[OP]
Member
My understanding of the Sawstop is that it brakes the blade and disappears it under the table. Why not just disappear it under the table and dont' destructively brake the blade? It would seem to be just as safe that way and then you wouldn't have to buy a new blade if you tripped the safety.
Member
The Saw Stop uses the kinetic energy of the rotating blade to retract the blade. If you watch their videos, it makes a lot of sense. I am not sure there is another way that can be done cheaply that would accomplish the same thing. The type of servos required to react that fast would probably be far more expensive than the brake kit and a new blade.
Contributor
If it could be done, I'm sure they'd do it - it's not like they make blades...
On a side note, I never understand why people are even remotely concerned about the blade. If it tripped unintentionally (cutting wet wood or metal film or whatever), then I can see being annoyed, but it was clearly the operator's fault. If it tripped from actually touching it, why would you care about $70 for a blade?
Member
The brake stops the blade faster than the blade can be retracted.
Howie.........
Member
When that blade retracts below the table, does the handwheel turn? Seems if the blade stays on the arbor, that the blade raising mechanism has to spin to retract the blade.
Member
no. the arbor is hinged. The catch which holds it in place during normal operation releases under the stress of the brake activation.Originally Posted by Mike Archambeau
Mike
There is some type of release from the mechanism. I had it trigger on some wet wood. I had to lower the blade mechanism to its lowest point and then it re-engages
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...Holy Cow....what a ride!"
Member
Well they sell blades but it is a non-issue.
The design is what it is and they have no incentive to improve it, it works and no one else has it. My guess any design that saves the blade is on the "shelf" until others are able to follow suit then the blade saving tech (if when it exists) becomes a value added feature for Saw stop OR matches the others design. Personally, I think the $100 + for a blade IS an issue but a minor one. I know people who have spent 500+ bucks on false fires which is fine for the safety factor (for them) but it would be even nicer if it didn't ruin a blade.
Contributor
True. But all these "false fires" are not happening in dry wood. These are incidences of people cutting wet wood or metal. If these people aren't worried enough about the $70 blade to avoid doing that (or testing it beforehand and enabling bypass mode), they apparently aren't too worried about the cost of the blade.
Member
Actually, I think more often than not the blade is salvageable. Mine's hit my WW II twice(dumb miter gauge's fault) and it's been repaired by Forrest.
Last edited by Brian Penning; 03-31-2010 at 6:16 PM.
Member
I have thought about having a sacrificial "blade" type thing that the brake would engage into (instead of eating the blade). There are some problems with that idea though and I am sure Sawstop designers have entertained that idea before.
Member
i see 2 reasons.
1. there using the blades energy,
2. there aluminum block which is 65 bucks is destroyed everytime the the saw is tripped, if they didnt stop the blade and just retracted the blade they just lost 65 bucks
Member
You will never be able to retract the blade fast enough to save your flesh. You have to stop the blade rotation. Dropping it below the table is extra, and mostly unnecessary once the blade has stopped. Watch the high speed video of the thing firing. The blade stops and then there is quite a lag before the blade drops. Check out the footage from "Time Warp" if you haven't seen it.
Contributor
Folks,
I don't own a SS and will never buy one. I don't have a dog in this fight.
That being said,
I don't think the sale of a $65 block of aluminum is the reason.
I suspect that neither the brake block engagement or the retraction of the retraction of the blade will do it fast enough to produce the desire results or.................
Say one fails....say the blade block fails to fire.....yup...if the blade drops...you have a backup system.....and visa versa.
Either way.......I don't think the $65 aluminum block has anything to do with it.
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Member
Also don't own or need one. My understanding is the block is effectively pushed (spring, explosive charge, whatever means) into the blade. While the Kinetic energy gets redirected from spinning the blade, and into projecting the brake back towards its housing, the block serves another purpose. The block stops the blade from moving/cutting! Ever got something pinched, and the "pincher" pulls you back with it? Imagine a blade cutting (in your whatever part) and you start getting yanked toward the table while it tries to go under the table.
So while the brake stops the initial damage (cutting), the falling stops secondary (trip, off of balance into the blade), damage.
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