What is SawStop?

SawStop is the name of an American invention from 1999 and of the company that started producing table saws with this safety feature from 2004. Two years ago, SawStop was taken over by the parent company of Festool and Festool began applying this groundbreaking technology to its Feestool table saws and other intelligent electronics.

Festool SawStop will be on sale in our country from June 2020, and Klium is, of course, one of the first suppliers where you will find circular saws with this technology in stock. “A breakthrough in safety” is a claim that tool manufacturers use on and off, but in this case, it is fully appropriate.

This is how SawStop works

SawStop consists of a cartridge that is connected to the saw blade and emits a light electrical signal of 12V 200 kHz which is continuously monitored by the safety system.

Because the human body conducts electricity, this signal changes when fingers come in contact with the saw blade. This change activates the safety system. Within less than 5 milliseconds the following happens:

  • An aluminum brake stops the saw blade completely.
  • At the same time, an ingenious spring system with anchor pulls the saw blade away from the work table, avoiding any risk of skin contact with the saw blade.
  • The saw motor is immediately switched off.

The result is that accidents without the integrated SawStop would cost fingers now only may leave a slight scratch on the skin. To prove this, representatives of Festool preferably demonstrate the SawStop technology with a frankfurter, which produces spectacular videos like this. Just look how quickly the bladed is stopped. A must have safety feature for all power tools.

An extensive video about how Festool SawStop works can be viewed here.

6,000 fingers saved

Since its introduction in 2004, 6,000 cases have been reported in which SawStop has prevented the loss of fingers. We do not know how exactly this is registered, but we believe Dr. Steve Gass, the inventor of SawStop on his word.

Festool has a reputation for safety

It is not surprising that it is precisely Festool that introduces SawStop technology to the European market. During its almost 100-year existence, this German family business has regularly introduced new inventions that made working with power tools a bit safer. Such as the first single-handed circular saw in 1952 and the patented slip clutch in 1956.

We will keep you informed when the first Festool SawStop products are in our warehouse, ready for shipment as soon as we have the exact Festool Sawstop release date