Sawstop Questions

[jbasen]

The humorous side of owning a Sawstop is filling out the warranty card.  It includes the typical marketing research questions including "why did you buy a Sawstop".  One of the choices is "my wife made me".  I hate to admit it but I checked that box.  Seriously though, I was torn between the new Unisaw and the Sawstop when I was shopping for a new table saw.  My wife, who works in the medical field pushed me over the edge to get the Sawstop.  I have been very happy with the purchase.  I was also recently talking to a professional cabinet maker who also owns a Sawstop.  He previously owned a Unisaw and told me that he actually prefers the Sawstop to his Unisaw. 

Jay

 

[SittingElf]

<--------  Look at that picture. That's what I do for a living.....and THAT is why I bought a SawStop in the first place. No fingers, no job....'nuff said! [dead horse] [tongue]

 

[sl_1800]

I purchased the 3HP SawStop cabinet saw about 2 years ago, also got the 36" fence, I love it.  As others have said it was on a special in Jan or Feb that year which was a free over arm dust collector which I really like.  I also purchased the high end model of the mobile base which now that has been a waste of money since I never move the saw.

 

[GreenGA]

When I was looking for a replacement for my Bosch 4000, I had my eye on a Powermatic. One day I was driving JR somewhere when she remarked that she wanted to help me with an upcoming cabinet project. At that moment, out went the Powermatic to be replaced by a SawStop. So, in a way, my wife did make me do it.  [smile]

The humorous side of owning a Sawstop is filling out the warranty card.  It includes the typical marketing research questions including "why did you buy a Sawstop".  One of the choices is "my wife made me".  I hate to admit it but I checked that box.  Seriously though, I was torn between the new Unisaw and the Sawstop when I was shopping for a new table saw.  My wife, who works in the medical field pushed me over the edge to get the Sawstop.  I have been very happy with the purchase.  I was also recently talking to a professional cabinet maker who also owns a Sawstop.  He previously owned a Unisaw and told me that he actually prefers the Sawstop to his Unisaw. 

Jay

 

[Mark]

As a graphic designer by training, I love when product identities are really well executed. Festool is really in a class by itself both in terms of industrial design but also in their overall marketing and product literature. I wish Sawstop would work a bit more on their overall identity for such an amazing product. I understand the "intent" of the logo but think that it could have been executed in a much more subtle but still impactful way.

Here are some some ideas for a new logo...

[attachimg=1]

Visually I find the saw blade and the name "Saw" redundant so this logo uses the name itself to truly become a logotype. The black and red are an impactful way to present a product in the marketplace but I question its overall contribution to visibility of work, ability to keep it clean in the shop etc. Festool uses a very deep blue that people mistake for black and its a great subtly detail of their identity. If there is any one nit I have about Festool is the QuickFix logo... it seems an afterthought and way too commercial for the product. I would have settled for a nice simple Teutonic icon instead

Great product... but the visual identity of Sawstop could use some work IMHO.

 

[leer]

[...]
The saw blade that comes with the saw is the pits. I run Forrest blades in my Sawstop and they are perfect.

Birdhunter,

I'll 2nd that comment on Forrest blades.  I put off the purchase of a SawStop for a year, since I jsut bought a Festool track saw.  My immediate interest was to get a saw to break down sheet goods, and the Festool saw does that amazingly well.

As a result, I decided I could live with my 1.75HP contractor saw for another year or so.  But I put a Forrest Woodworker II on it recently.  Amazing.  I am cutting thru 8/4 oak with ease.  I could never do that before.

I still want a SawStop PCS, but I've bought myself a little time by going with a Forrest blade.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I wish Sawstop would work a bit more on their overall identity for such an amazing product. I understand the "intent" of the logo but think that it could have been executed in a much more subtle but still impactful way.

My wife owned a graphic design company and as she was the principal responsible for business development  I heard lots of stories of her butting heads with the other principal who was a creative person that thought graphic design was as important as finding a cure for cancer.

I could care less about Sawstop's logo and visual identity.  To me, the Festool green (which, unlike the subdued dark blue you describe - is what is primarily associated with Festool) to be gaudy and ugly, but I've bought lots of their tools.  To be honest, I couldn't even tell you what Festool's logo looked like, if they have one, or what their font looks like.

Most people I've talked to seem to think the Sawstops are great looking saws, though I bet none of them bought the saw because of that.  I also find Powermatic and General saws to be ugly, but I doubt they've lost many sales for due to their identity.

Sawstop differentiates itself by their technology, the high quality of their product, and their excellent customer support. They could have painted their saws pumpkin orange and I would still have bought it.  Their manuals are workman-like inside, like Festools, but they go way beyond in the detail and coverage inside.  I've never seen their marketing materials beyond their catalog and website, and I'd bet they'd lag behind Festool's, which are admittedly beautiful, but I'd like to think that I didn't buy Festool because of their marketing.  And if so, I'd be happy if I saved a few bucks with less expensive marketing dollars spent.