How many of you have seen the new sawstop tablesaw?

[tc-vt]

This saw stops as soon as it detects a finger on the blade, fast enough so that absolutely no injury is sustained.


http://finehomebuilding.taunton.com/item/8228/sawstop-inventor-walks-the-walk

Tom

[rick91351]

I have seen them and one is on my list of shopping for my shop.  When activated it does destroy a stop block.  You have to replace that but it is a small price to pay to keep all your digits.  Woodcrafters had them the last time I was in their store in Boise.  I assume they are in all their stores now.  I am a real believer in their technology.

rlr 

     

[ScottA]

Brilliant!

[Ernest T. Bass]

Pretty awesome.. I just wonder how often it accidentally trips because of moisture in the wood, nails, etc? I know a guy who lost a thumb to his table saw. Not fun. I often think of him when I'm ripping wood..

[PEG688]

I just wonder how often it accidentally trips because of moisture in the wood, nails, etc?

  There's a switch you can shut-off the sensor for those type of cuts.


I know a guy who lost a thumb to his table saw. Not fun. I often think of him when I'm ripping wood..

  Good idea, it may save you the same fate.

The reviews I've read say it's a nice saw, a lot of money but .............

  The best piece of safety equipment is between yer ears, IF it seems unsafe , it MTL is. Stop,,,,,,,,, re-think it , add a hold down , get the push stick , one or two should always be with in reach ,or some such.


 

[glenn kangiser]

I'm with PEG.  There are so many things to get hurt on if you are careless that a good head with full mental faculties is hard to beat.

Like - the saw saved my thumb just so I could shoot a nail through it...

In my experience , substance abuse has caused more injuries to workers than injuries to someone who could think clearly.

[bayview]

   My simple rule is to never get my hands within 12" of the blade . . . I use a number of push sticks-blocks and on larger pieces, such as plywood, I use a wood handle rubber concrete float. 
   Be carefull with push sticks.  The saw blade could catch the wood, spinning it off the table.



   A table saw "sled" is also a good addition to the table saw . . .
http://www.rd.com/content/printContent.do?contentId=18191&KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=790&modal=true

[Brandon]

We have had one at work for probably 5 years.  The decision was made after we had a guy loose 3 fingers in one fail swoop.  About a year ago one of the guys came into the office and said I was going to be mad at him for setting the saw off and I said why and he showed me his thumb.  Half way up his thumb was a nick which surely would have been an amputation and all that was needed was a badage. 

The saw will activate with wet wood or any metal contact but this can be bypassed.  The blade generally needs replacing after it has gone off as well as a new brake cartridge, all told $100.00 with an inexpensive blade.

From a safety standpoint it is an excellent piece of equipment because most people, including many who have operated a table saw for years, dont realize how dangerous it is until it throws something at you or cuts fingers off.

They have a new contractor saw which is more reasonably priced.  It really makes me think when I use the old Delta at home what can happen in just a second.  It is worth the money.

[phalynx]

If you have anyone who works for you, the sawstop is probably a fantastic purchase from a liability standpoint.  The technology is pretty failproof.  It senses electrical conductivity to trigger.  Moisture wouldn't trigger it.  Metal would (there is a defeat switch)...  Human skin would.  It's about $80 to replace the unit that triggers if it does + the price of the blade.  In my opinion, there is no substitute for safety.  But the extra $1200 for the sawstop saw is a couple of extra tools you COULD buy.

It is a well designed saw though.

[JRR]

I may buy one someday.  I'll use the money that I save by refusing to buy a pneumatic nailer.

Double safe!

[DirtyLittleSecret]

actually had fundraiser lunch with the owner a few months ago...very nice, and we discussed several additional applications.  Based on a constant ground electrical loop.  Moist lumber/nails/etc have no effect, but human touch will stop it dead in something like 1/1000th of a sec.