Bob Cole

My thoughts after reading as much as I can find about this lawsuit are that Ryobi has been held liable by a jury of the plaintiff's peers.

That means that the court allowed the assembly of jurors that concluded power tool manufacturers must make all of their tools:
1. inoperable until proof can be "input into the tool" that the operator has read the manufacturer's operating manual;
2. the tool remains inoperable if any change whatsoever has been made to the power tool;
3. the tool remain inoperable until a third party documents that the operator has read, understands, and will comply will all manufacturer's instructions for use;
4. proof that the operator has taken and passed a written examination on the proper use of the tool; and,
5. all power tools have Sawstop technology.

Perhaps we need additional technology that requires electrodes be attached to the operator that measures common sense that also detects when the operator is not in compliance with the manufacturer's operating instructions.

Oh my! What will Sawstop do now? They can't comply with these standards! Perhaps Congress should hold hearings on this matter and pass a 2,000 page long law legislating the use and national certification and licensing to purchase and use such tools. Hmmm. Another hidden tax. Great idea.

By the way, if Sawstop technology is required on all power tools how will anyone ever cut raw wood before it has has its moisture removed by a kiln or air dried?

Not a bad idea! We can let our trees air dry for years before they head to the sawmills. I can't wait to purchase some of my beloved tiger maple boards from logs that have air dried for 20 years before cutting. Oh! Bad idea! I'm 67 years old.

This lawsuit has made one decision for me. I will never purchase any tool that has integrated Sawstop technology.

And, I must add, I like the few Ryobi tools I have. That is, until I drill a hole through my left elbow instead of a maple board or sand through the skin of a finger. Then it is off to court to make my millions!!!

Best of luck to Ryobi in the appeals process.