Makita CT233R Instruction Manual

4 ENGLISHcut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can diginto the top surface of the wood causing the bladeto climb out of the kerf and jump back toward theoperator.Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrectoperating procedures or conditions and can be avoidedby taking proper precautions as given below.1. Maintain a firm grip with both hands on thesaw and position your arms to resist kickbackforces. Position your body to either side of theblade, but not in line with the blade. Kickbackcould cause the saw to jump backwards, butkickback forces can be controlled by the operator,if proper precautions are taken.2. When blade is binding, or when interrupting acut for any reason, release the trigger and holdthe saw motionless in the material until theblade comes to a complete stop. Never attemptto remove the saw from the work or pull thesaw backward while the blade is in motionor kickback may occur. Investigate and takecorrective actions to eliminate the cause of bladebinding.3. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centrethe saw blade in the kerf and check that sawteeth are not engaged into the material. If sawblade is binding, it may walk up or kickback fromthe workpiece as the saw is restarted.4. Support large panels to minimise the risk ofblade pinching and kickback. Large panels tendto sag under their own weight. Supports must beplaced under the panel on both sides, near the lineof cut and near the edge of the panel.5. Do not use dull or damaged blades.Unsharpened or improperly set blades producenarrow kerf causing excessive friction, bladebinding and kickback.6. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking leversmust be tight and secure before making cut. Ifblade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may causebinding and kickback.7. Use extra caution when sawing into existingwalls or other blind areas. The protruding blademay cut objects that can cause kickback.8. ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both hands.NEVER place your hand or fingers behind thesaw. If kickback occurs, the saw could easily jumpbackwards over your hand, leading to seriouspersonal injury.9. Never force the saw. Push the saw forward at aspeed so that the blade cuts without slowing.Forcing the saw can cause uneven cuts, loss ofaccuracy, and possible kickback.Lower guard function1. Check lower guard for proper closingbefore each use. Do not operate the saw iflower guard does not move freely and closeinstantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guardinto the open position. If saw is accidentallydropped, lower guard may be bent. Raise thelower guard with the retracting handle and makesure it moves freely and does not touch the bladeor any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.2. Check the operation of the lower guard spring.If the guard and the spring are not operatingproperly, they must be serviced before use.Lower guard may operate sluggishly due todamaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up ofdebris.3. Lower guard should be retracted manuallyonly for special cuts such as “plunge cuts”and “compound cuts”. Raise lower guard byretracting handle and as soon as blade entersthe material, the lower guard must be released.For all other sawing, the lower guard should oper-ate automatically.4. Always observe that the lower guard is cov-ering the blade before placing saw down onbench or floor. An unprotected, coasting bladewill cause the saw to walk backwards, cuttingwhatever is in its path. Be aware of the time ittakes for the blade to stop after switch is released.5. To check lower guard, open lower guard byhand, then release and watch guard closure.Also check to see that retracting handle doesnot touch tool housing. Leaving blade exposedis VERY DANGEROUS and can lead to seriouspersonal injury.