Well, I just found out the saw stop brake works. But why?

[Df1k1]

So I’ve had my SawStop for about 10 years. Never had any issue. I’ve changed out blades numerous times and used my Freud SD608 with the dado brake cartridge. Never a problem.
I recently moved and have been in the process of setting up my shop. The move did not go well. The movers handled my stuff like it was garbage. Anyway, for the first time in a long time I went to put on my dado blade. Full disclosure I did not check the gap. I have used the dado blade numerous times without an issue. Well you know what happened. The brake engaged, scaring the living hell out of me.
So two questions. The only thing I can think of is during the move somehow something got out of whack. Again, my fault I did not check the gap. The second weirdest thing is the blade remained relatively unscathed. Not a chip annywhere only a couple of marks. I went over the entire blade and chippers tooth by tooth with a magnifying glass.
I know the answer but I thought I’d throw it out anyway. It’s a shame to throw away $250 dado blade that looks almost brand new but I just can’t imagine the force the blade went through and I’m very leery about reusing it. Wonder if anyone had any thoughts.

 

[nclemmons]

Could have slipped the carriage that carries the blade, I guess leading to the false trigger.

I think you are probably OK. I had a finishing blade trip my saw cartridge due to hitting a small nail in a piece of wood. It took out a couple of teeth. Took it to a local sharpener and they replaced the teeth with no issue and sharpened the blade and I use it now. I had a second blade trigger due to wet wood. That time I was able to remove the cartridge with no blade damage and still use that blade with no issue.

 

[Df1k1]

@nclemmons thanks much for the info. Good to know. I did some more googling after the mishap and the information is all over the place on whether or not the SD 608 is “saw stop compatible”. Popular Woodworking says no other groups say yes, as long as it fits on the arbor, etc. Perhaps that’s why SawStop came out with their own dado set.

 

[Hipplewm]

I have TONS of hours on my SS with both the dewalt and CMT locking Dado sets and I adjusted the brake to be in spec for both Dados and haven't checked gap ever since I got the Orange set, which has only been out a few years.

Maybe you know, but there is a "Test" and you can touch things to the blade and it will tell you if it will activate the mechanism - it isn't 100% foolproof, but I have used it on occasion for really wet wood. 99% of the time I just turn off the system no matter what to prevent an oopsie, but those times are extremely rare as well.

 

[Df1k1]

@Hipplewm I did not know that..thanks for the info.

 

[Hipplewm]

@Hipplewm I did not know that..thanks for the info.

pretty good short showing how it works

 

[Df1k1]

@Hipplewm Perfect! Thanks