Stock feeders

[BuckeyeDennis]

The recent woodworking accidents reported on this forum, both suffered by very experienced woodworkers, certainly make me feel less invincible. I find SawStop technology very interesting, both as an engineer and a woodworker, and have read a fair amount about both the equipment and the legal wrangling. But one valid criticism of SawStop technology is that it does nothing to protect you from a piece of wood fired by a kickback.

I once had a very small piece of wood, maybe half a cubic inch, kick back and strike a glancing blow to my temple. Despite the small size and the shallow impact angle, it still hit me hard enough draw blood. It was a dumb newbie mistake, but I was wearing goggles, so there was no real risk of serious injury. Nevertheless, that experience gave me a lot of respect for a rotary saw as a potential missile-firing machine.

Some say that the only thing that can completely protect you from both direct blade contact and workpiece kickbacks is a power stock feeder. Most that I've seen are priced in the $1K range, but there's at least one "baby feeder" that is priced at around $300. Eithe way, they're a lot cheaper than a SawStop.

The problem is, those things just don't look real practical for a typical home shop. Does anyone here has any experience working with them?

[rjent]

I thought this thread was about farm labor .....

I have been around dangerous equipment (but not woodworking) all my life. I do respect these machines ability to do you damage, but I also know the machine doesn't think, I do. One of these accidents was a chop saw (if that is what WW's call it LOL). SawStop doesn't address that.

I say, just do like Dusty, make saw dust safely and think about what you are doing .....

JMHO

[JPG]

Not to worry! Erlover is touting brooder lamps on another thread.

[benush26]

Hi Dennis,
Back around the time dirt was invented, and I was too young and foolish to know how foolish I was, I was given a set of the yellow wheeled hold downs. I mounted them on the flimsy fence on my trusty old Craftsman. I think I trusted them too much! Ripping a wide board, the cut closed (or twisted) and the board pushed so hard it bent the upper saw guard. That was during a time when my only safety "gear" was how fast I could get out of the way
I was pissed that the feed mechanism caused a bent saw guard and blade. I unbolted it, tossed the mangled upper guard on the bench, bought a new blade and went back to it. Operator error or carelessness was never considered as the problem.

Fast forward a few millennia..

Recently someone posted about the new Jessem hold downs. I was interested but not to the point I would consider them. For me I believe I would trust too much in their "perceived" capabilities. I think I trust my precautions more now. Maybe its because the neuropathy has caused me to press harder and make more certain of positioning of the push pads (and I do trust the Gripper pads MUCH more than anything previous).
I guess I might compare it to all the safety devices in a new auto. They do have a valid and useful function, but should I trust them to be more aware of the surroundings than me?? If I begin to trust them more than my senses will it cause me to have an accident that I wold have otherwise avoided?

My "practical experience" such as it was, is decades ago and very short lived. It was not a positive one but then again I was probably too stubborn / foolish / impatient to giver it a fair trial.

Not sure any of my rambling offered ANY usable advise!

Be well,
Ben

[BuckeyeDennis]

I haven't used the Jessem table-saw guides, but I do have a set of their router-fence hold-downs. I absolutely love them. I didn't buy them as a safety device, although I suppose they do make things safer. But I had about 300 linear feet of variable-width hardwood to tongue & groove. The boards were straight, but not terribly flat. Those Jessem hold-downs not only held the boards tight against the fence, they also squashed minor bows down tight against the table, rather like a planer. I got near-perfect results with very little effort. Now when the boards are joined, the T&G pulls the edges into perfect alignment.

Later, it dawned on me that I've never heard of anyone getting mangled by a planer. Presumably because they all have a built-in power feeder, and thus the cutter can be fully guarded. That combination of performance and safety was what got me curious about power feeders.

[claimdude]

I have had the Jessem table saw hold downs for the better part of a year now and love them. I have used hold downs starting with the Ripstrate many years ago on my SS and only do unassisted cuts when the width of the cut won't allow it. I only have one hand so and very careful with the other one. Don't believe they have made me too comfortable as someone mentioned earlier but I still have my remaining 5 digits and no near misses that I can recall in 30+ years of hobby woodworking.

Jack

[Ed in Tampa]

My understanding is there is not good Waylon make a table saw safe. That is why the EU is phasing them out. I don't think you can buy a hobby/home worker table saw in Europe.
I know the OSHA and the insurance industry are coming down hard on commercial shops that use table saws.

My guess in 20 years you won't be able to buy a new table saw.

I,m told Europe uses guide saw systems, bandsaws, CNC machines, and such.