SawStop Table saw hotdog test in slow motion from IWF and Rockler event

The hotdog test from @sawstop Table Saws is one of those show stoppers at woodworking and tool shows just to show exactly how quickly the table saw blade will drop when it makes contact with skin. While SawStop table saws aren't cheap, they are cheaper than having to buy a new hand, so it's worth the investment if you are on the fence.

One of the biggest questions I get whenever I post a video of one of these is why do they use a hot dog and not use their hands if the table saw is so safe? In order to complete the circuit, the spinning table saw blade has to make contact with skin, so a tiny cut will occur from the blade before it stops and drops. I don't know about you, but if I was doing a few dozen demos of this a day, I'd rather not get a ton of cuts as a volunteer in a trade show booth.

The second question I get is, what happens if you aren't holding the hot dog when it hits the blade? The circuit can't be completed so you'll get exploded hot dog.

If you do have a Sawstop, the one thing to be conscious of when in the woodshop is making sure there's no metal in your lumber of be aware of the moisture in your material as they can all trip the blade stop. For this reason, it's always good to have a spare brake so you're up and running as quickly as you can pull the blade and brake and swap it out.

And before you ask, if you need to make dado cuts, you need a separate dado specific SawStop brake to have the saw function.

[deannak]

This is friggin awesome. How about from a different direction tho?

[Odurs]

This invention is a game changer for table saw safety. It's amazing how fast that blade can disappear!

[baazaouisana]

I personally have a friend who lost 2 of his fingers doing his job, so thank you for creating this table.

[hahsimalbeity]

This invention is safe and sophisticated. Who ever made this is a genius. I like it 👍

[jasonkioke]

ChatGPT: The saw you're referring to is likely a **SawStop** or a similar tool that uses technology to detect human flesh. It works by sensing the electrical conductivity of the human body. Here's how it operates:

1. **Electrical Signal**: The blade carries a small electrical signal.
2. **Human Contact Detection**: Human skin, being conductive, disrupts this signal when it touches the blade.
3. **Instant Blade Stop**: As soon as the saw detects this change in electrical conductivity, it triggers a safety mechanism that stops the blade and retracts it into the table within milliseconds.
This quick action greatly reduces the risk of severe injury. Non-conductive materials, like wood, do not affect the saw in the same way.

[trutherone]

This safety feature really does work! I was sawing 1 by 4 inch pieces of wood. My thumb got too close to the blade and the blade lowered faster than I could see!

[kingcee]

Met the guy who invented this and gave him a massive high 4

[Troyjanwarrior]

What can't technology do at this point.Thats crazzy how do you even program it to know.Crazzy

[timevans]

I’m missing three fingers on my left hand from a table saw accident. Seeing this makes me want to get back into woodworking

[richardgoodson]

We actually had one of these at my old job and it worked pretty well. One person got at least three stitches instead of losing the whole finger.

[BizLeadT]

I know a man who lost his hand on this cutters before this invention was created. Unfortunatelly a few years too late but still amazing

[jorgeluisvalentinalarcon]

Es una máquina y cualquier momento, te sacará hasta la mano.

[jessevanderkraats]

For those wondering how it works. There is an electric current through the saw blade, that wont react to wood since that cant conducted, but flesh can. As soon as it touches flesh the current will change and the machine will immediately pull down the blade

[PHATDAWGEATS]

Many hot dogs will be saved because of this man

[briannadelynn]

I used one of these before both of my colleges have them and someone triggered the safety once. And let me just say it doesn’t just work on hot dogs and no one thankfully lost a finger! 😮‍💨

[yaboylevi]

I've known about this for almost 10 years now and it still shocks and baffles me how well it works

[jaded]

If only that was available 20 yrs ago I could still hitchhike.

[CesarMartinez-oouo]

It really does work. During carpentry class in high-school, someone wasn't paying attention and the blade hit the breaks instantly and went down. It was loud that everyone heard it. The guy only came out with one drop of blood showing on his finger but it's better than coming out of it with a missing finger

[chefscorner]

I remember when these first came out and how I couldn't figure out how it works, but glad it does. It's saved countless fungers and hands ever since!

[azieran]

That technology is going to save a lot of hotdogs from accidentally being cut. Game changer.