Steps:
- Tom explains the table saw has smartphone technology. It has a feature allowing owners to program who can and who can’t use the saw. The saw can sense if the phone nearby has user clearance.
- Tom shows the table saw can sense moisture and drop the blade. This technology has been around, but this model uses a two-time use cartridge that pops the saw out of the way if a body part should get near it.
- Tom is able to reset the saw by flipping the two-time use cartridge and bringing the saw blade back to the top of the table saw.
Pro Tip: When the safety sensor is triggered, the blade doesn’t just drop—as Tommy explains, “it rolls it into an aluminum block. So the blade gets down into that aluminum block. You have to buy a new aluminum block and a new blade.” The newer two-time use cartridge design improves on this by allowing at least one reset before replacement.
Tools:
Tools & Materials
Pro Tip: Tommy Silva, This Old House general contractor, explains the lockout feature: “Let’s say one of the subs to come on the job site. And I don’t know those guys and I don’t know if they qualified to use a table saw, they can’t use it. So I guess if I’ve got it at home in my garage, I could use it. But my kids couldn’t, if I didn’t give them permission.”
