Cut-off machine safety warnings

The guard provided with the tool must be securely attached to the power tool and positioned for maximum safety, so the least amount of wheel is exposed towards the operator. Position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating wheel. The guard helps to protect operator from broken wheel fragments and accidental contact with wheel.

Use only bonded reinforced or diamond cut-off wheels for your power tool. Just because an accessory can be attached to your power tool, it does not assure safe operation.

The rated speed of the accessory must be at least equal to the maximum speed marked on the power tool. Accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart.

Wheels must be used only for recommended applications. For example: do not grind with the side of cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to these wheels may cause them to shatter.

Always use undamaged wheel flanges that are of correct diameter for your selected wheel. Proper wheel flanges support the wheel thus reducing the possibility of wheel breakage.

Do not use worn down reinforced wheels from larger power tools. Wheels intended for a larger power tool are not suitable for the higher speed of a smaller tool and may burst.

The outside diameter and the thickness of your accessory must be within the capacity rating of your power tool. Incorrectly sized accessories cannot be adequately guarded or controlled.

The arbour size of wheels and flanges must properly fit the spindle of the power tool. Wheels and flanges with arbour holes that do not match the mounting hardware of the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively and may cause loss of control.

Do not use damaged wheels. Before each use, inspect the wheels for chips and cracks. If power tool or wheel is dropped, inspect for damage or install an undamaged wheel. After inspecting and installing the wheel, position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating wheel and run the power tool at maximum no load speed for one minute. Damaged wheels will normally break apart during this test time.

Wear personal protective equipment. Depending on application, use face shield, safety goggles or safety glasses. As appropriate, wear dust mask, hearing protectors, gloves and shop apron capable of stopping small abrasive or workpiece fragments. The eye protection must be capable of stopping flying debris generated by various operations. The dust mask or respirator must be capable of filtrating particles generated by your operation. Prolonged exposure to high intensity noise may cause hearing loss.

Keep bystanders a safe distance away from work area. Anyone entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment. Fragments of workpiece or of a broken wheel may fly away and cause injury beyond immediate area of operation.

Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory may contact hidden wiring. Cutting accessory contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.

Never lay the power tool down until the accessory has come to a complete stop. The spinning wheel may grab the surface and pull the power tool out of your control.

Do not run the power tool while carrying it at your side. Accidental contact with the spinning accessory could snag your clothing, pulling the accessory into your body.

Regularly clean the power tool’s air vents. The motor’s fan will draw the dust inside the housing and excessive accumulation of powdered metal may cause electrical hazards.

Do not operate the power tool near flammable materials. Sparks could ignite these materials.

Kickback and related warnings

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating wheel which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the wheel’s rotation at the point of the binding.

For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched by the workpiece, the edge of the wheel that is entering into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material causing the wheel to climb out or kick out. The wheel may either jump toward or away from the operator, depending on direction of the wheel’s movement at the point of pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under these conditions.

Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

Maintain a firm grip on the power tool and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for maximum control over kickback or torque reaction during start-up. The operator can control torque reactions or kickback forces, if proper precautions are taken.

Never place your hand near the rotating accessory. Accessory may kickback over your hand.

Do not position your body in line with the rotating wheel. Kickback will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s movement at the point of snagging.

Use special care when working corners, sharp edges etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the accessory. Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and cause loss of control or kickback.

Do not attach a saw chain, woodcarving blade, segmented diamond wheel with a peripheral gap greater than 10 mm or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control.

Do not “jam” the wheel or apply excessive pressure. Do not attempt to make an excessive depth of cut. Overstressing the wheel increases the loading and susceptibility to twisting or binding of the wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel breakage.

When wheel is binding or when interrupting a cut for any reason, switch off the power tool and hold the power tool motionless until the wheel comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the wheel from the cut while the wheel is in motion otherwise kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective action to eliminate the cause of wheel binding.

Do not restart the cutting operation in the workpiece. Let the wheel reach full speed and carefully re-enter the cut. The wheel may bind, walk up or kickback if the power tool is restarted in the workpiece.

Support panels or any oversized workpiece to minimize the risk of wheel pinching and kickback. Large workpieces tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the workpiece near the line of cut and near the edge of the workpiece on both sides of the wheel.

Use extra caution when making a “pocket cut” into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding wheel may cut gas or water pipes, electrical wiring or objects that can cause kickback.

Additional Safety Information

Wear hearing protection, protective goggles, a dust mask and gloves. Use at least an FFP 2 protection class particle-filtering half mask.

Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand.

Do not touch the cutting disc after use before it has cooled. The cutting disc becomes very hot during use.

Hold the power tool firmly with both hands and make sure you have a stable footing. The power tool can be more securely guided with both hands.

In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapours may be emitted. The battery can set alight or explode. Ensure the area is well ventilated and seek medical attention should you experience any adverse effects. The vapours may irritate the respiratory system.

Do not modify or open the battery. There is a risk of short-circuiting.

The battery can be damaged by pointed objects such as nails or screwdrivers or by force applied externally. An internal short circuit may occur, causing the battery to burn, smoke, explode or overheat.

Only use the battery in the manufacturer's products. This is the only way in which you can protect the battery against dangerous overload.

Protect the battery against heat, e.g. against continuous intense sunlight, fire, dirt, water and moisture. There is a risk of explosion and short-circuiting.