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.
What Happens to the Blade: 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.
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.”
Tools:
Tools & Materials
