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Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains
chemicals know to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Some examples of
these are:
Lead from Lead-based points,
Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).
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.
Use of this tool can generate and/or disburse dust, which may cause serious and permanent respiratory or
other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away
from face and body. Always operated tool in a well-ventilated area and provide for prober dust removal. Use dust collection system
wherever possible.
SAW BLADE GUARD AND SPREADER
Your radial arm saw is equipped with a blade guard and spreader assembly that covers the blade and prevents accidental contact.
The spreader is a flat plate that fits into the cut made by the saw blade and effectively fights kickback by lessening the tendency of
the blade to bind in the cut. Use the spreader only when making through cuts that sever the wood. When making dadoes, rabbets,
and other cuts that make less than through cuts, the blade guard and spreader assembly must be removed from the saw. Two anti-
kickback pawls are located on the sides of the spreader that allow the wood to pass through the blade in the cutting direction, but
lock if the wood tries to move backward toward the operator.
KICKBACKS
How to avoid them and protect yourself from possible injury.
a. Keep saw blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback teeth in place and operating properly. Keep teeth sharp. If teeth are not
operational, return your unit to the nearest authorized Delta service center for repair. The splitter must be in alignment with the
saw blade and the teeth must stop a kickback once it has started. Check their action before ripping by pushing the wood under
the anti-kickback teeth. The teeth must prevent the wood from being pulled toward the front of the saw.
b. Plastic and composition (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.
c. Use saw blade guard and splitter for every operation for which it can be used, including all through-sawing.
d. NEVER rip a workpiece that is twisted or warped, or does not have a straight edge to guide along the fence.
e. NEVER saw a large workpiece that cannot be controlled.
f. NEVER saw a workpiece with loose knots, flaws, nails, or other foreign objects.
g. NEVER rip a workpiece shorter than 10".
TERMS: The following terms will be used throughout the manual. Become familiar with them.
THROUGH-SAWING - refers to any cut that completely severs the workpiece.
PUSH STICK - refers to a wooden stick, usually homemade, that is used to push a small workpiece through the
saw and keeps the operator's hands clear of the blade.
KICKBACK - occurs when the saw blade binds in the cut and violently thrusts the workpiece back toward the
operator.
FREEHAND - refers to cutting without the use of a miter gauge or rip fence or any other means of guiding or holding
the workpiece other than the operator's hand.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
FOREWORD
Delta’s 12" Radial Arm Saws are built for capacity with versatility. They have a full 3-3/4" depth of cut at 90°, and 2-1/2" depth of cut
at 45°. The saws can crosscut 14-3/8" in a single pass. They also have a unique turret arm action which permits the motor assembly
to rotate 360° above the work table.
NOTICE: The photo on the manual cover illustrates the current production model. All other illustrations contained in the manual are
representative only and may not depict the actual labeling or accessories included. These are are intended to illustrate technique only.