FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
Tool Hound

Bosch’s New Finger-Saving Portable Saw

By Patrick McCombe
Article Image
The Bosch REAXX (list $1500) is a job-site portable that's about the same size as the DeWalt 744, the SawStop Jobsite, and the Ridgid R4513. It has an explosive cartridge that forces the spinning blade beneath the table when it's touched. Unlike with SawStop's model, the blade is not destroyed.

It’s been an exciting time around the editorial offices as of late. Last week I got my first glimpse of the SawStop Jobsite tablesaw. A few days later, Bosch announced its new flesh-sensing job-site tablesaw. I first reported on Bosch’s flesh-sensing saw in 2010 when it was revealed that Bosch was working on the saw during the proceedings of the Carlos Osorio lawsuit. Nearly five years later, Bosch officially debuted the saw at this year’s JLC Live in Providence, R.I. 

How does it work?

Unlike SawStop’s system, which brakes the blade by launching an aluminum block into the spinning blade, the Bosch system doesn’t attempt to stop the blade to prevent injury. Instead, it rapidly forces the blade below the table while it’s spinning. It uses a cartridge that the company claims is similar to the mechanism used for triggering automotive air bags.

According to Bosch, the benefit of this method is that the saw trunnion and transmission don’t have to absorb all the energy associated with bringing the blade to a stop in a fraction of a second. The cartridge can be replaced and the saw returned to operating condition in a few minutes. Moreover, the blade is undamaged–unlike on the SawStop, which destroys the blade.

The new saw, dubbed REAXX, looks to be based on and to share accessories (such as the Gravity Rise Stand) with the Bosch 4100, which is Bosch’s larger portable. The saw is supposed to be available in the fall with a list price of $1500. I’m heading to JLC Live tomorrow to check it out, and I’ll report back on Monday with details on its operation and safety system. 

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

×
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. gbguy71 | Mar 30, 2015 01:43pm | #1

    Pretty exciting development. It's a shame that by appearances it took SawStop's existence to bring such a product to market. The 4100 has a list of $1,170 (street price of about $600) so the approximate street price of the protection is less than $175. Quite an attractive proposition.

  2. LesRoss | Apr 02, 2015 01:02pm | #2

    This saw may have the same problem as all other electronically controlled saw stops. If the system is active when the saw is turned off, then it will fire when you touch the blade for any reason. Example, adjustment or blade change. If the system in not active when the power is off, then you can still be cut by a blade spinning down. BOTH time I have been cut on my table saw was during the period between switch off and blade stop. This will give a false sense of security and may make one less vigilant. An unpowered but still spinning blade is just as dangerous.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tool Hound

View All
  • Update on Bosch's New Finger-Saving Portable Saw

  • Video: Bosch Reaxx Finger-Saving Tablesaw Demonstration

  • Mosely Infinity Level System - Very impressive

  • Bosch's New Finger-Saving Portable Saw

View All

Up Next

Featured Story

2021 International Builders Show online experience

Attending in Sweatpants: The Virtual 2021 International Builders' Show

A pre-show primer on the first-ever online IBS trade show. Stay tuned for upcoming podcasts, product features, and more.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 334: Becoming a Builder, Leaky Apartments, and Complexities of a Custom Home

  • How To Add Lighting To a Deck

  • Podcast 333: PRO TALK With Carpenter Brian Campbell, Pt. 1

  • Podcast 332: Mossy Roofs, Cold Walls, and Priming PVC Pipe

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Fine Homebuilding All Access
  • Fine Homebuilding Podcast
  • Tool Tech

    Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

  • "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

    Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • FHB Podcast 334: Becoming a Builder, Leaky Apartments and Complexities of a Custom Home

    Podcast 334: Becoming a Builder, Leaky Apartments, and Complexities of a Custom Home

  • Podcast 333: PRO TALK With Carpenter Brian Campbell

    Podcast 333: PRO TALK With Carpenter Brian Campbell, Pt. 1

  • FHB Podcast 332

    Podcast 332: Mossy Roofs, Cold Walls, and Priming PVC Pipe

  • Podcast 330: Anniversary Edition Interview: Patrick McCombe

    Podcast 330: Anniversary Edition Interview With Patrick McCombe

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Fine Homebuilding Magazine Slipcase

    Buy Now
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • CA Privacy Rights

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in