Woodstock SHOP FOX W1824 - Manual (Page 11)

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Kickback is a high speed expulsion of the
workpiece from the saw blade, which occurs when
the saw blade grabs the workpiece instead of cuts
it.
The danger of kickback is that it happens faster
than the operator can react, so if the operator’s
hands are in a bad position, they could get pulled
into the blade. Also, kickback can cause serious
impact injuries if the operator is struck by the
ejected workpiece.
The lack of warning and high risk of injury from
kickback makes it extremely important to: (1)
avoid doing anything that will increase the risk
of occurrence, and (2) work carefully to protect
yourself in case it does occur.
Avoiding Kickback
• DO NOT cut a workpiece that is excessively
warped or twisted. The workpiece must be
able to slide across the table and fence in a
stable manner without any rocking, rotating,
or shifting—if any of these movements occur
during the cut, kickback will likely occur.
Workpieces that have minor warping must
be cut with the cupped-side down against
the table; the edge of the workpiece that is
placed against the fence must be straight or
straightened with a jointer.
• Never attempt freehand cuts. Always use
the rip fence or miter gauge to support
the workpiece. If the workpiece is not fed
parallel with the blade, kickback will likely
occur.
• Make sure the splitter or riving knife is
aligned with the blade. A misaligned splitter
or riving knife can cause the workpiece
to catch or bind, increasing the chance of
kickback. If you think that your splitter or
riving knife is not aligned with the blade,
check it immediately!
• Ensure that the rip fence locks parallel with
the blade; otherwise, the chances of kickback
are extreme.
Kickback • The splitter or riving knife maintains the kerf
in the workpiece, reducing the chance of
kickback. Always use the riving knife for all
non-through operations, unless a dado blade
is installed. Always use the splitter with the
blade guard for all through cuts.
• Feed cuts through to completion. Anytime
you stop feeding a workpiece in the middle
of a cut, the chance of kickback is greatly
increased.
• Keep the blade guard installed and in
good working order. Only remove it when
performing non-through cuts and immediately
re-install the blade guard when finished.
Remember, always use the riving knife for all
non-through operations, unless a dado blade
is installed.
• Make multiple, shallow passes when
performing a non-through cut. Making a deep
non-through cut will greatly increase the
chance of kickback.
Protecting Yourself from Kickback
• Stand to the side of the blade during every
cut. If kickback does occur, the thrown
workpiece usually travels directly in front of
the blade.
• Wear safety glasses or a face shield. In the
event of kickback, your eyes and face are the
most vulnerable part of your body.
• Never, for any reason, place your hand behind
the blade. Should kickback occur, your hand
will be pulled into the blade.
• Use a push stick to keep your hands farther
away from the moving blade. If kickback
occurs, the push stick will most likely take
the damage that your hand would have
received.
• Use featherboards or anti-kickback devices to
prevent or slow down kickback.