Ryobi CSB124 Operation Manual - Page 12

OPERATION DANGER: When sawing through work, lower blade guard does not cover blade on the underside of work. Since blade is exposed on underside of work, keep hands and fingers away from cutting area. Any part of your body coming in contact with moving blade will result in serious injury. CAUTION: Never use saw when guard is not operating correctly. Check the guard for correct operation before each use. The guard is operating correctly when it moves freely and readily returns to the closed position. If you drop the saw, check the lower blade guard and bumper for damage at all depth settings before reuse. WARNING: Never tie the lower blade guard in a raised position. Leaving the blade exposed could lead to serious injury. If at any time the lower blade guard does not snap closed, unplug the saw from the power supply. Exercise the lower guard by moving it rapidly back and forth from the full open position to the closed position several times. Normally this will restore the guard to its normal operating condition. If it does not correct a slow or sluggish closing lower guard, do not use the saw. Take it to an authorized factory service center for repair. STARTING/STOPPING THE SAW See Figure 10, page 18. To start the saw: Depress the switch. Always let the blade reach full speed, then guide the saw into the workpiece. WARNING: The blade coming in contact with the workpiece before it reaches full speed could cause the saw to "kickback" towards you resulting in serious injury. To stop the saw: Release the switch. After you release the switch, allow the blade to come to a complete stop. Do not remove the saw from the workpiece while the blade is moving. ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH See Figure 11, page 18. Always keep correct blade depth setting. Less than a full tooth of the blade teeth should be visible below the workpiece. More blade depth will increase the chance of kickback and cause the cut to be rough. For more depth of cut accuracy, a scale is located on the upper blade guard. To adjust the blade depth:  Unplug the saw.  Pull depth lock lever upward to release. The depth lock lever is located between the guard and handle of the saw.  Determine the desired depth of cut.  Locate depth of cut scale on back of upper blade guard.  Hold base flat against the workpiece and raise or lower saw until the index point (or reference mark) on bracket aligns with notch on blade guard.  Push down on the depth lock lever to lock the lever in place and secure the position. OPERATING THE SAW See Figures 12 - 14, pages 18 and 19. It is important to understand the correct method for operating the saw. Refer to the figures in this section to learn the correct and incorrect ways for handling the saw. WARNING: To make sawing easier and safer, always maintain proper control of the saw, by holding the saw with both hands. Loss of control could cause an accident resulting in possible serious injury. DANGER: When lifting the saw from the workpiece, the blade is exposed on the underside of the saw until the lower blade guard closes. Make sure the lower blade guard is closed before setting the saw down. WARNING: Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control which could cause possible serious injury. To make the best possible cut:  Hold the saw firmly with both hands.  Avoid placing your hand on the workpiece while making a cut.  Support the workpiece so that the cut (kerf) is always to your side.  Support the workpiece near the cut.  Clamp the workpiece securely so that the workpiece will not move during the cut. 12 - English