RIDGID R4518T Manual Del Operador página 25

OPERATION
 Clean the saw, blade guard, under the throat plate, and
any areas where sawdust or scrap workpieces may gather.
 Keep blade guard, riving knife and ainti-kickback pawls
in place and proper operation. The riving knife must be
in alignment with the blade and the pawls must stop a
kickback once it has started. Check their operation before
ripping.
 Maintain the rip fence parallel with the saw blade.
 When ripping, apply the feed force to the section of the
workpiece between the blade and rip fence. Use a push
stick and/or push block when appropriate.
 Use the right type of blade for the cut being made.
 Always use the riving knife for every operation where it
is allowed. The use of this device will greatly reduce the
risk of kickback.
CUTTING AIDS
See Figures 27 - 28.
Push sticks are devices that may be used for pushing a
workpiece through the blade in any rip cut. When making
non-through cuts or ripping narrow stock, always use a
push stick, push block, and/or featherboard so your hands
do not come within 3 inches of the saw blade. They can be
made in various sizes and shapes from scrap wood and
used in a specific project. The stick must be narrower than
the workpiece, with a 90˚ notch in one end and shaped for
gripping on the other end.
A push block has a handle fastened by recessed screws
from the underside or secured with wood glue. Use push
blocks for narrow cuts and all non-through cuts. A cutting jig
or similar cutting aid may be necessary to ensure the push
block does not interfere with the cut.
CAUTION:
Be sure the screws in a push block are recessed
to avoid damaging the saw or workpiece.
Push blocks and push sticks like the ones shown in figure 27
can be purchased locally and a push stick is included
with your saw. To make additional cutting aids, follow the
instructions below.
To make a push stick:
The material, shape and size of a push stick can vary. For
this project, use a piece of solid wood that is 18 in. long,
1-1/2 in. wide. and 3/4 in. thick.
 If desired, cut a curve into one end of the workpiece to
serve as a grip.
 Cut a notch into the workpiece on the opposite end.
During use, this end will contact the edge of the material
being cut.
To make a push block:
The material, shape and size of a push block can vary. For
this project, use two pieces of solid wood to make the base
and handle. The base is 5 in. long, 3 in. wide. and 3/8 in. thick.
The handle should be 5 in. long, 1 in. wide, and 3/4 in. thick.
 Mark the center of the base.
 Attach the handle to the center of the base using recessed
screws or wood glue.
NOTE: To prevent the push block from slipping across the
workpiece, you can attach a piece of sandpaper or a non-
slip rubber pad to the bottom of the base.
GRIP
BASE
25 − English
PUSH STICKS
PUSH BLOCKS
PUSH STICK
NOTCH
HANDLE
PUSH BLOCK
Fig. 27
Fig. 28