Thread: SAWSTOP - The Argument

Originally Posted by Stuart

... then if triggered, it's only a few minutes to be operational again.

I'm sure it would take more than a few minutes to do the change ... did you include the time required to change your undies?

Originally Posted by Stuart

If I had one of these machines, I would have a spare sitting on the shelf, then if triggered, it's only a few minutes to be operational again.

seems like the way to go doesnt it

Originally Posted by hughbrad

Having said that my managing director ( wife) wants me to get one !!

hughbrad

well get one

Originally Posted by Vernonv

I'm sure it would take more than a few minutes to do the change ... did you include the time required to change your undies?

Basing that on info from the SawStop site, and from info from Ruddigar.
I'm sure an owner will one day come forth to give us a definitive answer.

Like keeping a spare battery, fuse, blade whatever, if you can't afford the downtime, then having a spare on the shelf seems to me a perfectly viable solution.

As to having to get ...uh...changed, I imagine if it had gone off legitimately, I'd probably decide that heading inside to watch TV with a beer would be the best way to finish off the afternoon - obviously too distracted or tired and count my blessings (if not the pennies in my wallet), that I had afforded one.

Wish I could....

I too will be looking for a tablesaw over the next 6-12 months and I will be checking out the Sawstop. There can be no denying that it has a unique selling proposition that no other saw to my knowledge can claim. Is the extra $1500 to $2500 (depending on what you value the saw at without the stop) for that feature worthwhile? Personally I think I can justify it to myself and wouldn't even care to defend my position on it to anyone. I even recon I could get the Mrs to endorse it on the safety feature alone which would be a first for any tool i've bought!

In regards to a spare cartridge and blade sitting in the shed, as a hobbyist I'd purchase and replace when needed. If I had a Sawstop and set off the mechanism for whatever reason I think I'd want to actually take a break from the machine at least for that day and probably the next to give some time to reflect either on my stupidity, carelessness or bad luck.

What I think is a real positive though is the general introduction of this technology. Given the number of sales in the states (more than 10,000 I think..please correct as I'm not sure..) this must surely lead to a lot of tool makers considering how they might engineer their products for safety.

Great concept.
I hadn't heard of the marketing tactics before this thread so won't buy into that.
Price, the market will speak on that over time.
Quality, I've very little experience on "proper" tablesaws other than the Triton so I value the experience of those who have actually used the machine and would love to hear from them.

Great thread, pity more of these saws aren't out there yet to get the actual hands on reviews!

ps. wonder how long it will be before there is a video on youtube with someone deliberately setting the safety off with their actual hand....Youtube video of the decade I'd recon!!!!!

Like a lot of other forumites, I've been reading with interest the comments and 'remarks'.
For over 20 years now, I have seen the results of incidents with table-saws, and every single person has said the very same thing along the lines of "If I hadn't been so stupid/careless etc....".
There is NO such thing as an 'accident'. People are careless for less than a second and the results at worst, can be fatal. At best, inconvenient.
So after that little speech yes, if I was able to afford a sawstop, I would buy one.
Forget the bulls**t arguments and personal attacks, if people want to invest in safety, then that is their choice. If one can't afford the initial upfront cost, then like me, we just have to be more aware of what we're doing. I guess if I injured myself as a result of stupidity, I wonder if I'd find the money then? Probably....if I survived or got out of hospital.

Here is a thread from SMC on a real sawstop activation. One very happy owner/operator.

What amazes me is that the contact with the blade was with the mitre gauge (one the operator had already and which was et up for another saw, apparently). Presumably the contact with the mitre gauge was enough because the operator was holding on to the mitre gauge.

Here is something I didn't anticipate from the thread on Sawmill Creek mentioned in the preceding post:

"You might want to have the "damaged" blade checked out.
Even the SS tech told me that the blades are not always ruined. Mine was still good."

The sawstop in Aus seems incredibly expensive. I assume that these saws ship from Taiwan to the US and then to Aust.

Can a shipment come directly from Taiwan to Aust and reduce the price. Also with the strength of the Aus $ compared to the US I would expect the price to go down.

Mat

This post gives you the breakdown on the costs (allowing for the shipping being less than $1000 per unit, but as Ruddigar says that's the profit and then there is the cost of keeping the unit as stock on hand). My only issue is that these figures are based on the US retail price and I would have thought that, as well as getting a better price on freight, Gabbett would have got the units at wholesale prices.

ISTR (and I am sure Ruddigar (Brendan) will correct me) that the mechanics are made in taiwan, but the electronics are installed in the USA, so I am not sure that the idea of supply from Taiwan will work, unless SS allow someone else to install the electronics (and I can understand why they do not want to let that out of their hands).

I've had a few problems getting my saw stop up to me here in North East Victoria, but hopefully will have the machine ready to go next week.

I hope to give a full 'rip' report after then, as I have quite a few metres of Vic Ash edgebanding to do.

I sold a saw bench (originally purchased for docking sleepers for firewood) on the weekend. A 24 inch blade, no safeties, direct drive etc etc that I dubbed the Widow Maker. A nasty piece of work that I was glad to part with.

Interestingly, one of the blokes that came out to manhandle the beast onto the tandem trailer is an old woodworker from the army. We were chatting about fuel prices, then got onto my freight problem with the saw stop.

Eventually it all came out. The glove came off and the guy was short on two fingers. Courtesy of a spindle moulder that grabbed on a knot, tossing the piece of pine across the workshop, dragging his hand onto the cutters.

The guy spoke at length after I told him about the saw stop..... Difficulties in doing things less two fingers, wiping his back side etc etc.

So all in all, I'm getting happier with my $5K investment.

The thing is, no-one ever gave me any instruction on the equipment I've acquired. And I bet there are plenty out there that buy a table saw or a buzzer and just "learn as they go". Mistakes happen.

More in the next couple of weeks.

Jeff

Brendan

Is there any special pricing on the sawstops for the WWW shows?

Am I right in assuming that any of the teflon coated blades are out on this machine?

Hi Mat,

The machines themselves are not discounted for the shows, but we are throwing in an extra brake cartridge for free.

Also, we are offering an upgrade package at a reduced price - mobile base and full dado capabilities (including dado set) for $730 - saves about $450.
I named it the "Movers & Groovers Special". (Very proud of that one )

Not 100% certain re the teflon blades. The only stipulation on the blade type is that they have to be able to conduct electricity from the arbor to the teeth. Feel free to bring along a teflon blade and we can check it out.

Brendan

Can you outline what is in the complete dado kit, I assume dado blade, zero clearance insert and dado cartridge. Is that correct?
Is it a sawstop dado blade or some other brand?

Is the extra cartridge thrown in for the standard blade?

How are stocks going? Did you get many sales from the Sydney show?

The dado equipping is as follows;

Zero clearance insert
Brake cartridge for dado head
Leuco brand dado set

The extra cartridge that we are throwing in is for the standard 10" sawblade.

A container landed a few days ago so stocks are bountiful at present.

The Sydney show went very well. We didn't sell any machines at the show (nor did we expect to) but I've been sending quotes back and forth to folks ever since. I reckon it was probably good for about a dozen sales for us.