interesting saw safety

[Bedlam]

This isn't about tractor safety but Is quite interesting I'm sure most of us use a table saw regularly
YouTube - Time Warp - Table saw!

 

[Bird]

I've seen this demo several times in the past and I reckon it's a good invention, but I'd never be able to trust it myself.:laughing:

 

[rjkobbeman]

I saw this first a few years ago. Pretty cool.

My big concern is false stops because of wet wood. This was listed as an issue in other demo videos I have seen.

I don't know if things have changed, but as of a couple of years ago the industry hadn't bought into it (the industry meaning making this somewhat of a standard safetly feature -- not to say some manufacturers haven't started using it) because of people getting complacent (among other reasons).

I think this is very cool, but I do have to think people will start getting careless when they know it is installed.

Knowing your finger, hand, arm, etc. will be removed if you do not respect the machine does make you proceed with caution.

 

[Bedlam]

Oh i surr hope they dont make it a required thing. Im happy with the regular one for now.

 

[texasjohn]

I know not what course others may take, but for me, the $60 or so cost each time when activated would keep me from putting my finger in it just for grins!

 

[Bedlam]

So True John...But like allot of safety thing's perhaps it will come down in price.I see allot of videos and they don't used the guards either. Thats the first to go on my saw..

 

[Bird]

So True John...But like allot of safety thing's perhaps it will come down in price.I see allot of videos and they don't used the guards either. Thats the first to go on my saw..

I generally believe in using whatever safety equipment is available, but the blade guard on my table saw seems to me would only make it more dangerous. I didn't throw it away when I removed it, just in case I ever want to sell the saw.:laughing:

 

[Rockin RK]

I generally believe in using whatever safety equipment is available, but the blade guard on my table saw seems to me would only make it more dangerous. I didn't throw it away when I removed it, just in case I ever want to sell the saw.:laughing:

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Big Wave D]

Do you have to buy a saw made by them or does it retrofit to something a person already owns?

 

[Rockin RK]

As far as I know you have to buy their saw

 

[wvpolekat]

I had seen this before, and demoed with hot dogs. But this one, he actually puts his finger in it. If nothing else, he deserves credit for putting his money where his mouth is.

 

[Train]

You have to buy "their" saw. When you see one lined up with comparible saws the first thing you notice is the price difference. But if you really have a good look you'll see it's built with very high quality standards.

 

[shinnlinger]

These saws are very high quality and they are only 2-4 hundred more than a comparable cabinet saw. They have a contractor model also and I think that is $1200. Isn't your finger worth more than $400??? I bet that is cheaper than your deductible on you insurance if you even have it. They use a guard, but it actually does a nice job of dust collection also.

There was a NPR bit on this saw a few days ago and there is actually a law suite against power tool companies for NOT adopting this technology, so I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing these features on other brand saws soon. Over 10 folks chop of digits every day with a table saw in this country, so be careful what ever you do. A manufactures rep said a $100 benchtop table saw would be about $200 with this new technology and cited that as a reason to not adopt it. Let the consumer decide, but I say my finger is worth the extra $100.

I happen to teach high school woodshop and I am trying to get these saws in my class for obvious reasons. There is a debate among teachers who have these saws about wether or not to tell the kids about the saws capabilities. If a finger actually activates it, you send the cartridge to the company and they will give you a new cartridge ($70) for free. Your blade is junk, but hey, I would ruin a $50 blade any day to save a finger.

 

[dave1949]

I generally believe in using whatever safety equipment is available, but the blade guard on my table saw seems to me would only make it more dangerous. I didn't throw it away when I removed it, just in case I ever want to sell the saw.:laughing:

My blade guard is collecting dust too. Seems to make it easier to get kickback and binding when the guard was on. It lasted about three times using the saw and it had to go.
Dave.

 

[Rob-D]

The blade guard is next to worthless in my view. If you know what you're doing you shouldn't get kick backs.
I've done a good share of woodworking and once I was talking when the saw was running and got careless but nothing happened. I make sure to never let that happen again. When that saw goes on it's me and the saw!

Rob

 

[BTDT2]

We replaced four table saws with these devices over three years ago. Has saved one finger and one thumb. Estimated savings - 20 to 30 times what we paid.

The first couple of years we accidentally activated the brake four to five times per year from sawing conductive material e.g foiled lined laminate or substrate. If the device senses any current flow whatsoever it activates.

Bottom line- it works and whats a thumb worth in dollars?

 

[Duffster]

These saws are very high quality and they are only 2-4 hundred more than a comparable cabinet saw. They have a contractor model also and I think that is $1200. Isn't your finger worth more than $400??? I bet that is cheaper than your deductible on you insurance if you even have it. They use a guard, but it actually does a nice job of dust collection also.

There was a NPR bit on this saw a few days ago and there is actually a law suite against power tool companies for NOT adopting this technology, so I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing these features on other brand saws soon. Over 10 folks chop of digits every day with a table saw in this country, so be careful what ever you do. A manufactures rep said a $100 benchtop table saw would be about $200 with this new technology and cited that as a reason to not adopt it. Let the consumer decide, but I say my finger is worth the extra $100.

I happen to teach high school woodshop and I am trying to get these saws in my class for obvious reasons. There is a debate among teachers who have these saws about wether or not to tell the kids about the saws capabilities. If a finger actually activates it, you send the cartridge to the company and they will give you a new cartridge ($70) for free. Your blade is junk, but hey, I would ruin a $50 blade any day to save a finger.

But it is not a matter of it being just $100.

What about all the false stops due to damp or pressure treated lumber?

It basically ruins the blade when stopped and I have read that a carbide blade will likely throw a tooth when stopped like this, there is no mention of the problems that could cause.

The lawsuit filed goes along with his lobbying to make these standard equipment, which is handy for him since he holds the patent on it.

 

[rjkobbeman]

But it is not a matter of it being just $100.

What about all the false stops due to damp or pressure treated lumber?

It basically ruins the blade when stopped and I have read that a carbide blade will likely throw a tooth when stopped like this, there is no mention of the problems that could cause.

The lawsuit filed goes along with his lobbying to make these standard equipment, which is handy for him since he holds the patent on it.

One demo I saw a few years ago showed a switch to disable the safety feature. This was used for wet wood. Great idea in theory, but in practice, I see false stops. Since it costs money each time, this could get old fast.

I also have to think that the shock involved is eventually going to cause problems with the motor and shaft. There is a lot of force in that rotating mass.

And my biggest concern is the complacency that this safety feature will promote. Not on purpose, but people will get too confortable with it. I can almost imagine people getting injured on another machine because it does not have the same type of safety feature... but the user was getting sloppy by the "safe saw".

 

[jpm]

the law suit was won by the saw abuser.he never used a table saw,all safety device's removed including the fence. he said the saw was vibreting so he stoped, looked at it ,started it up and just pushed the wood harder and he finger slipped into the blade. got a lawer and sued for $250,000.00. the jury found him 35 % the manufactor 65% the amount was $1.500,000.00 . we all will pay

 

[Bedlam]

There was a NPR bit on this saw a few days ago and there is actually a law suite against power tool companies for NOT adopting this technology, so I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing these features on other brand saws soon.

I knew it would be a matter of time.Before that would happen. Thing is a table saw is inherently dangerous, and just how much protection against ourselves will there be and at what cost.
I get more careful as the years go by,30 ish,years of using a saw. I don't use the kickback guard myself, but I am always mindful of that possibility.Some safety things like belt guards are just plan simple usage, Although I have mine gone now also. But I'm not worried.
I am sure that after there are a few stoppages due to wet wood etc that people will disconnect that as well.