I have been looking at Sawstop Contractors version. I have used a Rigid 4512 for nearly ten years. It has many issues I have learned to live with. I have a healthy respect of any table saw bordering on Terror every time just before I flip the switch. I still have all ten…. KNOCK WOOD… I believe my HEALTHY respect for any Table saw has kept me from shaking hands/HAND with the ER staff.
NOW with a SAWSTOP my Terror for any table saw will also come with the fear that my Debit card will take a trip to the ER as well, seeing that if you hit the blade POW! Got to get another $80 brake and $100 for a new blade… I think many people that have become complacent with their table saw that use a SS now have a healthy respect for that placing an order for a new Brake Unit and blade!
It might be difficult finding a sawstop used. Most people keep them. Then if you find a good working one, the price will be premium.
That being said. The brake firing is very rare. I, for one had one fire when it shouldn't have after three years of ownership. I contacted sawstop and they sent me a new brake cartridge. Good company. The blade was inspected by the blade guy that works for Rockler when I had it sharpened and he passed it as good with a $9 sharpening fee.
"If you hit the blade POW! Got to get another $80 brake"..... If you hit the blade and it goes POW! The adrenalin rush that will happen when it finally hits you that you didn't have a finger go flinging across the room, will make make you happy to dish out the $80. But I'll bet your hands will be shaking when you do.
BTW… we talk about the sawstops safety features all the time. I always like to add that it's a precision made machine both in workmanship and accuracy.
If this bothers you do much, why did you buy one? With all the TERROR, why do you use a table saw and a SawStop? Given what you have mentioned perhaps you should sell it.
I have one and it is just part of the cost of having one. I have had one cartridge fire on a $50 rip blade. It was my fault and touched the miter gauge.
If this bothers you do much, why did you buy one? With all the TERROR, why do you use a table saw and a SawStop? Given what you have mentioned perhaps you should sell it.
I have one and it is just part of the cost of having one. I have had one cartridge fire on a $50 rip blade. It was my fault and touched the miter gauge.
Steve: What issues do you have with your Rigid? A properly tuned table saw, even a contractors model, should not produce fear in the heart of the user. Work on correcting the issues.
Thinking that a safety device will protect you from an ill performing too is foolhardy. If you're afraid of the saw, don't use it. Do the work with tools that don't frighten you. Most safety devices don't make tools work better, usually it's the other way round. Good luck. Jim
I think some of you misunderstood! I am looking at one. I have some money and almost for sure goign to get one I think they are greatest thing since pre-rolled cigarettes.
Where to start. The Blade was way off parallel from the left miter slot. The two miter slots are not parallel. The left Miter slot is not true it gets wider and narrower. I did fix the Blade to be parallel with left miter long time ago. BUT amazingly enough It didn't have that BLADE deflection when raised. I would have taken it back to Home depot at the time if I wasnt 100 miles away and didnt have it all screwed together in my shop.
Steve: What issues do you have with your Rigid? A properly tuned table saw, even a contractors model, should not produce fear in the heart of the user. Work on correcting the issues.
Thinking that a safety device will protect you from an ill performing too is foolhardy. If you re afraid of the saw, don t use it. Do the work with tools that don t frighten you. Most safety devices don t make tools work better, usually it s the other way round. Good luck. Jim
It's what Redoak said above, owning a SS has some costs involved, and a tripped cartridge is one of them. The blade isn't always toast, but it's best to have a spare blade and cartridge on hand…so you'll have spent the money anyway.
I've had a sawstop for three years now. I know people who own them which got me on to them in the first place. The school has a bunch. I'm the only one who's had a blade trip. And mine is of an unknown cause. I never thought about keeping a spare cartridge around or a blade either. And if you do ever trip it because of a good reason. I'll bet you won't mind about the wait for a cartridge. I'll also bet it never happens.
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