I've noticed many woodworkers rave about their SawStop table saws, while sometimes I hear of accidents from those using other brands. I'm really cautious when using saws—I always use push blocks and keep my hands far from the blade because I'm genuinely afraid of it. But I wonder if that's enough? Do accidents happen due to overconfidence, or is it possible to still get hurt even while being careful?
2 Answers
You can definitely get hurt even when you're being as cautious as possible. I own a SawStop and always keep my hands away from the blade and use push blocks, yet I still ended up with a scar from kickback a few months ago. It wasn't overconfidence that caused it, just a mistake on my part. So even if you’re careful and aware of your surroundings, accidents can still happen. Relying solely on the SawStop’s safety features isn’t enough; it’s crucial to treat it with the respect any powerful tool deserves. I’d recommend taking whatever safety precautions you can, because when it comes to a sharp blade spinning at high speeds, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Exactly! I do the same thing with mine, treating it like there's no safety device at all. Working in a busy ER for over a decade has shown me how quick things can go wrong, even if it's just a moment of distraction.
I don’t have a SawStop, but I definitely respect the blade. I plan to get one eventually. There’s always gonna be some risk with using a table saw, which is known for being one of the more dangerous tools out there. A SawStop doesn’t eliminate the risk, but it drastically reduces it, and for me, that’s worth the investment when I can afford it.
Totally agree. It really happens even when you think you're being careful!