I came across this review of the new Bosch Jobsite Table Saw that is supposed to being coming out in the fall. It has a new design to lower and stop the blade if it comes into contact with your finger like the "Saw Stop" table saw. The big difference is that it instead of a destructive stopping mechanism like the "Saw Stop" that instantly stops the blade and lowers it below the table top and destroys the blade, the Bosch uses "Air Bag Technology" using their specific Patents in automotive safety and the blade drops and then is stopped through side friction (think disc brakes) causing no harm to the blade. The Bosch system when it senses the touching of a finger or body part activates the a canister of compressed air to "blow" the blade arm down below the table top and then the using side pressure stops the blade. The system can be easily reset in just a couple of minutes (excluding the time it takes you to change your underwear) as you have to remove the throat plate and with a special tool remove the dual air canister and rotate and reinstall it. Currently this is slated to be released only on the Bosch job site saw, but it is a technology that could be incorporated into larger table saws as well when new designs come out in the future. 

 

 

Here is a link to a review of the Bosch saw which has a video in it:

http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/saws/bosch-reaxx-table-saw-gts1041a-preview/14811/
 

 

Here is a YouTube video without the written review:
 

 

Here is a photo of the mechanism from underneath the saw when the blade has been pushed down by the canister. You can see the dual canister with 1 of the pistons having been engaged and pushed the blade down below the table:

 

 

 

Here is a photo of the dual air canister being changed and reset through the top of the table saw:

 

Edited November 25, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
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Very interesting.

Poor Saw Stop. I guess no monopoly can last forever where demand makes it worth playing.

I have played with the Saw Stop at some shows and they do make a very good table saw overall that rivals any major brand. The only real complaint on the Saw Stop is that you have to replace the blade and the "stop" mechanism when it gets tripped. Sure it is worth the cost if it saves your finger and I would write a check for it without hesitation. But having a technology that works as well if not better than the Saw Stop mechanism and that it is easier and cheaper than the Saw Stop then that is frosting on the cake.

I do not plan on buying another table saw until my wife retires and we move out of California which will be about 4-5 years. So hopefully when that time comes and I set up a new shop there will be more options for a full size table saw with this type of blade stopping technology.

Interesting Concept

You get two shots with this table saw, and the stopping action does not destroy the blade either. Trouble for Sawstop technology.

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