Prior to doing any cutting, carefully inspect the wood for nails and screws. Since we reuse so much lumber, it is very common to have fasteners left in. Be especially aware of nails or screws that have been broken off below the surface of the material. Also be aware of nails or screws which may affect the materials ability to follow the fence or lay flat on the table surface.
First, become familiarized with the way the saw functions. Note here the teeth are aimed toward the worker, which is the proper way to feed the material in. Always feed material into the blade against the rotation, not with the rotation. Another way to know you are on the correct side is start materials from the side on which the switch is located. If you have to reach across the motor, you are feeding it in from the wrong side.
If you insert the material the wrong way, the rotation of the blade can shoot the material across the shop at a deadly speed.
