48 SawStop 10” Contractor Saw
Using Your Saw
The spreader helps minimize kickback by preventing
a workpiece from pinching or shifting into the back of
the blade. The spreader also supports a set of anti-
kickback pawls to further minimize kickback.
In certain situations, such as cutting very soft wood,
you may want to disable the anti-kickback pawls. The
anti-kickback pawls may be disabled by rotating them
up, as shown in Fig. 56. They will stay rotated up until
you put them down again. Both anti-kickback pawls
may be down together or up together, but they are not
designed to be disabled independently.
The anti-kickback pawls may also be removed from
the guard. To remove the anti-kickback pawls, hold
both ends of the bolt that goes through the anti-
kickback pawls and pull the bolt back to stretch the
spring (see Fig. 57). Allow the anti-kickback pawls to rotate upwards as you stretch the spring (do not hold the
anti-kickback pawls) then pull the bolt upwards to remove the anti-kickback pawl assembly (see Fig. 58).
To use the blade guard, set the blade elevation and tilt angle to the desired settings and, if necessary, install
or swing down the top guard so that the side guards rest on the table or insert. Make sure the top guard is
securely locked in place in the spreader before use.
Cut the workpiece as described beginning on page 51
. The side guards will “float” on the top of the workpiece
as the workpiece passes under the guard. The wood stop will prevent material that is taller than the height of
the blade from entering the blade guard. The top guard and side guards are constructed of clear polycarbonate
to allow you to clearly see the blade and the workpiece as it passes under the guard. After making the cut, the
cut-off portion of the workpiece may be held beneath one of the anti-kickback pawls. In this case, turn off the
motor and wait until the blade stops before pushing the cut-off portion past the anti-kickback pawl.
Keep the guard clean and free of dust to allow unobstructed viewing of the blade and workpiece. For successful
operation, the spreader must remain flat, and the side guards and anti-kickback pawls must pivot freely. If any
portion of the blade guard ceases to function properly, replace or repair it before continuing to use the saw.
When not in use, the blade guard can be stored by hanging it on one of the storage pins on the left side of the
saw (see Fig. 60 on page 49).
Pull the bolt back
and then up
Allow the
anti-kickback
pawls to rotate
upwards -
do not hold the
anti-kickback
pawls.
bolt
spring
Fig. 56
Fig. 57
Fig. 58
