New Table Saw- Looking for Advice

[SittingElf]

As to the SawStop technology, I have yet to see a demonstration where they show an actual live attached finger being thrown into the blade's path. Until then, I am not convinced of it working. Hotdogs don't prove much to me.

Well then you haven't looked hard enough. Steve Gass used his own finger for a demo. It's somewhere on YouTube.

Addtionally, their site used to post a ton of pictures of fingers sent in by their customers who had activated the brake in real accidents. Ultimate testimonial when a bandaid was the usual result.

Also a testimonial that many, many school districts, colleges and universities, and a very large number of construction companies will not allow any other saw.

That all being said. I would have bought the SS, even WITHOUT the brake. It is that nice of a saw.

 

[PeterK]

I definitely agree the SawStop cabinet saws are extremely nice and well made. I preferred them over the Jet and Powermatic units in a store a year or so ago when I got to look close at them. I am not criticizing the technology and think the concept is a good one. Just offering up a lower up front cost alternative. Personally, in my experience, most any cabinet saw is a much better purchase than a contractor style saw- saves space, stays aligned better and easier to align.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Cool technology, but I don't need to be told I have to use it by someone/something.  I can be responsible for myself.

I have tried to cut my left index finger off 3 times, all from a miter saw, the last time was pretty gnarly and the blood stains are still on my kapex.

Saw stop is great at teaching complacency,  oh no biggie it won't cut me, I don't need to really learn how to properly tune and use a table saw.  

You aren't my mom elfy, don't bother telling me where to go, unless you would like me to tell you where to go. 

 

[amt]

If safety is a concern, you also might want to consider the hammer table saws.  The K3 Winner model is their smaller one.

 

[TelcoRandy]

Take a look at Sawstop contractor saw. Same quality as their big saw but easier to move around. If I was going to use a table saw this would be it. I personally know of four table saw accidents and I do this as a hobby. Track saws for me from now on.

240lbs is a lot of weight for a contractor saw.

 

[TelcoRandy]

Never mind, in response to my last comment I guess it isn't a lot. The Ridgid equivalent is 267.23lbs...

Anyway, I don't own a table saw yet but I looked at the SawStop a while back and was turned off by them because they don't have a portable model.

 

[junk731]

[quote autho"The OP wanted to know which "SAWSTOP" to buy, not have to read rhetoric about political issues. [dead horse]

[2cents]"

Frank
[/quote]

OP's orignal question.

I'm looking to upgrading my table saw. I would prefer to keep it at 120v
Any comments on a cabinet saw or SawStop?

Too me he asked for comments on both not just Sawstop. Unfortunately its the Sawstop zealots that usually push these discussion to the limit. Personally I think all cabinet type saws are weapons even Sawstop when put in the wrong hands.

John

John

 

[Stoli]

I feel the comment directed at Gass was out of line, too.  Everyone is free to send a statement with their purchase dollars.  Some people will not buy a Sawstop purely because of Gass' legal maneuvers; that's fine.  But the personal attack is not needed.

The OP asked about saws in general, and Sawstop in particular.  Elf gave his opinion on the saw. 

Personally, I made the same choice.  All things being roughly equal, I bought the sawstop because of the added insurance of the brake.  But, even without the break, the fit and finish was excellent, as was the customer support.

 

[SittingElf]

Look, I don't want to get into a "P" contest here.

I was one of the first beta-testers of the SawStop PCS. There were bugs and our job was to find them, report back to the company and then try the corrective actions.  This took about one year before the final production model was offered to the public.  In the end SawStop made sure that all the beta testers ended up with production saws, and we had a round-table on future potential accessories.

During this period, I had many direct interactions with Steve Gass, who was extremely focused on producing the best machine on the market....not just the safest. I was impressed by his dedication to the product...not just the profit. He is a true gentleman who may have gone a little too far with his push for his invention on ALL tablesaws, but that is simply his overwhelming confidence in his product... including demo'ing the feature with his OWN finger.

I took offense to the statement "Screw Steve Gass". It was crude and uncalled for. I reacted much the way a whole LOT of people here would react if someone responded to a thread with a one line reply that said "Screw Shane Holland".  The members would go ballistic.

Nuff said, and I'm done on this thread.

Frank

 

[polarsea1]

If safety is a concern, you also might want to consider the hammer table saws.  The K3 Winner model is their smaller one.

A lot more versatile than any conventional table saw - Saw Stop or otherwise.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Look, I don't want to get into a "P" contest here.

I was one of the first beta-testers of the SawStop PCS. There were bugs and our job was to find them, report back to the company and then try the corrective actions.  This took about one year before the final production model was offered to the public.  In the end SawStop made sure that all the beta testers ended up with production saws, and we had a round-table on future potential accessories.

During this period, I had many direct interactions with Steve Gass, who was extremely focused on producing the best machine on the market....not just the safest. I was impressed by his dedication to the product...not just the profit. He is a true gentleman who may have gone a little too far with his push for his invention on ALL tablesaws, but that is simply his overwhelming confidence in his product... including demo'ing the feature with his OWN finger.

I took offense to the statement "Screw Steve Gass". It was crude and uncalled for. I reacted much the way a whole LOT of people here would react if someone responded to a thread with a one line reply that said "Screw Shane Holland".  The members would go ballistic.

Nuff said, and I'm done on this thread.

Frank

I am allowed my own opinion,  my opion is screw steve grass and the way he is going about trying to mandate what saw I HAVE to use. 

[ Edited - Shane ]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Obviously some passionate opinions on the topic. Maybe you agree to disagree after sharing those opinions and not continue to engage each other personally.

Now, back to my time off from work.  [wink]

Thanks.

 

[unclefester]

Screw Steve Gass. 

The Colbert Report did a great skit that people should have the right to chop off their digits.  I totally agree so they can't post with their clubs for hands.  I would be fine with brakes being a requirement.  Air bags became required equipment for cars and I didn't see the protesters in my area going back to horses.

As the OP I decided I want the technology and am looking for users to share advice on their choice of saw.  It's a big purchase for me and I want to get it right.  The responses have moved me from the contractor as a possibility to definitely wanting to go with a PCS 3hp instead of the 1.75hp.

So thank you to have posted so far.  It's been helpful for me.  For any other naysayers, thanks for keeping my daughter who is a doctor in business.

 

[wow]

Great post, uncle fester! And great analogy.

I am considering getting rid of my Laguna to go with the SawStop myself...

 

[Kev]

I'm yet to understand how the sawstop helps stopping your eye being speared by a piece of flying timber!!!

I'm an amazingly clever person and it seems I have the unique skill and intelligence not to place my hand near a spinning blade ... something I feel the general sawstop buying public just doesn't have or understand ... or maybe they fear for the life of their sausages when riding bound to a piece of wood destined for the spinnig blade [scared] [eek]

I personally don't care what Steve Gaas invents and who wants to buy it ... but I do take issue with anything that FORCES people for adopt it.

I'm very cool with forcibly introducing technology that stops people hurting others (but that just doesn't seem to meet the marketing agenda of anyone) but forcing the high cost and limited benefit invention of a self promoting greedy individual ticks all of my negative boxes.

...

Table saw safety is not simply about stopping the blade if your flesh touches it - if you believe that and assume you're safe using a sawstop you will get hurt. Don't be stupid ... learn the correct safety procedures for using a table saw and keep your eyes as well as your fingers!!! 

 

[unclefester]

I'm yet to understand how the sawstop helps stopping your eye being speared by a piece of flying timber!!!

I'm an amazingly clever person and it seems I have the unique skill and intelligence not to place my hand near a spinning blade ... something I feel the general sawstop buying public just doesn't have or understand ... or maybe they fear for the life of their sausages when riding bound to a piece of wood destined for the spinnig blade [scared] [eek]

I personally don't care what Steve Gaas invents and who wants to buy it ... but I do take issue with anything that FORCES people for adopt it.

I'm very cool with forcibly introducing technology that stops people hurting others (but that just doesn't seem to meet the marketing agenda of anyone) but forcing the high cost and limited benefit invention of a self promoting greedy individual ticks all of my negative boxes.

...

Table saw safety is not simply about stopping the blade if your flesh touches it - if you believe that and assume you're safe using a sawstop you will get hurt. Don't be stupid ... learn the correct safety procedures for using a table saw and keep your eyes as well as your fingers!!!

I totally agree.  I've been using a table saw for fifty years and have yet to get a scratch on me.  My choice for asking on SawStop was a PM, Delta, or other brands are up their in price too.  As I keep tools longer than I should I'm looking for the best with the most features.

I agree you still can get hurt with a SS or any other saw. My moto has been nothing good happens standing between the miter slots.

You can also get hurt getting the stupid thing down the stairs into my shop or the delivery truck running over me.

Really? Let's stay focused on the question asked.  If you need to bash Grass or posters start a new thread.

EDIT> moved reply out of quote box.

 

[jbasen]

My wife works in the medical field and I didn't have a choice when I bought a new saw as to whether it was going to be a sawstop or not.  After she came to a woodworking show with me and saw the hot dog demo I lost control of that decision. 

I'm also a hobbyist and I think the PCS 3hp saw is the best decision.  I own the 36", 3hp PCS and have used the 1.75 hp PCS.  Even with the 1.75 hp saw rewired for 220v there is a big difference between the two motors.  I've simply found the larger 3hp motor to be much smoother in operation than the smaller motor and with the extra power there is no laboring cutting through hardwood.

As others have stated the fit and finish of the SS is excellent and, if you do have an issue their tech support is also very good. They stand behind their product 

I use the Wixey table saw digital readout for the table saw fence.  I get accurate, repeatable cuts for a fraction of the cost of an Incra fence system.

 

[Hogarth]

Seems like a good time not to buy a Saw Stop. Get a Hammer with a slider for roughly the same price. Do it before you are being forced to buy it with a brake. Airbags are neat, but it would be a whole lot safer to have a computer stear the whole car, right? Wouldn't have to think about driving.

 

[Len Coleman]

Get what you think you want based on your current needs.  Faced with a similar decision to upgrade TS, I wanted one with a slider ( Hammer) as it adds a layer of safety. I also wanted (needed) some level of portability which left me with fewer choices and went with a Mafell Erika.

 

[semenza]

I totally agree.  I've been using a table saw for fifty years and have yet to get a scratch on me.  My choice for asking on SawStop was a PM, Delta, or other brands are up their in price too.  As I keep tools longer than I should I'm looking for the best with the most features.

I agree you still can get hurt with a SS or any other saw. My moto has been nothing good happens standing between the miter slots.

You can also get hurt getting the stupid thing down the stairs into my shop or the delivery truck running over me.

Really? Let's stay focused on the question asked.  If you need to bash Grass or posters start a new thread.

EDIT> moved reply out of quote box.

Um, no, don't.  Bashing isn't what this forum Is for.

Seth