Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Dec 14, 2005 02:00am | #1

   I'm impressed with the features, but haven't seen one. As with any complex machines, I don't typically recommend getting in on the early production runs, but I like the trend.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 14, 2005 02:28am | #2

   Vicejaws

   I'm glad they reworked the dust collection, because on my 66, it is absolutely terrible.  I've got a 1350 cfm collector, and the saw base still fills up with sawdust, except right by the hole for the hose.  I think the only thing that would work presently is a 747 engine.  The mobile wheels added is also a nice feature.  I paid 150 bucks for my mobile base from powermatic when I bought the saw.

   Jeff

3. 
   DonC | Dec 14, 2005 04:24am | #3

   Independent mobile base and a QUAILITY General table saw will be the same money and you will have a test proven set-up.

   I own an INCA 2100 tilting arbor saw. Do some searching and try to find one on the used market. It's the best fo the best. I own 2 of them. The list of standard features canot be met by ANY mfg of today's similar priced table saws.

1. 
   ted | Dec 17, 2005 05:26pm | #9

   Inca does make really good stuff especially the castings. Although I feel it's quite a bit overpriced as Festool is. But I guess it's the price you pay for good engineering.
   We have two Sawstops and I'd have to say it's probably right behind Inca in terms of features and quality and at a considerably lower price..

1. 
   DonC | Dec 17, 2005 08:43pm | #10

   Hi Ted,

   I'm really anxious to see a Saw Stop in person. From what I've read it sure seems like a great saw. I have a question. I know that the blade drops below the table surface and immediately comes to a stop burying it's teeth in a replaceable cartridge. Why does the blade need to come to a stop? Once it drops below the table surface, it seems to me that, it's no longer a danger. Why didn't the inventor just let the blade coast to a stop of use a slower "disc" brake or something?

   Don

1. 
   rabeekman | Dec 17, 2005 09:42pm | #11

   the blade doesn't necessarily drop below the table, the need in a situation where a body part is coming into contact is for the blade to stop as soon as humanly possible and an aluminum block being thrust into the blade does this quite well. 

1. 
   highfigh | Dec 17, 2005 09:45pm | #12

   I don't know it it has been mentioned, but the stopping mechanism is a cartidge that needs to be replaced every time it activates. IIRC, the replacement cost is about $60 and the blade is probably toast, too. I can't see it being very good for the arbor, either. Still, it beats losing a finger.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   ted | Dec 17, 2005 10:22pm | #14

   In all the demos I've seen or heard about the blade always disappears below the surface when the mechanism is triggered.

3. 
   QCInspector | Dec 17, 2005 11:36pm | #15

   I think the SawStop's blade stops and drops for two reasons. First, not all contact with the blade may not come from feeding the wood slowly toward the rotating blade, similar to the wiener in the demo video. But also to protect against hitting the blade when moving the wood around the saw after the cut. If you slip on the dust around the saw you will throw out you arms instinctively to break your fall. In both of those scenarios you want the blade out of the way too. Secondly the jamming of the aluminum into the blade causes the forces of rotation to change from the arbor to the rim of the blade, and in absorbing some of that energy the carriage swings down with the blade. Kind of like being clotheslined.

2. 
   ted | Dec 17, 2005 10:20pm | #13

   I think it's a simultaneous action the blade is being braked to a stop while it is being dropped. Why the dual action is needed I don't know. But I'd guess that braking alone isn't quick enough and dropping the blade while it is being braked offers a quicker reaction time.

3. 
   Handrubbed | Dec 18, 2005 11:47pm | #16

   SawStop really interests me also, for obvious reasons.  $2700 is way out of my league though.  Does anyone have a guess on the price of their contractors saw that is coming out in 2006?

   If I was SawStop I would go the route of licensing the technology so that all manufacturers could offer the safety of their technology.  I would have to think that selling thousands of licenses would be a lot more profitable than trying to sell a handfull of rather expensive table saws of their own make.  This might happen eventually anyway if the government gets involved.  Good ideas tend to become legislation.

   Edited 12/18/2005 3:49 pm ET by Vicejaws

1. 
   DonC | Dec 19, 2005 01:03am | #17

   Hi Visejaw,

   The inventor of the Saw Stop initially tried to sell his wonderful invention to any and all of the established mfg's. To my and his great surprise, they didn't take him up on his offer. I read that the reason was, it would be TOO expensive for them to re-tool their present designs to accomodate this new finger saving technology. Profits rule....safety to Americans is not going to happen put profits in their pockets will rule.

      When I read this I was quite surprised because I thought, just like the clever inventor, this is "the best thing sliced slide bread".  The inventor finally got financial support and it is my hope that his new company will be extrmeely succesuful and make more money than if his invention had been purchased by established companies. I hope this entrepunear (sp) realy hurts theri pocket book.

   I wish I had been on the board of directors for the established companies. I could have  seen  the "writing on the wall". This new saw will put others out of the market with no future profits. DUH, why didn't they realize this??? European saws have, for years met a higher standard, due to laws. I own only ICNA  equipment. I purchased this equipment because of the superiority to other mfg's on the market. I am an "educated consumer". If the Saw Stop had been available, I would have jumped at the chance.

   You just watch, years from now you will see saw stops attributes" trickle down" to the lowly Home DePot/Builders Square market. We have seen it time and time again. It's a dern shame that initially, when the technology was first available, that the major mfg's didn't jump at the chance to be first on the market and gain the profits early.

   I wonder how many fingers have been lost because the CEO's of America mfg's made a consious choice NOT to adapt this technology? Shame on them.

   This is the exact reason that years ago I only bought stuff from Europe wher the lwas dictated taht the consumer wins not the maker. WIN is the key word. Saw Stop is a winner company.

   But now comes the oppor

2. 
   EarlJ | Dec 19, 2005 08:30pm | #18

   With reference US makers thinking of bottom line before safety. To a point that has been a trademark of many industries, not least the aircraft and car industry where risk management dictates whether the new technology is worthwhile from a development and implementation and profit standpoint vs number of deaths/injuries and resultant lawsuits resulting from non implementation. So, if the saw stop is not legislated in it is highly likely the large makers will not take it. Anyway, they are probably all developing their own versions in anticipation of any changes that may work better with their own models as opposed to attempting a retrofit of a potential "competitors" unit.

   Another reason for the big guys not taking it could be the fact it may not have had enough market visibility and use. A system such as this has all the potential of becoming a litigation lawyers dream the minute a guy loses his finger in one of those "what was he thinking?" moments. Big makers are looking at bigger risks. They need market and safety data over a reasonable amount of time so the risk mangement people can statistically say it's worth it or not. 

   Regards,  Earl 

2. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 19, 2005 09:24pm | #19

   Who's selling Inca now?

   I have an Inca 20" bandsaw and love it!-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

4. 
   RonK | Dec 14, 2005 05:05am | #4

   Did you happen to notice if the saw was made in Taiwan or China.

1. 
   Handrubbed | Dec 14, 2005 06:53pm | #5

   Not sure.  It is imported though.  By the way, they claim that the 66 is U.S. made.

5. 
   AlanTurner | Dec 16, 2005 04:41am | #6

   Were you able to determine if it has a true riving knife? This is a wonderful safety feature.

   Alan

   http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com

1. 
   Knotscott | Dec 16, 2005 01:24pm | #7

   From what I've read it is a real riving knife.

2. 
   Handrubbed | Dec 16, 2005 07:38pm | #8

   Yes, the knife moves as the blade height changes.  According to this dealer, this feature will be on all U.S. saws by law in the future.  Everything in the blade guard system is demountable without tools.