Saw this episode over the weekend. I have seen the SS videos on the web before so no big deal. The part I found amazing was the way Tommy placed his hands while demoing the saw. Seemed like he had a lot of confidence it would work as advertised.
I wasn't going there at all.
And I don't wanna go the other place either. I like the gadget, I
*don't * like the method the inventor is trying to use to get the device in everyones saw.
You're NOT going to have an expensive grizzly, your going to have a cabinet saw that is better than a Unisaw, a 66, a PM 2000, or any clone of said machine. I cannot speak to a Laguna, Hammer or similar as I haven't used any of them. The Sawstop is simply the best conventional cabinet saw on the market even if it doesn't stop.
With the #'s of SawStops already in institutional shops I think SOMEBODY will continue to sell the brakes even if SS went under. (Which i don't think they'll do) Mr. Gass has gotten a lot of criticism for his tactics, but personally heard his story and I'm convinced that his initial motivation was making a safer saw. Even if the competition buys them out (I can see this happening) I don't think they'll let it happen without continuing support for units already in the field.
If one needed to "hack" the thing, I would think you could simply wire the motor to a magnetic contactor which is connected to a low voltage starter switch, just like any "conventional" saw.
I wouldn't want to be the responsible party if somebody tangled with THAT tablesaw.
-Kevin
One of my local tool stores, Puckett Tools, has a SawStop on the floor. And I saw a flyer on the saw saying every month they gave demos of the brake causing the blade to stop. Of course they also had the prior welded together brakes/blades on top of the table to view. My metro area is about 400,000 so I would suspect similarly sized cities would have SawStops to see in person. Or make a trip to a big town near you or stop when going through one on a vacation. They are not difficult to find if you have an interest.
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