Would You Stick Your Finger Into a Table Saw Running at Speed?

[TxDoc]

I did not want to intrude on the chainsaw danger thread. The worst thing about the chainsaw cut to skin is that is does not cut a nice, smooth cut with edges that can be sutured nicely. Each tooth jerks out a chunk of skin, leaving a jagged, mess. The first time I saw the Saw Stop, I could not believe it could prevent damage with such a fast blade tip speed.

So, would you stick your finger in....to prove a point?

Sure you would! If your name was Steve Gass and you truly believed in your product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTUOhYcw4ZY&feature=player_detailpage

How the SawStop Technology Works | SawStop

 

[TomSeller]

That is absolutely amazing. !!!! I bought my table saw from someone that cut their finger off with it. I bet he wished he had one of those. I wish I had one of those.!

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Still turns the stomach, but it is amazing. Would I try it with my finger, ummm.....no

 

[J_J]

It works by sensing capacitance.

The stoppage will start working before you actual touch the metal.

If you don't believe it, then touch the sides of the blade.

I have a Note 3 Smart phone, and it uses a external pen to select what I want before I even touch the screen. I believe that is capacitance is working there also.

I still believe you can cut yourself by the speed you hand is moving.

Try it with a hotdog, and you will see.

Can you afford one?

Amazon.com: SawStop: S

 

[cqaigy2]

Im not sure i could even bring myself to use someone else finger, but i sure wish they weren't so expensive.

 

[TomSeller]

I do suspect a fast moving hand or one pulled into the blade by wood getting caught would be a concern. Also, this is a one time safety module you can't "check " if it operational. It is still pretty amazing.

 

[TxDoc]

The cost is pretty cheap if you look at what a trip to emergency room, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, hospitalization, and a life altered forever.

I remember a baseball player from the '70s named Roger Metzger who was a Golden Glove shortstop for the Houston Astros. During an off-season, he was doing cabinet work in his garage and severed a half-inch of four fingers with a table saw. He attempted a comeback, but just could not function as before. Very, very sad story. That accident essentially ended his career in baseball.

Beaver County Times - Google News Archive Search

It costs $70-90 for a new cartridge to reset it.

It will work with gloves on. It has to get to a finger to activate it.

Frequently asked questions:
SawStop Frequently Asked Questions | SawStop

 

[ray66v]

Roy Underhill, on the Woodright Shop, said his foot operated treadle machine has the earliest version of this.

The power is automatically cut off on skin contact, every time. :thumbsup:

 

[azranger]

I know what it feels like to get bit by a table saw, I almost lost a thumb from one, still dont have all the feeling back after 20+ years. great invention but i would not try it. Too many flash backs just watching it.

 

[JBourquin]

Can you afford one?

Amazon.com: SawStop: S

Doesn't matter if you can or not, give it a few years and you won't be able to buy one without it. Gov't protecting us from ourselves..

 

[jtygoku]

I know what it feels like to get bit by a table saw, I almost lost a thumb from one, still dont have all the feeling back after 20+ years. great invention but i would not try it. Too many flash backs just watching it.

Amen! Ran the tip of the left index finger lengthwise thru my saw a few years ago. Cut about a third of the way down into the nail, shredded the tip of my bone. Happened about a millisecond after I thought to myself "I probably shouldn't be doing it this way". Everything healed up to look normal but no feeling in the tip except ....... When it gets really cold it hurts like h*ll! Go figure!

 

[kebo]

It works by sensing capacitance.

The stoppage will start working before you actual touch the metal.

If you don't believe it, then touch the sides of the blade.

I have a Note 3 Smart phone, and it uses a external pen to select what I want before I even touch the screen. I believe that is capacitance is working there also.

I still believe you can cut yourself by the speed you hand is moving.

Try it with a hotdog, and you will see.

Can you afford one?

Amazon.com: SawStop: S

Yep, it's the very same concept as the touch lamps that turn on/off, or vary the brightness, with just a simple touch. That little invention should make him a fortune, if it catches on. And the only way I would even try it would be to touch the side of the blade, not the teeth!!! My momma ain't raised no fool!!!

 

[azranger]

I was ripping a piece of wood and i reached to grab my "push board" and I guess I leaned into it , felt like I had stuck my finger in a light socket, chewed mine to the bone as well, so bad they could not stitch or graph it. Makes mine hurt all over again to watch it.

Amen! Ran the tip of the left index finger lengthwise thru my saw a few years ago. Cut about a third of the way down into the nail, shredded the tip of my bone. Happened about a millisecond after I thought to myself "I probably shouldn't be doing it this way". Everything healed up to look normal but no feeling in the tip except ....... When it gets really cold it hurts like h*ll! Go figure!

 

[cqaigy2]

Amen! Ran the tip of the left index finger lengthwise thru my saw a few years ago. Cut about a third of the way down into the nail, shredded the tip of my bone. Happened about a millisecond after I thought to myself "I probably shouldn't be doing it this way". Everything healed up to look normal but no feeling in the tip except ....... When it gets really cold it hurts like h*ll! Go figure!

I wonder if they could make one for a framing hammer.:laughing: I hit the tip of my index finger while it was sitting on the edge of a 2x6. It looks ok now but feeling is messed up.

 

[azranger]

I wonder if they could make one for a framing hammer.:laughing: I hit the tip of my index finger while it was sitting on the edge of a 2x6. It looks ok now but feeling is messed up.

do you know how to make that finger quit hurting????? Hit the one beside it.:laughing: My uncle told me that when I hit mine, was not funny at the time.

 

[Concordriver]

I have had a Saw Stop table saw for ~ 4 years. I have accidentally triggered the brake twice...once when I was cutting some plywood that had wet glue on it and once when I was reeling up a metal tape measure and the end of the tape touched the still spinning blade. Expensive mistakes...I had to buy new brakes and blades each time. But, small price to pay for the security of potentially saving my fingers/hands. I look at the Saw Stop technology like auto air bag technology....I hope I never need it. But, it is nice to know it is there in case something happens. Very high quality table saw!

 

[lutt]

The ag department at the highschool has one. They work. I almost lost my thumb, ring and middle finger last year. 34,000 dollars later and all summer off, with therapy I have almost 100% use of that hand. I'm a chief engineer on a lower Mississippi towboat. Diesel mechanic, plumber, welder, electrician, just a few of the jobs I do on here. If I would lost use of that hand it would have been over. Thought I did. I have been out here for twenty years and have a great Saftey record. A table saw can get anyone, it got me. If I had the stop saw, it wouldn't of happened. You can't put a price on that. Here is a pick of the hand after the nurse cleaned it up.

 

[tkappeler]

I have had a Saw Stop table saw for ~ 4 years. I have accidentally triggered the brake twice...once when I was cutting some plywood that had wet glue on it and once when I was reeling up a metal tape measure and the end of the tape touched the still spinning blade. Expensive mistakes...I had to buy new brakes and blades each time. But, small price to pay for the security of potentially saving my fingers/hands. I look at the Saw Stop technology like auto air bag technology....I hope I never need it. But, it is nice to know it is there in case something happens. Very high quality table saw!

Not only is it a great safety device, it is a really well built saw! High quality, great tolerances in manufacturing. To add to this, you need a different cartridge when you switch to a dado set also. You also have to be careful if you are cutting reclaimed lumber as there may be an errant nail or staple that is enough to trigger it. They do have a switch to disable it in case you are cutting metal with it. You just have to remember to re-enable it afterwards.

 

[jimpen]

I've heard about it years ago. My problem with it is if you sweat and drip it on the blade, or any liquid, can trigger it. I use fans and open doors to keep cool in the summer. So it if I triggered it, it would cost a blade and a stop brake. Probably about $100 for nothing.

 

[MoKelly]

I don't care how it works, there is no way in one zillion years I would put my finger in there on purpose to prove anything. To me, that is just dumb. Then again, I never go on roller coasters either.

Its a good thing, don't get me wrong. I only hope it doesn't make people less careful or more daring/foolish. Heaven forbid something goes wrong and the thing fails to work that one time.

MoKelly