Shopsmith Forums

Yesterday's paper had an article about table saw safety. You can access it at http://www.journalgazette.net. If it doesn't come up, type in table saw in the search box.

BPR

Well written article highlighting the facts. I have to give this journalist credit for staying impartial and describing both sides of the story. Plus, I have not heard the issue about problems with detecting wet/treated wood versus an appendage.

However, when I see statements like this with out back-up documentation as to source;
"cited statistics that the saws cause about 36,000 injuries a year, with about 10 percent resulting in amputation". I tend to take them with a grain of salt. You have to question the credibility of those numbers. How were these numbers generated, where were they pulled from, etc? They also don't specify table saws which is really what we are talking about here. Are these injuries from circular saws, band saws, reciprocating saws, chainsaws, etc or all of the above? What about handsaws? And, are these numbers just from within the US only?

I was looking at the Saw Stop at my local Woodcraft store and the salesman told be about how you must disable the detection (of body parts) if you plan to cut wet wood. My thoughts were:

1. I'd really be mad if I forgot to disable the detection and cut a piece of wet wood, costing me a new blade and the replacement part for the Saw Stop.

2. I'd really be mad if I forgot to re-enable the detection device and cut a piece of my finger off.

Maybe it automatically re-enables each time you start the saw - not sure about that.

mountainbreeze wrote:I was looking at the Saw Stop at my local Woodcraft store and the salesman told be about how you must disable the detection (of body parts) if you plan to cut wet wood. My thoughts were:

1. I'd really be mad if I forgot to disable the detection and cut a piece of wet wood, costing me a new blade and the replacement part for the Saw Stop.

2. I'd really be mad if I forgot to re-enable the detection device and cut a piece of my finger off.

Maybe it automatically re-enables each time you start the saw - not sure about that.

Yes, it re-enables after you turn off the saw. You can watch the set of videos on newwoodworker.com to see more detail.

I saw these in our local Woodcraft as well. My only thought was that someone has found a way to capitalize and profit off scaring the crap out of others. Every power tool has negative potential.

I'm not so sure it's the equipment's fault as much as it is the owner!

BPR

Wonder what OSHA, CPSC and Gass think of a guillotine?

I put this hysteria and profiteering in the same category as gun locks.

Idiots overlooking the primary purpose of the tool in the 'name' of safety!

Safety is in the mind and hands of the operator!

JPG40504 wrote:Wonder what OSHA, CPSC and Gass think of a guillotine?

I put this hysteria and profiteering in the same category as gun locks.

Idiots overlooking the primary purpose of the tool in the 'name' of safety!

Safety is in the mind and hands of the operator!

One can debate the pros and cons of having this technology mandated. I can see both sides of that issue and both sides have some compelling arguments. But I wouldn't classify either side as idiots. Also please explain how any of the primary purposes of a table saw is impeded by the SawStop technology? Even conductive or wet materials can be cut using the safety bypass on the SawStop. As for the gun lock analogy, I don't see it. Gun locks do tend to defeat one of the primary purposes of having a weapon, i.e. immediate access to self-defense.

algale wrote:One can debate the pros and cons of having this technology mandated. I can see both sides of that issue and both sides have some compelling arguments. But I wouldn't classify either side as idiots. Also please explain how any of the primary purposes of a table saw is impeded by the SawStop technology? Even conductive or wet materials can be cut using the safety bypass on the SawStop. As for the gun lock analogy, I don't see it. Gun locks do tend to defeat one of the primary purposes of having a weapon, i.e. immediate access to self-defense.

Let's bring this a little closer to home. Specifically,if this condition is mandated, how would this affect Shopsmith's operations along with the Powerpro headstock? I can't see making this retroactive, however I would like to know if there are any plans on the part of Shopsmith should this technology become mandated by "Big Brother".

BPR

I have no problem conceptually with mandating "flesh detecting Technology" into new saws. My biggest concern is mandating a specific design (saw stop for example) which stifles innovation.

I sure hope that SS has a plan. It would be in their best interest to work with Teknatool (Makers of the DVR Motor) and come up with their own advanced safety features. If the mandate happens, they're ready. If it doesn't, then they have a competitive advantage in the Hobbyist space. I think a Power Pro 2 with flesh detection and auto stop would be an easier sell to SWMBO/LOML/CFO than the current offerings (Which just isn't going to happen for me).