I actually prefer my old trucks with out air bags, anti lock brakes and all the other BS that tries to tell me how to drive.
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I use my table saw on every project. A move to a cabinet saw from a contractor saw is always a worthy upgrade. No matter the brand, I would buy on with a riving knife at the minimum.
I shared this real story in another thread: A friend of mine hit the back of a truck parked on the shoulder lane when his car was traveling at over 90 miles per hour. He fell asleep behind the wheel after long hours of driving on the highway and after a full lunch(!). He survived but not one of the passengers in the car.
He was driving his two year old Toyota Camry which had the option of the auto-braking system, but he didn't want to pay the extra money. Every day since the accident (last November), he wishes he had either got that option or driven his wife's car (a new Honda Accord which does have the auto-braking feature) that day.
I also know guys who wished they were using a SawStop or not using a tablesaw at all when their saw accidents happened. SawStop is expensive when it is compared to many other saws. So can be woodworking as a hobby. Is it worth spending money on a SawStop, or on a woodworking hobby? It depends on the decision-maker himself or herself. As for myself, I will never ever operate a tablesaw that does not have the finger-saving feature. So if anyone wants to buy a SawStop, it is wonderful.
When I buy my next car, the auto-braking feature plus blind spot warning, lane departure warning, side air bags etc. will be mandatory...even though I have had an incident-free driving record for over 35 years.
Simon
I have nothing against SawStop except the price and I know you owners can make mincemeat of that argument if you care to. But I am a woodworker of nearly 60 years. My first saw was a Craftsman and once I got it tuned it was a dandy saw. The fence was lousy and that is what made me upgrade to a Delta hybrid cabinet saw. I liked it very much but a couple of years ago after easing back on my woodworking hobby I sold it. That was too much for me--I needed a table saw--so I bought a Rigid job site model and for the little I do it is more than adequate.
But after all these years of using a table saw, I've had no injuries, a couple of kickback issues which were definitely my fault startled me, but no bad experiences. I am of the school that if you're safety concious you don't need a SS. On the other hand, if I were young and flush I would probably get one.
As others have pointed out, I also wear seat belts.
Clayton,
To all those who claim they've never had an accident in "xx" years, my hat off to them. I never had one in like 40+ years, until I ACCIDENTLY moved my right hand too close to the blade when ripping narrow stock - I was using a push stick with my right hand, but was using my left hand to guide/catch the ripped trim. Fortunately, I the blade only glazed my left thumb. However, still a trip to the ER, a few stitches; it was deep enough to sever a tendon so I lost a little feeling in the thumb. But, accidents are called accidents for a reason. Let everyone brag they never had one, if they want - that's not a good reason to resist buying the SawStop. As a result, I bought the 5 HP cabinet SawStop and now enjoying both the safety and performance features.
Nothin' like a good kickback to learn ya right :D
Attachment 379567
No, its not me.
P.s. Reaching around a spinning blade to steady material that has already past the blade is a very bad practice. God made featherboards or board-buddies for such things.
Well said. Having a singular safety feature designed just to protect me from being an idiot isn't what I'm shopping for in a saw. It seems to be a fine saw in other respects, but I just don't see the added value of the stop. The number of people cutting off a digit is pretty tiny, and the saw doesn't protect from the more common issues of kickback and such. Which also is nearly always user error. I'm far from perfect, but have a healthy fear of the TS that makes me think through and envision every cut, every time, including where my hands will go.
Yeah, I should get a sawstop so I can work in the shop while I'm drowsy.
I've owned my SS for about 4 years (upgraded from a 20 year old Delta contractors saw). I always get a chuckle when I see these threads about the "worth" in purchasing a SS over another brand. The SS premium over another brand of similar quality is about $1,200usd give or take. With the added safety feature you get for that premium, it's almost negligent not to get the SS. (and yes $1,200 is a lot of money, I get that).
Wow, I had no idea it was that much. I thought the extra was more like $500. At that price, it's pretty ridiculous to even consider the Saw Stop. There are so many other safety items you could get/do for that much money that are actually more likely to hurt you. Such as better dust control.
If I ever get around to upgrading my TS it will likely be a saw stop. I have not done detailed analysis comparing features and cost, but from high level observation I think it would be worth it for me. Others may prioritize other features or other uses for that money differently and reach a different conclusion.
I, like, many of was opposed to SS because of the business tactics of the inventor. I had a perfectly good Unisaw that I really liked. In Feb. of 2013 a moment of inattention caused me to swing my left pointer finger across the blade. I had a diagonal cut across the nail. Afterwards, I went through my actions realized that instead of lifting my hand, I had started to turn to the left for another piece of stock. Afterwards, my GF told meto get rid of the saw. Which I did. The inventors aside, the SS is a really well built piece of equipment. I have been happy with mine. I think that I have become more safety conscious when using the SS. I don't want to have to buy a new and cartridge. I did learn that while you are in the ER getting sewn up, don't tell funny jokes to your medical people. They start laughing and giggling and jerking around and poke the needles everywhere. As to the price, it's like buying a Robust lathe as opposed to Say a Jet lathe. Both are fine products and will get the job done. But, one will give you more satisfaction at the end of the day.
Joe