Comment by davexunit

SawStop saws work like any other table saw while you're cutting. The only difference is that you won't cut your finger off, though you are still vulnerable to kickback which is also dangerous. When I swap my regular 10" blade for an 8" dado stack I have to change the brake cartridge which only takes an additional minute. I don't change blades often so it's not a big deal. I've had my SawStop contractor saw for years and have never triggered the brake. On the other hand, blade guards, which are clear plastic things that go over the saw blade, do make using the saw more difficult imo. Lots of saws come with them now but basically no one, myself included, uses them as they obstruct what you're doing and are incompatible with certain types of cuts. I feel safe with a riving knife installed and using push blocks like the Grrr-ripper 3D to keep my hands far away from the blade at all times.