DeWalt DW745-XE Instruction Manual page 7

that fits against the edge of the workpiece to prevent slipping. It's a good idea to
have several push sticks of the same length [400 mm (15.7")] with different size
notches for different workpiece thicknesses.
• See the inside back cover for a picture of a push stick. The shape can vary to
suit your own needs as long as it performs its intended function of keeping your
hands away from the blade.
KICKBACKS
KICKBACKS: Kickbacks can cause serious injury. A kickback occurs when a part of
the workpiece binds between the saw blade and the rip fence, or other fixed object, and
rises from the table and is thrown toward the operator. Kickbacks can be avoided by
attention to the following conditions.
How to Avoid Them and Protect Yourself from Possible Injury
a. Be certain that the rip fence is parallel to the saw blade.
b. Do not rip by applying the feed force to the section of the workpiece that will
become the cut-off (free) piece. Feed force when ripping should always be
applied between the saw blade and the fence; use a push stick for narrow work,
152 mm (6") wide or less.
c. Keep saw blade guard assembly, riving knife and anti-kickback assembly in place
and operating properly. If anti-kickback assembly is not operational, return your
unit to the nearest authorized D WALT service center for repair. The riving knife
E
must be in alignment with the saw blade and the anti-kickback assembly must
stop a kickback once it has started. Check their action before ripping by pushing
the wood under the anti-kickback assembly. The teeth must prevent the wood
from being pulled toward the front of the saw.
d. Plastic and composite (like hardboard) materials may be cut on your saw.
However, since these are usually quite hard and slippery, the anti-kickback pawls
may not stop a kickback. Therefore, be especially attentive to following proper set
up and cutting procedures for ripping.
e. Use saw blade guard assembly, anti-kickback assembly and riving knife for every
operation for which it can be used, including all through-sawing.
f. Push the workpiece past the saw blade prior to release.
g. NEVER rip a workpiece that is twisted or warped, or does not have a straight
edge to guide along the fence.
h. NEVER saw a large workpiece that cannot be controlled.
i. NEVER use the fence as a guide or length stop when crosscutting.
j. NEVER saw a workpiece with loose knots, flaws, nails or other foreign objects.
k. NEVER rip a workpiece shorter than 250 mm (10").
l. NEVER use a dull blade – replace or have resharpened.
WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and
other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of
work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and
work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding, sawing, grinding,
drilling, and other construction activities. Wear protective clothing and wash
exposed areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes,
or lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.
WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disburse dust, which may cause
serious and permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use AS/NZS standard
approved respiratory protection appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles
away from face and body.
WARNING: We recommend the use of a residual current device with a residual
current rating of 30mA or less.
WARNING: Always wear proper personal hearing protection that conforms to
AS/NZS1270 during use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from this
product may contribute to hearing loss.
5