Table saws are designed to detect the movement of a finger and stop the spinning blade immediately upon contact. This is done through the use of sensors that are built into the table saw and mounted underneath the table.
These sensors can detect changes in motion, including vibrations caused by a finger touching the saw or the saw making contact with an object. When the saw detects these changes, it sends an electrical signal to the motor, which causes it to shut off.
Additionally, some table saws also feature safety guards around the blade that will also detect movement and immediately shut off the saw in order to prevent injuries.
How does table saw finger protection work?
Table saw finger protection is designed as an additional safety feature for operating a table saw. It consists of a blade guard, which encloses the blade, and a riving knife or splitter behind the blade that prevents it from pinching the wood and creating kickback.
The guard is typically made of a clear plastic or metal shield that is situated directly above or in front of the blade and is fastened to the table with screws. The guard is adjustable so it can fit snugly against the board being cut.
The riving knife is mounted behind the blade and it “splits” the board’s fibers, allowing the blade to cut through more cleanly and reducing the risk of kickback. Both guards and riving knife help to reduce the risk of the user’s fingers getting caught in the rotating blade and injured.
Additionally, a push stick can also be used to help keep the user’s hands away from the blade.
How do blades stop on contact with skin?
When a blade comes into contact with skin, the force of the blade is sufficient for the edge to puncture the outermost layer of skin. However, the blade itself contains a metal that is not easily bent.
In addition, the material of the blade features an extremely hard surface. This means that when the blade comes in contact with skin, the metal resists bending and stops moving due to the resistance.
This prevents the blade from cutting any further into the skin, thereby stopping on contact with the skin. In some cases, a blade might even be made to be slightly flexible, which allows it to flex upon contact and deform away from the skin.
The combination of the metal’s resistance to bending and its hardened surface helps to prevent the blade from cutting through the skin and ultimately allows it to stop on contact.
Does SawStop work with gloves?
Yes, SawStop works with gloves. Our SawStop saws are designed to be used with all types of safety equipment, including gloves. The SawStop patented safety system uses a special skin-sensing technology that can detect when skin has come into contact with the saw and immediately stop the blade.
The importance of wearing gloves when operating any power tool cannot be overstated. Not only do gloves provide protection against cuts, but they also help to minimize the risk of electric shock. Gloves also provide a better grip, allowing the user more control.
The most important thing to remember when wearing gloves when operating a SawStop saw is that they should be form-fitting and free of holes or tears to ensure proper skin detection.
What will trigger a SawStop?
SawStop saws utilize an electronic braking system to detect contact between the saw blade and skin, then stop the saw within 5 milliseconds. This detection technology is triggered by a combination of skin’s electrical conductivity and the changing specific mass of the saw blade as it comes in contact with skin, triggering the braking mechanism.
The proprietary braking system uses a spring-loaded brake that is forced against the blade, immediately slowing and stopping the blade in milliseconds to reduce the possibility of injury. In addition, the saw’s electrical system is also triggered when the brake is activated, creating a circuit between the brake and the saw’s power source.
This effectively cuts off power to the saw and prevents the blade from restarting until the brake is manually reset.
Can a SawStop be used more than once?
Yes, a SawStop can be used more than once. The SawStop saws have patented technology that includes a flesh-sensing system. This system first measures the electrical conductivity of the material being cut.
If the conducting material is detected in the cut, it activates an electric brake that quickly stops the spinning blade. This allows the user to safely stop the blade and resume cutting without having to replace the blade or risk potential injury.
With proper maintenance and regular replacement of parts, you can use the same SawStop saw more than once.
How many table saw accidents per year?
According to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 17,800 table saw-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, and clinics in 2016.
An estimated 93,200 more such injuries were treated in the same time frame at urgent care centers and other ambulatory health care settings. Approximately 4,000 of the injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms and clinics were classified as amputations.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the estimated amount of table saw-related amputations that occurred at work increased from 345 in 2015 to 435 in 2016, with the majority of these occurring in the wood products industries.
The estimated number of table saw-related fatalities also increased from 44 in 2015 to 66 in 2016. The majority of the fatalities were for workers.
What can you not do on a table saw?
It is usually not recommended to do any of the following on a table saw: rip long or thick boards, or cut entirely through a board; cut miters or bevels; cut circles; or make non-straight cuts, such as curves, slots, or circles.
It is also not advisable to use a table saw to cut material such as plastic or sheet metal because it may not be thick enough to support the material being cut and would require the use of a specialized saw.
Additionally, the table saw blade should never be used to cut nails or screws, and should not be used to cut any material that has been treated with flammable liquids or other volatile chemicals. These can cause a fire or explosion risk and should be handled by more appropriate tools.
How fast does a SawStop stop?
SawStop saws are known for their incredible speed. The company has engineered their saws to stop in 5 milliseconds, which is about 80 times faster than the blink of an eye. Also, when activated, the blade comes to a dead stop in less than 5/100th of a second.
This means that the average user can rest assured that an accidental contact with the blade is unlikely to cause a serious injury or worse. SawStop saws are designed to be the safest saw on the market, and their speed is second to none.
How do you turn off a SawStop safety?
The SawStop safety system can be turned off in two main ways. The first is by using the power switch on the side of the saw, which is typically either a red switch or a yellow switch. This switch will turn off both the motor and the safety system.
If the saw is equipped with a saw blade brake, you may also have a green switch which will stop the blade from spinning, but this should not be used to turn off the safety system. The second way to turn off the safety system is to hit the emergency stop button, which is located on the back of the saw and will immediately shut down power to both the motor and the safety system.
It’s important to note that hitting the emergency stop button will not reset the safety system, so the saw should still be turned off manually after the emergency stop button has been pushed. It is important to remember that many SawStop saws are equipped with a safety interlock system, and even when the power switch is in the ”off” position, the safety system is still active.
The safety interlock system can be deactivated by pressing the ”mode” button on the control panel. This will allow you to work on the saw without the safety system being activated, but it is important to remember to reactivate the safety system before turning the power switch back to the ”on” position.
Can I add SawStop to any table saw?
No, you cannot add SawStop to any table saw as SawStop requires a special saw blade and cartridge to work correctly. As such, SawStop can only be installed on saws that it was built to fit onto. If a specific saw isn’t compatible with SawStop, then it cannot be retrofitted with the system.
Additionally, even if a saw is compatible with SawStop, it often requires some modifications to the saw to work correctly. As such, it is best to refer to SawStop’s compatibility list before attempting to modify a saw for installation with SawStop.
Are there any competitors to SawStop?
Yes, there are several other table saw manufacturers that offer similar, if not identical, features to the SawStop brand. One of the biggest competitors to SawStop is Bosch, which offers their own Reaxx safety table saw.
This saw uses a similar system to SawStop to help stop a spinning blade in the event of contact with skin. The other big competitor is DeWalt, who offers their Jobsite Table Saw with a flesh-detecting brake.
Additionally, various other brands, such as Craftsman, Makita, and Ryobi, offer flesh-sensing or active-braking table saws which broadly match the features of SawStop. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference—but the main point is that there are many different highly-rated, safe table saws on the market that are competitive alternatives to SawStop.
Did SawStop raise their prices?
No, SawStop recently lowered the prices of their saws. They have come down on their prices to make them more accessible to a wider range of customers. The CS30 SawStop Contractor saw, for example, has been reduced in price and can now be purchased for just under $2000.
They are also offering additional promotional discounts to reduce the price even further. This indicates that SawStop has chosen to reduce their prices rather than raise them.
Can you run SawStop without cartridge?
No, in order to use a SawStop saw, a cartridge must be installed. SawStop saws include a Safety Cartridge that detects skin contact and signals the saw to stop and retract the blade. Without a cartridge, the saw will not work.
Additionally, SawStop cartridges come in different configurations, so selecting the appropriate cartridge is important for optimal safety and functionality of the saw.
Can SawStop blades be sharpened?
Yes, SawStop blades can be re-sharpened or new ones can be purchased. SawStop blades are manufactured using a proprietary process, so they must be returned to the factory through an Authorized SawStop Service Center in order to be professionally sharpened.
The factory sharpening service is a unique process that extends the life of SawStop blades many times over. Once the blade is sharpened, it will be returned to you with a certification of sharpness that can be trusted.
If you decide to purchase new blades instead, SawStop offers the widest selection of blades for all of your woodworking needs.
How does a SawStop brake cartridge work?
The SawStop brake cartridge works by using an electrical current to detect when a person has touched the saw blade. It uses a sensor to detect changes in electrical resistance, which occur when a person touches the blade.
The SawStop uses this sensor to trigger its own internal brake system which stops the blade in milliseconds. Inside the brake cartridge is a spring which is loaded with a propellant that is held in compression until the sensor registers the human touch.
This releases the propellant, pushing the brake arm into contact with the blade, stopping it almost immediately. The brake cartridge also contains a venting system which releases any gases or dust kicked up by the saw blade when it stops, ensuring the operator’s safety.
The SawStop brake cartridge is designed to allow for maximum safety while still allowing accurate and precise cutting.
Can SawStop cut wet wood?
No, it is not recommended to cut wet wood with a SawStop saw. SawStop technology helps detect conductive materials and reduces the risk of serious injury resulting from contact with the spinning saw blade.
Wet wood can be more conductive than dry wood, which could result in false activation of the SawStop braking system when it is not needed. Consequently, to ensure that the SawStop technology will function properly, it is important to avoid cuts into wet wood.
In addition, wet wood can require more power from the saw motor and cause the blade to bind in the cut, potentially compromising the accuracy of the cut or resulting in kickback. Therefore, it is always best to use dry wood when cutting with a SawStop saw.
Where is SawStop table saw made?
SawStop table saws are made in the United States. The company is based in Tualatin, Oregon and they manufacture their saws and accessories in their state-of-the-art facility located there. Their saws are designed and tested to rigorous standards and combine many cutting-edge safety features, like the revolutionary safety brake system that is designed to detect contact with skin and immediately stop the blade.
Their saws are widely considered to be the most technologically advanced and safest saws on the market, and are used by professionals and hobbyists alike all over the world.