# Safety instructions for all operations

## Safety warnings common for grinding

- This power tool is intended to function as a grinder. Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

- Operations such as sanding, wire brushing, polishing or cutting-off are not recommended to be performed with this power tool. Operations for which the power tool was not designed may create a hazard and cause personal injury.

- Do not use accessories which are not specifically designed and recommended by the tool manufacturer. Just because the accessory can be attached to your power tool, it does not assure safe operation.

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

- 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 controlled.

- The arbour size of wheels, sanding drums or any other accessory must properly fit the spindle or collet of the power tool. Accessories that do not match the mounting hardware of the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively and may cause loss of control.

- Mandrel mounted wheels, sanding drums, cutters or other accessories must be fully inserted into the collet or chuck. If the mandrel is insufficiently held and/or the overhang of the wheel is too long, the mounted wheel may become loose and be ejected at high velocity.

- Do not use a damaged accessory. Before each use inspect the accessory such as abrasive wheels for chips and cracks, sanding drum for cracks, tear or excess wear, wire brush for loose or cracked wires. If power tool or accessory is dropped, inspect for damage or install an undamaged accessory. After inspecting and installing an accessory, position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating accessory and run the power tool at maximum no-load speed for one minute. Damaged accessories 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 workshop 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 accessory may fly away and cause injury beyond immediate area of operation.

- Hold 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.

- Always hold the tool firmly in your hand(s) during the start-up. The reaction torque of the motor, as it accelerates to full speed, can cause the tool to twist.

- Use clamps to support workpiece whenever practical. Never hold a small workpiece in one hand and the tool in the other hand while in use. Clamping a small workpiece allows you to use your hand(s) to control the tool. Round material such as dowel rods, pipes or tubing have a tendency to roll while being cut, and may cause the bit to bind or jump toward you.

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

- After changing the bits or making any adjustments, make sure the collet nut, chuck or any other adjustment devices are securely tightened. Loose adjustment devices can unexpectedly shift, causing loss of control, loose rotating components will be violently thrown.

- 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.

- Do not use accessories that require liquid coolants. Using water or other liquid coolants may result in electrocution or shock.

## Kickback and related warnings

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel, sanding band, brush or any other accessory. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory’s rotation.

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. The operator can control kickback forces, if proper precautions are taken.

- 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 toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control.

- Always feed the bit into the material in the same direction as the cutting edge is exiting from the material (which is the same direction as the chips are thrown). Feeding the tool in the wrong direction causes the cutting edge of the bit to climb out of the work and pull the tool in the direction of this feed.

- When using rotary files, always have the work securely clamped. These wheels will grab if they become slightly canted in the groove, and can kickback. When a cut-off wheel grabs, the wheel itself usually breaks. When the rotary file, high-speed cutter or tungsten carbide cutter grab, it may jump from the groove and you could lose control of the tool.

## Safety warnings specific for grinding and abrasive cutting-off operations

- Use only wheel types that are recommended for your power tool and only for recommended applications. For example: do not grind with the side of a cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to these wheels may cause them to shatter.

- For threaded abrasive cones and plugs use only undamaged wheel mandrels with an unrelieved shoulder flange that are of correct size and length. Proper mandrels will reduce the possibility of breakage.

- Do not “jam” a cut-off 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 snagging of the wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel breakage.

- Do not position your hand in line with and behind the rotating wheel. When the wheel, at the point of operation, is moving away from your hand, the possible kickback may propel the spinning wheel and the power tool directly at you.

- When wheel is pinched, snagged 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 cut-off 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 pinching or snagging.

- 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

- Do not touch grinding discs until they have cooled down. The discs can become very hot while working.

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

- This power tool is not suitable for bench-mounted use. It must not be clamped into a vice or fastened to a workbench, for example.

- 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 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 with products from the manufacturer. 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.