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Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
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Author:  peterm [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
One of the best investments I have made. Bought it about a year ago and I have been really impressed by the quality of the saw.
But yesterday I got to feel first hand the real advantage of the saw.
While ripping a piece of mahogany at a 30 degree angle my thumb got in the way of the blade and voila!! In a micro-second that blade was stopped and out of the way. So fast I didn't even know I had cut myself. idunno
Considering the speed of the feed I would have had a serious injury. Thanks Sawstop! bliss

Trust me, we are all careful but it only takes a minor distraction to do life time damage...

Image

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Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Yes VERY MUCH worth the cost ! I Have several customers who have these systems and have had more than 1 experience related to me about the safety factor . Glad it worked for you as it should have cause now you can still do this [:Y:] [:Y:] [clap] [clap]
Author:  Mark Fogleman [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
I read something that one of the woodworking magazine writers wrote a while back right after the SawStop was released and there was so much hoohah going on about the patent and the efforts of the inventor to make it a standard feature on all tablesaws, etc. The writer commented on how many hands he shakes at large Woodworking shows with missing fingers and wondered how many millions of dollars had been spent on those injuries.

You're fortunate.
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Peter! So glad you were not badly injured. Good investment indeed.
Author:  murrmac [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
peterm wrote:

While ripping a piece of mahogany at a 30 degree angle my thumb got in the way of the blade

peterm wrote:
Trust me, we are all careful


Maybe it's just me , but I would suggest that these statements are mutually incompatible.

If your thumb got in the way of the blade, then you were not being careful, end of.

I have used table saws every working day for over forty years, all over the US and all over the UK, and I still have all my fingers intact, and they will remain intact, because I know what I am doing.

There is no such thing as an accident, there are tragedies which happen due to either ignorance or cavalier disregard for basic safety procedures.

That said, I am indeed glad that your injury was as minimal as it was, and I sincerely hope that there are no long term ill-effects.
Author:  Chas Freeborn [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Love mine too. Haven't had your experience but it's comforting to know it's there.
Send them the spent cartridge. They analyze them to continue to improve the design. They used to give replacements for free if it saved a finger, but not sure if that's still going on.
-C
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
murrmac wrote:
peterm wrote:

While ripping a piece of mahogany at a 30 degree angle my thumb got in the way of the blade

peterm wrote:
Trust me, we are all careful


Maybe it's just me , but I would suggest that these statements are mutually incompatible.

If your thumb got in the way of the blade, then you were not being careful, end of.
I have used table saws every working day for over forty years, all over the US and all over the UK, and I still have all my fingers intact, and they will remain intact, because I know what I am doing.
There is no such thing as an accident, there are tragedies which happen due to either ignorance or cavalier disregard for basic safety procedures.
That said, I am indeed glad that your injury was as minimal as it was, and I sincerely hope that there are no long term ill-effects.


Im sure that you mean well in your comments , and I dont wish to be sarcastic , so please dont take this as being more than it is . One of the main causes of injury is "arrogance" , accidents DO happen , and alot of the time its because people are waaaaaayyy to confident in there own ability ! Ive been doing this for 35 yrs as well , and I agree that what you state in many ways is true. However , as soon as we THINK we have it under control , THATS when we get hurt !
Author:  GregG [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Dang Peter, really glad to see you still have your thumb.....Just wondering, do you think having that saw created an atmosphere of less concern that led to the situation?
Author:  Bob Matthews [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
I am so pleased you had this peice of equipment but my God what were you doing with your thumb going into the blade? :shock:
Author:  murrmac [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
WudWerkr wrote:
Im sure that you mean well in your comments , and I dont wish to be sarcastic , so please dont take this as being more than it is . One of the main causes of injury is "arrogance" , accidents DO happen , and alot of the time its because people are waaaaaayyy to confident in there own ability ! Ive been doing this for 35 yrs as well , and I agree that what you state in many ways is true. However , as soon as we THINK we have it under control , THATS when we get hurt !


Sorry, Jim, but I repeat, there is no such thing as an accident, there are only tragedies which are brought about by ignorance or flagrant disregard of basic safety procedures.

I have seen my fair share of these tragedies in my time, the latest, still fresh in my mind after two years, involved a young trainee who (without supervision) tried to pass a piece of 5" x 5" endgrain oak over a jointer. He lost all the fingers of his right hand. (This was a serious industrial 24" jointer btw, not a DIY toy)

Was that an "accident" ?

No.

An "accident " on a table-saw would be a brazed tooth on a sawblade flying off unexpectedly and hitting you in the face. An "accident " on a jointer would be a knife suffering metal fatigue and somehow flying off and injuring you. Basically, these accidents just don't happen. Not ever.

But, unfortunately tragedies involving loss of limb (and regrettably, life, ) occur almost every day.

Are they "accidents" ?

No.

They are totally preventable tragedies which could have been averted had the sufferers undergone, and taken heed of, proper training.
Author:  Edward Taylor [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
VERY glad that you are okay Peter. Given what happened it was indeed a wise investment.

murrmac wrote:
If your thumb got in the way of the blade, then you were not being careful, end of.


Cannot help but agree with this. Although, if and when other manufacturers adopt this technology or create an equivalent, I will probably buy one.
Author:  Tom West [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Peter: Sure glad it was no more serious.I must agree with you,we all try to be careful,but we are human and crap happens. Folks get off your high horses,ANYONE of us could be next. OH sorry I forgot some folks are perfect......! Sorry about the rant but some of the posts just hit me the wrong way. Peter took the correct step and purchased the correct equipment. Hands up of all the folks who have this equipment on their saws. Thanks for sharing Peter.
Tom
Author:  murrmac [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Edward Taylor wrote:
VERY glad that you are okay Peter. Given what happened it was indeed a wise investment.

murrmac wrote:
If your thumb got in the way of the blade, then you were not being careful, end of.


Cannot help but agree with this. Although, if and when other manufacturers adopt this technology or create an equivalent, I will probably buy one.


The thing which bugs me is that all manufacturers will eventually be forced to incorporate this (patented) technolgy into their saws, which will double the price of the average tablesaw, and they will be doing this, not because it is necessary, but to avoid lawsuits on the basis of negligence.

Make no mistake, the Sawstop inventor is a very, very, shrewd cookie, and he has some very clever lawyers on his payroll, but don't fall into the trap of thinking he is some kind of benefactor of mankind.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
westca wrote:
Peter: Sure glad it was no more serious.I must agree with you,we all try to be careful,but we are human and crap happens. Folks get off your high horses,ANYONE of us could be next. OH sorry I forgot some folks are perfect......! Sorry about the rant but some of the posts just hit me the wrong way. Peter took the correct step and purchased the correct equipment. Hands up of all the folks who have this equipment on their saws. Thanks for sharing Peter.
Tom




[clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]

Money well spent
Author:  Steve Saville [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Good for you Peter. I'm so glad that you are OK.
It is a good thing you bought that saw. A man needs to know his limitations. oops_sign

There are 10,000+ people out there wishing they had one, but it is to late for them.

If I turn on my table saw and I feel comfortable, I turn it off and think about how dangerous that thing is. Once I'm afraid of it again, I'll turn it back on.

Be careful! Safety is no accident!
Accidents are not just random events like the name implies.
Author:  bluescreek [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Having been one that did run a thumb through the table saw I agree the saw stop may have helped but in reality , it was me that caused the situation . I am lucky that my thumb took 27 stitched and healed ok . I am not going to get the saw stop because I know what I did .
I have been using table saws for 40 years and the day it happened it was all my fault . We had a death in the family and i was in the shop working with my mind on going to the funeral and family matters.
Advice is this
If you head isn't on the tool get it on it or get out of the shop . I am glad this technology is available and hope that those that have it never need it .
Author:  My Dog Bob [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
To think you can't have a temporary lapse in judgement or an off day (when you are feeling like it's a normal day) is plain hubris...
Author:  Zach Ehley [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
GregG wrote:
Just wondering, do you think having that saw created an atmosphere of less concern that led to the situation?


I see this as a major issue, not in Peters case, but a general issue as we move forward If people stop taking responsibility to be safe and assume the tool will protect them, then it gets really dangerous. You cant design a tool that is safe under every circumstance possible. This technology may be great, but the way its getting forced into all saws is tragic. Thanks lawyers...and all those not willing to take responsibility for your own actions.

Glad the finger is still in one piece though.
Author:  Edward Taylor [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
westca wrote:
Peter: Sure glad it was no more serious.I must agree with you,we all try to be careful,but we are human and crap happens. Folks get off your high horses,ANYONE of us could be next. OH sorry I forgot some folks are perfect......! Sorry about the rant but some of the posts just hit me the wrong way. Peter took the correct step and purchased the correct equipment. Hands up of all the folks who have this equipment on their saws. Thanks for sharing Peter.
Tom


I do not think anyone was on a high horse, at least I was not. Nobody is claiming to be perfect.
Yes murmac said he "knows what he is doing" but that does not mean he thinks he is perfect. Maybe he really does know what he is doing and it is completely within the realm of possibility to use a table saw for 40+ years accident free, do you know for a fact it is not?

By the fallacy that is sawstops legal action against other manufacturers, it is expected/understandable when people react like this at the mention of it.

If I cut my finger off on one of my saws, I am completely ready to take responsibility for it.
If I ever decide to buy a sawstop or anything similar that may come out and it stops me from injuring myself, well thats great too. Peter decided to buy a sawstop and it paid off for him, nobody has questioned that decision, it was obviously a good one for him.
Author:  alan stassforth [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Amazing!
Glad you didn't lose that part.
I was wondering what you have to do to get the saw going again.
I heard somewhere that it trashes the saw, or something.
USE A PUSH-STICK NEXT TIME!
Author:  Ti-Roux [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
alan stassforth wrote:
Amazing!
Glad you didn't lose that part.
I was wondering what you have to do to get the saw going again.
I heard somewhere that it trashes the saw, or something.
USE A PUSH-STICK NEXT TIME!


You have to change the alluminium brake you see on the picture (about 60$), and the blade. That's it.
Author:  MikeG [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
I've been looking into getting one of the sawstop saws. I do this knowing that I am not perfect, the same reason I always use the blade guard and wear a seat belt when I am driving a car. I do believe accidents happen and sometimes they are mistakes that people make that is the cause of the accident, sometimes we take precautions to protect us from our own absent mindedness or mistakes. I occasionally will be in the shop and recognize that I just did something stupid, I step back call myself an idiot, figure out how to do it safer, then thank God I didn't seriously injure myself.
Mike
Author:  Mike Lindstrom [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
Peter -

Glad you're ok. My next saw will be a stopper. I was stupid when I touched the blade. Certainly was my fault, and I'll try to avoid the same mistake in the future, but if I'd had your saw, I'd be in better shape now.

Mike
Author:  Josh H [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
I seriously looked at one of these when I was buying a new saw last year. I probably would have bought one if it worked with different size blades. There are a number of luthier operations that require smaller blades (like slotting) and I needed one saw for everything.

Glad you are ok.

Josh
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sawstop...is it worth it? Check it out!
As one who has taken care of 30+ years worth of table saw vs. hand injuries I am elated to see your narrow escape from disaster. The Sawstop is an amazing device. I hope it gains more widespread use. Remember when Detroit fought standard installation of seat belts? Look at the dramatic decrease in loss of life and limb in farming from improved safety devices. We humans are flawed creatures. Mistakes are made and accidents happen. If we can chip away at the carnage with technology that works why not do it? Pompous and self-righteous statements about ones abilities in their chosen field are frequently a prelude to disaster. Stay humble guys! The only thing I'd like to see is the ability to turn off the safety feature and have the saw still run for fret slotting. Like Josh, that's what's held me back from buying one so far.
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