Makita Circular Saw HS7601 Instruction Manual

Specifications

Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice due to ongoing research and development. Specifications may vary by country. Weight is according to EPTA-Procedure 01/2003.

Symbols

Understand the meaning of these symbols before use:

• [info] Read instruction manual
• [double insulation] DOUBLE INSULATION

Disposal Information (EU Countries): Do not dispose of electric equipment with household waste. Collect separately and return to an environmentally compatible recycling facility as per the European Directive on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment.

Intended Use

This tool is designed for making straight and mitre cuts in wood. It can also saw other materials with appropriate Makita saw blades.

Power Supply

Connect only to a power supply matching the nameplate voltage. The tool operates on single-phase AC supply and is double-insulated, allowing use from sockets without an earth wire.

Noise and Vibration

• Noise: Typical A-weighted noise level: Sound pressure level (LpA): 87 dB(A), Sound power level (LWA): 98 dB(A), Uncertainty (K): 3 dB(A). Wear ear protection.
• Vibration: Total vibration value (tri-axial vector sum) for cutting wood: Vibration emission (ah,w): 2.5 m/s² or less, Uncertainty (K): 1.5 m/s². The declared vibration emission value is measured according to standard test methods and can be used for comparison. Actual vibration during use may differ based on usage. Identify safety measures based on estimated exposure during actual use.

EC Declaration of Conformity

Makita declares that the Circular Saw Model HS7601 conforms to European Directives 2006/42/EC and is manufactured according to standard EN60745. The technical file is available from Makita, Jan-Baptist Vinkstraat 2, 3070, Belgium.

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

WARNING: Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow may result in electric shock, fire, or serious injury. Save these for future reference.

Work Area Safety

1. Keep the work area clean and well lit.
2. Do not operate in explosive atmospheres (flammable liquids, gases, dust).
3. Keep children and bystanders away.

Electrical Safety

4. Ensure power tool plugs match outlets; do not modify plugs.
5. Avoid body contact with earthed surfaces.
6. Do not expose to rain or wet conditions.
7. Do not abuse the cord; keep it away from heat, sharp edges, and moving parts.
8. Use an outdoor-suitable extension cord when operating outdoors.
9. If operating in damp locations, use an RCD-protected supply (30 mA or less recommended).

Personal Safety

11. Stay alert and use common sense; do not use when tired or under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
12. Use personal protective equipment (eye protection, dust mask, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection).
13. Prevent unintentional starting: ensure the switch is OFF before connecting power or picking up the tool.
14. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before starting the tool.
15. Do not overreach; maintain proper footing and balance.
16. Dress properly: avoid loose clothing, jewellery, and keep hair away from moving parts.
17. If dust extraction facilities are provided, ensure they are connected and used properly.

Power Tool Use and Care

18. Do not force the tool; use the correct tool for the application.
19. Do not use if the switch does not operate correctly.
20. Disconnect the plug from power before making adjustments, changing accessories, or storing.
21. Store idle tools out of reach of children and untrained users.
22. Maintain tools: check for misalignment, binding, or broken parts. Have damaged tools repaired.
23. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean for better control and less binding.
24. Use the tool, accessories, and bits according to instructions, considering working conditions.

Service

25. Have your tool serviced by a qualified person using identical replacement parts.
26. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
27. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.

Circular Saw Safety Warnings

Cutting Procedures

1. DANGER: Keep hands away from the cutting area and blade. Use both hands to hold the saw.
2. Do not reach underneath the workpiece where the guard cannot protect you.
3. Adjust cutting depth so less than a full tooth is visible below the workpiece.
4. Never hold the piece being cut in your hands or across your leg; secure it to a stable platform.
5. Hold the tool by insulated gripping surfaces when the cutting tool might contact hidden wiring or its own cord.
6. When ripping, always use a rip fence or straight edge guide.
7. Always use blades with the correct size and shape of arbour holes.
8. Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolts.

Kickback Causes and Related Warnings

Kickback is a sudden reaction causing the saw to lift up and out of the workpiece. It occurs when the blade is pinched, bound, or twisted.

Precautions to avoid kickback:

9. Maintain a firm grip with both hands and position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position your body to the side of the blade, not in line with it.
10. When the blade is binding, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless until the blade stops. Never attempt to remove the saw while the blade is in motion.
11. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the blade in the kerf and ensure teeth are not engaged.
12. Support large panels to minimize blade pinching and kickback. Supports should be placed under the panel on both sides, near the cut line and edge.
13. Do not use dull or damaged blades; they cause excessive friction and binding.
14. Ensure blade depth and bevel adjusting levers are tight and secure.
15. Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or blind areas.
16. ALWAYS hold the tool firmly with both hands. NEVER place your hand or fingers behind the saw.

Additional Safety Warnings:

17. Never force the saw; push forward at a speed that allows the blade to cut without slowing.
18. Lower Guard Function: Check the lower guard for proper closing before each use. Never clamp or tie it open. Ensure it moves freely and does not touch the blade. Check the spring operation. If the saw is dropped, the guard may bend. If the guard operates sluggishly, it may need servicing. The lower guard may be retracted manually for special cuts like plunge cuts, but must be released as soon as the blade enters the material. Always ensure the lower guard covers the blade before placing the saw down.
19. Use extra caution with damp wood, pressure-treated lumber, or wood with knots. Maintain smooth advancement.
20. Do not attempt to remove cut material while the blade is moving. Wait until it stops.
21. Avoid cutting nails; inspect and remove them from lumber before cutting.
22. Place the wider portion of the saw base on the solidly supported part of the workpiece. Do not support the section that will fall off. Clamp down short or small workpieces.
23. Before setting the tool down, ensure the lower guard has closed and the blade has stopped.
24. Never attempt to saw with the circular saw held upside down in a vise.
25. Some materials may contain toxic chemicals; prevent dust inhalation and skin contact.
26. Do not stop blades by lateral pressure on the saw blade.
27. Do not use abrasive wheels.
28. Only use saw blades with the specified diameter. Incorrect blade size can affect guarding and operation.
29. Keep blades sharp and clean. Gum and pitch buildup slows the saw and increases kickback potential. Clean blades with gum and pitch remover, hot water, or kerosene (never gasoline).
30. Wear a dust mask and hearing protection.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

WARNING: Do not let comfort or familiarity replace strict adherence to safety rules. Misuse or failure to follow rules can cause serious personal injury.

Functional Description

Adjusting Depth of Cut

CAUTION: Always tighten the lever securely after adjusting depth.

Loosen the depth guide lever, move the base up or down to the desired depth. Secure by tightening the lever. For cleaner, safer cuts, set depth so no more than one blade tooth projects below the workpiece. This reduces the potential for dangerous kickbacks.

Bevel Cutting

Loosen the clamping screws. Set for the desired angle (0° - 45°) by tilting, then tighten the clamping screws securely.

Sighting

For straight cuts, align the 0° position on the base with your cutting line. For 45° bevel cuts, align the 45° position.

Switch Action

CAUTION: Ensure the switch trigger actuates properly and returns to OFF. Do not pull the trigger hard without pressing the lock-off button to prevent switch breakage.

A lock-off button prevents unintentional starting. To start, press the lock-off button and pull the trigger. Release the trigger to stop.

WARNING: Never tape down or defeat the lock-off button.

Removing or Installing Saw Blade

CAUTION: Ensure the blade is installed with teeth pointing up at the front. Use only the Makita wrench.

To remove the blade, press the shaft lock to prevent blade rotation, then use the wrench to loosen the hex bolt counterclockwise. Remove the bolt, outer flange, and blade.

When changing the blade, clean upper and lower blade guards of sawdust. This does not replace the need to check lower guard operation.

For tool with inner flange for other than 15.88 mm hole-diameter saw blade: The inner flange has different diameter protrusions on each side. Choose the correct side for the saw blade hole. Mount the inner flange onto the mounting shaft with the correct protrusion facing outward, then place the saw blade and outer flange.

BE SURE TO TIGHTEN THE HEX BOLT CLOCKWISE SECURELY.

CAUTION: Ensure the protrusion on the inner flange fits the saw blade hole perfectly. Incorrect mounting can cause dangerous vibration.

WARNING: Ensure the correct ring for the blade's arbor hole is installed between the inner and outer flanges. Incorrect rings may cause blade movement, severe vibration, loss of control, and serious injury.

Hex Wrench Storage

Store the hex wrench as shown in the figure to prevent it from being lost.

Connecting a Vacuum Cleaner (Optional Accessory)

For clean cutting, connect a Makita vacuum cleaner. Install the dust nozzle on the tool using the screw, then connect the vacuum cleaner hose to the dust nozzle.

Operation

CAUTION: Move the tool forward in a straight line gently. Forcing or twisting can overheat the motor and cause dangerous kickback.

Always use the front grip and rear handle to hold the tool firmly during operations.

Hold the tool firmly with both grips. Set the base on the workpiece without blade contact. Turn the tool on, wait for full speed, then move the tool forward smoothly, keeping it flat. For clean cuts, maintain a straight sawing line and uniform speed. If the cut deviates, release the switch, wait for the blade to stop, withdraw the tool, realign, and start again. Avoid positions that expose the operator to ejected chips and dust. Use eye protection.

Rip Fence (Guide Rule) (Optional Accessory)

The rip fence allows for accurate straight cuts. Slide it snugly against the workpiece and secure with the clamping screw. It enables repeated cuts of uniform width.

Maintenance

CAUTION: Always ensure the tool is switched off and unplugged before inspection or maintenance.

Clean out upper and lower guards to ensure proper operation of the guarding system. Use compressed air for cleaning. Wear proper eye and breathing protection when blowing dust.

Never use gasoline, benzine, thinner, or alcohol, as they can cause discoloration, deformation, or cracks.

Adjusting for Parallelism

The parallelism between the blade and base is factory adjusted. If it is off, loosen the screw, open the lower guard, and move the rear of the base so distances A and B are equal. Tighten the screw. Make a test cut.

Adjusting for Accuracy of 0° Cut

This adjustment is factory-set. If off, adjust the screws with a hex wrench while inspecting the 0° blade position with the base using a triangular rule or square rule.

Replacing Carbon Brushes

Remove and check carbon brushes regularly. Replace when worn down to the limit mark. Keep them clean and free to slip. Replace both brushes at the same time using identical carbon brushes.

Use a screwdriver to remove brush holder caps. Remove worn brushes, insert new ones, and secure caps.

For product safety and reliability, repairs and maintenance should be performed by Makita Authorized Service Centers using Makita replacement parts.

Optional Accessories

CAUTION: Use only recommended accessories for your Makita tool. Using other accessories may present a risk of injury. Use accessories only for their stated purpose.

Ask your local Makita Service Center for assistance with accessories.

• Saw blades
• Rip fence (Guide rule)
• Guide rail
• Guide rail adapter
• Rule bar
• Dust nozzle
• Hex wrench

Note: Some items may be included as standard accessories and may differ by country.

Manufacturer Information

Makita, Jan-Baptist Vinkstraat 2, 3070, Belgium

Makita Corporation, Anjo, Aichi, Japan

www.makita.com