DeWALT 7 1/4-inch circular saws

CPSC Recall #02-135 — April 3, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-135
Recall DateApril 3, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 55,000

Where It Was Sold

Home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold the circular saws from July 2001 through December 2001 for between $120 and $135.

Product

DeWALT 7 1/4-inch circular saws

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), DeWALT Industrial Tool Co., Baltimore, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 55,000 heavy-duty, lightweight circular saws. The spindle on the saw may slip, causing the blade to contact the lower guard, posing a hazard to the consumer from an exposed blade.DeWALT received one report of the blade slipping. A consumer received minor scratches to his hand after his spindle slipped.The recall involves 7 1/4-inch circular saws with the model numbers DW368, DW368K, or DW369CSK. The model number is located on a black label near the handle of the saw, or on a yellow sticker attached to the carrying case. The saws have date codes 200128-F through 200152- F stamped on the bottom of the motor case. The housing is yellow and the word "DeWALT" is printed on the upper blade guard.Home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold the circular saws from July 2001 through December 2001 for between $120 and $135.Consumers should stop using the circular saws immediately and return them to the nearest DeWALT service center for a free repair. For more information or to locate the nearest service center, consumers should contact DeWALT toll-free at (888) 839-3559 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit the firm's website at www.DeWALT.com.No other DeWALT circular saws are involved in this recall.

Hazard

The spindle on the saw may slip, causing the blade to contact the lower guard, posing a hazard to the consumer from an exposed blade.

Incidents & Injuries

DeWALT received one report of the blade slipping. A consumer received minor scratches to his hand after his spindle slipped.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the circular saws immediately and return them to the nearest DeWALT service center for a free repair.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.