I always thought that the man had a pretty good invention. Also, I never had the slightest problem with the price he charges for his products.
Proper tablesaw technique and training may eliminate all the accidents but it does not eliminate human error. The sawstop does that. I'm not talking about kickbacks and such.
I'm not going to say that the test is not valid but I don't think it truly reflects real world accidents. Usually there's a fast or hard thrust of appendages towards the blade.
What really gets my goat in a big way is/was his approach to have his invention MANDATED at HIS PRICE.
The saw has been demonstrated by slamming the hot dog at the blade to simulate a real fast moving hand in a kickback with the same negligible results.
Like others have said.. it eliminates the human error.. cost is a relative factor.. I had an accident similar to a saw cut.. and had pretty much a thumb and finger torn off..
It was a year and better than $50k to put everything back together.. While going to rehab, after my surgery.. there were about 10 guys going to the rehab clinic 3 days a week at the same times as me.. all were some form of hand injuries (that was what this particular clinic specialized in) there at least 4 that were the result of saw injuries.. most with damage more severe than mine.. one guy had lopped off all 5 fingers.. During the 8 or 9 weeks I was going.. he ultimately lost 3 of the re-attachment attempts.. Most all, except me, were workers comp cases..
Needless to say, the experience was an eye opener.
I've watched the clip a couple of times. Did I hear correct that it's the salt in our system that activates the brake? Why wouldn't the steak trip it? I mean afterall it is flesh and has a salt/sodium content in it.
Was that a salt solution in the cooler he dipped his hand into? Why didn't he place his hand on the plywood and run it thru at the same speed he did the steak instead of "creeping" up on the blade?
Not that I'm crazy enough, or been drunk enough, to try it myself I do give him credit. I think it's a massive leap in technology.
I also think he went about trying to get it mandated for all saws at his price was wrong.
The saw has a bypass mode for cutting material that will trip the brake. Like wet wood or Al.
There's a test mode as well where you can touch the material to the blad, while the saw is off, and see whether it will trip it or not.
Went to a local dealer for a demo, and to actually touch the saw.. Seemed like there was too much time spent waiting for the saw's diagnostics to do everything before the saw actually came on.. Maybe the dealer was just inept.. he seemed like he knew what was going on.. but we stood there while he pushed/pulled and jacked the machine off before it actually ran..
I've watched the clip a couple of times. Did I hear correct that it's the salt in our system that activates the brake? Why wouldn't the steak trip it? I mean afterall it is flesh and has a salt/sodium content in it.
Was that a salt solution in the cooler he dipped his hand into? Why didn't he place his hand on the plywood and run it thru at the same speed he did the steak instead of "creeping" up on the blade?
Not that I'm crazy enough, or been drunk enough, to try it myself I do give him credit. I think it's a massive leap in technology.
I also think he went about trying to get it mandated for all saws at his price was wrong.
No. It's NOT the salt that triggers the brake. All the salt did was increase the conductivity between his finger and his body to get a good connection..
He's not a stupid man. He isn't gonna risk a finger on a misfire..
Steve Gass cuts off his finger
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