Replies

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Mar 05, 2009 05:11am | #1

   By George, that's a great idea. I'll have to come up with something like that for my SS. Thanks.

1. 
   philip_r | Mar 05, 2009 08:54am | #2

   I just eye-ball it and hope for the best.  close is good enough.

2. 
   PeterDurand | Mar 05, 2009 05:15pm | #3

   Good one. Thanks.

   Peter

    

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 05, 2009 05:49pm | #4

   I don't have a SawStop but could you just drill a hole in a nickel and accomplish the same thing?

   Howie.........
1. 
   DustyGeorge | Mar 05, 2009 06:26pm | #5

   Yes, you could drill a hole in a nickel, but the 3" bar is easier to hold when adjusting the brake.

   GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->

   <!----><!---->

4. 
   adastra001 | Mar 05, 2009 09:54pm | #6

   I've heard about the nickel suggestion but curious what the issue is with using the yellow plastic gauge they give you?

   Just curious why the switch to nickels and if I need to readjust the brake.

1. 
   DustyGeorge | Mar 06, 2009 01:14am | #7

   I didn't get a yellow plastic gauge with mine.  I guess I got it before they started giving them out.  You should probably just keep using what they gave you.  BTW if the spacing is not set right, the saw will detect it when it goes through its startup diagnostics and give you an error code.

   GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->

   <!----><!---->

5. 
   mapleman | Mar 07, 2009 08:35pm | #8

   DG,

   I don't own a sawstop but have interest in getting one eventually.

   I have 2 questions:

   Why do you have to set the distance from the blade to the brake? (Why isn't it factory set?)

   How often do you have to re-set this? (You said you have lost a few nickels so I assume this is fairly often?)

    

   Thanks,

   Lee

1. 
   DustyGeorge | Mar 07, 2009 09:18pm | #9

   Lee

   The spacing between the blade and the brake is critical to how fast the brake stops the blade (and it is fast).  It needs to be reset to account for differences in blade diameter - all 10" blades are not created equal.  Also when you put in an 8" dado set you need to change the brake cartridge.  The adjustment is very easy and easy to get to.  When swapping 10" blades it only takes a second or two.  Swapping the cartridges is a little tougher but not much.  With practice it goes easily too.  I understand from another poster that SawStop is now providing a plastic gauge that may be a little easier to hold on to than a nickel.  (In the present economy it is hard to hold on to any money.)

   I highly recommend getting a SawStop.  Not just for the safety features.  The cabinet model is a solid, quality built, excellent perfoming piece of equipment.  I am sure the contractor model is also.

   Good Luck, GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->

   <!----><!---->

1. 
   mapleman | Mar 08, 2009 08:09am | #10

   Hi DG,

   Thanks for the info. I was thinking it needed to be re-set due to blade thickness (like switching from thin-kerf to 1/8")

   You don't have to tell me about the quality - I got to see a demo at the local Woodcraft last year. Looked to be a very well built piece of machinery. As someone who does not have any healthcare (self-employed) the added measure of safety would be welcome.

    

   Lee

    

    

1. 
   dgreen | Mar 08, 2009 08:40am | #11

   You have hospital gown coverage too eh? 

    

   ................................................

   Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot

1. 
   PeterDurand | Mar 08, 2009 04:48pm | #12

   ? 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

2. 
   mapleman | Mar 08, 2009 07:53pm | #13

   Yeah, that's it. When I quit my job to do this woodworking thing full time I opted to keep my health insurance for the full 18 months through COBRA. Cost me over $5000.

   I should have just bought the freaking saw! Would have had almost enough left over for that castle pocket hole machine. By the way, I use one at work - great machine. I have the tabletop porter cable which suits me just fine but the foot operated stand alone machine is  the way to go. I'm jealous you have one in your shop.

    

   Lee

3. 
   Domer | Mar 11, 2009 07:47am | #14

   I got my SawStop yesterday and did not get the yellow plastic gauge so I called them. The tech support guy said that they preferred that you use nickels because the yellow plastic gauge can get worn and not work properly.I had a few questions as I put the saw together and called tech support, they were very helpful and easy to work with. They answered all my question and there were a few minor issues and they are sending replacement parts, no questions asked. Great service. Domer