Makita BSS610Z Owners Manual - Page 5

• Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its levers must be tight and secure before mak- path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to ing cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, stop after switch is released. Before setting the tool it may cause binding and kickback. down after completing a cut, be sure that the lower • Use extra caution when making a "plunge cut" into existing walls or other blind areas. guard has closed and the blade has come to a complete stop. The protruding blade may cut objects that can 14. Use extra caution when cutting damp wood, cause kickback. pressure treated lumber, or wood containing For plunge cuts, retract lower guard using knots. Adjust speed of cut to maintain smooth Retracting handle. advancement of tool without decrease in blade • ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both speed. hands. NEVER place your hand or fingers 15. Avoid Cutting Nails. Inspect for and remove all behind the saw. If kickback occurs, the saw nails from lumber before cutting. could easily jump backwards over your hand, 16. Place the wider portion of the saw base on that leading to serious personal injury. part of the workpiece which is solidly supported, not on the section that will fall off when the cut is made. As examples, Fig. 1 illustrates the RIGHT way to cut off the end of a board, and Fig. 2 the WRONG way. If the workpiece is short or small, clamp it down. DO NOT TRY TO HOLD SHORT PIECES BY HAND! • 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. 10. Check lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard into the open position. If saw is accidentally dropped, lower guard may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the retracting handle and make sure it moves freely and does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut. To check lower guard, open lower guard by hand, then release and watch guard closure. Also check to see that Retracting handle does not touch tool housing. Leaving blade exposed is VERY DANGEROUS and can lead to serious personal injury. 11. Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use. Lower guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris. 12. Lower guard should be retracted manually only for special cuts such as "plunge cuts" and "compound cuts." Raise lower guard by retracting handle and as soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically. 13. Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing saw down on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the Fig. 1 Fig. 2 17. Never attempt to saw with the circular saw held upside down in a vise. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious accidents. 18. Some material contains chemicals which may be toxic. Take caution to prevent dust inhalation 5