Saw Stop, Here We Go Again

[dforeman]

I do not like anything about this either. Plus, I see exactly where everybody is coming from with the comments already brought up here.

The whole push to update child labor legislation for farm families is a total joke. That whole issue revoles around the legal mandated age kids are allowed to operate equipment. Currently, the law reads that farm kids 14 and younger can not operate equipment with power rating greater than 20hp. And, they are not legally allowed to attach or disconnect implements. The US Government wants to raise that minimun age to 16. Now wait a minute. I can say for myself that I was a lot younger than that when I was running equipment and connecting/disconnecting equipment. How do they expect kids to learn these things anyway?

A lot of the shop classes in public schools are also being canceled. Like I mention in another thread about this discussion with an uncle of mine that is retired from teaching. But from what I understand, here in Maryland it is not so much because of injuries and liabilities. It has more to do with lack of attendance and interests in those type of classes. It seems kids today just are not interested in learning hands on shop skills. And, the few that are interested are being pushed by their teachers, parents, guidance councelors, etc towards more scholastice types of careers (politics, computer sciences, engineering, etc).

And, I can see in some situations where Saw Stop can be a valuable safety requirement (such as technical institutes, schools, commercial shops, etc). But, I also hate to see it legally mandated to everybody in every situation. We know this Mr. Gass is due to make a truck load of money if this were to happen. So, no surprise there. However, I can guarantee (in my experience with politicians and political types) that the politicians are getting something out of this also. Politicians (I guess we should say legal types because a majority of politicians are lawyers) do not jump onto the bandwagon for anything unless they see some kind of benefit in it for themselves. They tend to live a in a political bubble, so to speak, with tunnel vision towards their own goals and aspirations. I really believe it is a power thing for them to force their mandates and preside over everybody else. And, the fact that this is happening heads up in California first is also not a surprise. The whole Hollywood scene is nothing but a big bubble, so it is not surprising their politics would also follow suit. No offense intended to those on here that live in California. I'm sure not everybody in California is like this. We currently have a legal battle going on here in Maryland between a farm family and the National River Keeper Alliance which is more about benefiting the legal industry than helping to solve the problem at hand.

Ok. Long wided rant over. I'm definitely against the Saw Stop mandate. Not because it is a bad idea and not that it wouldn't be a good safety tool when appropriate. I'm against it being legally mandated to everybody requardless of the situation. And, I'm definitely against this Mr. Gass getting rich because of such mandate. Not to mention the stress it would cause on the tool making industry and causing higher prices. I still believe there should be a certain amount of personal responsibility requardless if you are at work or at home. And if you sustain an injury, you also have to take some responsibility for that injury. That is why we all have (and are required to have) insurance.

[trainguytom]

I really don't wish to step on any sensitive toes, especially Californians & lawyers, (okay, maybe lawyers) but this really is just another in a series of nutty, over the top attempts by the do-gooders of the world to legislate their brand of salvation over the rest of us dullards who (somehow) seem to think we can actually take care of ourselves.

I do find it interesting that many of these types of activities seem to originate in California. Is it the constant wonderful weather that causes it? Maybe if it snowed once in a while...a little time spent shoveling snow might bring them back to the real world. Maybe it's the earthquakes...jarring all the common sense out. Who knows.

I guess I'm just glad I have a lifetime supply of Shopsmiths stashed in my shop & won't have to deal with it. Although I was wondering; if I cut off a finger on my table saw, and Wisconsin hasn't followed the California example, will I be able to sue the Wisconsin legislature for negligence???

[brad_nalor]

That farm law indeed is a waste. I grew up on a farm and used machinery partially unsupervised by age 11 or 12. Loved it with a sense of responsibility and grown-up. Same with shop machines of 'mass destruction'. Free country and as long as the laws are written, good luck trying to enforce them on my turf you weasel pansy legislators. Who's even worth voting for on a ballot and really does it matter in modern days in Federal elections? The main thing is knowing your local government and doing your part, involved to the very least - vote.

[terrydowning]

I do find it interesting that many of these types of activities seem to originate in California. Is it the constant wonderful weather that causes it? Maybe if it snowed once in a while...a little time spent shoveling snow might bring them back to the real world. Maybe it's the earthquakes...jarring all the common sense out. Who knows.

Actually, it's the result of an overpaid and bored full-time legislature with nothing better to do than meddle in the lives of honest hard working people. That's right, those elected to a position in the CA Legislature get a full time job, with a six figure income, plus expenses. Now the CA legislature is loaded with political hacks both democrat and republican (Not really much difference anymore once you review the voting records). Most of these are in it for themselves and their career and have not demonstrated any genuine concern for California or it's future.

If you live in a state that is considering moving to a full time legislature, do everything you can to prevent it.

[dusty]

Actually, it's the result of an overpaid and bored full-time legislature with nothing better to do than meddle in the lives of honest hard working people. That's right, those elected to a position in the CA Legislature get a full time job, with a six figure income, plus expenses. Now the CA legislature is loaded with political hacks both democrat and republican (Not really much difference anymore once you review the voting records). Most of these are in it for themselves and their career and have not demonstrated any genuine concern for California or it's future.

If you live in a state that is considering moving to a full time legislature, do everything you can to prevent it.

I thank you for this contribution to my continuing education. I did not know much of what is disclosed in this link which I would not have read except for your post..

[woodburner]

Please guys, no more stabs at Californians. We don't all live in Hollyweird and their is a lot more to CA that you probably have seen on TV and such.

I live in the Central Valley of California, one of the nations most bountiful and diverse agricultural areas. The towns here are all AG oriented as that is our major source of income. Please do not place me in the Southern CA bunch. It is like comparing Apples to Oranges (oops, we grow those here too). Southern CA is like an entire different state. The area I live in is home to two of the nations most popular National Parks (Sequoia and Yosemite). The people are kind, generous and helpful. Neighbors here watch out for each other.

What happens in Sacramento is another whole world too. Our state legislature is a full time one and every year they add more districts. Every election season I receive an election guide at 20 pages or more long explaining what each of the candidates IN MY AREA are speaking up and standing for. It has gotten quite confusing and complicated and makes it almost impossible to decide who will serve the public better. I always do my part by voting, but many have given up due the the complexity of it all. Well, enough about the political crap.

You know, I have heard some things about the people in other states, but I only take that with a grain of salt. I have traveled all over this country and what I have seen is a great people living the best they can in the state they live in. I have to say that for most, everyone has always been kind and gracious. I do not make fun and poke jabs at people who live other states.

And yes, it does snow here. We do have mountains. I look at the Sierra mountain range from my front door everyday and they look geat with the snow on them.

[JPG]

Please guys, no more stabs at Californians. We don't all live in Hollyweird and their is a lot more to CA that you probably have seen on TV and such.

I live in the Central Valley of California, one of the nations most bountiful and diverse agricultural areas. The towns here are all AG oriented as that is our major source of income. Please do not place me in the Southern CA bunch. It is like comparing Apples to Oranges (oops, we grow those here too). Southern CA is like an entire different state. The area I live in is home to two of the nations most popular National Parks (Sequoia and Yosemite). The people are kind, generous and helpful. Neighbors here watch out for each other.

What happens in Sacramento is another whole world too. Our state legislature is a full time one and every year they add more districts. Every election season I receive an election guide at 20 pages or more long explaining what each of the candidates IN MY AREA are speaking up and standing for. It has gotten quite confusing and complicated and makes it almost impossible to decide who will serve the public better. I always do my part by voting, but many have given up due the the complexity of it all. Well, enough about the political crap.

You know, I have heard some things about the people in other states, but I only take that with a grain of salt. I have traveled all over this country and what I have seen is a great people living the best they can in the state they live in. I have to say that for most, everyone has always been kind and gracious. I do not make fun and poke jabs at people who live other states.

And yes, it does snow here. We do have mountains. I look at the Sierra mountain range from my front door everyday and they look geat with the snow on them.

Sheesh! Such 'Sensitivity'.

And no one referred to those CA mountains as hill billy enclaves!



When it comes to jabs at the CA legislature, most are well deserved! JMHO

Yes, the further from Baja, the saner the 'natives' appear!:rolleyes:

[jimthej]

Yes, the further from Baja, the saner the 'natives' appear!:rolleyes:

Actually, a fair amount of the insanity and funding for insanity comes out of the Bay area.

The Central Valley where Woodburner and I live is very fragmented, economically and politically. Small business, agriculture, oil, small industry all run by a bunch of really hard-headed individualists.
Good neighbors, but individualists!

[pinkiewerewolf]

ummmm, don't forget far-nor-cal.... Humboldt county is about as coo-coo as ya can get.Yes there are are some great people here but we're outnumbered.
Please send backup!

Actually, a fair amount of the insanity and funding for insanity comes out of the Bay area.

The Central Valley where Woodburner and I live is very fragmented, economically and politically. Small business, agriculture, oil, small industry all run by a bunch of really hard-headed individualists.
Good neighbors, but individualists!

[Ed in Tampa]

As one of the late night comedian once said, "The earth tilted and all the nuts rolled to California."

I don't see medium and large contractors getting caught up in this law that much. They have already been pressured away from tablesaws by Insurance companies.

Who I see is going to take a beating is the little guy that needs a saw pops into HD for a cheap throw away tablesaw for something needed on a particular job. He is the one that buys the under $250 saw does his job and throws it into his truck and forgets it until someday when he digs through all his junk to drag it back out again. He will then make a few cuts and toss it back into the truck. Every year when he fills out his insurance forms he has long forgotten he even owns the saw.

The other is the homeowner/hobbiest, there simply won't be any cheap table saws. Sure you can buy a used one made before the law but if the health/medical/accidental insurance companies play the way they normally do there will be a waiver written into everyone's insurance policy that relieves them from responsibility unless you are using a legal tool (read one with a saw stop technology).

Don't be too smug about this pending legislation. It will hit every one of us in the pocketbook.

i can just see the court dockets after this. Every injury occuring on a tablesaw made after this technology was made available will be hauled into court by bottom feeders looking for a way to make money to pay their bills. My guess if you are admitted to a hospital for a saw related injury you will shortly be contacted by a ambulance chasing bottom feeder with promises of making you rich. They will promise you the world but what the won't tell is after all the screaming and shouting is done they will walk away the biggest winner.