All Replies on Sawstop owners please reply

I don’t own one, but I use one in the shop I teach at. 1) N/A, but buying it only hurts once, in the wallet. And its not that much more money, if any, than other nice cabinet saws. 2) No, No.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Also, even without the safety mechanism, the saw is a dream to use, both the commercial, and the professional models. I’ve used them both. I’ve turned the safety off when cutting green or suspect wood.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Bennet,

I don’t own a SawStop. But as my first blog post describes, I have experienced the effects of an accident on another saw. If you are buying a new tablesaw I think it would be worth the money to buy the SawStop. Lord knows I wish I had been using one that day.

Good Luck and no matter what you decide…

Be Careful!

Herb

-- Herb, Florida - Here's why I close most messages with "Be Careful!" http://lumberjocks.com/HerbC/blog/17090

The quickest way to start a range war among woodworkers is to ask about a SawStop. I don’t own one but I have thought about getting one for a few reasons. I used one during a demo and it was a nice piece of equipment. I was also told because the safety device really slams the system, this saw had to be constructed to handle that force. Don’t know if it is true or not.

I don’t like the way the company is managed but I also think the CEO of the company where I work is overpaid and pretty ineffective and I still work there so leaving that out of the discussion, I don’t think you would make a big mistake in buying one.

If I have to question anything with regards to the entire blade brake safety system in general it is because of something I read a while back. The comment came from a high school shop teacher. He said since using the SawStops in the shop class it was activated a few times in the first year. And in the previous 20+ years they had but I think two small accidents. So does using this saw actually cause you to be less cautious, thus developing bad habits? Not sure, but I can say this. Years ago I used to train hazardous material responders. We found when people wore PPE they were not as careful and relyed on the clothing to protect them. I used to pour honey or chocolate syrup over a container to simulate a leak. You would be surprised all the things they ended up contaminating, that they later would touch without protection. It was a way to teach them that a pair of gloves is not a pass to be sloppy.

Just my thoughts. Good luck with your decision.

-- Ron, Kutztown, PA "The reward is in the journey."

I’m a proud owner of a Sawstop and love the saw for it’s quality of cut and of course the safety feature. A comparable Delta saw is about the same cost, I know this because I researched before I bought. I really don’t know why people think it cost a LOT more than other brands with the same features. I also know that Sawstop’s customer service is as good as it gets. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried contacting other tool manufacturers but I have and I’ve had zero success with Delta, Dewalt, Makita, etc.

I’ve used the Sawstop for nearly 2 years now and it’s never tripped. I’m as cautious with my Sawstop as I was with my Dewalt jobsite saw that I had prior. The fact is, the Sawstop is no safer than any other quality tablesaw. I’m as likely to get a kickback with the SS as I am with any other equivalent saw. There are a lot of people that think Sawstop owners are less cautious with the saw and that couldn’t be any further from the truth. Keeping the saw tuned up is still a necessity for quality cuts and safety.

I highly recommend the Sawstop (cabinet or even contractor). If you decide to buy a SS I’m betting you’ll be in awe the second you open the first box. I mentioned these guys are top notch in their customer service; this will show when you open the first box. They’ve color coded everything and putting the saw together couldn’t be simpler. The Sawstop is the only saw for me.

BTW – I have both the standard blade brake and the dado brake and changing blades only takes a couple of minutes longer on the SS than it does on other saws.

-- Ted

I bought the SawStop Contractor table saw shortly after they came out. I do not regret buying the saw. It’s head and shoulders above my old Craftsman. It’s a pleasure to use, very well constructed. I agree with everything Ted said above. Customer Service is second to none, and in my opinion, so are the SawStop table saws.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

Regret?

Whats to regret? The industrial version has a massive post and trunnion system styled after the German made saws. Everything on it is heavy and precisely made. I owned a later model Powermatic 66 and the SS industrial makes it look flimsy. I’ve had it for fours years and still love seeing it in my shop. You only live once and you only have ten fingers so buy it, use it, and enjoy. I will also add that if your working at 8 pm after a long day you really want the extra safety.

Bennett, like Darell I upgraded from a Craftsman contractor saw to the Sawstop (PCS version). After two years of use it still is a joy to turn it on and make sawdust. With the Craftsman saw I was constantly fighting with it to make a decent cut. With the Sawstop I have not had to perform any adjustments to the fence, blade alignment, etc. in over two years of use. This is a tool that I initially had a hard time justifying (in my own mind since I am cheap) but ending up wishing I had done sooner after using the saw for the first time.

As Darell mentioned their customer service has always been excellent and I have received same day responses to any questions that I have had regarding the saw.

I have had one false trigger when I was setting up a dado cut on a piece of scrap that had a brad hidden in it. Apparently even this can be averted by simply putting a packing tape over the aluminum brake shoe to prevent the cut brad piece from making contact with the brake sensor. This does not interfere with the braking system but it does prevent bits of metal from activating the brake.

Would I buy the saw again? Without a doubt.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

I too do not regret buying my ISS. I researched saws, and was tossed between the SS and the Unisaw. They were the same price. They are both very good saws. Regardless of what you buy, if you are stepping up to a quality cabinet saw, you will be very happy no matter what one you buy. I personally feel I made the right choice buying my Sawstop – it is a great saw on its own, and the safety feature is just an added bonus.

Gator

-- Master designer of precision sawdust and one of a kind slivers.

I don’t own one but I’ve looked into the sawstop before.

The cons are that the safety feature can misfire and that the safety feature has an off switch.

The pros are that compared to similar new saws it is just as well built and some say better built.

If you are upgrading from a flimsy contractor saw or even worse, a portable plastic saw, then any decent saw (especially a cabinet saw) is going to be light years ahead of your current saw.

Is the saw stop fit and finish, vibration, and cut quality really 3 times better then a grizzly cabinet saw (since it is 3 times the price)? I don’t know, but I doubt it.

To me the safety feature is overrated. But I also don’t buy organic vegetables either. Some folks say “why take the chance?”

I have an early (no dust collection upgrades) Industrial model. I wanted the “best” cabinet saw I could get, and I liked that they designed it from scratch, rather than just copying an existing design. In addition to the brake, it has a designed-in riving knife, linear raise/lower, bigger arbor bearings, etc. Everything is massive. To answer your questions:

1. No and yes. If there’s anything to regret, it’s that on the Industrial model, the motor cover is on the right side of the cabinet (under the table), which means you can’t build as wide an accessory cabinet under there as with the Professional model, and you have to wheel it out of the way whenever you want to open the motor cover. You can minimize the need for this if you learn to change the brake cartridge from above the table.
2. No and no. Still on my first brakes (one regular and one dado). I’ve never used it in “bypass” mode (never cut treated wood, plastic or metal).

-- "A man may conduct himself well in both adversity and good fortune, but if you want to test his character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

Have the 3hp PCS. Don’t regret it at all – best present my wife ever got me. Never had a trigger, and I haven’t used it in bypass mode.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I own one and have for over 2 years. It is contractor version and I re-wired if for 220. It is a great tool. I as most did a lot of research before buying it and do not regret it one bit. It gets used constantly and has never give me a minute of trouble. I did fire it once, when cutting it his the metal fence on my miter gauge but that was my fault for not adjusting it better to accommodate the tilt. I called them and their customer service was excellent. They were very helpful and even recommended I send the blade to forest (it was a WW2) and have them check it before just throwing it out. They checked it out and all it needed was sharpening.

Having grown up in a family of woodworkers (professionals that made their living at this craft I do for a hobby) I know accidents happen even to the most careful. The peace of mind that this also provides is a plus. It does not in any way lessen my resolve to follow all safety procedures but I look at as an added plus. I have used it in bypass mode to cut treated lumber and find that a nice feature on the few occasion is has been needed. Putting it into bypass mode is an involved procedure and resets to normal mode when you turn the saw off.

I cannot say enough good things about the saw and would and do highly recommend it to all.

Enjoy whatever you buy!

-- Troy, Virginia

Thanks so much and please continue to comment but please remember I am seeking info from sawstop owners
Thanks
Bennett

-- Bennett; If it can't be fixed with a hammer its an electical problem

I like the color that is the only reason to get one for me

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://[email protected]

I bought a Pro just over a month ago to replace my shopsmith, and am VERY happy with it. When I told my wife a couple years ago I really thought I needed a true tablesaw she agreed but didn’t seem very happy about it, till we went to a woodworking show and saw one, she was hooked. I then explained to her the cost of replacing the cartridge and blade each time it triggers, she says I would rather spend that amount then see you loose a finger and time from work so if you want a tablesaw then thats the one your getting she says. Who am I to argue. I hadn’t really thought about getting one, thought the cost would be to much. But I started researching them and others and read several reviews, the Sawstop was at the top on all of them, some saying just because of the safety device thru it over the rest. So now I’m a very happy owner of a Pro 1.3/4HP Sawstop. The fit and finish is is great, the miter slots, miter gauge, and fence were right on out of the box! I had to adjust the fence a 1/16th but thought about it later I had at least that amount of play in the rails. Would I but one again, absolutely! Do I find my self not paying as close attention to using the saw, absolutely not! I pay as much if not more to what i’m doing for the simple reason I don’t want to tell my wife I was goofing off and need to spend$65 for a new cartridge and $100 or more fro a new blade! So IMHO you can not go wrong buying a Sawstop. Other woodworkers have always told me to buy the most tool you can afford.

Paul

1. Do you ever regret the purchase (omitting cost), and would you buy it again even with cost?

My SawStop is the original edition. At the time it was their only choice. After showing my wife the videos on the SS website she immediately said that I had to buy one to replace my late 1970s Craftsman contractors table saw. She even found a way for us to afford it. I would do it all over again today.

The SawStop is a fantastic saw. To add to the ease of use and accuracy I purchased an Incra fence instead of the SawStop fence. Together they are a joy to use.

2. Have you ever been saved by it? or had a false trigger?

I have found that the brake makes me think of safely making cuts as I set the saw up. It’s a constant reminder that I need to be careful with this saw. Because of that I haven’t been saved by the brake but i have have been saved by the safety reminder. Several times I’ve found myself rethinking a cut I’m planning to make and finding a “safer” way to do it. I’m still on the original brake so I haven’t had any false triggering either.

I highly recommend a SawStop to ant woodworker. Yes, I know that all of us are careful and use push sticks, feather boards, etc. but the SawStop ads that “extra” level of safety. Besides, it’s a fantastic machine.

-- Don aka Basset Hound, www.woebgonbassets.com

I am a hand surgeon and newbie woodworker. I am scared sh!ftless of table saws because I treat these injuries. It is never a good situation. I own a 3 hp PCS and have no regrets and echo the above sentiment.

Even if you put aside the pain, disfigurement, and possible disability of partial finger amp, the SawStop still makes sense financially. If you have an accident, by the time you pay for the ER visit, the subsequent doctor visits, the deductible if you need surgery and lost wages if self employed then the premium you pay for the SawStop is well worth it.

I am still scared of my SawStop.

-- "It's only wood. Use it." - Smitty || Instagram - nobodhi_here

Have the 3hp PCS and love it. No regrets, and would purchase again.

I have cut treated lumber, air dried, kiln dried, with no triggers (real or false).

I had one kickback incident related to learning to use my new GRR-Ripper, but otherwise no issues.

-- rick

+1 on paying more attention with the SS. Every time I make a cut I think about what I can do to not trip the safety. Though the motivation may not be the same as not wanting to be cut the end results are better because you not only think about not getting cut you think about not destroying a $70 break and a $140 WWII.

If you get one you will love it.

-AG

I also own an industrial SawStop. It is a great piece of equipment. No, I do not regret buying it.

I have tripped the brake twice. Once when I ran a wet piece of plywood through. Nobody’s fault but mine. I tripped it one other time and am unsure why it tripped. I sent the brake back to SawStop and they told me it hit a piece of metal. The only thing I can figure out is that there might have been a piece of metal in the wood.

I was using a Forrest WWII blade and sent it back to Forrest and they straightens out the blade so there was not much extra cost beyond the brake.

Kelly Mellor gave a workshop at our local Woodworkers Guild and he sits on the UL Table Saw Safety Committee and he highly recommends the SawStop.

Mcnervy,

I purchased the 3HP Industrial Cabinet Saw in April ‘10. In answer to your questions:

1. I do not regret the purchase (including cost), and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

2. I have never been “saved” by it and have never had a false trigger.

Hope that helps, good luck with your decision.

Steve

I have owned the SS contractor’s saw (cast iron wings, 30 inch extension) for a year. While the upfront purchase price was intimidating I have had no regrets. The saw is amazingly robust and has remained very precise once setup. I have used the saw on pressure treated wood without any problem. I was probably more careful when doing that than I would have been on my old saw, since I knew the brake was disabled. I have never fired the brake (yet). My only complaint was the miter gauge that came with the saw was a poor fit for the slot in the table and I ended up replacing with an aftermarket one with an adjustable slide.

I have owned the SawStop contractor saw for a couple of years. Worth every penny. The only misfire I had is when I was cutting a 45 degree angle and the blade hit my aluminum miter gauge. The saw worked as promised and I was able to pull the blade from the brake, put a few teeth back on and get it resharpened. The blade still performs nicely. Buy one, you won’t regret it.

I have the pro cabinet saw.

Do I regret it? Yes and no.

False trigers? 3 times (about $145 each for blade and break)

-- Abbas, Castro Valley, CA

lanwater
has there been any known cause of the false triggers
are the other reasons you regret it?
Thanks
Bennett

-- Bennett; If it can't be fixed with a hammer its an electical problem

I have one comment three kids, that is why I am buying one.

I agree with lysdexic. I’m an anesthesiologist and I see these injuries all the time. It breaks your heart, as they are life changing.

My SS has my undivided attention every time I use it. I would buy it again in a heartbeat (although I might buy the ICS or PCS version).

Had one false trigger that nailed a dado blade (fortunately, a less expensive repair then I thought, but gosh, of all the blades to trigger on.)

You can’t be too safe.

-- Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I am the manager who bought the first Saw Stop in my shop when they were 2 year old. Since then we have replaced every cabinet saw in the shop. The cost of a saw stop is justified with just one workers comp claim. Plus the workers really know we care when we started wheeling out their old cabinet saws and installing these. Total of 6 so far.

They are good saws and have lots of other safety features besides the stop. One example is the riving knife.

We have had false stops when cutting items that conduct electric. We have also avoided lost fingers too. Replacement cartridges are about 125 bucks if they go off.

Hope that helps.

I am looking for on for my home use. Can’t afford 1500 bucks at the moment. When I get my first big check for a private job I will get one.

-- Weth

I have the 3HP PCS. No false triggers yet.
The dust collection is improved which will help your lungs as well as your fingers.
I decided to get the PCS seeing as the difference in price between it and the contractor w/ cast wings wasn’t too bad. Seeing how nice the PCS is, I would make the same choice again. So I would say its worthwhile to save up for the PCS. I saw the hybrid model at Woodcraft and it didn’t seem nearly as beefy. The industrial model is the biggest of the lot and has a bigger table, but IMO since you’ll want an outfeed table anyway, why pay extra for it?

I upgraded to a 3HP PCS a year and a half ago (had a Craftsman Hypbid). I had been looking at the saw far awhile, but the ICS model was too much for me – size, power, and cost. When SS came out with the PCS model, it was a perfect fit.

I’ve never tripped the brake, but I am glad it’s there. I’m extremely careful around all of my power tools, but the table saw is the tool that I have the most respect for.

I’ve read many posts about the company, politics, etc. (ad lots-of-nauseum). To be blunt, I don’t care. I’m not buying the company, its policics, CEO, or any of that. I’m buying a well made saw, with the features that I want at a price that I can live with.

Do I regret it? No.
Would I buy it all over again? Yes.

-- To do is to be

I don’t own one but have used them. I would only own the heavy version. Like zzzdoc, I’m a physician and I can appreciate the safety features. If it were any of the models below the heavy one, I’d choose another brand with an overhead boom. Just me.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

I have the ICS – Love it.. Love it.., would buy it 10 times over without hesitation.
I have never had a cartridge trip, false or otherwise, and I never have had the desire to burn my feather boards, or push sticks.
I still use my head first, my hands second. No matter what you are using.. a tablesaw or a screw driver.. you should too !!

You wont be disappointed with it.

Gator

-- Master designer of precision sawdust and one of a kind slivers.

I’ve had my Pro version for 2 1/2 years and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Especially since SWMBO told me when I asked if I could get a real saw (I had been using a Shopsmith for years) “If you want a new saw it has to be a Sawstop”. Who am I to argue?

Paul

Sawstop’s technology obviously reduces the odds of a TS injury, but by how much ? If you use bandsaws, jointers, shapers, . . . you need to work safely across the board, so it seems to me a guy should only buy Sawstop if one determines it is in general the best saw for the job. I think a lot of the buzz around Sawstop is just that, buzz.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

(1) No, absolutely not
(2) At least not yet
(3) and no Im not a politic!

I have the contractor 36’’ fence saw. I always recommend it!!

I guess the obvious question is what you would do with the money if you didn’t buy the SawStop?
That’s the only way to really know whether you’d regret it or not. Unless you know what you’re missing due to the purchase, you can’t know “what could have been”.

I think I am one of the few if not only people who have bought a sawstop and decided to get rid of it. I ended up selling my saw stop and buying a unisaw. I love my unisaw. I wrote a review on the SS contractor saw a bit back. I have included the link below if you are interested in it.

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/2416

“I think I am one of the few if not only people who have bought a sawstop and decided to get rid of it.”

I think it’s important to point out that you went from a contractor saw to a cabinet saw.

It’s not like you had a SawStop cabinet saw and sold it to buy another cabinet saw…

I went from a General 650 cabinet saw to a SawStop Industrial Cabinet saw. I have never heard of anyone going the other way.

Yup I am the first, at least as far as I know. Just depends on what you want and what your expectations are. It was not a bad saw, just the price and always turing off the break drove me crazy. I was starting to wonder what I was spending all of that money on. That is just me though. If it works for others than great for them. I sold my SS for $1,600 on CL and I bought a Unisaw for $1,400 the same day on CL. If I was going to spend the money on a new contractor saw then I would go with the SS because it is the same price as the unisaw, PM2000, etc and you get the break technology for free so I would not feel like I was wasting money by turning it off.

I have a SS Contractor. I’ve done a number of mods to it, including closing up the bottom of the saw for better DC, and adding the dust collection blade guard. I also added an incra fence.

1. I do have one regret when it comes to this saw. When I bought it, I didn’t have a 220V line in the shop, and no desire/$$ for a cabinet saw. Recently I upgraded my shop, and when I think of it now, I should have purchased the 3HP PCS- this is a much better pricepoint and better value. Of course, my woodworking needs have changed and I’m working with a lot more 8/4 and thick hardwoods than before (primarily sheetgoods and 4/4 lumber). For everything else this thing can’t be beat.
The 1.75HP is no slouch, but I do get some occasional burning in harder woods because I can’t feed fast enough (this is with sharp, thin kerf rip blades).
Maybe in the next year I will upgrade.

2. No, never had a misfire or malfunction with this. It is a splendid piece of equipment, and a joy to put together.

Barry +10 and +10 more,
I remember very well, THAT thread. He stated he “loved” SS. Said owner didn’t like being questioned, if I remember correctly. Anyway, I am not allowed to play in his sandbox, so it really does not matter…

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Notice that this thread/questio0n was asked almost 600 days ago… suspect a decision was already made.

I would add that which saw also (always) depends on what you need.
For the safety and such, the Contractor version is much more affordable, as is the 120V 1.75 HP cabinet versions.

I personally would go with the 2899 version with 3HP and 52 inch fence. I just can’t justify the hit I would take selling my Delta Unisaw to do the upgrade…. easier to buy a “NEW” tool adding capability than upgrading the old.

-- “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

Dirt,
Yep, but the SS diehards can’t give it up, IMO.

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Okay guys, we need to be more subtle. HorizontalMike is on to us…

I own a Saw stop PCS with the 52 inch fence and the entire vacuum system. I spend 8 hours a day in the shop close to 3 on the saw every day I in no way regret the purchase.

I was holding out for a powermatic but I got the chance to buy a saw when i had a small windfall I purchased several tools including the saw stop. Here is what I found I could buy a powermatic with no safety system for a 3200 dollar price tag or a safe sawstop for only 2999 I chose the saw stop. The Quality was as good as my other powermatic tools and the saw is a work horse I did have to run a new power panel into the shop and was very happy I found an out of work electrician who did the work for a very good price.

I have only had the saw for 6 weeks I hope I never trigger the safety system But it is worth the peace of mind A saw accident happened while I wrote the message I don’t want to loose a finger of a hand to a saw I love to play guitar and could not do it missing a finger or two .

-- Please check out my new stores http://woodratnest.com and http://woodshopstore.com

”...Okay guys, we need to be more subtle. HorizontalMike is on to us……”

And like THAT was subtle Steve… LOL!

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Mike I pray you never have a bad accident but as for me I know I wont have a bad accident only a break incident.

-- Please check out my new stores http://woodratnest.com and http://woodshopstore.com

1) Owned mine for 2 years, no regrets. in fact, quite the opposite. Money well spent.
2) Triggered the brake once with a piece of wet cedar. This was not a “false trigger” but rather a dumb move. There is a by pass mode for wet wood.

I was in Woodcraft a couple weeks back and there was a guy in there that had just has a false trigger. He said it cost him about $200. Ouch.

-- Steve - "Never Give Up"

A friend and I each bought one a couple years ago. I have never regreted it for a minute. It is an awesome machine and one of the nicest tools I have ever owned. He bought a 30” and I bought the 52”....I have often appreciated the additional size.

He has had two accidental triggers.
1. He forgot to adjust the clearence on this wierd blade he had and it triggered upon turning it on.

2. he put on a sanding disc and adjusted the clearance but after 15 minutes of sanding…we think….the paper got warmer and expanded, narrowing the clearance and firing the saftey cartridge.

Needless to say, you have to be careful what you put on it for a blade.

I have never know anyone that actually triggered the saw for real.

-- Mike