Makita 5740NB Instruction Manual page 5

11. Causes and Operator Prevention of kickback:
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, caus-
ing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.
When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing down, the blade
stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator.
If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge
of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood causing the blade
to
climb
out of the kerf and jump back toward operator.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or con-
ditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.
Maintain a firm grip
with
both hands on the saw and position your body and
arm t o allow you t o resist KICKBACK forces. KICKBACK forces can be con-
trolled by the operator,
if
proper precautions are taken.
When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release
the trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade
comes t o a complete stop. Never attempt t o remove the saw from the work
or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or 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 t o 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 shall be rested on the
large position and the smaller piece cut off.
To avoid kickback do support
board or panel near the cut.
Fig.
'
Don't support board or panel
away from the cut.
Fig.
:
5