Shopsmith Forums

I heard a report this morning on NPR about regulatory hearings on table saw safety. Stop Saw technology is pushing the effort. Although I greatly admire the engineering of the Stop Saw and might, in fact, purchase one myself when I get my new shop set up; I don't need the federal government telling me what I must buy.

Bottom line: If you need a new table saw, buy it now. Many models will simply stop being sold and for those that are left -- Prices will be going up!

[quote="major_bob"]I heard a report this morning on NPR about regulatory hearings on table saw safety. Stop Saw technology is pushing the effort. Although I greatly admire the engineering of the Stop Saw and might, in fact, purchase one myself when I get my new shop set up]
Buying NOW if you were not already giving that serious thought might be a premature, knee jerk reaction. The table saw manufacturers will love you. Not enough to be eternally grateful but they will love you none-the-less.

BTW - prices are up already.

What's next band saws? radial arm saws, chop saws, jointers? lathes? anything sharp? Not all table saws are used by hobbyists. The ambulance chasers will be hovering around construction sights like vultures to initiate litigation for any injury to an employee using a saw without Gass's invention.

Actually I'm a little excited because I believe such legislation would cause a rethinking of woodworking in America as government interferrence in Europe has caused in Europe.

Today in America the tablesaw is considered the center piece of a well equipped home workshop. However in Europe most home and practically all commercial shops don't have a "table saw".

This creates more workspace, less waste of wood (thinner kerf cuts), different production techniques and I believe an all around safer environment. It also promotes ingenious and innovative new tools and techniques.

However I would imagine such a requirement would serverely impact Shopsmith, a diffent negative.

Ed,
Interesting approach, but I would still prefer to leave that decision as an individual choice not one imposed by government regulaion. I believe, we as Shopsmith owners share in your desire for a smaller more efficient use of shop space (exactly why I have one). I also believe (or hope) there is a Renaissance is American woodworking -- as evidence by the interest in quality handtools and handtool skills. Of course, I cut my hand last year using a 75 year old Stanley plane ---- wonder who I can sue for that ???

bob

Ed in Tampa wrote:Actually I'm a little excited because I believe such legislation would cause a rethinking of woodworking in America as government interferrence in Europe has caused in Europe.

Today in America the tablesaw is considered the center piece of a well equipped home workshop. However in Europe most home and practically all commercial shops don't have a "table saw".

This creates more workspace, less waste of wood (thinner kerf cuts), different production techniques and I believe an all around safer environment. It also promotes ingenious and innovative new tools and techniques.

However I would imagine such a requirement would serverely impact Shopsmith, a diffent negative.

I hear your enthusiasm for the European approach. I therefore assume you are operating out of a near European style shop yourself.

Please provide some detail. Just what have the Europeans done that make your statement valid?

"This creates more workspace, less waste of wood (thinner kerf cuts), different production techniques and I believe an all around safer environment. It also promotes ingenious and innovative new tools and techniques".

There is technology out there, other than the Gass unit, that works as well and does not destroy the blade and cause one to buy a new unit. Wouldn't be a huge investment for a saw mfr. Or to be added later by the consumer.
Take a look.
Whirlwind

Has anyone noticed the new Mark 7 and SPT's have had subtle changes lately. The Bandsaw cover no longer has knobs, you need a tool to remove the cover. The rear hubs on the headstock are now covered, there is a cover for the drill press to cover the bit, possibly the new riving knife, the PowerPro speed confirm and there are others.

According to Mike Young these were all put in to comply with Canada and European safety rules. I actually like some and hate others.

BigSky wrote:I hear your enthusiasm for the European approach. I therefore assume you are operating out of a near European style shop yourself.

Please provide some detail. Just what have the Europeans done that make your statement valid?

"This creates more workspace, less waste of wood (thinner kerf cuts), different production techniques and I believe an all around safer environment. It also promotes ingenious and innovative new tools and techniques".

Actually I'm at more of a transistion, in fact at the very beginning. But I see major changes being made in commerical production shops. Most are getting rid of the their "tablesaw" for two reasons OSHA and Insurance. They are going to panel saws, guided tool systems and autofeed or sliding table systems. All of these keep the operator well clear of the blade and almost totally eliminate accidental contact between flesh and blade.

From this they are realizing increased production rate, lower production cost and material savings.

The problem is most of this is now stalled because at about the same time the Insurance industry and OSHA started their clamp down the American economy took it's nose dive and many shops that were considering change have now closed or have such low business they have left workers go which eliminated the workers comp insurance situation.

However European shops use the bandsaw for most ripping and guided tool or panel saw technology for crosscutting.

Another consideration is dust and air quality. In many of the new European market machines do close to 99% dust capture across the tool range (sanders-saws).
European legislation also had a major impact on finishing and chemicals used in finishing. I'm told you can go any place within a Europeam shop and not be required to wear a face mask filter. Gone are dangerous chemical based contact adhesives, and carriers in assembly, finish and stains.

As I said these changes should excite those of us that are concerned about accidents and or air quality issues. I understand now that through some of the things developed in Europe people with serious respiratory issues can enjoy woodworking as a hobby.
I also understand that some of the new methods enable physically handicapped people to enjoy the hobby. No longer is the need to have the ability to tose full sheets of sheet stock around or to reach across wide tables to retrieve pieces of wood. Much of the woodworking can be done sitting down, or from a fixed position and some of the new methods actually enable the blind to enjoy the hobby.

I do find myself using the table saw (function) less often than before, since I bought a new sliding compound miter for cross cuts. I also now use the router more for dados. Table saw is used almost exclusively for ripping. Wish I could use the bandsaw instead, but I've never had much luck with bandsaw alignment, adjustment, overcoming drift, etc......

My ultimate goal would be to be skilled enough with handtools to have little need for the power tools. Not there yet......... need a lot more education, practice and available time.