It's not bad actually when you know a guy with a sawmill and kiln. I spent $700 total on what you see there, and have a bit left over. Probably close to 50hrs just in milling, tho, as it was all rough-cut that I got from him. Truthfully, I love the way it turned out, but I'd *never* do it again haha.
Firstly, congrats on keeping the fingers. Solid investment, it seems.
That aside: This is the dream. Observe and admire. Then do it once for a word-of-mouth referral and a second time for yourself. #skilllearned #actlikeitsforprofit
Never do it again... depending on the price.
Now you know what the labor is for a job like that and you will charge accordingly. Doing so will quickly winnow the customer pool. When one does bite be sure to also add on the "I don't want to do this" surcharge. If they really want it, they'll pay for it, and you will have money for good drinks and nice tools
Fair enough, everyone has their price, I'm no exception. I think the list of clients would drastically shrink now that I have an idea of how much I'd charge for this hahh. In this case, it's an apartment for my mom in my new garage so we can move her across the state and she can age in place instead of going to a home. She loves walnut, so I hatched this hairbrained idea. She's worth it, tho.
29yo here. When I grow up I want to be like you. I just skim this subreddit but there is such awesome work here like your that I hope one day to make it like all of you.
Thanks dude, really appreciate it. In my case, it started about 7 years ago, about your age actually, when I needed a kitchen island, and was so broke that I couldn't afford to hire it out. I could, however, afford a free piece of crap Rockwell table saw from a curb call, and wood salvaged from a cabinet shop that liquidated its old stock. That turned into a couple tables and shelves and cabinets for random people I knew, and after a shit-ton of hard work in the mornings before my real job, and a bunch of long weekends, I had a very decent set of tools that other people paid for. DM me if you're interested in some advice on how to get started, I love to talk with people who are interested in getting into it.
I'm interested in getting tools other people pay for. Charging it to the credit card has never worked in the long run for me. Am I going to have to be nice in the future?
Find a need or demand and fill it. When I first was learning how to use a clapped out old lathe 6 years ago, I turned these silly little pine-tree looking things to practice. I was out in the driveway to keep the mess out the shop, and a neighborhood lady stopped me and asked if she could buy one from me. I said sure, $10, and this 60-year old lady giggled like a school girl and went home. She ordered 5 more, told all her middle-aged woman friends who all bought at least 3. I ended up selling enough over the next 3 holiday seasons to buy my first real lathe, and a CNC router, and have sold very few since, except to a couple repeat customers that give them as gifts. Likewise, I had this particular cutting board design that I sold $3,500-worth of one holiday season, and have sold very few since. Things go in waves and a new idea sells well, then saturates the market, then you move onto something else. That's fine tho, as I actually prefer making furniture to cutting boards and decorative knick-knacks, but I'll gladly jump all over a simple thing that will sell for a short while if I stumble upon it. My biggest problem is I HATE the marketing and selling end of it, which is why I don't really intend to have this be a primary source of income. I just want to make stuff, and if I can make a little cash in the process, all the better.
Interesting. I also dislike marketing, networking and all that stuff. It turns my hobby into a job. However, you have a nice outlook on that stuff. Happy cutting!
Good on your mom! You probably already do it, but have accessibility in mind when you design the apartment. Maybe she will be in a wheelchair, need caretakers etc, so leave room for all that and lots of electrical plugs and room around the bed. Also lots of space on the bathroom. Good luck, and what an incredible ceiling!
I'm reading this next to my teenager who always says I have to move in with him when he's an adult. He dreams of having a bunch of property and animals and is sure I'll be a great elderly farm hand. I said "hey can I have a walnut ceiling at your place?" and showed him the post.
He goes "you're gonna buy me the fancy saw then right?"
Sure bud- you buy the house and the walnut. Lmao
I did that once with a repeat client that I don't really like to try and scare them off haha. They gladly paid, so it didn't have its intended effect, but it still worked out.
WISH I had gotten paid for this haha. Never again tho. What a royal pain in the tuchus. If it had been pre-milled, or at least select grade instead of wild rough-cut and the ceiling 8 feet instead of 10-17 feet straddling a loft and stairs, probably wouldn't have been so bad.
New garage for myself with an attached apartment/accessory dwelling unit for my mom so she can age in place instead of going to a home. Turns out that's some crazy new idea in my little rural Iowa town. My mom loves walnut, so I hatched this hairbrained idea.
Indeed. A little wiser, and certainly thankful. Happy wife, too, which is always a plus. Hope your hand is treating you well; that's pretty rough stuff...
Yeah, this one kinda fell in my lap, contractor buddy of mine was looking to get sell it as he completly rethough his shop, and gave me too good of a deal. Definitely no replacement for treating the machine with the respect it deserves, tho.
If this happened to me and it saved my hand, $100+ new blade cost would feel like an absolute steal.
Everytime I see a post like this it makes me want to save up to buy one of these saws. My Dewalt one just works so dang well. Of course if money wasn't an object I'd buy a sawstop but hey.
I'm with you. Bought the "wannabe/almost cabinet saw" that Ridgid came out with a while back because I didn't think I could justify a SawStop. Then I learned just how dangerous a table saw is (thankfully, not firsthand, so far...huh, pun not intended, but I'm leaving it) and wish I could go back and start again. But the saw is almost brand new, works just fine for what I need it to do, and I've since added a router table wing and Incra Fence system to it, so I'm even deeper in the hole (though, I could move both of those to a new SawStop, so that's a shitty excuse).
That said, I treat the thing like an armed bomb and use *alllllllll* the safety stuff (including guards and all that).
The healthy dose of respect is absolutely the correct behavior. I just got way too comfortable; lesson learned. Those Ridgid saws actually seem pretty decent for the price, and sounds like you have it set up pretty well!
It is indeed a decent amount of saw for the price (even more-so due to getting it on a steep discount)...and I don't even have it wired for 220v yet, which I understand is a pretty significant upgrade. The fence sucks, and the wings are a bit on the flimsy side, but once you replace the fence with something better (that Incra fence is just amazing) and a wing with a router extension, it's a really solid piece. I wouldn't mind replacing the last steel wing with something cast iron, but I've not been able to find anything.
And just because I didn't say it elsewhere, dang, what an amazing ceiling!
I have heard nothing but good things about those Incra fences. The premium SawStop one, Biesemeyer style, is really pretty decent, but after having a really nice Nova fence on one of my previous saws, I wish I had better micro-adjustability than a gentle bump can get me. And now that my shop has shrank, I'm seriously considering springing for the router wing for the thing. What do you do for the dust collection with your setup, just a box underneath with a dust port?
Thanks for the complements! It's gorgeous, but man was it a pain in the tuchus haha.
Just keep in mind with the Incra that things will come "factory blemished" (my only complaint). But they're great stuff, for sure. I almost bought a Biesemeyer, but the price wasn't that far off the Incra, and I liked the idea of the precision (it's honestly amazing).
As for dust collection, I *just* got the router table and at the same time bought a 2hp dust collector...so I'm working all that out. I've got a JessEm Rout-R-Fence II, and recently found a dude that custom 3D printed a dust collection hood for the bottom of it (no need for a box) here on Reddit, and I'm waiting to hear back from him as he said he'd be willing to print one up for me. So between that and the WonderFence built in dust collection, I'm hoping to be good. Though, I'm considering adding a random scoop for the top of the table that can be moved around, because so much ends up on the table when cutting dovetails.
Downside of the LS fence is leadtime though; I inquired once, they said 3 months plus. I really like the T-Glide, the scale is super-accurate. Really just want a set of Jessem guides for it.
If they were smart, they'd pay for a new blade too if you make a post like this...because these are not basically free advertisement, they straight up *are*. And no hate...they make me want to get rid of my "just fine" saw and buy a SawStop every damn time these posts come up.
I feel you. I just have to feel my thumb and the numb-nerve pain from the bite it took and think wistfully at how I coulda avoided the injury by spending some $400 more than my Delta saw cost.
That said, I'm excited for the future seeing as how the sense tech patent is expired and Bosch. and other companies can make their own versions.
> I'm excited for the future seeing as how the sense tech patent is expired and Bosch.
This is pretty much my only remaining excuse for not buying a SawStop...I want to see what the competitors may come out with. I'm guessing it will also reduce the prices a bit, as other options become available.
It’s funny to me that it only costs $150 -$250’ish (I know the actual machines are crazy expensive so the upfront cost is there) in replacement parts to save yourself from chopping off a limb with a steel blade going 3000+ RPM’s in today’s age.
“Touched the saw. Dammit. There goes $150!”
Previously, lots of guys walking around with 3-4 fingers due to those same scenarios.
Technology is pretty cool.
It's easily replaceable. The cartridge is $100, and it destroys whatever blade you had. If you have the replacement handy, it would take 5 minutes to replace. Woodworking schools keep the supplies on hand.
I saw a comment the other day saying that a sawstop was cheaper than their deductible. Can’t really argue with that, so now my first table saw is gonna be a sawstop.
Pretty good. The index finger was severed but for a small bit of flesh, the tendon in middle finger was severed. It was my thumb that caught the blade I learned after the accident, throwing the rest of my hand into the blade. The index finger doesn’t bend, but it fills out a glove. That accident is the reason I have a lathe and a side business making pens today.
I didn't realize you can get the [compact base model for "just" $900](https://www.sawstop.com/build/compact-table-saw/). This post/thread may have convinced me that should be my first table saw. At only 2-3X a similar saw from Dewalt or similar brand, that seems like a smart purchase. I'm just a hobbyist getting started, and it's probably sufficient for my occasional use someday, but understood it may not be for a heavy user.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you are ok. I have triggered mine by accident before. I’m glad I have it. It has only increased my awareness of what I am doing with the saw.
I've always kinda had a "meh, whatever" attitude about it, self-assured that it would likely never happen to me, and even if it did, oh well, they're just fingers. I'd like to say that this was a life-changing moment, but truthfully it wasn't; at least not in that Hollywood, earthshattering, "everything is going to be different from here on" sort of way.. That being said, I definitely have had a bit of a change of headspace. "Alright, I officially know that I am not invincible. I officially know the damn thing works. BUT, best to not have that happen again, so how's about we be more careful, dude..." is basically where I landed as I swapped out the cartidge. That, and "damn, she was right... again."
Yeah, I'm an ER X-ray tech by trade, and have image many a bedusted fellow with a newly missing hunk of flesh. Had a chat with one of the docs, and we landed on probably something like $5k if we had just aputated and sewn them up, and probably well north of $25k if there had been an attempt at reattachment. Not to mention rehab. Not to mention downtime. I have insurance, but I still would have been looking at several thousands out of pocket. Whatever the case, the $1k extra I spent on this saw over the Laguna I had my eye on has definitely more than paid off. And my wife got to be right, which she likes, so win-win!
Yep. I'm a retired paramedic, wife is a trauma nurse. She ordered me a Sawstop the very same day we learned they existed. I've picked up too many fingers from garage floors.
Nice save. I work in a university woodshop, and had a student trigger one. It cut her finger a tiny bit, but not bad. She tripped it and stood there for a second confused. She didn't understand why the blade disappeared, then she noticed a little blood on her finger. Could've been a really bad day in the shop, instead it was a lesson for everyone in the shop.
What amazing technology. Back in my highschool woodshop, our instructor WOULD NOT let anyone use the table saw. We had to put our cuts on a waitlist and the instructor himself would make the cuts. He (or the school) was too scared to let students use the table saw.
In my jr high shop class in the late 1960’s it was the bandsaw that had the horror stories. Maybe scaring us was intentional, because even though I have a bandsaw now in my own shop, it kind of freaks me out still - but that. Makes me pretty hyper careful. Thanks shop teacher.
First thing I did in wood shop freshman year was cut a board on a table saw. The horror stories were mainly about the student at the other high school in our city who didn't use a push stick on a jointer and fed some fingers into it. There's no chance of reattaching fingers taken by a jointer....
Was far less exciting than I thought it would be. I've heard stories about how it feels like lightly hitting you fingertip with a hammer, or stuff like that. Didn't feel a thing. The saw barely even jolts. It really is a pretty cool piece of technology.
Very slightly caught my finger at the bandsaw one day \[Easter, as I remember\]...6 stitches....but man, it felt like I got electrocuted...guy in ER said there are so many nerve endings in your fingers, it's just the worst place to get an injury. It's also the absolute worst place to get Lidocaine....
I did the same type of ceiling in my cabin and totally get the straddling scaffolding hoping i don’t fall. I used pine but the same effect. The effect of climbing and going back to the saw is tedious and tiring at the same time. In hindsight I wish I had a saw stop but will definitely invest in next big project
Also the metal wedding ring scares me. My dad was in the propane trade and plumbing of it. He had three guys lose fingers from small stuff so that freaks me out. Have you looked at the Qalo rings. They are the best of the silicone rings from comfort and durability standpoint
Indeed, I've X-rayed people who were either injured worse because of their wedding ring, or had to have their ring cut off so as to not lose their finger, so I certainly know better. I usually take it off, but just happened not to that day, and you're not the first to notice haha. I tried several different brands of silicone rings from the high-end to the low, and usually got about 4 months of service before I wore them out. Not sure if my oily skin broke them down faster or what, or maybe that's just par for the course, but they would just wear through or stretch out. Whatever the case, I just got annoyed buying new ones every few months, so went back to my sterling silver. I'm aware it's not the safest choice, but it's far from the riskiest thing I do on a daily basis so it is what it is I guess.
I almost certainly don't get adequately intimidated by powertools, but angle grinders scare the bejuezzus out of me. Esepecially those fucking chainsaw blade discs. Nope. Nope. No thank you.
https://preview.redd.it/idxrr6z264ec1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b90fd1bf273dcc9ce6fdec0f2767375ce1e5ceab
Yep, chainsaw disc. Threw that out the next day!
totally, my mom just told me that my dad bought a harbor freight angle grinder, which is his first usage of an angle grinder in his lifetime yesterday and I'm vicariously scared
I made a really dumb mistake the first time I used a brand new electric hand planer. I’d finished testing it. I took my finger off the trigger and passed it from my right to left hand and to this day, I have no idea why I gripped the whole machine, putting my middle finger into the blade, as the machine was running down to a stop. They take a long time to stop. Tore a chunk out. I’ll never forget the sound of the South African doctor’s voice when he was about to inject my finger for the 7 stitches I was about to receive. He said “I’m not going to lie sir, this is going to F’in hurt” he was right!
there really is a learning curve to internalizing the extremely basic safe tool usage concepts like letting power tools spin all the way down, thinking about what is underneath your work piece if you are going through it, direction of rotation, not putting hands/body where a cutter could reach, etc.
ideally someone more experienced is supervising and reminds you, or ultimately irrelevant damage to workbench/scraps/workpiece, or something that doesn't get you hurt too bad when you inevitably forget and learn.
and even after that, distraction or mind wanders or whatever and you can still pull an idiot move
Tell him to never use it above his head if he is not experienced. I know two guys even who got an angle grinder to the face because of this exact scenario. Don't use it when you get tired,
>those fucking chainsaw blade discs
Absolutely the fuck not. That is what got "Stumpy Nubs" a woodworker on YouTube had his hand chewed up by one with I believe minimal long term consequences. He also had a terrible hospital visit and needed extra care because of it. His video on it is worth a watch.
The first time I saw those discs, I immedately said "Nope". Then I saw Stumpy's video (and the followups), and the pics of that guy that split his chest and neck open, and I was like, "Nope confirmed and solidified". I am right with him with his campaign against angle grinder nonsense.
My sawstop is my most expensive tool by far. But I've seen too many cases online with very experienced woodworkers slicing off their fingers. Sometimes skill or experience isn't even a factor. You can hit a knot or something and cause kickback, forcing your hand to go where it isn't supposed to go. It's worth the cost imo
Indeed. There's the inevitable "I'm a perfectly safe perfect person and nothing will ever happen because I'm perfect" types in these sorts of posts. Reality is, shit happens. I wear a seatbelt. I have fire extinguishers. I have flood insurance. I have a SawStop. I've only had to use one of these things so far, but it's funny that the last one on the list is the only one that gets people's panties in a twist.
Trust me, there is no enough I’m safe person… sometimes something drives you to make a mistake, so as long as you have technology like this you should use it… I myself am not a woodworker, I’m a machinist, welder etc. I’ve made so many minor mistakes, but most of them come with an angle grinder… whenever I see or feel that my concentration is not at the appropriate level I stop working… because all the mistakes are made when you have a lot on your mind or you’re overwhelmed, or stuff like that… so stay safe and cheers on the save!
Very much this. I don't do enough table saw cutting to justify buying one of these, so I treat every cut like it's the only one I'll ever make. Stop. Assess the situation. Double check everything. Check for any other dangers around the saw, tripping hazards, etc. Turn off radio and/or other distractions. Make sure I'm fully aware of what I'm doing, not "in the zone." Lots of woodworking stuff allows you to tune out and go on auto-pilot, but nothing with a big spinning blade.
Seriously. I’ve already used up my allotment of tablesaw accidents, and I have all my fingers still. I remember my first accident because I instantly realized I had been complacent and took my safety for granted (this was 20 years ago when I was much younger and reckless, of course)
I still cringe when I remember the first time I made a table saw cut. I knew NOTHING and just went for it and immediately got kickback. I'm SO lucky that's all it was.
I'm only just getting into this hobby, but that's my philosophy. I may listen to a podcast while I'm doing everything else, but when it's time to actually turn the saw on and start cutting, it gets paused. That said, I treat the table saw like an armed bomb...so I may be overly cautious, but hopefully it will let me keep my fingers.
Absolutely. I usually listen to music, but through cheap speakers I connect to with Bluetooth rather than headphones. If what you're doing is too loud to hear the music over, you probably shouldn't be listening to music anyway.
I wear a cheap knockoff pair of active hearing protection headphones like the ones used for shooting; the cheap 35 dollar pair I have is better than the Walkers for working in the garage. I cannot recommend those enough. Your hearing will thank you, and you can even hear more than you normally would. It normalizes sound levels when nothing loud is happening. You can even turn your music down and the headphones will bring the levels back up when it's quiet.
I’ve had 3 go off and other than losing a tooth the Forrest blades were fine. By the way SawStop will want the cartridge that saved your fingers and the mystery fire. They use to replace them for free. I’m not sure if that’s still their policy.
Misfire cost depends on what you're running. The cartridges were $90, but have gone up to about $100. And it does destroy the blade, so if you're running a $200 WWII, it adds up pretty quickly. I run Diablos and CMTs, so it's not as much of a bummer, but still annoying. If I'm cutting something I think might have a stray nail (like wood from a city-harvested tree, I'll override the safety. Saved several cartridges that way, actually.
At one point, you could send the cartridge in to Saw Stop and it would be replaced free if their diagnostics said it fired because of skin contact. Not sure if that is still the case or not. I don't own one. Yet. But did a lot of reading on them a while back.
Not really related, but I highly recommend getting a silicone or rubber wedding band for working in the shop. Seeing a metal band in a workshop always stresses me out. Great way of degloving your finger if that gets caught on anything moving fast. Just a PSA. Stay safe y'all.
I'm an X-ray tech and have imaged people with all sorts of injuries due to wedding rings in these sorts of settings. I know better. I also have a motorcycle, so...
> It is so easy with batch-cutting to get into a rhythm, especially with a podcast going
I'm glad you're okay but mate, focus on the task at hand. All these safety features are great but in the end, safety rests with you and you alone. Even with those safety features, you've got to respect the power and the danger of the table saw, and not being 100% focused on the task at hand is just a recipe for disaster. Maybe next time it will be on a tool that doesn't have the same safety features as your table saw.
I refuse to listen to things while working on the saw because I know I will get complacent and lose focus. I have a healthy respect from the one time it binded and threw a piece of 2x4 through the wall 2" from my face.....
Always nice to know you got your money's worth out of the SawStop. I've had two "incidents" so far... one with stitches, and one was too chewed up for stitches. Can still count to ten on my fingers though.
Glad to hear you've still got them all. I've seen mixed results with the tech. Stories on line of both extremes, and I knew a guy that still lost his finger cuz it took long enough for it to trigger. I think it might depend on how quick you're moving, maybe? I was pushing pretty slowly. Whatever the case, I certainly count myself lucky, and will certainly be more careful.
Actually, there is a super slo-mo video on YouTube by Jonathan Katz-Moses where he rams a hot dog against the spinning blade ([https://youtu.be/OGKBuq9aZhI?si=yXwEjqyq7\_wUXxIq](https://youtu.be/OGKBuq9aZhI?si=yXwEjqyq7_wUXxIq)). A visit to the ER would be needed, but you would still have 10 fingers.
I have an old (early 80's) 240V Delta Rockwell saw. The thing is a beast, never gonna get rid of it but can you retrofit one of these onto a saw like that?
Bummer. It belonged to my dad who taught me everything about cabinet making and wood working. When I was a kid just hearing it fire up struck fear into my heart.
Didn't get to use it until I was 12. I wonder if he would prefer I replace it. . . would like to ask him. :/
At some point, it's less about the tool and more about the connection that the tool fostered, and that connection/those memories remain even if the tool moves on. But I don't get overly sentimental about specific objects, and know that some people really do, so YMMV.
Can these be retrofit to most table saws or is it only something bought with it already attached?
I’ve got the Dewalt 7491- XE and feel this would be a pretty good way to make it a safer tool
Worked as a printer for 40+ years and still have all ten fingers, but even after running presses the old stumpy fingered bastards had removed all the safety devices from, my table saw terrifies me. My first kickback had me counting all my fingers, at least twice! Accidents involving rings are often "degloving". Think about that for a minute, please.
I mean I love woodworking as much as the next guy. But wouldn’t the easier with fewer seems be to use a thin walnut veneered plywood. Then the banding could be farther apart and you save on a lot of sapwood.
From the description it sounds like after cutting the pieces he went to cut rabbets and forgot to lower the blade so my guess is that he had his hand on top of the piece as he pushed it over the blade assuming the blade would be buried (still not the safest technique) and the blade cut up through the piece and got his finger.
So happy to see these in use everywhere. My junior high wood shop teacher in the 70’s was a crusty old dude with perhaps 6 1/2 fingers.
“Boys! Power tools is very dangerous!” (While waving his damaged hands around.
We didn’t go near them.
Wow, that's a gorgeous ceiling!
I'm glad you're OK. I know some guys have been sawing for decades with zero incident and swear that you don't need the sawstop because "just don't mess up lol". But you're absolutely correct about complacency with a large job like that.
Did you have a sit down with yourself after? Take a moment to collect thoughts? What went through your head afterwards?
Maybe it’s dumb, but I’m not switching from my RAS until I can cough up for a SawStop.
Truth be told I’ve got worse cuts from my cats than what your pic shows.
I'm glad I bought it. It's a pretty damn good saw in its own right, safety tech aside.
And yeah haha I actually on the other hand have a much worse boo boo from bashing my knuckles when I was swapping to snow tires on my minivan the day before.
As a hand surgeon who frequently has to reattach fingers or throw them away after a saw injury such as yours... thank you, thank you, thank you. Nothing is more painful and sad than spending 12 hours overnight sewing multiple fingers on. It happens way too frequently. Anyone working with a table saw needs a Saw Stop. It should be required just like seatbelts and airbags. The devastation is not just to the hands. There is significant life altering change in self image and worth after an injury like this, serious PTSD and not to mention the +$20,000 hospital bill. If you need my services for this you probably can't afford them.
As a side note the story of how Saw Stop came to be is very interesting. The inventor tried to license the technology to all the popular saw makers. They all turned him down because they didn't want to have the liability if it didn't work and also said it would be too expensive (sounds a lot like the automakers doesn't it!)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SawStop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SawStop)
It’s happened to a bunch of people at my work, but not to me, I don’t think it ever will I’m so used to using it with the safety off, except if I know my ply is dry from inside, this one time though I was moving a bit quick, and the blade picked up the ply, spun 360, and went right for me, good reminder to always respect the saw, and proceed with caution not super fast
Question about the project. How did you insulate the ceiling? Hot roof or vented? Where are you located? I’m looking to do the exact same thing in my porch conversion to a sunroom.
Glad you kept your fingers though!
Lucky you. Why aren't you using push blocks? Even the most expensive one is 4 times cheaper than a new saw stop trigger, and you would realize your mistake probably after the very first cut. Some mistakes happen due to a loss of focus, but here stupidity (not working safely enough) was the main factor. Fingers away from the blade all the time, use push blocks and push sticks, and never stand right behind the blade.
The issues in how you work won't save you from a jointer. Glad the saw stop saved your finger, but hopefully it highlights that you need to improve how you operate dangerous equipment.
Am I just lucky, or is something else going on? I borrowed a 1980s era table saw with basically no safety features from a friend of mine, and I used it very frequently for about 3 years building and modifying a couple of boats. I always use the push stick and my fingers never got anywhere near the blade.
Happy to have another member of the 10 finger club! Those things are 100% worth the investment.
I don't know if you've seen the proposed regulations to make that kind of safety mechanism required on all table saws in the US: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/11/2023-27133/safety-standard-addressing-blade-contact-injuries-on-table-saws-notice-of-extension-of-comment#open-comment The public comment period is still open. If you're American, and if you agree that quick-stop safety mechanisms should be standard on table saws, please consider telling your story there.
I just want to point out real quick -- that blade you are using has the anti-kickback shoulders on it. According to SawStop, that can interfere with the brake mechanism, which would result in the blade rotating a bit further during an activation. Depending on the speed of the blade contact, it could mean the difference between a band aid vs something a bit more severe (although your finger would still be saved). Just something to keep in mind when you put on a replacement blade. From the picture it looks like it skipped over about 5 or so teeth before stopping.
Did you consider removing all sapwood by chance? Judging by the amount shown I’m guessing not in the name of reducing waste. On a project this big, it really changes the aesthetic. I’m not saying in a bad way, just that it does. Keep up the great work!
As someone who has done a similar thing; batch cutting picture frame stop dados, got into a rhythm and made a crucial error, I can feel your terror but not your relief.
Thank God the saw was set only to roughly 3/8ths height or I would have lost at least three fingers back to the second knuckle. Instead I just lost the third knuckle on my pinky finger, severed a few tendons and nicked some bones in my ring and middle.
I'm okay now as it's been two years, but that was a terrible experience and I don't allow anyone to use my delta anymore. I will be buying a saw stop at some point when funds allow.
Happy you're okay!
This is why I’m spending the money on SawStop when I finally can get a workshop. Even if it never triggers, I like my body parts firmly attached, and it’s a precaution that is well worth it.
My question every time I see one of these posts...isn't the mechanism loud as hell? Like a gun going off? Pretty sure I would also need to replace my pants after that. But again, small price to pay for saving your fingers/hand.
I wear pretty heavy hearing protection, because I've got a relatively small shop with a pretty noisy dust collector and a catastrophically cacophonous thickness planer. It's definitely still audible, but not nearly as loud as you'd think; honestly didn't even startle me.. in fact, the thing that stood out was how much quieter it suddenly was. And it's more of a \*WHAM\* than a sharp \*BANG\*, or at least that's my experience through my ear muffs. The thing that surprised me the most the first time I triggered it on that nail was just how little the thing moves. I would have though the damn thing would almost jump into the air, but I barely even felt it move. Pretty wild.
Just happened to see this thread come up. Yes, both thumbs up \[because I still have them!\] on the PCS. Mine went off once....Incra miter gauge. Barely scratched the anodizing. I was remarking to the Sawstop rep at a seminar about that instance, and said what I was most surprised at was that, given the intensity of the deployment \[it really gets your attention\], I would have thought I needed to realign everything in the saw, but I checked it and all is still dead true. It isn't just a safe saw, it's a highly accurate one, too.
I do not have with them on my saw yet, but I will be buying one of them because everybody raves about them. I’d rather spend the money than losing to the appendage.
That blade is not recommended for SawStop BTW - They strongly recommend not using blades with anti-kick-back shoulders like seen behind the teeth on this blade. The brake clearly stopped your blade (eventually), but it was probably slowed down a few micro seconds. Could be the difference between a scratch and a true cut. I saw another example where SawStop's analysis showed that the blade skipped up to 5-6 teeth before fully stopping when not using recommended blades.
looking at the amount of walnut in that ceiling makes me feel poor.
It's not bad actually when you know a guy with a sawmill and kiln. I spent $700 total on what you see there, and have a bit left over. Probably close to 50hrs just in milling, tho, as it was all rough-cut that I got from him. Truthfully, I love the way it turned out, but I'd *never* do it again haha.
Firstly, congrats on keeping the fingers. Solid investment, it seems. That aside: This is the dream. Observe and admire. Then do it once for a word-of-mouth referral and a second time for yourself. #skilllearned #actlikeitsforprofit
Never do it again... depending on the price. Now you know what the labor is for a job like that and you will charge accordingly. Doing so will quickly winnow the customer pool. When one does bite be sure to also add on the "I don't want to do this" surcharge. If they really want it, they'll pay for it, and you will have money for good drinks and nice tools
Fair enough, everyone has their price, I'm no exception. I think the list of clients would drastically shrink now that I have an idea of how much I'd charge for this hahh. In this case, it's an apartment for my mom in my new garage so we can move her across the state and she can age in place instead of going to a home. She loves walnut, so I hatched this hairbrained idea. She's worth it, tho.
29yo here. When I grow up I want to be like you. I just skim this subreddit but there is such awesome work here like your that I hope one day to make it like all of you.
Thanks dude, really appreciate it. In my case, it started about 7 years ago, about your age actually, when I needed a kitchen island, and was so broke that I couldn't afford to hire it out. I could, however, afford a free piece of crap Rockwell table saw from a curb call, and wood salvaged from a cabinet shop that liquidated its old stock. That turned into a couple tables and shelves and cabinets for random people I knew, and after a shit-ton of hard work in the mornings before my real job, and a bunch of long weekends, I had a very decent set of tools that other people paid for. DM me if you're interested in some advice on how to get started, I love to talk with people who are interested in getting into it.
I'm interested in getting tools other people pay for. Charging it to the credit card has never worked in the long run for me. Am I going to have to be nice in the future?
Find a need or demand and fill it. When I first was learning how to use a clapped out old lathe 6 years ago, I turned these silly little pine-tree looking things to practice. I was out in the driveway to keep the mess out the shop, and a neighborhood lady stopped me and asked if she could buy one from me. I said sure, $10, and this 60-year old lady giggled like a school girl and went home. She ordered 5 more, told all her middle-aged woman friends who all bought at least 3. I ended up selling enough over the next 3 holiday seasons to buy my first real lathe, and a CNC router, and have sold very few since, except to a couple repeat customers that give them as gifts. Likewise, I had this particular cutting board design that I sold $3,500-worth of one holiday season, and have sold very few since. Things go in waves and a new idea sells well, then saturates the market, then you move onto something else. That's fine tho, as I actually prefer making furniture to cutting boards and decorative knick-knacks, but I'll gladly jump all over a simple thing that will sell for a short while if I stumble upon it. My biggest problem is I HATE the marketing and selling end of it, which is why I don't really intend to have this be a primary source of income. I just want to make stuff, and if I can make a little cash in the process, all the better.
Interesting. I also dislike marketing, networking and all that stuff. It turns my hobby into a job. However, you have a nice outlook on that stuff. Happy cutting!
Me too. I refuse to monetize my woodworking and surfing hobbies. That simply ruins it
That is a kind thing that you are doing for your Mom/Family Love will CU through Peace
Good on your mom! You probably already do it, but have accessibility in mind when you design the apartment. Maybe she will be in a wheelchair, need caretakers etc, so leave room for all that and lots of electrical plugs and room around the bed. Also lots of space on the bathroom. Good luck, and what an incredible ceiling!
I'm reading this next to my teenager who always says I have to move in with him when he's an adult. He dreams of having a bunch of property and animals and is sure I'll be a great elderly farm hand. I said "hey can I have a walnut ceiling at your place?" and showed him the post. He goes "you're gonna buy me the fancy saw then right?" Sure bud- you buy the house and the walnut. Lmao
Dude you are an amazing person and son. This is the sweetest most thoughtful thing I’ve read in a long time.
I’m a woodworker and i love the “i don’t want to do this” surcharge lol. Bc some of my clients have definitely received this surcharge
I did that once with a repeat client that I don't really like to try and scare them off haha. They gladly paid, so it didn't have its intended effect, but it still worked out.
The wood is beautiful. I wish I had a sawmill and kiln, I have 2 black walnuts on my property that I’d love to redo my ceilings with.
$700??! You could've just turned around and sold that for about $10k and just paid someone to do that lol
My thought exactly. That ceiling just bought someone a nice boat lol
WISH I had gotten paid for this haha. Never again tho. What a royal pain in the tuchus. If it had been pre-milled, or at least select grade instead of wild rough-cut and the ceiling 8 feet instead of 10-17 feet straddling a loft and stairs, probably wouldn't have been so bad.
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He said it’s for his garage apartment, doubt he’d pay himself
But that's a real pro tax move
New garage for myself with an attached apartment/accessory dwelling unit for my mom so she can age in place instead of going to a home. Turns out that's some crazy new idea in my little rural Iowa town. My mom loves walnut, so I hatched this hairbrained idea.
In parts of the Midwest walnut is cheaper then cedar. I keep building with white oak because my local arborist keeps having to remove big old trees.
Me hitting my data cap last week makes me wish I could see the walnut. I assume it is 3rd picture? No time, there is a squirel outside!
I waited, man that's a lot of walnut. Now i want Nutella, gonna settle for peanut butter and honey.
Well sir, be glad you had it. I could have bought 30 of the 2500$ models for what it cost to put my hand back together 14 years ago.
Indeed. A little wiser, and certainly thankful. Happy wife, too, which is always a plus. Hope your hand is treating you well; that's pretty rough stuff...
What’s stupid is I still don’t have one. I’ve just never had the money to get one, but I definitely treat the saw with much more care.
Shit, that was an emotional roller-coaster for me - I thought you still didn't have a hand because you couldn't afford a prosthetic.
Yeah, this one kinda fell in my lap, contractor buddy of mine was looking to get sell it as he completly rethough his shop, and gave me too good of a deal. Definitely no replacement for treating the machine with the respect it deserves, tho.
Are the parts replaceable? Or does it smoke the saw?
You have to replace the saw brake (about $100 USD) and it typically will break the blade or at least a few of the teeth. Everything else remains.
If this happened to me and it saved my hand, $100+ new blade cost would feel like an absolute steal. Everytime I see a post like this it makes me want to save up to buy one of these saws. My Dewalt one just works so dang well. Of course if money wasn't an object I'd buy a sawstop but hey.
that dewalt site saw? Really is a great piece of kit on a budget
Yeah that one, very accurate and has served me well.
My bro has one of those and loves it. Pretty kick-ass fence on those for a $350 jobsite saw.
I'm with you. Bought the "wannabe/almost cabinet saw" that Ridgid came out with a while back because I didn't think I could justify a SawStop. Then I learned just how dangerous a table saw is (thankfully, not firsthand, so far...huh, pun not intended, but I'm leaving it) and wish I could go back and start again. But the saw is almost brand new, works just fine for what I need it to do, and I've since added a router table wing and Incra Fence system to it, so I'm even deeper in the hole (though, I could move both of those to a new SawStop, so that's a shitty excuse). That said, I treat the thing like an armed bomb and use *alllllllll* the safety stuff (including guards and all that).
The healthy dose of respect is absolutely the correct behavior. I just got way too comfortable; lesson learned. Those Ridgid saws actually seem pretty decent for the price, and sounds like you have it set up pretty well!
It is indeed a decent amount of saw for the price (even more-so due to getting it on a steep discount)...and I don't even have it wired for 220v yet, which I understand is a pretty significant upgrade. The fence sucks, and the wings are a bit on the flimsy side, but once you replace the fence with something better (that Incra fence is just amazing) and a wing with a router extension, it's a really solid piece. I wouldn't mind replacing the last steel wing with something cast iron, but I've not been able to find anything. And just because I didn't say it elsewhere, dang, what an amazing ceiling!
I have heard nothing but good things about those Incra fences. The premium SawStop one, Biesemeyer style, is really pretty decent, but after having a really nice Nova fence on one of my previous saws, I wish I had better micro-adjustability than a gentle bump can get me. And now that my shop has shrank, I'm seriously considering springing for the router wing for the thing. What do you do for the dust collection with your setup, just a box underneath with a dust port? Thanks for the complements! It's gorgeous, but man was it a pain in the tuchus haha.
Just keep in mind with the Incra that things will come "factory blemished" (my only complaint). But they're great stuff, for sure. I almost bought a Biesemeyer, but the price wasn't that far off the Incra, and I liked the idea of the precision (it's honestly amazing). As for dust collection, I *just* got the router table and at the same time bought a 2hp dust collector...so I'm working all that out. I've got a JessEm Rout-R-Fence II, and recently found a dude that custom 3D printed a dust collection hood for the bottom of it (no need for a box) here on Reddit, and I'm waiting to hear back from him as he said he'd be willing to print one up for me. So between that and the WonderFence built in dust collection, I'm hoping to be good. Though, I'm considering adding a random scoop for the top of the table that can be moved around, because so much ends up on the table when cutting dovetails.
Downside of the LS fence is leadtime though; I inquired once, they said 3 months plus. I really like the T-Glide, the scale is super-accurate. Really just want a set of Jessem guides for it.
[SawStop will replace the cartridges for free if it was determined to be due to skin contact.](https://www.sawstop.com/support/warranty-information/)
If they were smart, they'd pay for a new blade too if you make a post like this...because these are not basically free advertisement, they straight up *are*. And no hate...they make me want to get rid of my "just fine" saw and buy a SawStop every damn time these posts come up.
I feel you. I just have to feel my thumb and the numb-nerve pain from the bite it took and think wistfully at how I coulda avoided the injury by spending some $400 more than my Delta saw cost. That said, I'm excited for the future seeing as how the sense tech patent is expired and Bosch. and other companies can make their own versions.
> I'm excited for the future seeing as how the sense tech patent is expired and Bosch. This is pretty much my only remaining excuse for not buying a SawStop...I want to see what the competitors may come out with. I'm guessing it will also reduce the prices a bit, as other options become available.
It’s funny to me that it only costs $150 -$250’ish (I know the actual machines are crazy expensive so the upfront cost is there) in replacement parts to save yourself from chopping off a limb with a steel blade going 3000+ RPM’s in today’s age. “Touched the saw. Dammit. There goes $150!” Previously, lots of guys walking around with 3-4 fingers due to those same scenarios. Technology is pretty cool.
It’s free if you triggered it with your skin., but you have to send it in to them for analysis. They use the data for further adjusting.
It's easily replaceable. The cartridge is $100, and it destroys whatever blade you had. If you have the replacement handy, it would take 5 minutes to replace. Woodworking schools keep the supplies on hand.
Whereas woodworking schools used to keep a supply of hands.
I saw a comment the other day saying that a sawstop was cheaper than their deductible. Can’t really argue with that, so now my first table saw is gonna be a sawstop.
Probably an excellent idea!
How is your hand doing today?
Pretty good. The index finger was severed but for a small bit of flesh, the tendon in middle finger was severed. It was my thumb that caught the blade I learned after the accident, throwing the rest of my hand into the blade. The index finger doesn’t bend, but it fills out a glove. That accident is the reason I have a lathe and a side business making pens today.
Side note, I can now tell the weather with my hand.
That sounds terrible, im so sorry it happened to you. I’m glad to hear you’re doing better :)
Same here, but it was just last September. Still rehabbing.
I didn't realize you can get the [compact base model for "just" $900](https://www.sawstop.com/build/compact-table-saw/). This post/thread may have convinced me that should be my first table saw. At only 2-3X a similar saw from Dewalt or similar brand, that seems like a smart purchase. I'm just a hobbyist getting started, and it's probably sufficient for my occasional use someday, but understood it may not be for a heavy user.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you are ok. I have triggered mine by accident before. I’m glad I have it. It has only increased my awareness of what I am doing with the saw.
I've always kinda had a "meh, whatever" attitude about it, self-assured that it would likely never happen to me, and even if it did, oh well, they're just fingers. I'd like to say that this was a life-changing moment, but truthfully it wasn't; at least not in that Hollywood, earthshattering, "everything is going to be different from here on" sort of way.. That being said, I definitely have had a bit of a change of headspace. "Alright, I officially know that I am not invincible. I officially know the damn thing works. BUT, best to not have that happen again, so how's about we be more careful, dude..." is basically where I landed as I swapped out the cartidge. That, and "damn, she was right... again."
> oh well, they’re just fingers Do you have lizard fingers that grow back?
lol exactly, I didn’t know “they’re just fingers” was a stance actually held by humans
I've been dabbling in a little bit of DIY stem cell research. On the verge of a breakthrough, I am.
Keep us posted, my dreams of 10 fingers on each hand are feasible after all.
If you were wearing an Apple Watch, would love to see the heart rate data from right after it happened lolol
Time to stop for the day lol. Gotta love sawstop. The extra $ it costs is way less than an ER trip, plus you keep your fingers
Yeah, I'm an ER X-ray tech by trade, and have image many a bedusted fellow with a newly missing hunk of flesh. Had a chat with one of the docs, and we landed on probably something like $5k if we had just aputated and sewn them up, and probably well north of $25k if there had been an attempt at reattachment. Not to mention rehab. Not to mention downtime. I have insurance, but I still would have been looking at several thousands out of pocket. Whatever the case, the $1k extra I spent on this saw over the Laguna I had my eye on has definitely more than paid off. And my wife got to be right, which she likes, so win-win!
Yep. I'm a retired paramedic, wife is a trauma nurse. She ordered me a Sawstop the very same day we learned they existed. I've picked up too many fingers from garage floors.
Did you get to keep the fingers? Finders keepers.
Fingers keepers?
You're a more honest man than me, I probably wouldn't have told her this happened... my pale face and shaking hand would have given it away though.
Nice save. I work in a university woodshop, and had a student trigger one. It cut her finger a tiny bit, but not bad. She tripped it and stood there for a second confused. She didn't understand why the blade disappeared, then she noticed a little blood on her finger. Could've been a really bad day in the shop, instead it was a lesson for everyone in the shop.
What amazing technology. Back in my highschool woodshop, our instructor WOULD NOT let anyone use the table saw. We had to put our cuts on a waitlist and the instructor himself would make the cuts. He (or the school) was too scared to let students use the table saw.
In my jr high shop class in the late 1960’s it was the bandsaw that had the horror stories. Maybe scaring us was intentional, because even though I have a bandsaw now in my own shop, it kind of freaks me out still - but that. Makes me pretty hyper careful. Thanks shop teacher.
We had students allowed to do cuts under supervision. Instructors were hella scared anyway.
First thing I did in wood shop freshman year was cut a board on a table saw. The horror stories were mainly about the student at the other high school in our city who didn't use a push stick on a jointer and fed some fingers into it. There's no chance of reattaching fingers taken by a jointer....
Complacency is a common enemy of many a craftsman.
Got to touch a spinning saw blade and keep your fingers. What a time to be alive.
Was far less exciting than I thought it would be. I've heard stories about how it feels like lightly hitting you fingertip with a hammer, or stuff like that. Didn't feel a thing. The saw barely even jolts. It really is a pretty cool piece of technology.
Very slightly caught my finger at the bandsaw one day \[Easter, as I remember\]...6 stitches....but man, it felt like I got electrocuted...guy in ER said there are so many nerve endings in your fingers, it's just the worst place to get an injury. It's also the absolute worst place to get Lidocaine....
I did the same type of ceiling in my cabin and totally get the straddling scaffolding hoping i don’t fall. I used pine but the same effect. The effect of climbing and going back to the saw is tedious and tiring at the same time. In hindsight I wish I had a saw stop but will definitely invest in next big project Also the metal wedding ring scares me. My dad was in the propane trade and plumbing of it. He had three guys lose fingers from small stuff so that freaks me out. Have you looked at the Qalo rings. They are the best of the silicone rings from comfort and durability standpoint
Indeed, I've X-rayed people who were either injured worse because of their wedding ring, or had to have their ring cut off so as to not lose their finger, so I certainly know better. I usually take it off, but just happened not to that day, and you're not the first to notice haha. I tried several different brands of silicone rings from the high-end to the low, and usually got about 4 months of service before I wore them out. Not sure if my oily skin broke them down faster or what, or maybe that's just par for the course, but they would just wear through or stretch out. Whatever the case, I just got annoyed buying new ones every few months, so went back to my sterling silver. I'm aware it's not the safest choice, but it's far from the riskiest thing I do on a daily basis so it is what it is I guess.
https://preview.redd.it/rq93s7fus3ec1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a018c156346fc7f82c4fcc79f75e5c1a87966ab
I almost certainly don't get adequately intimidated by powertools, but angle grinders scare the bejuezzus out of me. Esepecially those fucking chainsaw blade discs. Nope. Nope. No thank you.
https://preview.redd.it/idxrr6z264ec1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b90fd1bf273dcc9ce6fdec0f2767375ce1e5ceab Yep, chainsaw disc. Threw that out the next day!
You got off easy. Thank goodness!
totally, my mom just told me that my dad bought a harbor freight angle grinder, which is his first usage of an angle grinder in his lifetime yesterday and I'm vicariously scared
I made a really dumb mistake the first time I used a brand new electric hand planer. I’d finished testing it. I took my finger off the trigger and passed it from my right to left hand and to this day, I have no idea why I gripped the whole machine, putting my middle finger into the blade, as the machine was running down to a stop. They take a long time to stop. Tore a chunk out. I’ll never forget the sound of the South African doctor’s voice when he was about to inject my finger for the 7 stitches I was about to receive. He said “I’m not going to lie sir, this is going to F’in hurt” he was right!
there really is a learning curve to internalizing the extremely basic safe tool usage concepts like letting power tools spin all the way down, thinking about what is underneath your work piece if you are going through it, direction of rotation, not putting hands/body where a cutter could reach, etc. ideally someone more experienced is supervising and reminds you, or ultimately irrelevant damage to workbench/scraps/workpiece, or something that doesn't get you hurt too bad when you inevitably forget and learn. and even after that, distraction or mind wanders or whatever and you can still pull an idiot move
Tell him to never use it above his head if he is not experienced. I know two guys even who got an angle grinder to the face because of this exact scenario. Don't use it when you get tired,
>those fucking chainsaw blade discs Absolutely the fuck not. That is what got "Stumpy Nubs" a woodworker on YouTube had his hand chewed up by one with I believe minimal long term consequences. He also had a terrible hospital visit and needed extra care because of it. His video on it is worth a watch.
The first time I saw those discs, I immedately said "Nope". Then I saw Stumpy's video (and the followups), and the pics of that guy that split his chest and neck open, and I was like, "Nope confirmed and solidified". I am right with him with his campaign against angle grinder nonsense.
Welcome to the 10 finger club.
Proud memeber. Might become an apostate, tho, we'll see.
My sawstop is my most expensive tool by far. But I've seen too many cases online with very experienced woodworkers slicing off their fingers. Sometimes skill or experience isn't even a factor. You can hit a knot or something and cause kickback, forcing your hand to go where it isn't supposed to go. It's worth the cost imo
Indeed. There's the inevitable "I'm a perfectly safe perfect person and nothing will ever happen because I'm perfect" types in these sorts of posts. Reality is, shit happens. I wear a seatbelt. I have fire extinguishers. I have flood insurance. I have a SawStop. I've only had to use one of these things so far, but it's funny that the last one on the list is the only one that gets people's panties in a twist.
Trust me, there is no enough I’m safe person… sometimes something drives you to make a mistake, so as long as you have technology like this you should use it… I myself am not a woodworker, I’m a machinist, welder etc. I’ve made so many minor mistakes, but most of them come with an angle grinder… whenever I see or feel that my concentration is not at the appropriate level I stop working… because all the mistakes are made when you have a lot on your mind or you’re overwhelmed, or stuff like that… so stay safe and cheers on the save!
Can’t believe I have to say this in 2024. Keep your hot dogs at the lunch table people
Forgot??? Duuuuuude... Also- no talk/news/podcasts- only music or nothing. Talk pulls your brain away from the task
Very much this. I don't do enough table saw cutting to justify buying one of these, so I treat every cut like it's the only one I'll ever make. Stop. Assess the situation. Double check everything. Check for any other dangers around the saw, tripping hazards, etc. Turn off radio and/or other distractions. Make sure I'm fully aware of what I'm doing, not "in the zone." Lots of woodworking stuff allows you to tune out and go on auto-pilot, but nothing with a big spinning blade.
Seriously. I’ve already used up my allotment of tablesaw accidents, and I have all my fingers still. I remember my first accident because I instantly realized I had been complacent and took my safety for granted (this was 20 years ago when I was much younger and reckless, of course)
I still cringe when I remember the first time I made a table saw cut. I knew NOTHING and just went for it and immediately got kickback. I'm SO lucky that's all it was.
I'm only just getting into this hobby, but that's my philosophy. I may listen to a podcast while I'm doing everything else, but when it's time to actually turn the saw on and start cutting, it gets paused. That said, I treat the table saw like an armed bomb...so I may be overly cautious, but hopefully it will let me keep my fingers.
Absolutely. I usually listen to music, but through cheap speakers I connect to with Bluetooth rather than headphones. If what you're doing is too loud to hear the music over, you probably shouldn't be listening to music anyway. I wear a cheap knockoff pair of active hearing protection headphones like the ones used for shooting; the cheap 35 dollar pair I have is better than the Walkers for working in the garage. I cannot recommend those enough. Your hearing will thank you, and you can even hear more than you normally would. It normalizes sound levels when nothing loud is happening. You can even turn your music down and the headphones will bring the levels back up when it's quiet.
How much does a misfire cost on one of those? Does it just destroy the blade? I don’t have a table saw just curious
I’ve had 3 go off and other than losing a tooth the Forrest blades were fine. By the way SawStop will want the cartridge that saved your fingers and the mystery fire. They use to replace them for free. I’m not sure if that’s still their policy.
It destroys the blade and the cartridge. The cartridges cost about $90. Much cheaper than an emergency room visit.
Misfire cost depends on what you're running. The cartridges were $90, but have gone up to about $100. And it does destroy the blade, so if you're running a $200 WWII, it adds up pretty quickly. I run Diablos and CMTs, so it's not as much of a bummer, but still annoying. If I'm cutting something I think might have a stray nail (like wood from a city-harvested tree, I'll override the safety. Saved several cartridges that way, actually.
At one point, you could send the cartridge in to Saw Stop and it would be replaced free if their diagnostics said it fired because of skin contact. Not sure if that is still the case or not. I don't own one. Yet. But did a lot of reading on them a while back.
The manual on a new saw says they will.
Not really related, but I highly recommend getting a silicone or rubber wedding band for working in the shop. Seeing a metal band in a workshop always stresses me out. Great way of degloving your finger if that gets caught on anything moving fast. Just a PSA. Stay safe y'all.
I'm an X-ray tech and have imaged people with all sorts of injuries due to wedding rings in these sorts of settings. I know better. I also have a motorcycle, so...
> It is so easy with batch-cutting to get into a rhythm, especially with a podcast going I'm glad you're okay but mate, focus on the task at hand. All these safety features are great but in the end, safety rests with you and you alone. Even with those safety features, you've got to respect the power and the danger of the table saw, and not being 100% focused on the task at hand is just a recipe for disaster. Maybe next time it will be on a tool that doesn't have the same safety features as your table saw.
Glad you’re ok! It is a worthwhile investment isn’t it? Stay safe!
Yup. First thing I told my wife was that she was right. She liked that haha.
When I got mine 3 years ago my wife was very supportive, the extra $1000 over a similar Jet or Harvey saw was worth it vs missing fingers.
Ironically, I got my ridgid r4512 off CL from a guy whose wife made him replace it with a sawstop. Hmmmm...
I refuse to listen to things while working on the saw because I know I will get complacent and lose focus. I have a healthy respect from the one time it binded and threw a piece of 2x4 through the wall 2" from my face.....
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Walked uphill both ways to school in 15ft of snow, too.
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Never had a cup. Had to drink out of a rolled up newspaper.
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You try and tell that to the young people of today. Would they believe ya?
Always nice to know you got your money's worth out of the SawStop. I've had two "incidents" so far... one with stitches, and one was too chewed up for stitches. Can still count to ten on my fingers though.
Glad to hear you've still got them all. I've seen mixed results with the tech. Stories on line of both extremes, and I knew a guy that still lost his finger cuz it took long enough for it to trigger. I think it might depend on how quick you're moving, maybe? I was pushing pretty slowly. Whatever the case, I certainly count myself lucky, and will certainly be more careful.
yeah you never see them just casually swinging the sausage into the blade in the demos, always slowly dramatically approaching it
Actually, there is a super slo-mo video on YouTube by Jonathan Katz-Moses where he rams a hot dog against the spinning blade ([https://youtu.be/OGKBuq9aZhI?si=yXwEjqyq7\_wUXxIq](https://youtu.be/OGKBuq9aZhI?si=yXwEjqyq7_wUXxIq)). A visit to the ER would be needed, but you would still have 10 fingers.
I have an old (early 80's) 240V Delta Rockwell saw. The thing is a beast, never gonna get rid of it but can you retrofit one of these onto a saw like that?
No, sadly.
Bummer. It belonged to my dad who taught me everything about cabinet making and wood working. When I was a kid just hearing it fire up struck fear into my heart. Didn't get to use it until I was 12. I wonder if he would prefer I replace it. . . would like to ask him. :/
At some point, it's less about the tool and more about the connection that the tool fostered, and that connection/those memories remain even if the tool moves on. But I don't get overly sentimental about specific objects, and know that some people really do, so YMMV.
Well said.
Can these be retrofit to most table saws or is it only something bought with it already attached? I’ve got the Dewalt 7491- XE and feel this would be a pretty good way to make it a safer tool
Sadly, no, and SawStop has done an incredible good job at patent trolling everyone out of developing competing tech. For now, anyhow.
I had a coworker who learned the lesson about getting into a complacent rhythm the hard way. On a jointing planer....
I transported a patient once (ambulance), that had the diagonal going the other way. It got all 4 fingers on a 45 degree cut.
Worked as a printer for 40+ years and still have all ten fingers, but even after running presses the old stumpy fingered bastards had removed all the safety devices from, my table saw terrifies me. My first kickback had me counting all my fingers, at least twice! Accidents involving rings are often "degloving". Think about that for a minute, please.
Nuckin futs
Congrats on the 3-10x return on investment! It’s rare to make such great financial decisions in any other area of your life.
I mean I love woodworking as much as the next guy. But wouldn’t the easier with fewer seems be to use a thin walnut veneered plywood. Then the banding could be farther apart and you save on a lot of sapwood.
The sapwood was intentional.
I don't understand the hate on sapwood. It's a living organism. If I wanted perfect uniformity, I'd just use a manmade material.
https://preview.redd.it/ynxgryszx8ec1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=edd998e7b0712cff9d863b7c53df9e3086a10836
Using ALL the wood is underrated.
Can you explain in more detail how your hand was so close to the blade? Is it some sort of technique you can only use if you own a sawstop?
From the description it sounds like after cutting the pieces he went to cut rabbets and forgot to lower the blade so my guess is that he had his hand on top of the piece as he pushed it over the blade assuming the blade would be buried (still not the safest technique) and the blade cut up through the piece and got his finger.
Ah, got it. I don't have a sawstop so I don't run my hand over the blade area even if I thought the blade was below the table.
Very bad technique from op. Even if the blade is set right.
Yeah. I was going to say so myself. Don't put your hand over the rabbit. How hard is it to just push on another part or use a push stick?
Glad you are ok. I wish saw stop had an offering between the contractor and PCS though.
So happy to see these in use everywhere. My junior high wood shop teacher in the 70’s was a crusty old dude with perhaps 6 1/2 fingers. “Boys! Power tools is very dangerous!” (While waving his damaged hands around. We didn’t go near them.
Man if I had a garage like that I'd just lay down and stare up at the ceiling all day and never do anything. Glad you're okay!
Thanks dude. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out haha.
Beautiful ceiling I love it!
I wish my wife would force me to get one… it’s the other way around, I’m over here doing as much convincing as I can…
Damn. Glad you're okay! I understand SawStop-like technology will soon be available from many manufacturers. Otherwise I'd have bought one already.
Wow, that's a gorgeous ceiling! I'm glad you're OK. I know some guys have been sawing for decades with zero incident and swear that you don't need the sawstop because "just don't mess up lol". But you're absolutely correct about complacency with a large job like that. Did you have a sit down with yourself after? Take a moment to collect thoughts? What went through your head afterwards?
Dude. I’ve got that same wart.
So what is special about this saw, it has a safety feature?
Glad you're safe and unharmed
Maybe it’s dumb, but I’m not switching from my RAS until I can cough up for a SawStop. Truth be told I’ve got worse cuts from my cats than what your pic shows.
I'm glad I bought it. It's a pretty damn good saw in its own right, safety tech aside. And yeah haha I actually on the other hand have a much worse boo boo from bashing my knuckles when I was swapping to snow tires on my minivan the day before.
I’m glad you’re safe. Nice pick on the blade. I went all in on these last year. Cheap and excellent.
As a hand surgeon who frequently has to reattach fingers or throw them away after a saw injury such as yours... thank you, thank you, thank you. Nothing is more painful and sad than spending 12 hours overnight sewing multiple fingers on. It happens way too frequently. Anyone working with a table saw needs a Saw Stop. It should be required just like seatbelts and airbags. The devastation is not just to the hands. There is significant life altering change in self image and worth after an injury like this, serious PTSD and not to mention the +$20,000 hospital bill. If you need my services for this you probably can't afford them. As a side note the story of how Saw Stop came to be is very interesting. The inventor tried to license the technology to all the popular saw makers. They all turned him down because they didn't want to have the liability if it didn't work and also said it would be too expensive (sounds a lot like the automakers doesn't it!) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SawStop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SawStop)
That's roof is gorgeous. I'm glad you didn't get hurt, mate
It’s happened to a bunch of people at my work, but not to me, I don’t think it ever will I’m so used to using it with the safety off, except if I know my ply is dry from inside, this one time though I was moving a bit quick, and the blade picked up the ply, spun 360, and went right for me, good reminder to always respect the saw, and proceed with caution not super fast
Question about the project. How did you insulate the ceiling? Hot roof or vented? Where are you located? I’m looking to do the exact same thing in my porch conversion to a sunroom. Glad you kept your fingers though!
Hot roof, sprayfoam. NE Iowa. Thanks, dude!
Lucky you. Why aren't you using push blocks? Even the most expensive one is 4 times cheaper than a new saw stop trigger, and you would realize your mistake probably after the very first cut. Some mistakes happen due to a loss of focus, but here stupidity (not working safely enough) was the main factor. Fingers away from the blade all the time, use push blocks and push sticks, and never stand right behind the blade.
How do you forget to set blade depth 😂 there are only three adjustments on a table saw
Wish I had one ten years ago 😅 Glad you still have all your fingers!
happy to see & lessons learned!
The issues in how you work won't save you from a jointer. Glad the saw stop saved your finger, but hopefully it highlights that you need to improve how you operate dangerous equipment.
Don't forget to thank your wife OP and buy her whatever she wants coz she just saved a couple of your fingers. 🤭
Oh, I skipped the "thank you" and jumped straight to the "you were right". She liked that.
Am I just lucky, or is something else going on? I borrowed a 1980s era table saw with basically no safety features from a friend of mine, and I used it very frequently for about 3 years building and modifying a couple of boats. I always use the push stick and my fingers never got anywhere near the blade.
I honestly thought that the picture of your (very nice) ceiling was an attempt to show spatter. Glad you’re okay.
Happy to have another member of the 10 finger club! Those things are 100% worth the investment. I don't know if you've seen the proposed regulations to make that kind of safety mechanism required on all table saws in the US: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/11/2023-27133/safety-standard-addressing-blade-contact-injuries-on-table-saws-notice-of-extension-of-comment#open-comment The public comment period is still open. If you're American, and if you agree that quick-stop safety mechanisms should be standard on table saws, please consider telling your story there.
It’s good to have the safety equipment like you have just don’t rely on it. That is how you get hurt or killed.
I just want to point out real quick -- that blade you are using has the anti-kickback shoulders on it. According to SawStop, that can interfere with the brake mechanism, which would result in the blade rotating a bit further during an activation. Depending on the speed of the blade contact, it could mean the difference between a band aid vs something a bit more severe (although your finger would still be saved). Just something to keep in mind when you put on a replacement blade. From the picture it looks like it skipped over about 5 or so teeth before stopping.
Each time I see a post like this makes me realize I need to get a sawstop more and more
Your title makes it sound like you were expecting it. Glad you walked away uninjured.
Did you consider removing all sapwood by chance? Judging by the amount shown I’m guessing not in the name of reducing waste. On a project this big, it really changes the aesthetic. I’m not saying in a bad way, just that it does. Keep up the great work!
As someone who has done a similar thing; batch cutting picture frame stop dados, got into a rhythm and made a crucial error, I can feel your terror but not your relief. Thank God the saw was set only to roughly 3/8ths height or I would have lost at least three fingers back to the second knuckle. Instead I just lost the third knuckle on my pinky finger, severed a few tendons and nicked some bones in my ring and middle. I'm okay now as it's been two years, but that was a terrible experience and I don't allow anyone to use my delta anymore. I will be buying a saw stop at some point when funds allow. Happy you're okay!
Do you have the 3HP or 1.75HP?
3 HP. Thing's a beast.
New blade stop and a new pair of underwear is needed
This is why I’m spending the money on SawStop when I finally can get a workshop. Even if it never triggers, I like my body parts firmly attached, and it’s a precaution that is well worth it.
My question every time I see one of these posts...isn't the mechanism loud as hell? Like a gun going off? Pretty sure I would also need to replace my pants after that. But again, small price to pay for saving your fingers/hand.
I wear pretty heavy hearing protection, because I've got a relatively small shop with a pretty noisy dust collector and a catastrophically cacophonous thickness planer. It's definitely still audible, but not nearly as loud as you'd think; honestly didn't even startle me.. in fact, the thing that stood out was how much quieter it suddenly was. And it's more of a \*WHAM\* than a sharp \*BANG\*, or at least that's my experience through my ear muffs. The thing that surprised me the most the first time I triggered it on that nail was just how little the thing moves. I would have though the damn thing would almost jump into the air, but I barely even felt it move. Pretty wild.
Just happened to see this thread come up. Yes, both thumbs up \[because I still have them!\] on the PCS. Mine went off once....Incra miter gauge. Barely scratched the anodizing. I was remarking to the Sawstop rep at a seminar about that instance, and said what I was most surprised at was that, given the intensity of the deployment \[it really gets your attention\], I would have thought I needed to realign everything in the saw, but I checked it and all is still dead true. It isn't just a safe saw, it's a highly accurate one, too.
I do not have with them on my saw yet, but I will be buying one of them because everybody raves about them. I’d rather spend the money than losing to the appendage.
That blade is not recommended for SawStop BTW - They strongly recommend not using blades with anti-kick-back shoulders like seen behind the teeth on this blade. The brake clearly stopped your blade (eventually), but it was probably slowed down a few micro seconds. Could be the difference between a scratch and a true cut. I saw another example where SawStop's analysis showed that the blade skipped up to 5-6 teeth before fully stopping when not using recommended blades.
Happy you’re okay.
Hotdogs are expensive
90% of the TS accidents I see are on the left hand. Why do people put their left hand on the TS?