Delta UNISAW 36-L352 - Manual (Page 24)

24
RIPPING
Never touch the free end of the workpiece
or a free piece that is cut off, while the power is on
and/or the saw blade is rotating. Piece may contact
the blade resulting in a thrown workpiece or possible
injury.
A rip fence should ALWAYS be used for
ripping operations to prevent loss of control and
personal injury. NEVER perform a ripping operation
freehand. Always lock the fence to the rail.
When bevel ripping and whenever
possible, place the fence on the side of the blade so
that the blade is tilted away from the fence and hands.
Keep hands clear of the blade and use a push stick to
feed the workpiece if there is less than 6" (152 mm)
between the fence and the blade.
Keep hands clear of the blade
Use a push stick to feed the workpiece if there is 2" to 6" (51 to 152 mm) between the fence and the
blade. Use a narrow rip auxiliary fence and push block to feed the workpiece if there is 2" (51 mm) or narrower
between the fence and the blade.
1. Lock the fence down where you want it to be. Remove the miter gauge.
2. Raise the blade so it is about 1/8" (3.2 mm) higher than the top of the workpiece.
3. Hold the workpiece flat on the table and against the fence (A) Fig. 55. Keep the workpiece about 1" (25 mm) away
from the blade.
The workpiece must have a straight edge against the fence and must not be warped, twisted or bowed.
Keep both hands away from the blade and away from the path of the blade. See proper hand position in Fig. 55.
4. Turn the saw on and allow the blade to come up to speed. Both hands can be used in starting the cut. When there is
approximately 12" (305 mm) left to be ripped, use only one hand, with your thumb pushing the material, your index
and second finger holding the material down and your other fingers hooked over the fence. Always keep your thumb
along side your first two fingers and near the fence.
5. Keep the workpiece against the table and fence and slowly feed the workpiece rearward all the way through the saw
blade. Continue pushing the workpiece until it is clear of the guard and it falls off the rear of the table. Do not overload
the motor.
6. Never try to pull the workpiece back with the blade turning. Turn the switch off, allow the blade to stop, raise the anti-
kickback teeth on each side of the riving knife if necessary and slide the workpiece out.
7. When sawing a long piece of material or a panel, always use a work support. A sawhorse, rollers or outfeed assembly
provides adequate support for this purpose. The work support must be at the same height as the saw table.
Never push or hold onto the free or cut off side of the workpiece.
RIPPING SMALL PIECES
It is unsafe to rip small pieces. It is not safe to put your
hands close to the blade. Instead, rip a larger piece to
obtain the desired piece. When a small width is to be
ripped and the hand cannot be safely put between the
blade and the rip fence, use one or more push sticks.
A pattern is included at the end of this manual to make
push sticks. A push stick (B) Fig. 56 is included with this
saw. Use the push stick(s) to hold the workpiece against
the table and fence, and push the workpiece fully past
the blade. See Fig. 56.
B
FIG. 55
FIG. 56
A