Safe table saw

Now that's engineering! Wish I'd thought of it.

Mike

Impressive, though not if one wants to cut saveloys.

Perhaps they could add a special savaloy cut-out switch

What we need is people who use their brains not more safety devices. Soon the autombile will cost $100,000 each for a Chevy because of safety additions. Corzine is an example a multimillionaire gettin nearly killed in a traffic accident, not using what was available for safety. I have yet to hear what condition the State Police driver is in. If he had a seat belt on he probably walked away. I guess it doesn't require much in the way of brains to make a lot of money.

Seems like you missed the point . . . I know someone who recently cut off most of one and part of another finger, and he's been in the cabinet/millwork business for 30 years.

Like my ol' Dad used to say, "If you go fishing often enough, you're bound to catch one sooner or later," even though he said it as a warning for my promiscuity and inclination to drive after too many drinks.

"I guess it doesn't require much in the way of brains to make a lot of money."

The inventor ISN'T making a lot of money. He can't raise capital to manufacture new saws equipped with the "Saw Stop" nor retrofit kits to fit all of the various table saws in factories, shops, garages, and basements.

Manufacturers aren't interested in a safety device which adds a substantial percentage of cost to the product unless there is a demand for such.

The best safety device is an informed brain in a competent craftsman who keeps his mind concentrated on the job at hand.

SAFETY FIRST !

"Manufacturers aren't interested in a safety device which adds a substantial percentage of cost to the product unless there is a demand for such."

I found that "Woodcrafters" in Nashville, TN is a dealer. Did not find price of the "SawStop" The World's Safest Table Saw. Apparently there is a market where their presence and safety feature costs are offset by costs of liability insurance and vice versa. When I first encountered it the inventor was lamenting the situation outlined in my earlier post.

Does anyone have comparative cost data?

I tend to agree with Bill, I understand what Travelerengineer is saying about people using equipment sensibly but there are always unforseen events. I knew someone who was left disabled after falling into a large table saw. I'm also reminded of a request to design a safety guard to keep hands out of a container that held hot melt glue at about 180°C after an operator had damaged his hand trying to clear a blockage. The company asking for this said that it was the third time this person had injured himself in this way!!!

Reminds me of a friend that is a contractor. The first thing he did with his brand new pnuematic finish nailer was to pull off the safty guide/stop on the front of the gun so he could get into tighter corners.

His helper shot himself in the hand climbing down a ladder.

$150,000 lawsuit followed.

This innovation is indeed unique but commense sense still wins out.

I work in manufacturing and it is a pretty good device for safety sake.

But the first thing that comes to mind is a bunch of guys betting who can push the hot dog the fastest to get it to cut a the way thru until one takes off a finger.

Nothing is better than common sense.

Had a friend's retired father just lose three fingers....

I think it is a great invention but likely to see it in production shops ie: window/door manufacturers

perhaps he should talk to the insurance companies

Sad thing was that NONE of the major tools manufacturers were interested in the product. Yes it costs about $1200 more than a similar saw from China. So tell me how much is a finger worth? How much would it cost if you just had a serious cut? I just wish that Woodcraft had carried it a year earlier, I would have gladly paid more for it than the Delta I did buy. Of course we have to be careful. Who knows when something in the SawStop will fail. But I would prefer my chances with it. Anyone want a very slightly used Delta cabinet saw?

School systems in (I think) Minnesota are replacing all their tablesaws in the vocational schools with Saw Stop saws. The difference in liability insurance pays for the saws by itself. I'm a member of a number of woodworking forums. The saws are generating LOTS of interest. Many cabinet shops are switching over. Not only is it the safest saw on the market but it is also a high quality machine as well. It has come out on top in a number of recent reviews on quality alone. The biggest issue for the saw is that the wood has to be dry (moisture content below 15% I believe) or it can actuate the stop. If I didn't work with a lot of green wood I would buy one myself.

What's a finger worth?

I am not sure but I presume it is likey that if you attempted to cut damp wood it would be conductive enough to activate the saw stop safety device. When the device is tripped the blade in use is destroyed, and decent 10" carbide tipped cabinet blades are not cheap $$. The saw is still not really "safe", the clip shows operation of the saw without the blade guard or anti kickback device! Overall it looks like a quality tool and it is probably a good investment for schools. However it is no substitute for proper training and thoughtful use. (Always wear eye protection when using power tools)

"I am not sure but I presume it is likey that if you attempted to cut damp wood it would be conductive enough to activate the saw stop safety device."

IIRC it operates on the same principal as the GFI or Ground Fault Interrupter.

In this case the current to the saw motor is cut off. The aluminum stop block is simultaneously wedged into the edge of the saw blade.

That's quite the incredible safety device. I heard about this a few years ago, but this is the first I've seen it in action. That's just stunning! Although I think I would be awfully tempted to try touching it just to test how it works... oh man... it's just asking for it... or maybe I'm asking for it...

Nick

Sometimes when safety devices are fitted people assume that they will be protected by the device and are more likely to use bad practice. Having said that any safety device which would keep your fingers attached to your hands must be a good thing.

I have years of experience on building sites and in professional joinery workshops but one day I was cutting a piece of ply with an 18v ripsnort and was concentrating on getting a very accurate cut along my score mark. My intention was to grasp the ply behind the blade but I grabbed the blade itself. I was lucky though, I broke the bone of one finger and opened up the other three on my left hand up to the bone but didn't lose any.

Sometimes I cringe now when I see others using saws in an unsafe manner but telling people doesn't seem to make any difference. Unless you have had a near miss like me or worse you tend to take chances and this device can only be a good thing if it saves someone the pain and loss which a powerful saw can have on you.

A thought that just occurred to me reading the comments about different types of wood, would an operator of a saw like this be likely to work whilst wearing gloves?

"would an operator of a saw like this be likely to work whilst wearing gloves?"

WHAT? GLOVES? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ! The become the hazard, not protection.

The Safety Engineer, Shop Foreman, etc. would have apoplexy on the spot.

The only shop operations I have ever engaged in wearing gloves were in grinding burrs from rough castings and acid dipping and plating operations where you were called on the carpet if you didn't wear gloves.

That's alright then, otherwise the safety trip wouldn't work very well!!!

Very intereesting that the schools are buying. So the kids keep their fingers until they graduate, but may lose them quickly afterwards when they encounter a conventional table saw.

I say they should teach good practices from the start, and send the bone headed kids who aren't able to listen or focus back to the hand saw area ubtil they are ready for the big tools.