I agree with those who have said this should be available but not mandatory. I firmly believe that once customers begin realizing that there is a safer product available, they are fit to make the decision themselves whether it is worth it. I know if I were purchasing a table saw I would want this technology, but to each their own. Just don't ask me to pay for it when someone cuts their own finger off with their own table saw that doesn't have this technology included.
My school's wood shop just upgraded to a sawstop table saw, and as a new user most at risk of an accident with this thing, I applaud their choice. Of course, I'll be sure to stay on guard while operating the machine, sawstop or no sawstop, I feel better knowing that it's there in case of an accident.
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Originally Posted by KenWittleif
If you take a zero-accident approach then everything has to be very expensive, time consuming to use, with double redundant safety features.
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It is true that a line between safety and efficiency has to be drawn somewhere. But for me, this technology doesn't cross or even approach that line. The only thing distinguishing this saw from any other table saw is a slightly higher initial cost; it still operates like all the others - until it hits your flesh. At that point, it may have just saved your finger. And even if in so doing it destroyed the entire apparatus, I'd consider the save worth it. I'd say a $70 easily replaceable cartridge is a good bargain for a priceless, irreplaceable finger.
Again, I'm not in favor of forcing this on anyone, but I think the technology definitely has promise.
Edit: Missed spell-check.