More news on the SawStop front

[germdoc]

From NPR: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/25/136617...ble-saws-safer

Also from Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...3032712156.htm

I am still waiting for my fiance to buy one for me...

[twistsol]

While I sympathize with Mr. Thull who lost his arm, I don't see how the accident as described in the NPR article could have happened had the blade guard been in place. So in this case it appears he removed the safety device that would have prevented the injury.

According to the rep at the woodworking show, the SawStop has a switch to disable the brake system when cutting wet wood or conductive materials such as aluminum.

As my dad often said, you can't idiot proof everything because idiots are often so clever.

[os1kne]

As I've said before, it's great technology but his methods of trying to achieve more widespread use annoy me.

It sounds like he's reduced his licensing fee to less than $100/unit. I always believed that he was trying to get manufacturers to pay $500+/unit for the technology. I'd like to see it available on most saws as an OPTION - and let the buyer decide if it's an option they want.

[Russianwolf]

As I've said before, it's great technology but his methods of trying to achieve more widespread use annoy me.

It sounds like he's reduced his licensing fee to less than $100/unit. I always believed that he was trying to get manufacturers to pay $500+/unit for the technology. I'd like to see it available on most saws as an OPTION - and let the buyer decide if it's an option they want.

Bill, the hardware adds $100 to the saw. Then he gets 8% (If I recall correctly) of the saw price as the license fee.

That's the rub.

Also, from what I've read his licensing agreements remove him from any liability if the technology fails. So the manufacturer has to assume all liability if someone sues.

[BigguyZ]

All of the tests I've seen have the hotdog slowing being pushed into the saw. I really want to see a test were something is pulled, rammed, and falls into the spinning blade. I'm sure it'd be better than without the SS tech, but I wonder how bad it'll still be.

I also love how Gass says it's irrelevent if SS has a windfall or goes broke, as long as people are protected. Well that's BS. Why doesn't he just give away the technology and allow manufacturers to use it for free? Then you'll have widespread use on all but the $100/ direct drive saws, and more people will be safe. Though I don't think that'll happen.

[sailor55330]

[QUOTE=BigguyZ;485383]All of the tests I've seen have the hotdog slowing being pushed into the saw. I really want to see a test were something is pulled, rammed, and falls into the spinning blade. I'm sure it'd be better than without the SS tech, but I wonder how bad it'll still be.

That's what I've said from day one--show me a simulation of a real accident scenario, NOT a staged, controlled-feed, slow rate blade entry, which is definitely not realistic. As mentioned it's probably better, but still not "harmless" as the many demonstration videos show.

[os1kne]

All of the tests I've seen have the hotdog slowing being pushed into the saw. I really want to see a test were something is pulled, rammed, and falls into the spinning blade. I'm sure it'd be better than without the SS tech, but I wonder how bad it'll still be.

I saw a video of a hot dog that was stuck on a dowel rod being dropped on the blade (at approximately the speed of a gravity fall, not a swing). I'm pretty sure that this was on television not the web (Cool Tools or something similar IIRC.)

[Black wallnut]

What the authors seem to be missing are all of the factors, guards, techniques, jigs, and fixtures already available and not being used that can prevent most injuries from saws.

[pelligrini]

They also don't mention that all the injuries are from saws made over the last 10 years. The CPSC studies say that most saws have a useful life of 10 years. I'd like to see some studies that compare the newly adopted riving knife saws to older saws.