SawStop - stops cutting in 5ms if your finger is in the way! Anyone use this?

[Level42]

I'm convinced by this thing. Isn't is insane that a couple of pen-pushers decide over other people's fingers. They value that 3% more than their customer's health.....nice companies !!!

The really fun thing is that some people here say that if you're careful, you don't need something like this. Maybe so if you cut once in a while. But people who use these machines professionaly for years tend to be most at risk, especialy BECAUSE they think they work safe, because "they know their stuff". They tend to work routinely and loose focus. And everyone can make a mistake. We're still human. People saying this will never happen to them probably also don't use safety belts in their car...

I think airbags cost lots more in percentage to a car 20 years ago. And yes, they did exist then already. Now, not a single car is sold without heaps of those bags. Do we pay them ? Yes. But how much is it percentage wise if you fit every car with it ?

They don't have a European distriburor yet. Safety is VERY hot (selling) overhere the last couple of years......I smell a business oportunity 

So, when I will ship a 20" foot container of these saws, will there be enough room left for a Q*bert, Ms.Pac Man and a DK ? 

[Quarters]

I'm convinced by this thing.

I agree. Workplace safety is huge right now. Saw manufacturers are not generally held responsible for injuries, but companies ARE. About 5 year ago a man working at a saw next to me cut his hand clean in half. The cost to the company was huge, and continues adding up to this day. The costs involved with this device are fairly small compared to other safety devices common in the workplace today (light barriers, worker restraint systems etc.) . 

people who use these machines professionaly for years tend to be most at risk,

Yes. The man described above worked on that same saw five days a week for over 3 years. It takes only one second of lost concentration to result in a lost hand.

I've worked daily with saws of all shapes and sizes for nearly 20 years and seen a few accidents. The only time my body ever came in contact wit a moving blade was on a table saw. Luckily the injury was fairly minor, took about 1/4 inch off the side tip off my thumb.

Not soon for the home market i think, but any business that employ tablesaws regularly will be looking at this option. Especially if they have already experienced an injury.

[erictrumpet]

Amazingly I do not own a table saw. Mostly because I am scared to death of them. I get the heebie jeebies just watching the New Yankee Workshop. Because I am a musician I sort of need my fingers. But who doesn't? Even if I weren't a musician I still love to pick my nose so I need my fingers. Anyway, I know I need a table saw. (I do have a slow but reliable method of making perfect cuts with my handheld circular saw using a fence piece I clamp onto the piece I am cutting but it's a pain in the ass and sawhorses are always falling over, etc.) Anyway, this system is amazing. I am considering making the SawStop my table saw. But is is a decent saw? Seems to be... anyone have personal experience with one? I wonder if the $700 unit is a $100 Wal-Mart saw with $600 worth of finger-saving technology. I hate to say it but if it's a crappy saw I don't want it even if it will save my fingers.

Eric.

[prOk]

I have seen, used and personally performed the 'hot dog' test on a Saw Stop before.. they are exactly as advertised.   you can push that hot dog as fast as you want into the blade and it will barely nick it.. the blade drops that fast.   Esentially, there's a sacrificial aluminum 'brake' that the blade is plunged into if it senses the circuit being completed.  That is why the blade must be replaced each time it happens.  The saw is absolutely amazing to see in person.

[Level42]

Amazingly I do not own a table saw. Mostly because I am scared to death of them. I get the heebie jeebies just watching the New Yankee Workshop. Because I am a musician I sort of need my fingers. But who doesn't? Even if I weren't a musician I still love to pick my nose so I need my fingers. Anyway, I know I need a table saw. (I do have a slow but reliable method of making perfect cuts with my handheld circular saw using a fence piece I clamp onto the piece I am cutting but it's a pain in the ass and sawhorses are always falling over, etc.) Anyway, this system is amazing. I am considering making the SawStop my table saw. But is is a decent saw? Seems to be... anyone have personal experience with one? I wonder if the $700 unit is a $100 Wal-Mart saw with $600 worth of finger-saving technology. I hate to say it but if it's a crappy saw I don't want it even if it will save my fingers.

Eric.

Seems they are mostly targeted at the (semi) pro market so I personly think they couldn't get away with making a bad (but safe) saw...

[prOk]

Where did this 700.00 number come from?  They are 2700.00 minimum before any accessories.  The sawstop is an upscale hobbyist to entry level pro saw and is quality wise on par with cabinet saws from Jet and Delta.

[Gambit]

Where did this 700.00 number come from?  They are 2700.00 minimum before any accessories.  The sawstop is an upscale hobbyist to entry level pro saw and is quality wise on par with cabinet saws from Jet and Delta.

The 700 quote came from a news release.  I can only find the 2700 on their site so I assume the low end saw is either in the works or fell through.

The safety unit itself adds very little to the cost of the table saw, its the table saw itself that costs the money.  About the only thing preventing you from finding a $99 portable table saw with this feature is that companies like ryobi refuse to license it.

[prOk]

Well, that's not exactly fact..  The cost is much more than you think to put the 'feature' on a device..  the electronics and technology involved are only part of the story.  All the research, insurance bonding etc they need in order to consider selling it add up.

I know for a fact many companies wanted to license the technology, but SawStop's terms were too much for anyone to pay and still hope to sell a saw and make money.  The result of that was SawStop going out on their own without any licensees. Rest assured, you cannot add this to anything for very little money.