spring are notoperating properly, they must be servicedbefore use. Lower guard may operatesluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy