saw

[silverstar]

Check out this saw....neat

SawStop

[lucky788scroller]

Wayyyyyyyyyyy to pricy, and it can (and does) malfunction at times , ruining your blade, and the cartridge thingy.Its a great idea, but I dont think it will ever be a common saw in hobbiest woodshops. My question.. why do they demo it using a hot dog (I watched a demo at the woodworking show)? Do they not trust it enough to use their hand??? :O I guess thats a dumb question, but thats the first thing I think when I see them demo it. Dale

[Stoney]

I worked for a machine tool company for eight years. The engineers were always working to try and make the tools idiot proof. The tools we made were for production work in auto factories. Its hard to believe but there are people that will actually injure themselves on purpose. Machine tool companies spend enormous sums of money trying to protect themselves from product liability. There is no completely safe tool. This saw ultimately relies on a mechanical function to stop the blade and any mechanical function is subject to failure. Using a hotdog, or some other prop for the demonstration only makes logical sense. I wouldn't think of paying for that feature myself but for those with less confidence and willing to pay the price so be it.

Stoney

[Fremmed]

Just about the time they make something idiot proof, somebody comes out with an even better idiot

Kevin

[Neal Moore]

I saw that demonstrated at Woodcraft last year. Once it activates the blade and cartridge are both destroyed and replacements are EXPENSIVE. In the long run however it would probably pay off in a production shop or High School trade shop in reduced insurance premiums and paid out medical benefits.......but on the other hand...there are still five fingers...<GRIN>!!

[Barefoot1]

I too have seen this saw demo'd and it seemed to work really well. It is a VERY expensive saw, not likely to be in too many garages for sure. And like it was stated, once activated it is expensive to get running again. How about just being careful?

[workin for wood]

Wet lumber sets off the guard as well. There is a switch to disable the break system, but then what's the point? People like us will get panicked that the saw will go off and eat itself for dinner and thus turn off the switch since we can't afford the replacement parts. My saw blades average close to and some over a hundred bucks just by themselves. I support this saw, it has it's place, but not in my shop. It's the perfect saw for a cabinet shop that has employees using the saw. It can be good for the insurance, good for reducing law suits from employees. It can still cut your finger off , but will save the entire hand.

[Jediscroller]

My only problem with this saw is when they originally patented and developed the braking system instead of marketing it they tried to get a law passed requiring it on all saws. When that failed they finally built it themselves. For the price of one of these you can buy a top of the line cabinet saw along with a power feeder which to me would be just as safe and a lot cheaper. Most cabinet shops I've seen use this type of set up. While a neat gadget, I don't really see this taking off in any real way unless they can lower the cost of replacements.
At $100+ a blade, I'll just excercise caution.

[oops99]

I remember reading something about this, there was some discussion about companies not wanting to get on board with this, because if someone got seriously hurt with one of the companies other saws, it would open the door for lawsuits saying that the other saw should have had this device on it as well.
I hope this makes sense.

Tom

[Mike Crosa]

I think one of the wood magazines gave the saw a top rating. It is expensive, and if I were going to buy one of these type saws I would give it serious consideration. Have you priced medical services lately? If my back operation is any indication, the saw would pay for itself 20 times with what it would cost for a finger.