described in this manual may cause a
hazardous situation.
- We recommend using a residual-current
device with actuating current of 30 mA
or less.
Causes of kickback and how to avoid
them:
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of
the guide bar touches an object, or when
the wood closes and grips the saw chain
inside the cut. In some cases a touch to the
tip may cause instant kickback, throwing
the guide bar upward and back toward the
user. Gripping the saw chain along the tip of
the guide bar may pull the guide bar back
toward the user. Each of these reactions can
cause loss of control over the saw and may
lead to serious bodily injury. Do not rely
exclusively on the safety devices built into
your sword saw. As a sword saw user, you
must take multiple precautions to perform
your cutting operations without accident or
injury. Kickback is caused by improper use
of the tool or incorrect working methods or
conditions, and can be avoided by properly
following the instructions below:
- Hold fi rmly with your thumbs and fi n-
gers around the sword saw grip, with
both hands on the saw, and position
your body and arms for resistance
to kickback. Kickback can be controlled
by the user, provided all relevant safety
measures are followed.
- Do not reach or cut above shoulder
height. This prevents unwanted tip con-
tact, and provides better control over the
sword saw in unexpected situations.
- Use only manufacturer-specifi ed re-
placement bars and chains. Any un-
suitable replacement bars and chains
may cause kickback or chain breakage.
- Follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for sharpening and mainte-
nance of the saw chain. A drop in the
depth gauge might lead to increased
kickback.
- If the chain is skewed or not aligned with
the cut, the teeth on the rear chain mar-
gin may strike the wood surface from the
top, the chain may jump out of the cut
and the saw may eject back toward the
user.
- If the chain gets stuck, or if cutting has
to be interrupted for any reason, release
the switch control and hold the saw in
place, in the material, unless the chain
stops completely. Never attempt to lift
the saw from the cut or pull it back if the
chain is moving; otherwise kickback may
occur. Look for the reason the chain got
stuck and fi nd a way to remedy it.
- If you restart the saw with the chain in
the work piece, centre the chain in the
cut groove and make sure the teeth do
not strike the material. If the chain gets
stuck, the saw may be pushed upwards
from the work piece after restart, or kick-
back may occur.
- If you cut large boards, make sure you
support them properly in order to avoid
chain grip and kickback. Large boards
have a tendency to bend under their own
weight. The boards must be padded on
both sides, close to the cut and near the
margins.
- Do not use blunt or damaged chains.
Chains that are not sharpened or ad-
justed properly cause excessive strain
that may lead to destruction and possible
injury.
- Before you start cutting, make sure the
levers that determine the cover and tilt
of the guide bar are tightened proper-
ly. If the guide bar position adjustment
changes during cutting, it may get stuck
and kickback may occur.
- Do not cut by "dipping into the mate-
rial"; this is prevented by the guard plate
assembly. The guard plate must not be
removed.
- Make sure your hands are at a safe
distance from the cut location and
from the chain. Grip the auxiliary
handle with your other hand. If you
hold the saw with both hands, you cannot
cut yourself.
- Do not put your hands underneath
the material you are cutting. The
guard plate cannot protect you fully from
the chain underneath the piece you are
cutting.
- Never hold the piece you are cutting
in your hand or over your knee. Fix
the work piece on a fi rm base. The
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