A circular saw is one of those "must have" tools for most homeowners and for every do-it-yourselfer. It will save you a lot time and effort and easily handle cutting projects that you wouldn't want to tackle with a hand saw. The Makita BSS610 is one of the most highly regarded of the cordless circular saws. Here are a few tips and reminders on using this saw.
1. When cutting small wood pieces be sure and secure them (e.g., with clamps) to the saw horse or other cutting support that you are using before you begin cutting. This will help you make a straighter and safer cut.
Makita Cordless Saw
2. If your saw blade begins to bind (or if you are stopping your saw in the middle of a cut for any reason), release the saw's trigger and do not attempt to remove the saw until the blade has completely stopped moving. If you try and remove the saw before the blade has completely stopped, a saw "kickback" may occur.
3. Keep your saw's blade clean. You can use kerosene, gum remover, or hot water to clean the blade. Never use gasoline! IMPORTANT: Make sure that you have removed the battery from the saw before beginning to remove and clean the saw blade.
4. A circular saw is designed to cut only in a straight line. If you try cutting in other than a straight line, the saw blade will bind or possibly cause a "kickback". Borrow a jig saw, if you need to perform curved cutting.
5. When cutting large wood sheets (e.g., 4' X 8' pieces of plywood), make sure that the wood piece is fully supported so there will be no sag in the wood sheet during your cut. If the wood piece is allowed to sag, your saw will almost certainly bind.
6. Always cut with both hands firmly grasping the saw - one hand on the front grip and one hand on the rear handle.
7. Always remove the battery from the saw before changing a saw blade. After you have removed the old blade (and before installing the new blade), make use of the opportunity to clean out the sawdust and other cutting debris from the upper and lower blade guards. Sawdust/debris has a tendency to accumulate in those two places. Also, when putting on the new saw blade, make sure that the blade's teeth are pointed toward the front of the saw.
8. Like with any saw, never force the cut. Let the saw do the work! Slowly push the circular saw forward as the saw blade cuts the wood.
9. It is prudent to wear a dust mask, ear protection, and safety glasses whenever you are using a circular saw.
10. When adjusting the depth of the saw's cut, set the cut depth so that only a single tooth of the blade is showing below the piece of wood you are cutting.
I hope these tips and reminders will help!