DeWalt DWE560-XE, Instruction Manual

4

LOWER GUARD SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

 a) 

Check lower guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw 

if lower guard does not move freely and close instantly. Never clamp or tie the 

lower guard into the open position.

 If saw is accidentally dropped, lower guard 

may be bent. Raise the lower guard with the retracting handle and make sure it 

moves freely and does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and 

depths of cut.

 b) 

Check the operation of the lower guard spring. If the guard and the spring 

are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use.

 Lower guard 

may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of 

debris.

 c) 

Lower guard should be retracted manually only for special cuts such as 

“plunge cuts” and “compound cuts.” Raise lower guard by retracting handle 

and as soon as blade enters the material, the lower guard must be released.

For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.

 d) 

Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing saw 

down on bench or floor.

 An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to 

walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for 

the blade to stop after switch is released.

Additional Specific Safety Instructions for Circular Saws

WARNING:

 Do not use abrasive wheels or blades.

WARNING:

 Do not use water feed attachments.

 • 

Use clamps or another practical way to secure and support the workpiece 

to a stable platform. 

Holding the work by hand or against your body leaves it 

unstable and may lead to loss of control.

 • 

Keep your body positioned to either side of the blade, but not in line with the 

saw blade.

 Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards (Refer to 

Causes 

and Operator Prevention of Kickback 

and 

Kickback

). 

 • 

Avoid cutting nails. Inspect for and remove all nails from lumber before 

cutting.

 • 

Accessories must be rated for at least the speed recommended on the tool 

warning label. 

Wheels and other accessories running over rated speed can fly 

apart and cause injury. Accessory ratings must always be above tool speed as 

shown on tool nameplate.

Further Safety Instructions for All Saws

CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF KICKBACK:

  –  Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, 

causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the 

operator;

  –  When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing down, the blade 

stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator;

  –  If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge 

of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood causing the blade to climb 

out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator.

Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or 

conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
 a) 

Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your arms to 

resist kickback forces. Position your body to either side of the blade, but not 

in line with the blade.

 Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards, but 

kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.

 b) 

When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the 

trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to 

a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or pull the 

saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur.

 Investigate 

and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding.

 c) 

When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the kerf and 

check that saw teeth are not engaged into the material.

 If saw blade is binding, 

it may walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.

 d) 

Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback.

Large panels tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under 

the panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the edge of the panel.

 e) 

Do not use dull or damaged blades.

 Unsharpened or improperly set blades 

produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.

 f) 

Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure 

before making cut.

 If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding 

and kickback.

 g) 

Use extra caution when making a “plunge cut” into existing walls or other 

blind areas.

 The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.