Replies

1. 
   troys | Sep 08, 2007 06:36am | #1

   In addition to the great safety features it is a really nice saw. They replaced the Unisaws at the Laney Community college in Oakland CA With SawStop saws and I really like them. When I replace the contractors saw I have at home it will be with a SawStop saw.

   Troy

2. 
   mvflaim | Sep 08, 2007 07:11am | #2

   ThreePutt, it's been repeated on this board countless tmes that even without the revolutionary brake, the SawStop tablesaw would be one of the best saws on the market today.

    

1. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Sep 08, 2007 07:54am | #4

   MV - With all due respect, did you really have to respond? I asked a question of those who own the saw as to whether they are finding it to be a quality made saw that is continuing to hold up, and perform well. Obviously those who have triggered the mechanism will swear by it, but those who haven't will have a more objective opinion as to the quality of the machine. I have read the reviews, and seen the previous posts, and been around knots for a couple of years, but I was not considering the SawStop at that time, and I am now. So I would like some up to date, real world, objective advice now that the saw has been in the hands of real woodworkers for the past year or two. the saw does cost over $3K after all. If you find my post "tedious" and over-discussed, just ignore it. Maybe you could become the self-appointed arbiter of subject freshness on Knots, since we all know that only brand new subjects that have never come up in the woodworking arena before should grace the pixels of Knots. I'm thinking of writing a post on dovetails next...what do you think? Would you like to review my rough draft before I post?

1. 
   mvflaim | Sep 23, 2007 06:54am | #11

   ThreePutt, I'm afraid you took my post the wrong way. I didn't mean to sound like a smart alec. Just pointing out the fact that there are several posts in knots that talk highly of the saw even if it didn't come with safety brake.

    

   I saw this video on youtube and thought it was interesting. Comes from a technology viewpoint rather than a woodworking one.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPtojoURLb4 

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 23, 2007 07:51am | #12

   "Just pointing out the fact that there are several posts in knots that talk highly of the saw even if it didn't come with safety brake."  Unfortunately, if TPJ happened to do a search, it would have been hard -- nearly impossible -- to sort those out of the hundreds of various posts and rants about the Saw Stop.

   I didn't read your post, but in general, those of us who frequent the forum on a regular basis will see questions repeated quite often.  The way it goes.  What amazes me (occasionally_) is that new contributions pop up now and again.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   mvflaim | Sep 23, 2007 08:08am | #13

   i know.. i tried to find John White's post of the quality of SawStop but couldn't find it..

   good point 

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 23, 2007 05:43pm | #14

   " i tried to find John White's post of the quality of SawStop but couldn't find it.."  Yep, a few months ago, I had the same problem.  Finally got it, bookmarked it:

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=31213.24forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Sep 23, 2007 06:36pm | #15

   All - Thanks for the input. And I am not trying to tell everyone how they must respond. Just looking for real information.MV - It's not like I am a sensitive little girl. I have two of those in the house, so I know what that is like. Your response just came off a little dismissive and as if I was wasting everyone's time even posting ANOTHER question about the SawStop. It is a big purchase after all! I appreciate the response to my response, and am glad this didn't turn into a ______ match.Peace.

2. 
   ted | Sep 23, 2007 10:11pm | #16

   We,ve had the Sawstops installed now for almost three years. We got two saws for our shop and were part of the first shipment. As with any new product the first version is always prone to glitches. All of the early problems have been ironed out and with much appreciation to Sawstop almost all have them have been on Sawstops tab. The customer support has been phenomenal. Ther was an early problem with throat plates they quickly rectified and replaced. Problem with switching that they sent replacement switches to everyone with early models. Problem with riving knife/splitter bracket they replaced after over two years. I don't think there is any other manufacturer that is more vested in their product. Other users that manage school shops have had similar experiences to the point of having had Sawstop fly a technician out to troubleshoot and repair their machine.Now the downside, In three years we have had at least ten blown cartridges. Some were operator error (embedded metal). But at least 3 were unexplained phenomena (Sawstop couldn't give a definite analysis). we are fortunate to have a saw dedicated to dado cuts. If we didn't I'd find changing over each time to be a hassle. The dust collection is good but we still get a cabinet full of debris. Early models suffer a few loose bolts that affect table tilt (easily fixed) and the quality of the top casting leaves a little to be desired (It's the asian steel).
   Overall though we like the saw. And have learned to work around it's limitations. We got on board early and were able to pick up a fully loaded saw for $2600 (including shipping) so cash-wise it was really competitive with anything out there. As others have mentioned it's really smooth running and many of it's features we take for granted now.

3. 
   forestgirl | Sep 08, 2007 07:22am | #3

   Check with John White too, they have one in the FWW shop.  He gives it 2 thumbs up (2 now, and 2 always, LOL)

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
4. 
   Drew1house | Sep 08, 2007 09:41am | #5

   I just purchased the 5 horse 1 phase model... I had a 3 horse unisaw... the only thing the unisaw had on this was the dust collection ramps in the bottom of the cabinet adn teh only thing the PM2000 has on it are built in casters...

   Drew

5. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 08, 2007 05:39pm | #6

   Morning ThreePutt...

   I don't have the saw so I can't say how it cuts or holds up in the long term, but I have crawled under the hood and examined the entire guts just because I wanted to know. The saw components are well designed.. machined and re-enforced IMO if that could be of any help.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/8/2007 10:40 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   PeterDurand | Sep 08, 2007 08:15pm | #7

   Careful there Sarge, he might not like your reply. ;-)"So I would like some up to date, real world, objective advice now that the saw has been in the hands of real woodworkers for the past year or two."Cheers,Peter 

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 08, 2007 08:39pm | #8

   Afternoon Peter...

   Aw.. it's OK. I just fire both barrels.. hit the plunger on all the claymores.. put on my flak jacket and head to the shop where I have to cut 400 linear feet of chair rail. Then I never look at the computer again so I can't tell if there was "incoming" or not. If I wake up tomorrow morning I will know I didn't take a direct hit!

   That's the plan...... ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Regards...

   Sarge..

    

1. 
   rwdare | Sep 08, 2007 09:56pm | #9

   I've had my SS for almost a year. It's still the smoothest operating and most vibration-free saw I've ever worked on. Blade height and angle adjustments are effortless.

   I have scarred the inside of the blade guard by bumping it. It's fairly narrow inside but, it did it's job. I have not triggered the stop block so my old Forrest is still purring along nicely.

   My SS is simply the best made non-slider available and I would buy it again even without the safety mechanism although I'm certainly not going to disable it on MINE!

   Dick

6. 
   mtclay1 | Sep 23, 2007 04:26am | #10

   ive owned mine for a yr now and it does have its draw backs.the saw is a quality saw design and mechinically sound.but download the user guide(manual) and read it before buying.theyre are alot of donts that other tablesaws can do.the safety device does not work on all materials.you have to turn the safety device off to cut certain plastics,metals, wet wood etc that conduct electricity.you have to put the special brake on for dados.with all the gadgets and shipping it will be closer to 4500.00.ive cut wet wood(green dried) and had the machine stop but not had the brake stop the blade(saving 89.00 for a new brake).but its frustrating to say the least to stop ripping and reset the machine to finish.so if your only cutting dried wood and no other products its a great saw including the riving knife and the fence is equal or better than a bisemeyer. if this response is not what your looing for then ill take sarges approach next time