The short(er) version IMHO
I think the issue of SawStop petitioning CPSC comes down to a commercially unsuccessful product trying to force itself on the consumer in the guise of safety in the public good. Remember how the mandatory seat belt issue evolved? Do we have to go through that again? Unfortunately, most of us keep our table saws longer than our cars. I hope the CPSC has the sense to distinguish true safety from the politics of greed. If the regulation is enacted, the "playing field" should be as level as possible to prevent SawStop from a monopoly and holding the consumer hostage.
Ed Weiser
P.S. I'm sorry my opinion here is so one-sided. As a physician and surgeon I understand the incredible value of avoiding life-changing power tool injuries. I just don't see that SawStop is doing this in the public interest much at all. If so the wording of their petition might have been quite a bit different...
Wow - I guess I really AM the only one to disagree!
This must be a first for me :) I've read all the responses... I must say it is kind of odd to be the only dissenter.
Mr Bill Grumbine: Well written words, although I am one of these "woodworkers everywhere" and I don't take their filing as a slap on the face. I don't think they are calling me a stupid ww'er that can't work safely! I think they are making this public for all the non-ww'er people that will see this and think, "wow, that really makes sense! - how come the tool companies haven't put this in their tools yet?" [P-R-O-F-I-T-S] My only other correction (if you can call it that) would be that I never wrote that companies having profits in mind was a BAD thing :) It's fully expected and understood. I think my point was that if business is moving along ok, redesigning their tools for a new safety device would cut into profits for only a certain (limited) percentage of users that would buy one. The safety equipment that came with my Delta contractor saw in 2001 is the same basic stuff that was issued at least 20, if not 40, if not 60 years prior. Yet we've seen a revolution in microchips and CAD capability that have left TS trunnions and 10" TS blades behind. Heck, between BP where this first reared it's head to now I would bet $50 that less than 20% of all the posters have written to say they would buy this *if it were an option*. It's a losing bet from the start! Safety always seems to be... how many people do we all think have dropped $400 for killer overarm guards? Not too many. So I must politely disagree with your assessment that these tool mfg's are implementing new safety equipment in their saws when it makes profitable sense to do it.
Carl - I DO agree with you, I don't think the Corvair was unsafe. I wish more people had heard of oversteer, I really do! But it was a catalyst (by it's own fault or not) for safety change in the auto industry.
I couldn't care less about SawStop's business tactics - tactics that are just like any other for-profit company, don't delude yourself. I want their technology in my saw for my own safety and the safety of other ww'ers. The actual end-consumer cost of it is negligible. If it's non-impacting (NOT like the super-safe GFI breaker in my box that pops when the wind blows wrong) then we should all be happy the technology is ready for the masses, and willing the plunk down the extra bucks when it comes time to buy a new saw.
Just my opinion folks. I am still surprised to be the only dissenter. If you feel that strongly about this maybe it would help to take a sec and email one of the guys that's posted recently about losing a finger or three to the TS.
BTW, I am really surprised that link is generating THIS much interest, response and paranoia about the government. The CPSC gets press but they don't really have much teeth when it comes to what consumers actually BUY. If you want proof just go look for all the non-compliant bunk beds you can still buy.
Best regards,
Patrick
Look for the New 13" Contractor's Saw
Just a thought on how the woodworking industry might aproach the subject.