INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GUIDE D’UTILISATION
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
DC490, DC495, DW940, DW941 
Cordless Swivel Head Shears
Cisailles sans fil à tête pivotante
Cizalla inalámbrica de cabezal giratorio
INSTRUCTIVO DE OPERACIÓN, CENTROS DE SERVICIO Y PÓLIZA 
DE GARANTÍA. ADVERTENCIA: LÉASE ESTE INSTRUCTIVO ANTES 
DE USAR EL PRODUCTO. 
Definitions: Safety Guidelines 
The definitions below describe the level of severity for each signal word. Please read the 
manual and pay attention to these symbols.
DANGER:  willIndicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided,   result 
in death or serious injury.
WARNING: could  Indicates  a  potentially  hazardous  situation  which,  if  not  avoided,   
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: may Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,   result 
in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION: Used without the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation 
which, if not avoided,   result in may property damage.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS OR ANY D WALT TOOL, E
CALL US TOLL FREE AT: 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) 
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 
accidents.
•  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. Distrac tions 
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 designated 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 battery 
pack into a tool with the switch on invites accidents.
•  Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool on. A wrench or a 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 stable 
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. A 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 connection 
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 create a risk of injury when used  on 
another tool.
SERVICE
•  Tool  service  must  be  performed  only  by  qualified  repair  personnel.  Service  or 
maintenance performed by unqualified personnel may result in a risk of injury.
•  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  follow 
Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of shock or injury.
Additional Safety Rules
•  Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where the tool 
may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a “live” wire will also make exposed metal parts 
of the tool “live” and shock the operator.
WARNING:  ALWAYS  use  safety  glasses.  Everyday  eyeglasses  are  NOT  safety  glasses. 
Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY 
EQUIPMENT:
•  ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3)
•  ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection
•  NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.
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 serious and 
permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection 
appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face and body.
WARNING:  Always  wear  proper  personal  hearing  protection  that  conforms  to  ANSI 
S12.6 (S3.19) during use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from this product 
may contribute to hearing loss.
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 definitions 
are as follows:
V ..................volts  A .................... amperes
Hz ................hertz  W ................... watts
min ..............minutes   .................. alternating current
 ............direct current  no ................... no load speed
 ................ Class I Construction   ................... earthing terminal
 .................... (grounded)   ................... safety alert symbol
 ................. Class II Construction   …/min ............ revolutions or reciprocation
 .................... (double insulated)   ....................... per minute
BPM ............ beats per minute
Important Safety Instructions for Battery Packs
Your tool uses a D WALT battery pack. When ordering replacement  battery packs, be sure E
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 manual 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.  (   The  liquid  is  25-35% Medical  note:
solution of potassium hydroxide.)
•  Charge the battery packs only in DEWALT chargers.
•  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:  Electrocution  hazard.  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:  Fire  hazard.  Do  not  store  or  carry  battery  so  that  metal 
objects  can  contact  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.  Transporting  batteries  can  possibly 
cause  fires  if  the  battery  terminals  inadvertently  come  in  contact  with  conductive 
materials such as keys, coins, hand tools and the like. The US Department of Transportation 
Hazardous  Material  Regulations  (HMR)  actually  prohibit  transporting  batteries  in  commerce 
or  on  airplanes  (i.e.,  packed  in  suitcases  and  carry-on  luggage)  UNLESS  they  are  properly 
protected  from  short  circuits.  So  when  transporting  individual  batteries,  make  sure  that  the 
battery terminals are protected and well insulated from materials that could contact them and 
cause a short circuit.
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  Recycling  Corp oration)  Seal  on  the  
nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries (or battery packs) indicate that 
the costs to recycle these batteries (or battery packs) at the end of their useful 
life have already been paid by DEWALT. In some areas, it is illegal to place spent 
nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries in the trash or municipal solid 
waste  stream  and the RBRC program provides an environmentally conscious 
alternative.
RBRC™ in cooperation with DEWALT and other battery users, has established programs in the 
United States and Canada to facilitate the collection of spent nickel cadmium and nickel metal 
hydride batteries. Help protect our environment and conserve natural resources by returning 
the spent nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries to an authorized D EWALT service 
center or to your local retailer for recycling. 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: Electrocution hazard. 120 volts are present at charging terminals. Do not probe with 
conductive objects. 
WARNING: Shock hazard. Do not allow any liquid to get inside charger. 
CAUTION:  Burn  hazard.  To  reduce  the  risk  of  injury,  charge  only  DEWALT  rechargeable 
batteries. Other types of batteries may burst causing personal injury and damage.
CAUTION: Under  certain  conditions,  with  the  charger  plugged  in  to  the  power  supply,  the 
exposed  charging  contacts  inside  the  charger  can  be  shorted  by  foreign  material.  Foreign 
materials of a conductive  nature such as, but not limited to,  steel  wool, aluminum foil, or any 
buildup  of  metallic  particles  should  be  kept  away  from  charger  cavities.  Always  unplug  the 
charger from the power supply when there is no battery pack in the cavity. Unplug charger before 
attempting to clean.
•  DO NOT attempt to charge the battery pack with any chargers other than the ones in 
this manual. The charger and battery pack are specifically designed to work together. 
•  These  chargers  are  not  intended  for  any  uses  other  than  charging  DEWALT 
rechargeable  batteries.  Any  other  uses  may  result  in  risk  of  fire,  electric  shock  or 
electrocution.
•  Do not expose charger to rain or snow.
•  Pull  by  plug  rather  than  cord  when  disconnecting  charger.  This  will  reduce  risk  of 
damage to electric plug and cord.
•  Make  sure  that  cord  is  located  so  that  it  will  not  be  stepped  on,  tripped  over,  or 
otherwise subjected to damage or stress.
•  Do  not  use  an  extension  cord  unless  it  is  absolutely  necessary.  Use  of  improper 
extension cord could result in risk of fire, electric shock, or electrocution.
•  An extension cord must have adequate wire size (AWG or American Wire Gauge) for 
safety. The smaller  the  gauge  number  of the  wire,  the  greater  the  capacity of the  cable, 
that is 16 gauge has more capacity than 18 gauge. When using more than one extension to 
make up the total length, be sure each individual extension contains at least the minimum 
wire size.
Recommended Minimum Wire Size for Extension Cords
Total Length of Cord
25 ft.  50 ft.  75 ft.  100 ft.  125 ft.  150 ft.  175 ft.
7.6 m  15.2 m  22.9 m  30.5 m  38.1 m  45.7 m  53.3 m
Wire Size AWG
18   18   16  16   14   14  12
•  Do not place any object on top of charger or place the charger on a soft surface that 
might block the ventilation slots and result in excessive internal heat. Place the charger 
in a position away from any heat source. The charger is ventilated through slots in the top 
and the bottom of the housing.
•  Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug — have them replaced immediately.
•  Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise 
damaged in any way. Take it to an authorized service center.
•  Do not disassemble charger; take it to an authorized service center when service or 
repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock, electrocution 
or fire.
•  Disconnect  the  charger  from  the  outlet  before  attempting  any  cleaning.  This  will 
reduce the risk of electric shock. Removing the battery pack will not reduce this risk.
•  NEVER attempt to connect 2 chargers together.
DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286.
(DEC06)             Form No. 649606-00             DC490, DC495, DW940, DW941
Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2006 DEWALT
The following are trademarks for one or more D WALT power tools: the yellow and black color scheme; the E
“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 questions or comments, contact us.
Pour toute question ou tout commentaire, nous contacter.
Si tiene dudas o comentarios, contáctenos.
1-800-4-DEWALT • www.dewalt.com