Craftsman 21237 Operation Manual - Page 17

PLAN YOUR WORK Use the right tool. Do not force a tool or attachment to do a job it was not designed to do. Use a different tool for any workpiece that cannot be held in a solidly braced, fixed position. [A WARNIING This machine is NOT designed for cutting masonry, masonry products or ferrous metals (steel, iron and iron-based metals.) Use this miter saw to cut only wood and wood by-products. Other materials may shatter, bind the blade or create other dangers. Remove all nails that may be in the workpiece to prevent sparking that could cause a fire. DRESS FOR SAFETY Any power tool can throw debris into the eyes. This can result in permanent eye damage. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses and are not safety glasses. Glasses or goggles not in compliance with ANSI Z87.! could seriously injure you when they break. • Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties or jewelry (rings, watches). They can get caught and draw you into moving parts. o Wear non-slipfootwear. • Tie back long hair. • Roll long sleeves above the elbow. • Noise levels vary widely. To avoid possible hearing damage, wear hearing protection when using any miter saw. • For dusty operations, wear a dust mask along with safety goggles. iNSPECT YOUR WORKPIECE • Make sure there are no nails or foreign objects in the part of the workpiece being cut. • Plan your work to avoid small pieces that may bind or are too small to clamp and hold securely. • Plan the way you will grasp the workpiece from start to finish. Avoid awkward operations and hand positions. A sudden slip could cause your fingers or hand to move into the blade. DO NOT OVERREACH Keep good footing and balance. Keep your face and body to one side, out of the line of a possible kickback. NEVER stand in the line of the blade. Never cut freehand: • Brace your workpiece firmly against the fence and table stop so it will not rock or twist during the cut. • Make sure there is no debris between the workpiece and the table or fence. • Make sure there are no gaps between the workpiece, fence and table that will let the workpiece shift after it is cut. • Keep the out piece free to move sideways after it is cut off. Otherwise, it could get wedged against the blade and thrown violently. e Only the workpiece should be on the saw's table. • Secure work. Use clamps or a vise to help hold the work when it is practical. USE EXTRA CAUTION WITH LARGE OR ODD SHAPED WORKPIECES • Use extra supports (tables, sawhorses, blocks, etc.) for workpieces large enough to tip. o Never use another person as a substitute for a table extension or as an additional support for a workpiece that is longer or wider than the basic miter saw table, or to help feed, support or pull the workpiece. o Do not use this saw to cut small pieces. If the workpieoe being cut would cause your hand or fingers to be within 7-1/2 in. of the saw blade, the workpiece is too small. Keep hands and fingers out of the "no-hands zone" area marked on the saw's table. o When cutting odd shaped workpieces, plan your work so it will not bind in the blade and cause injury. Molding, for example, must lie flat or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let it move when cut. • Properly support round material such as dowel rods or tubing, which have a tendency to roll when cut, causing the blade to "bite." [,&WARNIN] G To avoid injury, follow all applicable safety instructions when cutting non-ferrous metals: • Use only saw blades specifically recommended for non-ferrous metal cutting. • Do not cut metal workpieces that must be hand held. Clamp workpieces securely. • Cut non-ferrous metals only if you are under the supervision of an experienced person and the dust bag has been removed from the saw. WHEN SAW IS RUNNING IA WARNINGI Do not allow familiarity from frequent use of your miter saw to result in a careless mistake. A careless fraction of a second is enough to cause a severe injury. Before cutting, if the saw makes an unfamiliar noise or vibrates, stop immediately. Turn the saw OFF. Unplug the saw. Do not restart until you find and correct the problem. 17