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WALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286
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(JUN04-CD-1)
Form No. 624017-00
The following are trademarks for one or more D
color scheme; the "D" shaped air intake grill; the array of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit
box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS OR ANY D
1-800-4-D
WALT (1-800-433-9258)
CALL US TOLL FREE AT:
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General Safety Rules – For All Battery Operated Tools
WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all
instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WORK AREA
• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite acci-
dents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
• Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to carry the tool. Keep cord away from
heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately.
Damaged cords may create a fire.
• A battery operated tool with integral batteries or a separate battery pack must be
recharged only with the specified charger for the battery. A charger that may be
suitable for one type of battery may create a risk of fire when used with another battery.
• Use battery operated tool only with the specifically designed battery pack. Use of
any other batteries may create a risk of fire.
PERSONAL SAFETY
• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a
power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or
medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious
personal injury,
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep
your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothing, jewelry, or
long hair can be caught in moving parts. Air vents often cover moving parts and should
also be avoided.
• Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is in the locked or off position before
inserting battery pack. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or inserting the bat-
tery pack into a tool with the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool on. A wrench or key
that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and
balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
• Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety
shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
TOOL USE AND CARE
• Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a sta-
ble platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead
to a loss of control.
• Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do
the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
• Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or off. Any tool that cannot be controlled
with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect battery pack from tool or place the switch in the locked or off position
before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such
preventative safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
• Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects like: paper
clips, coins, keys, nails, screws, or other small metal objects that can make a con-
nection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may
cause sparks, burns, or a fire.
• Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained
tools, with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
• Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any
other condition that may affect the tool's operation. If damaged, have the tool
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
• Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model.
Accessories that may be suitable for one tool, may become hazardous when used on
another tool.
SERVICE
• Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
DC550
Copyright © 2004
WALT power tools: the yellow and black
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WALT TOOL,
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• When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions
in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to fol-
low Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
Additional Specific Safety Rules for Cut-Out Tools
• Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where the
cutting tool may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a "live" wire will make exposed
metal parts of the tool "live" and shock the operator.
WARNING: After changing bits or making any adjustments, make sure the collet nut is
securely tightened to avoid injury.
WARNING: Do not press spindle lock or collet lock buttons while motor is running. The
operator may lose control and drop the tool. Personal injury or serious tool damage may
result.
WARNING: Shut off all live electric circuits to any areas where cut outs will be made, to
avoid fire or serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not touch the bit or collet nut during or immediately after cutting material.
The bit and collet nut may be hot enough to burn bare skin.
• Do not run tool while carrying at your side. The spinning bit may become entangled
with clothing and injury may occur.
• Always wear eye protection. Dust mask and hearing protection must be used for
appropriate conditions. Using personal safety devices is recommended. WORK SAFE.
• Always operate the tool with the depth guide in place. The guide keeps the bit from
plunging too deeply through the material. A minimum of penetration should be main-
tained to eliminate the danger of cutting into electric wiring.
• Do not use this tool with drill or screwdriver bits. This tool is not intended to be used
as a drill or screwdriver.
• Be sure your cutting bits are sharp and in good condition. Damaged bits can cause
the tool to jump, injuring the operator.
• Never touch the bit immediately after use. It may be extremely hot.
• Be sure that the motor has stopped completely before you lay the tool down. If the
cutter head is still spinning when the tool is layed down, it could cause injury or damage.
• Be sure that the bit is clear of the workpiece before starting motor. If the bit is in
contact with the workpiece when the motor starts it could make the tool jump, causing
damage or injury.
• If your tool fails to function properly, take it to an authorized service center. There
are no user serviceable parts inside this tool and it should only be opened by trained
service personnel.
WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other
construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work.
To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with
approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter
out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling,
and other construction activities. Wear protective clothing and wash exposed
areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the
skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.
WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disburse dust, which may cause seri-
ous and permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respi-
ratory protection appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face and
body.
CAUTION: When not in use, place tool on its side on a stable surface where it will
not cause a tripping or falling hazard. Some tools with large battery packs will stand
upright on the battery pack but may be easily knocked over.
• The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The symbols and their defini-
tions are as follows:
V ..........volts
A ..........amperes
Hz ........hertz
W ..........watts
min ......minutes
........alternating current
n o ........no load speed
....direct current
........Class II Construction
..........earthing terminal
........safety alert symbol
.../min....revolutions per minute
Important Safety Instructions for Battery Packs
Your tool uses an 18 Volt D
WALT battery pack. When ordering replacement battery packs,
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be sure to include catalog number and voltage: Extended Run-Time battery packs deliver
25% more run-time than standard battery packs. Consult the chart at the end of this manu-
al for compatibility of chargers and battery packs.
NOTE: Your tool will accept either standard or Extended Run Time battery packs. However,
be sure to select proper voltage. Batteries slowly lose their charge when they are not on
the charger, the best place to keep your battery is on the charger at all times.
The battery pack is not fully charged out of the carton. Before using the battery pack and
charger, read the safety instructions below. Then follow charging procedures outlined.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
• Do not incinerate the battery pack even if it is severely damaged or is completely
worn out. The battery pack can explode in a fire.
• A small leakage of liquid from the battery pack cells may occur under extreme
usage or temperature conditions. This does not indicate a failure. However, if the
outer seal is broken and this leakage gets on your skin:
a. Wash quickly with soap and water.
b. Neutralize with a mild acid such as lemon juice or vinegar.
c. If battery liquid gets into your eyes, flush them with clean water for a minimum of 10
minutes and seek immediate medical attention. (Medical Note: The liquid is 25-35%
solution of potassium hydroxide.)
• Do not carry extra battery packs in aprons, pockets, or tool boxes along with
other metal objects. Battery pack could be short circuited causing damage to the bat-
tery pack and possibly causing severe burns or fire.
• Charge the battery packs only in D
WALT chargers.
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• DO NOT splash or immerse in water or other liquids.
• Do not store or use the tool and battery pack in locations where the temperature
may reach or exceed 105°F (40 ºC) (such as outside sheds or metal buildings in
summer).
DANGER: Never attempt to open the battery pack for any reason. If battery pack case
is cracked or damaged, do not insert into charger. Electric shock or electrocution may
result. Damaged battery packs should be returned to service center for recycling.
NOTE: Battery storage and carrying caps are provided for use whenever the
battery is out of the tool or charger. Remove cap before placing battery in
charger or tool.
WARNING: Do not store or carry battery so that metal objects can con-
tact exposed battery terminals. For example, do not place battery in
aprons, pockets, tool boxes, product kit boxes, drawers, etc. with loose nails,
screws, keys, etc. without battery cap. Without cap in place, battery could short circuit
causing fire or burns or damage to battery.
CAUTION: Battery pack must be securely attached to tool. If battery pack is detached,
personal injury may result.
The RBRC™ Seal
The RBRC™ (Rechargeable Battery RecyclingCorporation) Seal on the
nickel-cadmium battery (or battery pack) indicates that the costs to recycle
the battery (or battery pack) at the end of its useful life have already been
paid by D
WALT. In some areas, it is illegal to place spent nickel-cadmium
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batteries in the trash or municipal solid waste stream and the RBRC pro-
gram provides an environmentally conscious alternative.
RBRC™ in cooperation with D
WALT and other battery users, has established programs
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in the United States to facilitate the collection of spent nickel-cadmium batteries. Help pro-
tect our environment and conserve natural resources by returning the spent nickel-cadmi-
um battery to an authorized D
WALT service center or to your local retailer for recycling.
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You may also contact your local recycling center for information on where to drop off the
spent battery.
RBRC™ is a registered trademark of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.
Important Safety Instructions for Battery Chargers
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS: This manual contains important safety instructions for
battery chargers.
• Before using charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings on charger, battery
pack, and product using battery pack.
DANGER: 120 volts are present at charging terminals. Do not probe with conductive
objects. Electric shock or electrocution may result.
WARNING: Do not allow any liquid to get inside charger. Electric shock may result.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of injury, charge only D
able batteries. Other types of batteries may burst causing personal injury and damage.
WALT nickel cadmium recharge-
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