Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Something I saw...

My finger almost off.

It's been a few years since I last cut with a table saw, a very versatile tool that even with safety features and excellent protective techniques can become extremely dangerous in the blink of an eye. I used to rip boards for flutes with it, but totally changed over to the far more tame 14" band saw to handle that (and other) work.

I respect the table saw, but I have to admit it also scares me a bit. Aside from the possibility of consuming some flesh, kickback can send a piece of wood hurtling at damaging speeds into anything in its path, and that's equally unpleasant.

While the tool you're about to see has been out a while, I had only recently heard about it.

SawStop.

It ain't cheap, but neither is medical treatment for missing body parts. You don't have to be a tool person to appreciate this video of SawStop being put to the test, first with a hot dog and then with a perfectly fine human finger. You'll see what I mean...



SawStop demo

FYI - prices start ~$1,600 for a semi portable contractor saw to close to $3,000 for a fixed shop set-up. In select stores only. Dear Santa.....



2 comments:

Suzy said...

OH MY GOSH!!!! I didn't know that such a thing existed! STILL gives me a bit of the yips even watching it all a 2nd time! Too cool!
And I have a 'stressful' time changing-out a wall light switch even after cutting power to the circuit or the main breaker, LOL!! Mostly concerned that I didn't hook the wires back up in the correct position ... just like I'd be worried that I didn't set-up the table saw and saw stop correctly!!!! Yikes!

Suzy :)

mom2ahrj said...

had to show that one to the kids! wow! unbelievable!