How one idea saved thousands of fingers – The story behind SawStop.
Sometimes revolutions don’t begin in high-tech labs—they start in small workshops. That’s exactly what happened with Dr Steve Gass, a passionate woodworker and PhD physicist from Portland, Oregon. While working at his table saw one day, he asked a simple but groundbreaking question:
“Could a saw stop fast enough to prevent a serious injury?”
That question became the foundation for one of the most important safety innovations in woodworking history.
The Idea That Changed Everything
Steve knew table saws were among the most dangerous tools in any shop. Every year, thousands of accidents occur, many with life-altering consequences. Rather than accepting that reality, he began experimenting. His vision: a technology that detects human skin and stops the blade in milliseconds.
What once sounded like science fiction became reality. Using his knowledge of electronics and physics, Steve developed a system that senses the electrical conductivity of skin. Within 5 milliseconds, the blade stops and drops below the table, faster than the blink of an eye.
From Prototype to Breakthrough
Early tests were unconventional, to say the least. Instead of fingers, hot dogs served as substitutes – a humorous yet surprisingly effective way to simulate human skin. When the technology worked, Steve knew lives could be saved.
Bringing the idea to market, however, was another challenge. Manufacturers initially rejected it, fearing the system would make saws too expensive and that customers wouldn’t pay extra for safety. Undeterred, Steve and three colleagues took matters into their own hands. They founded SawStop and launched the first saw in 2004, which was a move that forever changed woodworking safety.
More Than 10,000 Fingers Saved
Today, SawStop is more than a name; it’s a symbol of safety.Over 10,000 documented cases show how many people have kept their fingers thanks to this technology. Stories like a 15-year-old student who walked away with only a small cut, or a man who had previously lost two fingers but now works safely, prove that this innovation doesn’t just save fingers; it also protects livelihoods.
Expanding Our Mission
SawStop is more than a product. It embodies the belief that safety should never be a luxury. Every woodworker deserves to work without fear. That’s why SawStop continues to innovate and advocate for safety as the standard.
Since 2024, SawStop has been available in Europe, bringing life-saving technology to even more workshops. From compact jobsite saws for small spaces to large cabinet saws, the portfolio covers table saws of all sizes, making precision, power, and protection accessible to every woodworker.
The SawStop Range
SawStop offers a table saw for nearly every workshop and project type, all built around the same life-saving safety technology:
- Compact Table Saw – Portable and space-saving, ideal for small workshops, garages, or jobsites. Perfect for tradespeople and hobbyists who need professional performance in a compact package.
- Jobsite Saw Pro – Built for professionals who need greater rip capacity, stability, and precision on larger sheet materials and dense hardwoods, without sacrificing portability.
- Professional Cabinet Saw – Designed for high-volume workshops, providing maximum power, accuracy, and dust collection for demanding production environments.
No matter which model you choose, each SawStop table saw prioritises safety, precision, and reliability, making them an investment that protects both woodworkers and their work.