"Malcolm Hoar" wrote in message
1 HP isn't a huge amount and a saw blade doesn't have a
huge mass. Kickback can certainly hurl a chunk of
wood across the room/shop. But it takes a lot of energy
to throw what looks to be a sizable piece of molding
across a construction site -- 7.5 feet vertical and
50ft plus horizontal, apparently.

The horsepower of the motor doesn't matter much in this
kind of scenario -- the stored energy in the spinning
blade is what matters. And I don't think that would be
sufficient. But that's why I asked for the OP's estimate
of the mass of that molding. I'm guessing it's at least
a couple of pounds.

But what you think and what really happens are entirely different.
Experience a good kickback and you'll be a believer. I've seen wood put
through metal garage doors. Traveling at 100+ mph can do some damage.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/
http://www.newwoodworker.com/kickback.html