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Comment by GJim

7 months ago

> if triggered, it is very expensive to replace

What a silly argument!

It will be more expensive if it isn't triggered.

Unfortunately there are lots of materials run through a table saw which can trigger a sawstop. A false positive destroys the blade. Decent blades cost several hundred dollars, and are intended to be resharpened and last for many years.

I belong to a community hobbyist workshop. There are a lot of rules, lockouts and a key in place around the table saw usage, but they won't install a sawstop because they can't afford to keep up with the wasted blades.

Personally, I think I'd rather have one, but I can absolutely see why people would disable them if they were mandatory.

I can only imagine the medical fees for rebuilding a shredded arm in the US

  • Probably $9k with pretty good insurance, $17k-$20k with poor insurance (but nb the math on the good insurance probably works out such that you’re paying very close to that difference for sure every single year, in premiums)

    Plus tens of hours arguing with provider billing departments and insurance. You’ll pay over what should be your max if you screw any of that up. Time lost and stress and confusion over sorting out new bills still showing up in the mail two full years after treatment was performed.

    Also it’ll be a lot worse if you lose your job after.

    If you don’t have insurance, you’re getting it patched up at the ER “for free” (you’ll be declaring bankruptcy soon) but not getting most of the follow-up work done. Even if your arm could be made right, it won’t be. Good luck with the nightmare of getting and maintaining disability pay-outs.

    Oh and double the out of pocket costs if treatment spans two billing-years.