SawStop

[Ed in Tampa]

In the latest edition of Wood Magazine there is a interesting discussion on the Saw Stop lawsuit where the guy got 1.5 million because his saw didn't have sawstop technology.

There are apparently 60 more cases pending right now.

If there is any justice in this world the inventor/lawyer Gass will get sued out existence. In my opinion he is a bottom feeder.

The wood article gave some interesting stats.
Annual retail sales of table saws $350 million
Estimated number of table saw in the US 6-10 million
Number of injuries per year from Tablesaw accidents 55,330
Cost to treat 2.1 billion dollars.
Collective number of years tablesaw used by Wood editors 253
Number injuries 0

REad the article it is very interesting.

[backhertz]

Holy cow dude! All the safety features in the world will not prevent people from doing stupid things, disabling safety features/interlocks, or take risks with power tools they are not competent or certified in operating. I am sure most of the members here have for many reasons done things which were not safe. I will never forget the time I tried to cut a edge when making a trophy mount using a radial arm saw. I did not have the wood against the fence and when the first tooth touched that piece of wood, it grabbed with so much force that it shot out the rear, hit the wall and ricocheted another 40 feet across the shop. I was 25 years younger then and honestly had no business using that tool as I was not trained. Had I hurt myself or someone else... I was lucky. A friend of mine was being shown by his father how to use a circular-saw safely about 40 years ago. The result? His father lost 3 fingers.

I totally understand the purpose behind this blade stop, but it scares the living you know what out of me when it engages & destroys a blade. Cost vs benefit. But what is the value of a finger or a hand? Can a person afford not to? What about people who walk off a sidewalk without looking? What about people who use other power tools? Woodworking is inherently dangerous as is knife throwing or many, many, other activities.

I know that juries are filled by people of diverse backgrounds. In this case, I wonder if any had any experience with power tools? It is a seemingly a dwindling skill set as as result of schools doing away with shop programs along with the increase of television programs where people see & think they can do...

I realize this is more like an iceberg and there are huge arguments both for and against. But unfortunately some people will become over dependent on the safety features and get the shock of their lives when they slip or try to push a tool past its capability. Then something happens and they blame others instead of simply looking in a mirror.

Please realize the thought of an injury makes me cringe for whatever reason.
But to my knowledge adults have the privilege of free will. Unfortunately personal responsibility is something that in some cases has gone out with the bath water. A cutting tool as I remember from a processes course I took in college produces chips. Shouldn't chippers be protected as well? Power drills? I am exaggerating. For some reason, I seem to remember Shopsmith was involved in liability issues.

Flesh-detecting technology...I don't have the answer except that people must be competent with any tool they use as the misuse or abuse can leave them scarred for life. Perhaps people will have to sign release forms if they do not attend mandatory training on the use of a tool. It might be cheaper for manufacturers to provide free training than to have to payout one lawsuit or one person get hurt. The trainers would get the money instead of attorneys.

[Gene Howe]

We need MORE flesh detecting technology. Chisels, band saws, screw drivers, pocket knives, dinner forks.........My Gadfry, where will it end?:mad:

[lv2wdwrk]

We need MORE flesh detecting technology. Chisels, band saws, screw drivers, pocket knives, dinner forks.........My Gadfry, where will it end?:mad:

It will not end until people are held responsible for their action instead of trying to blame someone else!!!!

[wa2crk]

Ed;
I read the article that you mention and I also noted that the fence in the photo carried the Sawstop logo. Also there was a little test which asked you to point out the five misteaks that the operator was making in the picture. I picked out all of them but the interesting point is that I believe that the five mistakes were the ones that Mr Osorio (the plaintiff) had made.
Acording to the testimony (which I read) the saw warned him three times by vibrating and raising the wood off the table, but he persisted and forced the cut and was injured.
One of the more compelling parts of the testimony was that the plaintiff had received instruction on the use of a table saw. However the employer does not speak Spanish and Mr. Osorio speaks no English so my question is "How can instruction be given when the two parties do not speak the same language and no communication can occur?"
Just two cents worth.
Bill V

[swampgator]

Seriously looked at the SawStop before shopping for a Shopsmith. For the price and features of a Shopsmith, I prefer the Shopsmith. My flesh detecting technology is carefully watching the action of any machine that is plugged in or turned on. Or any tool that is getting action.

[8iowa]

In a recent thread, a Lumberjocks forum member injured himself by jabbing a chisel into his wrist, cutting several tendons and depriving him of the full use of his hand.

You don't have to use electricity in order to get injured.

[fiatben]

tort limits, loser pays

[robinson46176]

If they force SawStop on us how are we going to be able to cut up our hot dogs...

Kind of an expensive way to discover that you didn't get the spilled coffee wiped off of that board good enough.

[Ed in Tampa]

Guys you are missing the point the verdict is in, OWT the maker of Ryobi is on the hook for 1.5 million dollars and there are now 60 other case pending. There are 55,000+ injuries a year. How long do you think it will take for the ambulance chasers to start contacting these people with the promise of easy money. If only a small percentage of them win the industry will be in terrible financial shape.

Add to it with the current economy Tablesaws aren't selling all that well as it is, who do you think will sell tablesaws. .