Because I’m concerned about becoming complacent, I got rid of my Sawstop. I also removed the seatbelts from my car. God knows I don’t want to be caught being complacent behind the wheel of a car. Btw - I also removed the bannisters from all of the staircases in my house. Can’t be too careful there.

The "sawstops make you complacent" argument has always annoyed me. You can get complacent at any saw. The best of us can have a moment of distraction easily at any time. Might as well have the safety device there just in case. Of course it's all theoretical for me, no way I could afford a sawstop right now 😂

I went to a voc tec high school in the 1960s. I will never forget when a fellow student was ripping a 1"x18"x18" piece of birds eye maple. The board raised on the blade (no riving knife) and flew back about 20-feet at high speed, hitting Anthony N. across the top of skull. Oh my did that head wound bleed! He needed more than a hundred stitches and was hospitalized for a couple weeks. This was a bone chilling lesson that I will never forget!

I own a PCS175 and I bought mine second hand. I am a weekend warrior woodworker and owned a cabinet saw and contractor saw prior to owning this saw. The Sawstop is a well built machine and is a joy to use. I am likely more careful than I ever was cause I just dont want to trip that brake and join the "club". It gives me peace of mind knowing that if ever I get complacent or do have an accident, the injury should be minimal. I am also aware that the saw won't save me from a bad kickback, although the riving knife, proper alignment and good technique reduce the chance of kickback. I still respect the saw, just as I do all of my tools. And when I did not have the financial resources to buy the saw, I came up with reasons to not buy one, and once I saved up for the saw, I found reasons why I should own one! I always knew deep down that this was the right saw for me.

If you think the safety mechanism lets you ignore safety and get closer to the blade, that's a "you" problem, not a SawStop problem.

I knew the Sawstop was a good idea from the original press release, but already had a table saw. Then I started working on a canoe. For a year, the saw was shoved in a corner and I used a hand saw a lot. When I could use it again, I just was not as comfortable with it. Your spouse/partner/mom wants you to have a Sawstop too. BTW, if you do stick your hand in the blade they'll send you a new cartridge. Just not for an accidental trip like cutting into an aluminum miter gauge.

I upgraded to a PCS a couple weeks ago after using an old jobsite saw for a few months after getting into the hobby. The cost of a losing a finger is more than just the medical bills. It impacts your livelihood. My work would severely be impacted until I could replace decades of muscle memory if I lost even a single finger. I fortunately am in a position where I can drop $4k on a new table saw for a hobby, but I know most people can't. I would say to most people though that you can buy a comparable SawStop model for the cost of that cheaper saw you are looking at plus a $1k insurance deductible. I am in the same boat as you as well. I am really attached to my wallet. No one wants to spend $200 on a new cartridge and blade, and the thing isn't bloodless either. The cut probably isn't going to need stitches, but it isn't going to just be a scratch either. I will admit I am more comfortable having my hand closer to the blade, but that doesn't mean I am being reckless with it either.

you hit all the points so fully and eloquently. I too, in the opportunity to use a different brand of table saw, almost feel terrified to do so, or at least like an alarm is going off in my head the entire time I'm using it. I have had a Sawstop for over 7 years now, and I have a second one now for jobsite and secondary shop work. I still have to be cautious while using the saw because you can still get injured and I have before (contacted the blade 3 times in 7 years, but two of those were just silly goofs). I think its more humble to realize I am imperfect and able to screw up no matter how experienced I am as a professional. Heck, there is always that infamous "one last cut" on friday afternoon that ends up going very badly. Besides cost, I've never heard a non-punkish reason to not get a Sawstop. I dropped $3600 on mine when I was poor and starting my business, but it was worth every penny immediately. And it gives my wife peace of mind too!

I kept going to bed with lit candles really close to my drapes and one day I thought, "this needs to end" so I threw away my smoke detector and now I'm much better with fire safety.

Great video with great information. I've never understood how ANYone could ever recommend to NOT get a Sawstop (if able).

I have had my saw stop for about a year and I have not found my technique change really at all. I don’t want the brake the kick off and always try to assume it’s not there. It’s insurance not part of your workflow. Saying it makes you complacent is like saying having airbags on cars makes people more likely to run into things. My new saw also added a riving knife and much better blade guard so that was a huge plus in addition to the flesh sensor. Kickback can still happen but the sawstop design minimizes it to a much higher degree than my old 20 year old saw. I looked at many 3 to 5hp saws and in the end decided the Sawstop was the best choice for me. I have not regretted my decision at all and the sting of spending extra on the saw is long gone while the joy and insurance of using it lives on.

The fear of being careless when using a sawstop has never resonated with me. I would think that the individuals who choose for sawstop, have a greater ability in recognizing their own shortcomings and are naturally more doubtful. That doesn’t magically change when you use a sawstop.

Very well said.safe operation is FAR BETTER than trusting on saw stop

I think for most people, particularly those making comments on youtube videos or online forums, it comes down to simple cost. Sawstops are expensive. Yes, they are great saws outside of the safety feature, but that actually is part of the issue. It's my understanding that one of the reasons why Sawstops are so well built is because they need to be in order to deal with the inertia from the safety feature engaging. That's a lot of kinetic energy that needs to be absorbed by the saw in a fraction of a second, so you need heavy duty components to be able to survive and continue working once you install a new brake/blade. Assuming that is true, that means cost. Most people commenting on youtube/forums are not cabinet makers or big shops, they are hobbyists working in their garage/basement. They don't always have the extra $1000+ in order to buy a sawstop compared to a the same size saw without the safety feature. Yes, everyone knows that an ER visit will be more than $1000, but most people are living paycheck to paycheck. They don't have an extra $1000 right now. They don't have the $3000+ to pay for an ER visit (which is why medical bankruptcy is so common as you mentioned in the video). Now yes, some of those comments are old timers who have been doing it for 30+ years and are stuck in their ways. But, a lot I think are just bitter that they don't have the money for something that should be standard on every saw right now (like seatbelts and air bags on cars). Yes, some are confident (over-confident?) in their skills and use that to justify buying a 3hp or 5hp saw in another brand, for the same price as the contractor or 1.75hp pcs sawstop. However, most I think are just bitter that they don't have the money for a safety feature and so come up with excuses to justify it. I don't begrudge folks for that attitude at all. A seatbelt/airbag is not a significant added cost to a car, but it is on a sawstop and because of the patent law right now, Sawstop has a monopoly on it. I know a lot of people who are waiting for the patents to end, so other manufacturers can start producing their own versions. This is on the assumption it will drive the price down, as it has many other tools after a patent expires. Look at the price of biscuit joiners, oscillating tools, and now track saws before the patent expired they were all over $1000, now you can pick up cheap versions for $50-200. Over an 80% reduction in price due to competition. Now will that happen with sawstop style safety devices? Probably not, due to my comments earlier about build quality, but it should still likely cause a significant reduction in price to where it becomes reasonable to spend $200-300 extra for the safety feature, rather than $1000+. In that case, folks would likely consider saving up that money, rather than buying something now (or buying used) and dealing with the added risk.

The people who say “it causes complacency” use a cheap job site saw with no riving knife. It offers a huge peace of mind and is worth every penny. It’s my most justified tool purchase. No apology.

Another good and informative video. Keep up the good work Caleb. Stay safe.

I just bought my first table saw for professional use. I have some experience with a table saw, but due to a fear of injuries I have been using a plunge saw instead. I’ll be returning my table saw and buying one with a sawstop feature (festool since Im from Europe). A moment of carelessness shouldn’t result in a few less digits, so it’s worth the money. Im a sceptic individual, hence I don’t trust the sawstop feature and will use it as so.

Great video I am really close to getting the CTS version for the people stating cost, the CTS is 900 roughly which is like 300 LESS than the new iPhones people are buying and the CTS will last longer than the iPhone mind you this is only comparable to the CTS model the jobsite cost is 1600 I believe

While I don't actually make as much use of my 1976 vintage RAS as I once did, I do find myself considering a Sawstop. The cabinet and contractor models are just too large and heavy for me to get one down into my basement, despite how much I'd love to have one. So, if I do get one, it will have to be either the JTS or CTS model. Truth be told, that old RAS still does yeoman duty for me despite it being both a low-tier model and 48 years old. But the allure of a SS is strong. :) I will consider no other new saw than SS!

I know this is 11 months old, but I’m considering buying a cabinet saw and I was wondering if there is reduced risk of kickback with dense wood with a 3 hp saw over a 1.75 hp. I know technique and attention to detail are the biggest factors, but does a more powerful motor help clear everything better and leave a larger/cleaner path than a motor that may get bogged down?

If you are out of the way of any potential kickback, does it matter if you stand to the right or left of the blade?

I like knives. I’m careful when using them. If you use knives enough you eventually cut yourself even when you figured you’d never hurt yourself. Usually not a deep cut but it still makes me think about how you can still have an accident no matter how careful you work. The permanence is the part of any risk that makes me afraid of it. If you can change your whole life in a flash it’s probably going to be worth it to have a SawStop. I had table saw operations where blade was high for thick material. I used push sticks and I planned the cut. I still scared myself pretty good because I cut my push stick and if it had cut the beak enough I could pushed the stick right into the blade. Your focus sometimes needs to be in multiple places. Like when you are yielding and someone is in front of you and they also yield to merge but you look back to see oncoming but the car in front of you full stops and you were not ready to fully brake. You gotta look back and forth, multiple times, between those two things quickly.

I love my sawstop! Respect it as a table saw, pray you never need the insurance of flesh detection technology!

In regard to the folks who say "but what about this", don't the perfect be the enemy of good enough.

I have two of my fingers because of my Sawstop. Yes, I got complacent, yes, I was doing something stupid. But humans get complacent, humans do stupid things. I'd been woodworking professionally for 11 years, and had my Sawstop for 7 years, before I had my accident (which was the first time the safety system fired). My injury was much worse than what Sawstop shows (16 stitches), but that's due to the circumstances when it happened, and I'd be missing two fingers now if I had my old saw last year. To the people who say "you don't need a Sawstop, you need a safety mindset", I say, do you own fire extinguishers? After all, we have a safety mindset about fires. We don't leave oily rags in piles, we clean up sawdust, we keep bearings lubricated, etc. So why do we have fire extinguishers? Because we know that, despite our efforts, sometimes bad things happen. I started woodworking on an old contractor's saw, and adopted a safety mindset with it. I'm pretty safety-minded in general. But the statistics on table saw injuries are scary. I know two people who were hurt by them; one is missing part of her finger, one is missing an entire finger. The latter cost a quarter million dollars over seven surgeries...and he still lost a finger. These saws are a case of "this device makes a stupendously huge difference in safety, so it's stupid not to have it". The added cost vs a regular saw is NOTHING compared to the cost of an injury (*where you still lose a finger(s)!*). Heck, it's nothing when amortized over the life of the saw. Unless you use a table saw only occasionally, find a way to afford a Sawstop. Seriously.

Great video! 👏🏻

Really good points.

Now that the patents have expired; hopefully someone comes out with a resettable version with a replaceable brake shoe?

I am German and believe one can make a better sistem than saw stop without damaging any blade or sistem. Where the blade is superfast moved away from ur fingers in fastest direction without stopping and under the table top without stopping

One day I'll have one! Very end of video was what I really needed. 😂

This all makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

Have one, love it, will never go back!

I think it's a call each person needs to make for themselves. But anybody that is inexperienced with tools is wavering...they definitely should go for the sawstop. If my grandson shows interest in my shop I will definitely feel the need to invest in the small one. Most likely wont be getting rid of my pm 66, unless I hit the lottery

Thanks a bunch for all the info, Caleb! 😊 You just forgot about the new underwear. 😬 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Anyone can get complacent on any tool. The table saw gets more attention than any other tool. For good reason it is used more than any other tool. I’ve used many different table saws over the 35+ years that I have been woodworking. I myself own a Dewalt compact job site saw, Delta contractor , and a Sawstop cabinet saw. All of which are dangerous Saws. I treat every one with the same respect. I pray that anyone who reads this does the same. Have a good one 😊

Sawstops nick more hotdogs than any other brand of table saw. Stay safe!

The sawstop does not detect your finger nails and will cut till it hits flesh i have done it and it sucks. Try it with it off of course touch with finger watch the light then touch with the nail of your thumb or finger and no light.

Does Sawstop not work at times? You can't test to see if its working. Sounds like monolpy to me!!!

I bought a SawStop, and as long as I need to use a table saw, I will have something with flesh sensing tech. That saw was less money than my insurance deductible.

ANYONE who argues against the Saw Stop technology is obviously related to Wile E Coyote.

Look, this is not a popular opinion, but despite being fairly well off, there is no way I could pay three times the purchase price for the high quality saw that I have. The cost is far beyond the resources of most people; even contractors. This is an expensive hobby which has lost most of it's former popularity. I was raised as a pretty young child around table saws by my father who had a Shopsmith with zero guards (which is now my second saw). I was taught to understand the physics of the forces on different types of woods and materials passing through the saw. I have a healthy paranoia about the safety of my cuts and this caution extends to not using my big-ass saw when I am tired. Used right, a table saw is incredibly safe compared with other tools. So far, three generations of table saw use, no one has lopped off a finger. Respect the tool and do things right is the best practice. I get that other people may be less confident or more reckless and may need a safety system. But it's an option.

Great opinion piece. I'd love one and will get it as soon as my vintage 1969 Craftsman 113 (all cast iron table and 4 cast extensions) dies... so I guess never. ;) They are great, but not on my radar anytime soon and by then, hopefully the patents expire so we have more options from other manufacturers. IMHO... A good riving knife or splitter, in combo with a something like Jessem Stock Guides, greatly reduces chances of kickback.

Caleb a very controversial subject for sure. I am still very careful with my Sawstop regardless. Really what it boils down to is each of us. I see good and poor practices on YT. Not in my shop. As far as kickback, I had it happen to twice too me. Once on a Rigid TS …. I was black and blue, bruised, and in pain. The second time was with my SS and I was wearing my custom leather apron. There was an outline of the board on my apron but no bruise or discoloration.

honestly, the "complacency" argument is a really weak argument. it's like saying "my AR15 has a safety so I can point the barrel at anyone I want and even look down it while it's loaded no problem!", or saying "I'm wearing a 300lb rated harness so I can run around like a chicken and even do a triple backflip on this 36 degree pitched roof." Anyone telling you that safety devices causes complacency is a dumb hack who should go play with plastic kiddie-tools instead of working with real ones. The only thing that causes complacency is stupidity and thinking that a "safety" device ELIMINATES all risks, rather than what they actually do, which is LIMIT THE DAMAGE that can be done. Use the device properly, and if you don't know how to use it, don't bloody touch it. Sawstop does not advertise itself as the be-all-end-all safety that will protect you from everything, so anyone talking about it like it does or assuming that that is what it does, is, again, a damned moron and doesn't deserve the tool. Trying to say that you are SAFER without safety devices has got to be the dumbest statement I've ever heard in my life.

What rlevitta said. I am not one iota more complacent.

To trim off a small piece from a smallish piece, I rigged up a clamp to hold the work to the miter gauge. A 5" iron C clamp made a nice handle. And of course I placed the clamp about 1 mm too low. The saw now has a new brake and a new blade. And the clamp has a tiny shiny spot where the blade polished it.

More safe

The complacency argument is just used because people don’t have the money for one 😂

Sawstop markets to the 1% of woodworkers that can afford it, so really how big of an impact is this tech really making...they are gouging people and that I cannot support...I went with Harvey, it's just a better saw IMO..I just can't stand a company that gouges people, and their new miter gauge is ridiculously priced as well..I guess they make enough to stay in business, I have wondered how, come off the price some and maybe more can be helped with that tech...

IMHO SawStop is equally safe as other modern tables saws. The classic risk equation is likelihood multiplied by consequence. The breaking tech acts upon the consequence side of the equation reducing the damage resulting from point of operation contact to almost zero, therefore the risk value is reduced to almost zero for laceration and amputation. But, correctly stated in the video, the breaking tech does not reduce the likelihood of blade contact or other hazards such as kick-back. On the other hand my Shopsmith's safety equipment works on the likelihood side of the equation. It's saw guard with built in riving knife, feather boards, push blocks, and push sticks reduce the likelihood of point of operation contact AND the likelihood of a kick-back. From my point of view, the likelihood is down to almost zero. Additionally, the saw guard has anti-kick-back cams and the feature boards are designed to restrain kick-back. These have the added effect of reducing the consequence if kick-back were to occur. Guards and pushers are standard inexpensive table saw equipment. It is the user's choice to use them or not to use them. Just as it is the user's choice to disable the SawStop's electronics. In this case it is the user who is less safe, not the equipment. As a final thought, 30,000 annual injuries due to table saw is commonly referenced. Only 3,500 annual bandsaw injuries and kick-back is not a hazard associated with bandsaws at all.

👍👍

Meh, another bs safety feature that everyone praises until they don't.

Why dont you test it with your finger before you tell us how wonderful it is ?

If you want a Sawstop, buy one. If you don’t want a Sawstop, don’t buy one. But can we get over the back and forth about how great it is or you’re a sissy if you have to have one. This reminds me of the gun world with the question of carrying a round in the chamber or not. Discussions are fine, insults, not so much.