52
Toreduceriskofkickback:
Setpawlsandrivingknifeaccordingtorip-
ping set-up procedure. Correctly set riving
knife is more likely to prevent workpiece
from binding or pinching blade; correctly
set pawls are more likely to grab into work-
piece to stop or slow kickback if one hap-
pens.
Check that riving knife is in line with blade
(see Alignment: Riving Knife to Blade).
Cut only straight workpieces so surface
will lie flat on table and edge will stay tight
against fence. If you must cut an irregular
workpiece, attach a straight edge (see
Cutting Aides).
Push workpiece through from infeed to
outfeed side until it is completely past
pawls.
Use featherboard (see Cutting Aides).
Keep hands away from outfeed side.
If blade jams, turn saw off, remove yellow
key, then free blade.
When cutting composition materials, or
other materials with one smooth and one
rough side, put rough side up so pawls will
be more likely to grab.
Wrong Way Feed
Wrong way feed is ripping by feeding the
workpiece into the outfeed side of the blade.
WARNING
Rotational force of blade will pull work-
piece through violently if workpiece is
fed in same direction as blade rotates
(wrong way feed). Hands and fingers
could be pulled along with workpiece
into spinning blade before you can let
go or pull back. Fingers, hand or arm
could be cut off. Propelled workpiece
could hit bystander.
To eliminate risk of wrong way feed:
Feed workpiece against blade rotation.
Set pawls and riving knife; they act as par-
tial barrier to outfeed side.
Ripping