gstilwell

This sounds like a nice invention-especially to counter the $-based saw stop with it's bogus testing hype. BUT, the safety sensor of any woodworking tool lies in the BRAIN of the woodworker. When you know it can hurt you, you respect it!(remember when your Mom told you not to touch the stove burner? You won't do THAT again)
If you think you're safer, you will take more chances(look at the number of auto accidents after seat belts were mandated).
(it's ok Son, we have an 'auto-touch-no-burn-finger' stove)
I do applaud the Whirlwind inventor, though.

I have to agree completely with authors such as Tenleft, and planefolk;
Almost without exception, injuries in the shop(all) are the result of bad judgement, didn't follow instructions,etc. Tools don't jump up and bite you. This person who developed the saw stop apparently was not a Woodworker(Patent Attourney). Here's a way to get your retirement secured-find an idiot that hurt him(her)self. publicize it as if the tool attacked them, show selected, controlled demonstrations of your safe tool, get the gum mint to see how all people are stupid enough to hurt themselves, and they(gum mint) will be percieved as protecting the consumer. They could even add a new department- hire more gum mint employees, promulgate some new laws, require licencing for tool use--... blah,blah.
I have a new design chisel I'm thinking of developing--it will never cut your hand, then again, it won't cut wood either)

I'm not surprised at the outcome. My handplanes don't make dust; I don't need to buy a respirator, or a downdraft table,(with a dust collector) or sanding disks, I don't need electric cords all over the shop, it doesn't cost excess electricity. With the plane tuned properly, the finish is like glass. If not, a scraper blade will do the job.(which by the way, I noticed the sanding folks used)I do have to wade through fine, aromatic shavings of wood, though. I use them for potpourri, or to flavor my next Boston Butt on the smoker.

Nothing like a dumb a** to get the lawyers started. It's a SAW BLADE man; it CUTS STUFF---including fingers, if you put them in the way. You can't protect against stupid.

As theguyfromupnorth writes, I never met or saw Sam or his creations, but I read all I could about him and his designs. I loved the way he would defy convention on the bandsaw. His finishes are on all my pieces. His creations are like Windsors - they'll be around for a very long time.