Any one use one of these ? - Page 2 - Woodworking Talk

Corndog · 11-18-2007, 11:33 AM

Seems like "table saw fer dummies" to me.

jpw23 · 11-18-2007, 02:04 PM

I guess a few saved fingers would be good.

Ken Johnson · 11-18-2007, 06:32 PM

As an engineer and a woodworker I have found this device very interesting from the first time I read about it in one of my wood magazines. Ever since then I have been following its development through articles I have read in my engineering technical journals.

At first, the inventor tried to sell this as an aftermarket item or an option that tablesaw manufacturers could offer on their product. He was quickly and repetedly shut down by all the big manufacturers. He then designed his own table saw and gained the attention of government agencies and is currently trying to pass legislation to force manufactures to put such safety devices on their saws. Needless to say, he is not well liked by the saw manufacturers.

Although this is a great product, I have a real problem with forcing legislation on something like this. This is the kind of mentality that justifies $10M law suits over spilled hot coffee. It's just not right. The only person who is at risk is the operator and it should be their choice to use the safety or not. I have been using tablesaws for 28 years and I still have all my digits. I'm not saying accidents can't happen, nor am I judging anyone who has lost a finger or worse to a table saw accident. I just don't think that it is right to put the responsibility on the manufacturers.

**joasis** · 11-18-2007, 09:54 PM

I will add a few thoughts to this: I, like many other, I have no guards in place on my table saw. They interfere with the various jigs I use. There is one lesson I remember well and practice when using the saw. I never run the blade any higher then necessary to clear the stock cleanly, and always have a push board handy. If you think about the cut before you run it, and look for potential pinch points, chances of an accident decrease tremendously.

I would hate to see mandatory installation on saws, but then again, I don't like government intervention anyway. Find a trade school that teaches manual machining anymore? machine tools are dangerous like nothing else, and our vo tech caved in and eliminated the program for fear of a lawsuit.

Ken Johnson · 11-19-2007, 02:07 PM

joasis,

I agree with your methods. I don't use a guard either but I still consider myself to be very safe when it come to using power tools. To be honest, the table saw guard scares the heck out of me. If I can't see the blade, I don't want to be using the saw. Too many times I have had the guard pinch or get caught on the side and that just makes things more dangerous. I believe that keeping the blade low and maintaining a 6" distance from the blade at all times is a safe bet.

mdlbldrmatt135 · 11-20-2007, 12:08 PM

I'm the same as Ken, I have been "bit" once............ and did a good bit of damage.... But I still don;t use guards..... I can't stand not bieng able to see the blade...... I just have alot more Push sticks......

JON BELL · 11-20-2007, 01:15 PM

Wow,think of all the wood I could buy with $3300!

16ga · 11-20-2007, 05:23 PM

Never used one of these and probably never will but I just wonder how accurate the thing is. Sure would hate to have to pay that kinda money because the thing “thought” I was going to cut a finger off.

Personally like other here I keep the guards off my table saw anyway. I find mines more trouble then its worth and decided I felt safer without within the first week.

Ken Johnson · 11-21-2007, 11:16 AM

OK, here is a link to a great article on the Saw Stop device. There is even a video of it in action. The video says it all.

http://www.designnews.com/index.asp?...leid=CA6360672

Here are some good reader responces to the above article.

http://www.designnews.com/article/CA6376062.html

Steve G. · 11-21-2007, 04:39 PM

I don't use a guard on my table saw either, I make to many dados with it for it to be practical.

aclose · 11-23-2007, 12:35 AM

i've used the SawStop in a table saw class at our local Woodcraft store. the saw is extremely impressive. not that i have a ton of experience with table saws; i was taking a class after all. :) but it seems to be very accurate, very solid, no vibration. the riving knife is very nice as i don't like the splitters that most saws have. blade change was easy. the fence was also very sturdy and extremely smooth.
again, i have limited experience with table saws, but this thing is very impressive. and the added bonus of the blade brake is pretty cool.

pianoman · 02-15-2008, 03:49 PM

I have alot of respect for spinning carbide. The saw stop was designed for the schools and pushed by the insurance co.s It`s all about money! If they design a product to make an intricate maneuver intrepid... it will become just that!!! There, I said it... Use your head!! that`s what it`s there for!!! Rick P.S. Don`t cut yourself... you need your fingers.