Hi everyone

Well, about a month ago I took delivery on a SawStop contractor saw. Had a bit of a delay in getting it set up because I wanted to install a DigiFence readout on it and there was some problems with the kit not fitting fence. The Digi people were super they machined some replacement brackets and I'm good to go. All this is background to saying that I haven't used the saw very much.

Yesterday I was helping a friend who needed some bevels ripped and cross cut on a couple of 2x4. He isn't very experienced but I had him "catching" the out feed.

I had the guard off, was using push sticks. The rips went fine but the cross cuts ends caught in the "zero clearance" insert. It is pretty tight but there is a bit of space between the blade and the insert. I cleared the last cut off end after (I thought) the blade had spun down. But I heard a POP and saw the warning light on the control panel. Yep, the cartridge had fired. I don't have a scratch, didn't even feel the blade. Clearly the blade was moving because when I changed the cartridge (and the blade it had three damaged carbide tips) I can see where it dug into the cartridge "brake pad" that engages the saw blade.

I hadn't used the push stick to clear the cutoff, that I am sure of. So maybe when I touched the wood piece it was in contact with the blade and that triggered the safety circuit. We'll know more after I send the cartridge back to SawStop (they have a program which analyzes why the cartridge fired based on information in the cartridge)

I usually work alone, so I don't know if I was distracted by my friend's presence. Or, if I subconsciously thought the saw was protecting me. I knew that if the safety cartridge fired it would be an expensive event -- new cartridge and a blade so I hardly think that I was being cavalier about it. But clearly something set it off.

I guess this is how accidents "happen". I am comforted that the saw performed as it was supposed to, and this is a great wake up call to me. I didn't use the Festool Saw and the Guide rail because I thought the table saw would have been quicker and I wouldn't have to figure out a was to support the guide rail on a relatively thin piece of wood. And, I wanted to use the Sawstop it is certainly a BIG improvement over my old Dewalt bench top. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had been using that saw yesterday.

But........ I'm taking it easy today, just cleaning up things in the shop and doing some project planning-- and sending the cartridge back to SawStop.

Jay

PS anybody know a good deal on a general purpose 10" blade?

Jay, if I am reading your post correctly, it sounds like the offcuts were small enough to get between the blade and the throat plate. If this is correct, then my guess is that as the blade was slowing down, it resulted in enough friction to pull the offcut further into the throat plate, which in turn deflects the blade sideways into the other side of the throat plate opening.

If that scenario isn't viable, then my second guess is that with the offcut being so thin, it was conductive enough to register your body through the wood.

This second scenario might be enough to get you a new cartridge, since the saw fired without proper cause.

There is a limit to moisture content of the wood that you cut on the SawStop. I don't know factually what that is, but it should be easy enough to find. You need to check moisture content of all the wood you cut and disable the safety if you want to cut wet wood.

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Chris...

Jay,

What Rick and Chris said. I am very sorry about the accident but even more relieved that you were not hurt. I have a Delta contractor saw and have been toying with getting a cabinet saw for the last several months. The fact is if I had more room I would already have it.

You bring up an excellent point and it was one I have wondered about. My analogy is in my car. I used to have a radar detector and when I did I also seemed to subconsciously let down my guard and let the detector do all of the work. Of course not all of the police use radar as a means to clock your speed and they were a tremendous amount of false signals. I no longer use my detector and have had far fewer stops by just being diligent.

Because of the reason that you pointed out and the extra thousand dollars or so I have decided against getting the Saw Stop and instead think I will probably end up with the PM2000.

I know that in many ways this may appear to be or may actually be a stupid rational but personally I always do better relying on myself.

Again, I am so thankful that you were not hurt and for the reminder of just how careful we all need to be no matter what we are using.

Fred

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Kapex, OF2200,Domino,TS 75, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/5, ETS 150/3, DTS 400, RS 400, LS 130, RS 2, Deltex 93, RAS 115, CT 33, CT 22, CT Midi, OF 1400, MFK 700, C 12, 3 MFT/3s, 3 MFT 1080s, 4 Sysports, 2 Walko's

Fred, interested in a PM Model 66 in "like new" condition?

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John

1 Toolie, 2 XL Festool Polos

The wood wasn't wet, I had made 7 cuts before "the incident".

I have heard the argument that the SS will result in sloppy work habits before. I don't know if I buy it. I thought I was working the same way I did before I when I was "unprotected". The fact is, the saw did what it was advertised to do. So, if I had been using another saw without the safety feature I think the outcome would have been different. But, opinions are like noses, everyone has their own!

I sent the cartridge back to SS today, they will analyze the reason for the brake cartridge firing and report back to me. I'll post when I learn the result.

Jay

Jay,

I don't know if I buy that argument either but I do know that at least for me I seem to operate on as many cylinders as I can when I know that all that stands between me and an incident is me.

John,

How much and of course I am assuming that you will be driving out in my pickup as well.

Fred

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Kapex, OF2200,Domino,TS 75, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/5, ETS 150/3, DTS 400, RS 400, LS 130, RS 2, Deltex 93, RAS 115, CT 33, CT 22, CT Midi, OF 1400, MFK 700, C 12, 3 MFT/3s, 3 MFT 1080s, 4 Sysports, 2 Walko's

Of course! Every cabinet saw I sell comes packaged in a pickup.

I haven't decided on a price yet. It has an extended table and a Beisemeyer fence, and sits on a PM rolling stand.

It really is a honey, I'm going to hate to see it go. But I've got three months to get rid of it. Gotta make room for another hunk of iron.

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John

1 Toolie, 2 XL Festool Polos

Ha HA Fred we have something you don't have. A SawStop. A jewel of a saw.
Ten finger Bob

And I am extra careful cause I am too cheap to buy a new cartridge.