Roy_Harding

The Sawstop sells well because it is an extremely well engineered saw.

The Sawstop technology does NOT and does not CLAIM to prevent kickback - the fact that it has a riving knife does that.

To whoever it was who questioned my choice of hobby and/or profession due to my EXAMPLE of cutting wet wood - read the whole post - I was making the point that the Sawstop reacts to moisture, and I went on to state "how often do you do that anyway?" Don't inflate your position on the Sawstop by attempting to question my professionalism (or lack thereof) - you have no idea who I am, what I do, nor how long I've been injury free; and, such self serving bon mots do NOT bolster your argument, they belittle them.

The Sawstop is an excellent saw. If I were in the market for a new saw, it would be on the extremely short list. But NOT because of its safety feature - it would gain a place on that list because of its extremely fine engineering. The safety technology works well - but I do not want even MORE legislation dictating what I must buy.

This discussion has turned from a woodworking perspective to a philosophical one - when I want philosophy discussion I'll head off to philosophy.com - I'm done here.

I understand what you're driving at, mh1967 - and I agree with your logic, as far as it goes. Taking your logic to its' extreme, and realizing that the most dangerous activity the vast majority of civilians will undertake is walking across the street (check the actuarial tables), does it make sense to require full body armour before crossing the street? Or does it make more sense to continue educating people (look left, look right, then walk)?

What I am worried about is not the technology - it works. I am concerned that some government or institution (insurance companies) will MANDATE the use of the technology in all circumstances. A good argument can be made for mandating its' use in learning institutions - but I don't want the government poking its head any further into my private business.

As far as soaking the finger goes - I can think of two reasons:

- to lessen the pain experienced if a nick did happen; and/or

- to maximize the effectiveness of the technology (the Sawstop senses moisture levels - which means that if you are cutting extremely wet wood you must turn off the sensing mechanism - not something that happens often, whens the last time you cut extremely wet wood?).

I agree with unTreatedwood. The existence of this technology is a godsend for schools and teaching shops - and maybe its use there should be mandated - although I'm open to discussion on that point. On the OTHER hand - like unTreatedwood, I've been woodworking for over 30 years - and beyond the occasional splinter, and cut fingers when "showing off" how sharp I can make chisels, I've never been hurt.

I'm worried that this technology will become a "requirement" - not necessarily by legislation, but by the insurance companies who underwrite my shop insurance.

I have friends in Europe who are being strangled by EU rules regarding such things as riving knives (which my saw is equipped with - at MY choice), short rip fences (which I still don't like), and various and sundry other REQUIRED safety features.

All that being said - I have used a Sawstop (in a technical college while taking a course) and beyond the safety considerations, it is a very nice saw, solid and well built.