Stop
Kickback can throw the saw with enough force to cause serious injury; always keep your body out of the blade's backward path and never remove the riving knife or blade guard.
Symptoms
- Saw jerks backward suddenly during a cut
- Loud bang or jolt mid-cut
- Wood pinches the blade just before it happens
- Happens most often near the end of a cut
Likely causes
- CommonWorkpiece unsupported and sagging, pinching the bladeAs the cut ends, unsupported ends can drop and squeeze the kerf shut.
- CommonMissing or misaligned riving knife/anti-kickback splitterThis part is designed specifically to keep the kerf open behind the blade.
- PossibleTwisting the saw in the cutSteering sideways instead of straight forward can jam the blade.
- PossibleCutting warped or tension-loaded lumberInternal stress can snap the kerf closed unexpectedly.
- PossibleDull blade requiring extra forceForcing a dull blade through wood increases bind-and-kick risk.
What to do
- Stop and unplug/remove the battery before adjusting anything after a kickback event.
- Set up support so both halves of the cut are held up, such as sawhorses on each side of the cut line.
- Confirm the riving knife or splitter is installed correctly and not removed.
- Stand to one side of the blade's cutting line, never directly in line with where it would kick back.
- Keep the blade sharp and let it cut at its own pace instead of forcing the saw forward.
- Use a clamped guide so the blade travels in a straight line without twisting.
- Consider a saw with an electric brake or riving knife if kickback keeps happening.
Tools and parts
- Circular saw with riving knife or splitter
- Sawhorses
- Clamps
- Straightedge guide
When to call a pro
If kickback happens repeatedly even with correct setup, have a tool repair shop inspect the saw's guard and riving knife mechanism for damage.
Safety
Stop
Kickback can throw the saw with enough force to cause serious injury; always keep your body out of the blade's backward path and never remove the riving knife or blade guard.