Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • Where is SawStop manufactured?

    Our saws are engineered in the US and built in Taiwan. Our cartridges are programmed at our Oregon headquarters. To ensure that our rigorous standards are met, we employ a team of manufacturing engineers in Taiwan who work directly with the manufacturing facilities and key vendors to monitor for quality. The facilities where SawStop saws are assembled are ISO 9001 certified. Our engineers oversee the inspection of component parts prior to final saw assembly, assess assembly procedures for consistency with SawStop requirements, and evaluate final production prior to shipment. Every SawStop saw must pass a 100+ point comprehensive inspection. 

  • Do you offer finance?

    Sadly, we do not offer finance options at this time.

  • Do you sell refurbished saws?

    Thank you for your message. Refurbished saws are very few and far between and are only sold through our eBay account. 

  • Where can I find replacement parts for my saw?

    Replacement parts for your saw can be attained at your local dealer, online or on the phone.  

  • Where can I submit inventions and ideas?

    We are always looking for ways to improve our existing products and for future products as well. We would therefore be happy to consider your idea. However, for legal reasons we do not sign non-disclosure agreements regarding submissions like yours. Therefore, we would recommend that you pursue patent protection for your idea so that you can disclose it to us without the need for a non-disclosure agreement. We believe this provides the best protection for both of us as it eliminates any uncertainty about ownership and scope of the idea. You are also welcome to disclose the idea without a patent, but if you choose to do that, please understand that we have no obligation to keep it confidential and that we may use the idea without payment to you unless you later obtain patent rights. 

  • Where can I submit feedback/suggestions?

    We appreciate the feedback. If you would like to leave us any feedback or have any suggestions please do feel free to email us at supporteurope@sawstop.com or use our live chat service.

Saws

  • What is the wattage on your saws?

    Our Jobsite saw is 2000W and our Compact saw 1800W.

  • Aside from the safety systems features, what makes SawStop saws better than others on the market?

    Quality. SawStop saws were designed from the ground up to be the best saws you can buy. Read what customers that use the SawStop cabinet saw every day have to say about its quality and safety system. As I had mentioned in our session yesterday, SawStop does not sacrifice safety for quality. We are industry leader for a reason, and we routinely are told this not just from end users, but through popular publications in the woodworking industry. People report on a regular basis how much they love their saw and that they would buy it over again, at the same price, even without the safety feature simply due to the quality, reliability, accuracy, durability, and sturdiness of the saw. 

  • What are the main differences between the CTS and JSS saw?

    The main differences you will find on our Compact Table Saw (CTS): 

    • Lighter weight at 30kgs. for the saw body vs 38kgs. on the Jobsite Saw (JSS). 
    • Max rip capacity CTS 24 ½” vs JSS 25 ½” 
    • The CTS is even more portable with an easy-carry handle, whereas the JSS has a built-in mobile cart 
    • The CTS has a rack and pinion fence vs JSS has T-style with ergo lock (self-squaring) 
    • Multi-turn blade elevation on CTS vs JSS has the one-turn elevation 
    • Standard blade guard on CTS vs JSS has dust collection blade guard 
    • CTS is a direct drive motor vs JSS having a belt driven motor 
    • The CTS is not able to support the use of Dado blades 
  • Does the CTS and the JSS have the same motor?

    The motors on the Compact Table Saw and the Jobsite Saw Pro are not the same. The CTS uses a direct drive motor, whereas the JSS has a belt drive motor. There are several advantages to a belt drive motor including noise and vibration suppression. 

  • What is the flatness of the table on the CTS saw?

    We do not have a flatness specification for our CTS tabletop. The precision of our CTS is comparable to similar compact saws on the market and will not have a measurable impact on the quality of your cuts. 

  • What is a High/Low fence?

    The high/low fence comes on the Jobsite Saw Pro. It provides an additional level of safety while performing cuts close to the saw blade, such as thin rips and small parts, by providing additional clearance from the standard fence face. 

  • What type of fence comes with a SawStop saw?

    SawStop’s T-Glide Fence is a T-style fence that is well-known for accuracy and dependability. The Jobsite Saw includes a Jobsite T-Glide, a field-weight aluminium T-style fence. 

  • What is a riving knife?

    The riving knife is an important safety feature that substantially reduces the chance of kick-back. The riving knife functions similar to a spreader on a blade guard assembly. The difference is that the riving knife does not extend above the top of the blade. Therefore, the riving knife can be used when making non-through cuts and other cuts where the blade guard cannot be used. 

  • I noticed Festool has the TKS with AIM technology. Is this a SawStop product?

    In 2017, SawStop was purchased by TTS Tooltechnic Systems which also owns Festool in addition to other innovation companies.  As “sister” organisations, we have collaborated with Festool to integrate SawStop’s patented safety system technology into their new TKS 80 Table Saw. 

  • Where can I find my saws serial number?
    • Jobsite Pro Saw JSS – Rear of saw body – top middle
    • Compact Table Saw CTS – Behind front right panel 

Blades

  • Can I use any 10” standard blade with a SawStop saw?

    Any standard steel blade with steel or carbide teeth can be used. You should not use non-conductive blades or blades with non-conductive hubs or teeth (example: diamond blades). They will prevent the SawStop safety system from applying the electrical signal on the blade that is required to sense skin contact. Steel blades and dado sets with a lacquer finish or other coating on the teeth should not be used as the coating may inhibit or slow the speed at which the safety system detects skin contact. However, most coated blades do not cover the blade teeth. Those blades may be used on SawStop saws. Further, blades with depth-limiting shoulders may take longer to stop in the event of an accident than standard blades, and you could receive a more serious injury. Therefore, SawStop recommends using blades without depth-limiting shoulders. 

  • What if my blades are not precisely 10”?

    The vast majority of commercially-available blades are accurate to their advertised diameter, and work well in SawStop saws. If your blade is larger or smaller than the advertised size, SawStop portable saws blade/brake gap is not adjustable, so users should not operate blades more than 1/16th inch diameter over the specified blade size. Never use a blade that does not “clear” the aluminium brake pawl. 

  • Can I use blades that are coated or have coated teeth?

    Steel blades with a lacquer finish or other coating on the teeth should not be used as the coating may inhibit or slow the speed at which the safety system detects skin contact. However, most coated blades do not cover the blade teeth. Those blades may be used on SawStop saws. 

  • Can I use dado sets with my SawStop saw?

    With regards to our dado sets the US machines can be used with them (Jobsite Pro, Contractor and Professional Saw). The break is bigger to enable it to catch the whole set and stop the blades together as one, However, we are not currently supplying these in the UK or EU. Under EU regulations, Dado stacks are allowed if the correct blade guard is in place – that needs to be a floating guard – this is different to the US where there are less restriction, We currently only offer floating guards on our Professional and Contractor saws when combined with one of our floating overarm dust collectors. We are aiming to have the Professional Cabinet Saw in the UK and EU mid to late 2025. 

Safety

  • Can I use my SawStop saw with a generator?

    We do not recommend operating SawStop saws on a generator, as we cannot say whether or not a given generator will damage the saw. It is possible to run a SawStop saw on any generator as long as that generator’s output is equivalent to utility power (voltage level, low electrical noise, surge capacity, etc), but verifying this output is entirely dependent on the customer’s technical capability. 

  • Do your saws have a magnetic switch?

    Yes, our saws have a magnetic switch that prevents it from coming back on.

  • What % moisture would cause an activation

    It isn’t possible to determine an exact moisture % threshold for firing the brake given the variability of material contents. However, the saw will tell you if your material is conductive. Simply make a few test cuts in bypass mode, and the lights on the saw will tell you whether or not it would have activated. 

  • Do your saws work in the rain?

    Yes, our portable saws can be used outside when it’s raining. The main caveat pertains to the material you are cutting. SawStop saws cut most wet wood without a problem. However, if the wood is very green or wet – for example, wet enough to spray a mist when cutting – it may be sufficiently conductive to activate the brake. It isn’t possible to determine an exact moisture % threshold for firing the brake given the variability of material contents. If you are unsure if the material you need to cut is conductive, you can make test cuts using Bypass Mode to determine if it will activate the safety system’s brake. The red light on the control box will flash to indicate conductivity. 

  • Will cutting green or ‘wet’ wood activate the SawStop safety system?

    SawStop saws cut most wet wood without a problem. However, if the wood is very green or wet (for example, wet enough to spray a mist when cutting), or if the wood is both wet and pressure treated, then the wood may be sufficiently conductive to activate the brake. If you are unsure whether the material you need to cut is conductive, you can make test cuts using Bypass Mode to determine if it will activate the safety system’s brake. The red light on the control box will flash to indicate conductivity. If the material is conductive, you can choose to operate the saw in Bypass Mode which will disengage the saw’s safety system’s brake feature and allow you to continue cutting the material. 

  • How does the SawStop safety system work?

    You can find an explanation of the safety system’s operation as well as watch a brief video of the safety system in action here

  • Can I get a serious injury using a SawStop saw?

    In the vast majority of cases, coming in contact with the spinning blade will result in a minor cut. However, if your hand moves into the blade at very high speed, it is possible for you to receive a serious injury. 

  • Can I be certain the safety system is working?

    The SawStop safety system continuously performs many self-checks to ensure the components of the safety system are working properly. The safety system will not allow the motor to start (or to remain running) unless every component of the safety system is working properly. 

  • Will the safety system work if I wear gloves whilst cutting?

    Do not wear gloves when using a SawStop saw because the glove can snag on the blade and pull your hand into the blade at high velocity. The safety system will still react as soon as your skin contacts the blade, but the resulting injury can be more severe because of the velocity of your hand. 

  • Does activation damage the saw?

    SawStop saws are designed to absorb the force of activation and are not damaged by it. 

  • What will it cost to reset the safety system?

    A standard brake cartridge costs £79/89 Euros. 

  • What do I do if I activate the safety systems break cartridge?

    If you activate the safety system’s brake, you will need to replace the brake cartridge and evaluate the condition of the blade for future use. Replacing the brake cartridge is simple and can take as little as 90 seconds to complete. 

  • Do I need to use a blade guard with a SawStop saw?

    Yes. SawStop strongly recommends that you use a blade guard whenever possible. 

  • Is there a way to check if a material is conductive before I cut?

    ​If you are unsure whether the material you need to cut is conductive, you can make test cuts using Bypass Mode to determine if it will activate the safety system’s brake. The red light on the control box will flash to indicate conductivity. 

  • Can I use SawStop in a humid environment?

    Yes SawStop works well in humid environments 

  • What happens if the blade comes into contact with a nail or staple in the wood?

    Generally, the safety system will not activate when a nail or staple is cut. Although conductive, these objects are not large enough to cause the safety system to activate unless they are grounded to the table or operator when they contact the blade. 

  • Can the blade be reused if the safety system break is activated?

    When the safety system activates, it will sometimes damage one or more teeth on the blade. Some users discard and replace the blade, while others choose to have their blades inspected/repaired by a qualified specialist. 

  • Can I cut conductive materials?

    Yes. You can operate the saw in Bypass Mode which deactivates the safety system’s braking feature, allowing you to cut aluminium, very wet/green wood (see above) and other known conductive materials. 

  • Do we retrofit our safety system into other brand table saws?

    No. It is not economically practical to retrofit other manufacturers’ table saws. The structural changes necessary to incorporate the safety system into another saw and the cost to have it installed would exceed the cost of a new saw. 

  • Will the break respond during coast down?

    Yes, if you are using the red paddle to turn the blade on/off, the brake is still actively monitoring the coast down rotation. The yellow power switch is what powers the cartridge to begin monitoring the blade, so as long as that remains on, the cartridge will activate during coast down. 

  • Can I use SawStop in cold environments?

    Cold ambient temperatures should not affect your saw mechanics. However, your saw’s brake cartridge contains “computer-like” parts that can be affected by extreme cold. If the cartridge is stored in temperatures well below freezing, the saw won’t turn on until the cartridge warms up. If you are in an extremely cold climate, we recommend removing the cartridge (which you can do with the blade in place) and storing it above freezing. Alternatively, some customers choose to leave the yellow “hard” power switch on all the time. This provides just enough heat to the cartridge to help ensure startup in spite of extreme ambient cold. 

Accessories

  • The fence rails on the CTS have up and down play. Will this cause issues during cutting?

    When the fence is fully extended, some amount of movement is not uncommon for this class of saw. It will not affect the accuracy of your rip cuts. That said, it is important to ensure that the fence rail is locked in place to reduce movement. Additionally, should you find that you prefer to have the fence a bit more rigid, it is possible to make some adjustments to reduce the amount of movement in the fence when extended. 

  • Can the stand for the CTS work on uneven floor?

    One of the legs on our Compact Table Saw can be adjusted to accommodate uneven floors. 

  • Are the inserts for the CTS and JSS interchangeable?

    No, the inserts for the Jobsite saw will not fit the Compact Table saw and vice versa. 

  • What are the saw inserts made of?

    The insert on our CTS is made from glass-filled plastic 

  • Are the fence faceplates on the CTS replaceable and what are they made of?

    They are aluminum faceplates, and they are not replaceable 

  • What is the Active Dust Collection Blade Guard and how is it different than the old Dust Collection Blade Guard?

    The new guard is more compact for storage, offers improved line of sight through the guard’s shell, can be easily separated from the splitter and anti-kickback pawls, and features an integrated depth limit stop to ensure feed stock can clear the back of the guard. 

  • With the low fence in place, how do I measure fence distance?

    With the low fence in place, you will simply add 1” to your fence measurement. For example, when cutting a 10” rip with the low fence in place, you will set your fence at 11” 

  • How good is the Jobsite Pro fence system?

    The Jobsite T-Glide fence has been engineered to auto-square on lock-down, which requires a wheel-floated back end of the fence. While the user may be able to grasp and wiggle the end of the fence when it is properly adjusted and locked down, rest assured that extensive field testing has shown this does not impact the accuracy of the cut since the point of cut at the front of the blade is stable. In fact, the net result is superior to other “field” fences, as the aligned fence will not lock down out-of-square and glides smoothly on adjustment. 

  • What other tools do SawStop offer?

    We have been exploring options to apply our technology to other woodworking machinery such as band saws, radial arm saws, miter saws, chop saws, etc. This is certainly something we are looking into and hope to make a reality in the future. When we have detailed information about a new product to share with our customers, we will announce on our website and our social channels, as well as send a message to our interested customer base.

  • Do you offer a mobile base for your saws?

    Yes. The Jobsite Pro Saw includes a mobile cart in the saw box. The Compact Table Saw offers an optional stand, but not a mobile base. 

  • Do aftermarket accessories work with SawStop saws?

    There are many different accessory choices on the market, each with its own installation and modification requirements. We do not test the many other-brand aftermarket items, and therefore do not have the information required to provide a response.The manufacturer of the product you are interested in is likely to have tested to have the most reliable information related to fit-up and is likely the best place to start. 

Delivery and Aftersales

  • Who do I contact if I have questions after delivery?

    You can contact us at supporteurope@sawstop.com and we will be happy to help and support you! Otherwise, we are available on our online chat service or via phone. 

  • How long does it take to ship my order?

    To the UK, Ireland and The Republic of Ireland we aim to deliver within 2 days from payment.
    To countries within the EU we aim to deliver within 2-4 days from payment. 

  • Do you accept returns on your saws?

    Awaiting confirmation