Yesterday, my Android phone, via Google Cards, alerted me to some new SawStop and table saw safety regulations news, via NPR.
The NPR article included some very shocking details – or at least things I found to be shocking.
First, there’s word about what SawStop is working on – a $400 saw. Shown above is their $1300 jobsite saw.
Gass says SawStop is about to come out with a $400 saw with his injury prevention system. The cheapest table saws sell for a bit under $200.
I asked SawStop if they had any information or images about this new $400 saw, but they weren’t able to discuss it.
A $400 SawStop table saw with active injury mitigation safety tech? That would be pretty amazing. Would you buy one?
The Power Tool Institute continues to fight for brands and users who oppose the regulations:
Susan Young with the industry group the Power Tool Institute claimed at the hearing that some of the commission’s research in this area is flawed. She said the proposed rule needs even more study and “lacks essential data from critical studies currently being conducted and continuing throughout 2017.”
I’m happy to eat my recent criticisms about the PTI not doing enough during the recent open comment period. They are active and ongoing in their opposition to the proposed regulations, and just aren’t as public about it as in the past.
CPSC concerns about forced licensing:
CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle said she was also concerned that the rule might force companies to license technology from SawStop, which she said might create a monopoly.
It’s good to know that someone from the CPSC has this concern on their minds, and is seemingly against it.
Other commissioners said the rule wouldn’t create some kind of unfair monopoly. They said that’s not the CSPC’s concern anyway — which companies win or lose because of a safety rule.
Sally Greenberg, the executive director of the National Consumers League, agrees. “That isn’t their job. Their job is to get safer products to the marketplace,” she says.
It is very important to end users, which customers win or lose because of a safety rule, because price increases will affect everyone.
US House of Representatives budget bill rider (PDF) – it still needs to pass in Senate – , for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2018:
SEC. 502. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used to finalize any rule by the Consumer Product Safety Commission relating to blade-contact injuries on table saws.
I believe we can thank the PTI for this one.
Read More(via NPR)
So… a $400 SawStop saw…