Makita 5377MG Owners Manual - Page 5

kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding. 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. 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 as shown in Fig. 1. To minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback. When cutting operation requires the resting of the saw on the workpiece, the saw should be rested on the larger portion and the smaller piece cut off. Fig.1 Never use gasoline. 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. Use extra caution when making a "Pocket Cut" into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause KICKBACK. For pocket cuts, retract lower guard using Retracting Lever. ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both hands. NEVER place your hand or fingers behind the saw. If kickback occurs, the saw could easily jump backwards over your hand, leading to serious personal injury. Fig. 3 000142 To avoid kickback, do support board or panel near the cut. Fig.2 000143 Do not support board or panel away from the cut. Do not use dull or damaged blade. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and KICKBACK. Keep blade sharp and clean. Gum and wood pitch hardened on blades slows saw and increases potential for kickback. Keep blade clean by first removing it from tool, then cleaning it with gum and pitch remover, hot water or kerosene. 000160 Never force the saw. Forcing the saw can cause uneven cuts, loss of accuracy, and possible kickback. Push the saw forward at a speed so that the blade cuts without slowing. 12. Use extra caution when cutting damp wood, pressure treated lumber, or wood containing knots. Adjust speed of cut to maintain smooth advancement of tool without decrease in blade speed. 13. Adjustments. Before cutting be sure depth and bevel adjustments are tight. 14. Avoid Cutting Nails. Inspect for and remove all nails from lumber before cutting. 15. When operating the saw, keep the cord away from the cutting area and position it so that it will not be caught on the workpiece during the cutting operation. The tool is provided with a front grip and rear handle for two hand operation. Operate with proper hand support, proper workpiece support, and supply cord routing away from the work area. WARNING: It is important to support the workpiece properly and to hold the saw firmly to prevent loss of control which could cause personal injury. Fig. 4 illustrates typical hand 5