Our favorite whipping post is prevailing!

[algale]

I don't know whether CPSC will mandate Gass' technology or just a performance standard. I am, of course, well aware that the manufactuers' mouth piece, the Power Tool Institute, says that it makes no difference because Gass' patents have the field covered. But I suspect that if forced to act, the manufacturer's will come up with alternative and affordable technologies.

My views are in the minority here, but as for the "market" taking care of it, I don't believe unregulated markets work efficiently all the time (anyone remember what happened when unregulated credit default swaps nearly brought down the U.S. economy?).

The way the current table saw market works is that when someone gets hurt, we all pay for their emergency and subsequent treatment either because our health care insurance rates eventually go up so that the insurance company execs and shareholders can continue to make their money or our taxes go up to pay for uninsured medical treatment. The only time the manufacturers pay is in the unusual case when someone sues and wins. That's an inefficient way to deal with the problem.

Maye the CPSC will make a hash of this. Maybe not. But I'll withhold judgment until this is done.

[JPG]

The added cost of mandatory seat belts when introduced was minimal.
......The seat belts are 'reusable'(not rendered useless when doing their intended function)

The added cost of air bags is somewhat more significant. They must be replaced after they do their intended function.

Both items 'do their function' when an 'accident' occurs. Sometimes preventable by the 'driver', but not always.

Saw Stop thingy from Gass requires not only replacing the saw blade, but also the device which mechanically both stopped the blade(thus ruining the blade) and retracted it.

Progress? Yes! Progressively more cost both before and after an accident.

All the 'horror stories' I have become aware of involve an action by the 'operator' that directly contributed to the 'accident'. No one else was involved other than the operator was not given adequate 'training' by an employer.... IMHO an individual is responsible for their own training, Making them aware of needing to do so rests upon the purveyors of the equipment(clearly and not buried in pages of trivial safety instructions).

One thing is for sure: Making the cost of small bench(contractor) saws escalate will most likely deceases the number of purchases by neophyte DIY who will not then have an opportunity to use it improperly(in an unsafe manner).

I am waiting to see when chop saws are in his sights. That is a tougher thing to do than what he has done with a stationary(other than rotating) half(actually more) enclosed blade.

If he is so concerned re safety, why is he not covering all the bases? Do not take this as a recommended suggestion for further action by him!

I am afraid re the handling of pre-existing equipment(as it may (mis)apply to DIY(non-professionals)).

[Gene Howe]

Well JPG, on the bright side, us old hands may have a plethora of "non-safe", un-Gassed saws from which to pick.
Next we'll see attempts to stop their sale, also.

[fiatben]

I just have a problem with the government mandating something "for my own good." Besides, some idiot will bypass anything they put on anything just because he can. I say let Darwin prevail. Stupid animals don't survive long enough to breed (except when domesticated by man).

My example is seat belts. I think a seat belt is a great idea, a natural evolution in response to the dangers of driving. I think everyone should use their seatbelts and it is stupid not to use it. I mean, come on, 5 seconds of effort that could save your life when that other idiot (the one the government spends your money trying to protect him from himself) runs you off the road. But I am adamantly opposed to seatbelt laws.

If I want to be stupid, I should have the right, as long as I understand I am the one who is ultimately responsible for my own incompetence, and as long as society holds me responsible for my actions. Will there be collateral damage at times? Other people hurt by one person's failures? Sure. That's life, "stuff" happens. You do something stupid that hurts me, I have the right to seek compensation. I do something stupid that hurts me, I should NOT be able to make someone else pay for my mistakes.

[swampgator]

At least, we can continue with our old SS's. And, our old machines will be running when those expensive safe models are on the way to the landfills or recyle yards.

I don't like paying higher premiums for the dummies or higher taxes for the uninsured dummies. I don't mind assisting someone who had an accident after trying to remove all obvious hazards. The technology has it's place, and something like this could be easily retrofitted to all the saw that we have. An electrical impulse can be applied to the blade and a disc brake can be put on the other side of the motor to stop it. I prefer a nick to a removal of a limb or serious damage to the hand or arm. And, I prefer safety with common sense such as not destroying the user, bystanders or machinery. Just MHO.

[JPG]

At least, we can continue with our old SS's. And, our old machines will be running when those expensive safe models are on the way to the landfills or recyle yards.

I don't like paying higher premiums for the dummies or higher taxes for the uninsured dummies. I don't mind assisting someone who had an accident after trying to remove all obvious hazards. The technology has it's place, and something like this could be easily retrofitted to all the saw that we have. An electrical impulse can be applied to the blade and a disc brake can be put on the other side of the motor to stop it. I prefer a nick to a removal of a limb or serious damage to the hand or arm. And, I prefer safety with common sense such as not destroying the user, bystanders or machinery. Just MHO.

You will not get the response time of the 'Sawstop' with a disc brake. Think sticking a pin in a hole where the pin does not move thus 'stopping' the moving hole.

I am curious if the Sawstop models have a slip linkage between the motor and the blade, and if bogging down the saw causes it to 'slip'.

[JPG]

Well JPG, on the bright side, us old hands may have a plethora of "non-safe", un-Gassed saws from which to pick.
Next we'll see attempts to stop their sale, also.

It is the potential of 'them' making that illegal that concerns me!:(

[swampgator]

jpg, of the ones I watched and investigated in the store, there is no disconnect between the motor and braking device. When the 3v circuit on the blade is broken, the power to the moter is turned off, the jammer jams the blade and the blade and motor are lowered below the table. The lowering of the blade is a few seconds but still quick. That is supposed to be protective of anyone having a stroke or heart attack. It's really a good system for entry level users if they can afford it. For lawyers, doctors, engineers, project managers, and some contractors, this may be a good tool for beginners.

[jm51]

I agree about freedom and choice in our personal space but I don't object to sensible control wrt employees.

An employer with bottom feeder equipment and minimum wage employees... go faster or lose the job...recipe for disaster.

imo there is no safer way to break down sheet goods than a guide rail saw. No need for a sawstop system if hands and fingers never get close to the spinning blade.

[Gene Howe]

Being products of the 40’s and 50’s, us old folks’ perceptions may have been shaped a bit differently than those of our younger cohorts. We were taught that logic, reason and a modicum of intellectual acuity would greatly assist in procuring life’s bounties as free and independent actors. Those of our younger folks who have benefited from exploring and testing their parent’s’ and grandparent’s like philosophies are truly blessed. And, I am heartened by their ascending numbers.

It’s not surprising then, that the degree of vehemence with which certain proposed and/or actual governmental actions are opposed or supported, waxes and wanes in accordance with one’s perceptions of their own ability for self governance, self reliance and independence, or lack thereof.

It is through this prism that I view the attempts by Gass, through governmental action, to impose his invention on everyone concerned with the manufacture, sales and use of table saws. Consequently, I find his actions in this regard reprehensible and abhorrent.

While safety is paramount in the workshop, to quote a famous 20th century philosopher, “Stupid is as stupid does.”. So stay smart and safe out there!