My understanding is that if any embedded metal touches the blade it
will activate the stop mechanism. Also wet or green lumber can also
trigger it. Basically I think anything that has a lower resistance than
dry wood will result in activation, so maybe some painted and laminated
surfaces will trip it as well.

I'm researching the SawStop for purchase by a school district and have
contacted the manufacture directly and received a reply, but I still
don't have a reliable answer to some questions. Like what happens with
a fast feed rate? On their website (www.sawstop.com) they have a video
that shows a hotdog being pushed into the blade and the result of the
blade stopping just nicking the surface of the hotdog, but nowhere is
it mentioned the feed rate a which this demonstration was done.

Also, they don't have any data (at least none that they would share
with me) related to kickbacks. As I'm sure everyone here is aware the
speed at which a kickback occurs, I have doubts on the usefulness of
the SawStop mechanism in a kickback situation.



Mort

Joe Bemier wrote:
I was at the yard where I get most of my pine yesterday and I
overheard a conversation about Saw Stop. One of the guys was saying
that the Saw Stop safety mechanism will sometimes engage when no
hand/finger/whatever touched the blade.
Any of you guys have experience with Saw Stop?

Thanks,
J