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News

CPSC Proposes New Safety Rule for Tablesaws

The proposed rule requires that new saws automatically stop the blade to prevent injury.

By Patrick McCombe
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Last week the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed a new rule to make tablesaws safer. The proposal requires that table saws limit the depth of cut to 3.5 millimeters when a stand-in for a human finger (a hot dog is commonly used) contacts the spinning blade while approaching at 1 meter per second. The new rule does’t provide guidance on how to do this, but we can assume it means a braking system like the one pioneered by SawStop. Should the new rule be made law, it would seem like a huge boon to the SawStop company, as the only other competing saw was recently the subject of another court action that said the Bosch REAXX violated SawStop’s patent by using the principle of capacitance as a means of flesh detection. The CPSC says the new rule is necessary to prevent the nearly 55,000 blade-contact injuries that require medical treatment and could save consumers anywhere from $625 million to about $2.3 billion in reduced medical payments, insurance claims and lost wages. The agency is soliciting comments for 75 days before taking further action.

For more information, check out these Fine Homebuilding posts:

  • Tool Test: SawStop’s Portable Tablesaw
  • Finally, Another Finger-saving Tablesaw
  • Video: Bosch Reaxx Finger-Saving Tablesaw Demonstration

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  1. Marinoni14 | May 15, 2017 02:51pm | #1

    Many years ago they took 3 wheelers (ATC's) off the market because unqualified or unskilled people tried to ride them. They were safe. I rode one within it's limits and my limits. Making a rule to make tablesaws safer with saw stopping technology might amounts to doing the same thing. Such action may in fact save the money they speak about above, but it only serves those that are unskilled and unqualified to use tablesaws to start with. And they still end up with a 1/8" deep gash due to their new comfort level. Splitter blades, the new guards and paying attention give all the safety that is needed and they are inexpensive. How much would a cheap saw be if they added the saw stop technology? $400 to $1400??

  2. TF Workshop | May 18, 2017 12:07pm | #2

    If they made this technology mandatory, the volumes would go up and of course, the costs would come down quite a lot over time. Also, the motivation to enter the market by all the manufacturers would go up.

    This is something new, so most people will think it spells the end of civilization as we know it - and as with everything else new, it won't. All in all I think its good idea. It would a bumpy couple of years getting it fully in the market, but after that it would be business as usual and quite a lot safer.

  3. buzzell | May 22, 2017 12:16pm | #3

    While the proposed intent (safety) is great, this is an emotionally-driven effort for SawStop to force acceptance of their (expensive) product on all tablesaw manufacturers and users. This is the type of lobbying and misuse of regulations that cost everyone in both hard-costs and long-term costs - all so one company can make money they don't deserve, based on a true free market. They ought to be gone after as a target for anti-trust.

  4. BGodfrey | May 22, 2017 01:57pm | #4

    Is everyone still arguing and whining about this? It's going to happen, just like seat belts in cars, insulation on wires, and those weird plastic hand protectors on chisels. If they had done this years ago, all the manufactures would have their own designs and the competitive world we live in would have the costs pushed way down already. Everyone would be used to the technology, and thousands of fingers would still be attached to their original hands instead of sitting in peoples' top drawers in a vial full of alcohol.

  5. donknots | May 22, 2017 02:06pm | #5

    How about we all learn how to safely operate the tools and machines that we operate and ask our politicians to use their time to pass laws that make sense. Better yet, can Saw Stop put that device on the front of my truck, so I don't have to watch for pedestrians in crosswalks ? Funny how this law comes out right after the Bosch ruling !!

  6. HWG | May 22, 2017 03:32pm | #6

    As one who managed to cut off a thumb on the table saw I feel that I speak from a position of experience. The proposed rule SHOULD NOT be allowed to become law. Right now there is a monopoly on the technology, by a company doing every thing it can to block competition. Certainly the government should assist them in doing so. If the market matures to the point there is meaningful competition then it could be considered, although I prefer it be market driven demand, not forced compliance.
    My accident was due to my carelessness, I do not expect the government to get involved.

  7. RoyTurning | May 22, 2017 04:49pm | #7

    I'm wondering how long the Saw Stop patents are good for? Anyone know?

  8. deadnuts | Jun 06, 2017 12:52pm | #8

    If you are opposed (as I am) to this regulation being passed (which it hasn't), then register your opposition (as I have) at regulations.gov. as soon as possible. Type in Docket #: CPSC
    -2011-0074 to search engine and register your comment . Otherwise your opposition is falling on deaf ears as far as future implementation is concerned.

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