e.g. in an existing wall. The plunging
blade could jam in a hidden object and cause
kickback.
Causes of kickback:
a) A kickback is a sudden reaction to a saw blade
becoming hooked, jammed or misaligned. This
causes an out of control circular saw to raise it-
self and move out of the workpiece and towards
the operator.
b) If the sawblade becomes hooked or trapped in
a narrowing saw gap, it is suddenly prevented
from rotating and the force of the motor throws
the device back in the direction of the operator.
c) If the sawblade distorts or becomes misaligned
in the saw cut, the teeth at the rear edge of the
sawblade may hook themselves into the work-
piece surface causing the sawblade to move
out of the saw gap and the circular saw to jump
backwards in the direction of the operator.
Special safety advice for circular saws
and automatic blade guards
a) Before you use the saw, always check
that the automatic blade guard
6
closes properly. Do not use the saw if
the bottom compartment of the blade
guard does not move freely or close
immediately. Never jam or tie the
automatic blade guard in the open
position. The bottom part of automatic blade
guard may become bent if the saw falls on to
the floor. Open the blade guard with the release
lever and make sure that it moves freely and
does not touch the saw blade or other parts at
all cutting angles and depths.
b) Check that the spring on the automat-
ic blade guard functions properly. If
the automatic blade guard or spring
does not function properly, have the
device serviced before you use it.
Damaged parts, sticky deposits or accumula-
tions of splinters can delay the operation of the
bottom blade guard.
c) Open the automatic blade guard by
hand only for certain cuts such as
plunge or angle cuts. Open the auto-
matic blade guard with the release
lever
6 a
and let it go again as soon as
the saw blade penetrates the work-
piece. The automatic blade guard must be al-
lowed to operate automatically for all saw cuts.
d) Do not put the saw down on a work
bench or the floor without the auto-
matic blade guard covering the saw
blade. If unprotected, a rotating saw blade
moves the saw against the cutting direction and
saws whatever is in its way. Always be aware
that the saw blade takes some time to stop.
Special safety advice for circular saws
and riving knives
a) Use the riving knife matched to the
installed saw blade. The riving knife must
be thicker than the body of the blade but thinner
than the width of the teeth.
b) Adjust the riving knife as described in
the operating instructions. If its thickness,
position or alignment is incorrect, this can lead
to the riving knife not effectively preventing
kickback.
c) Always use the riving knife, except
for plunge cuts. After completing plunge
cutting, put the riving knife back in place. The
riving knife interferes with plunge cuts and can
result in kickback.
d) For the riving knife to work properly,
it must be within the saw gap. The riv-
ing knife is ineffective in preventing kickback
for short cuts.
e) Do not operate the saw if the riving
knife is bent out-of-true. Even a slight defect
can cause the blade guard to close too slowly.
General safety advice
