SawStop, now owned by Festool’s parent company, has launched a new portable table saw, model JSS-120A60. The new SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro has popped up on some retailers’ websites and is described as featuring several improvements.
To summarize the changes, at least those that are obvious to us, the new SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro has a 2″ deeper tabletop, an updated fence, and an improved guard with dust collection port.
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The T-style fence now features a quick-change “low fence,” for safer rip-cutting of smaller workpieces.
While there was an optional replacement guard for the “legacy” SawStop Jobsite Saw with built-in dust collection, it was a separate accessory purchase and also quite large. SawStop is equipping the new Jobsite Saw Pro with a dust collection blade guard, and one with a more compact design.
SawStop describes the guard as an active dust collection blade guard, which they say uses blade turbulence to collect above-table dust.
Other standard features are also included, such as a riving knife and anti-kickback pawls.
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The new SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro tabletop measures 31-1/4″ W x 24-5/8″ D when retracted, and 43-5/16″ W x 24-5/8″ D extended, compared to 43-3/8″ W x 22-5/8″ D for the legacy model. In other words, it’s 2″ deeper, giving you a little more support for longer workpieces.
SawStop kept a lot of features from their previous Jobsite Table Saw, including the unique blade elevation system that allows users to raise or lower the blade in just one turn of the handwheel. They also kept the built-in storage drawer that is uncovered when you extend the table top surface.
Aside from the slightly deeper tabletop, most of the new table saw’s specifications seem to match those of the previous model.
- 1.5 HP motor (continuous)
- 120V AC, 15A
- 4000 RPM (no load)
- 10″ blade diameter
- 8″ max dado stack (you’ll need a dado SawStop cartridge)
- 25.5″ rip capacity
- Table dimensions: 31-1/4″ W x 24-5/8″ D retracted, 43-5/16″ W x 24-5/8″ D extended
- Weighs 84 lbs (saw only)
- Weighs 113 lbs (with folding roller cart)
- Includes blade guard, miter gauge, riving knife, blade wrenches, push stick, standard brake cartridge, 10″ blade, hex keys for adjustments
Price: $1399 (plus shipping, which according to SawStop is $100)
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The “legacy” model is $100 less expensive at $1299 plus shipping, or $1399 with shipping (such as from Amazon). It looks like the new model will be $1499 including shipping.
SawStop no longer lists the previous JSS model on their website, only the new SS-120A60. On social media, they are saying that the legacy model will NOT be dropping in price, and will remain at its current price point $100 lower than the new model.
Discussion
I have used SawStop’s Jobsite table saw before, and it’s a well-polished machine. It wasn’t perfect, but they got a lot of things right.
The new SawStop is two inches deeper, which should provide a little extra workpiece support. One thing to realize, however, is that the JSS is a substantially-sized portable table saw. Even compared to other jobsite table saws with rolling stands, such as the Dewalt DWE7491RS, the SawStop has a larger footprint. An extra two inches will likely provide some support benefits, but I’d guess it’s not likely to be “felt” by users, at least not in a bad way.
SawStop seems to have added a beefy low profile work support, for use with smaller workpieces. Beyond that, the fence looks very similar to the one on the “legacy” JSS table saw. The fence on the SawStop Jobsite table saw is very polarizing, since it’s secured at the front but not at the rear, where it rolls along a flat surface that cannot quite be described as a track. Push hard at the rear, and it’ll deflect. However, where you’re most likely to apply pressure against the fence, mainly in front of the saw blade, the fence is quite secure.
Given that the new SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro has a deeper tabletop, users probably won’t be able to upgrade the fence of their legacy model JSS.
One change that stood out to me right away is the new dust collection guard. There’s an optional dust collection accessory that works with the legacy model Jobsite Saw, but it doesn’t stow away in the built-in storage compartment.
Frankly, I’m not sure what they mean by calling the new guard an “active” dust collection guard. Connecting a shop vacuum or dust collector to portable table saws can be problematic. Most vacs will usually do a good job of collecting above-table sawdust through an equipped guard’s dust port, or most of the dust from the lower/rear dust chute. Connect a Y-adapter, and it’ll do a mediocre job of collecting dust from both ports since the suction power is reduced too much.
A built-in fan might help with dust collection. But blade turbulence? Well, at least the new dust collection guard is smaller and presumably compact enough to fit inside the storage compartment.
SawStop’s new Jobsite Saw Pro also features their well-regarded active injury mitigation safety mechanism. The flesh-detection sensor can be bypassed if needed. If you should activate the built-in blade brake, you’ll need a new cartridge and saw blade to reset the machine and get it working again. But, having to buy a new brake cartridge and 10″ saw blade is better than the alternative. Table saw injuries often lead to irreversible bodily harm. SawStop also has a “report a save” program where users might be eligible for a free replacement cartridge.
The price of the original JSS was steep, and this new model is even higher. $1399 plus shipping? $1500 is a lot for a jobsite saw.
What happened to the $400 saw that SawStop was rumored to be working on? In an interview, SawStop’s Steven Gass said that they were “about to come out with a $400 saw with his injury prevention system.” That was two years ago.
One thing I can say about the legacy JSS is that there’s no other saw like it, or at least there wasn’t until the JSS Pro.
If you’re looking for a portable jobsite-style table saw that offers flesh detection and active injury-mitigation technology, the SawStop JSS-series saws are the only players in the market. Bosch did introduce the Reaxx, but they lost a patent infringement suit and had to take it off the market.
I would guess that the legacy model will continue to be available until it sells out, after which the JSS Pro will likely be the only option. A deeper table, added fence features, and dust collection guard? At least you’re getting some good-sounding upgrades for the extra $100.
It’s unfortunate that users have to “sell an organ” to buy a table saw that might save their fingers or hand.
Doug
Looking at the Sawstop spec comparison page, the 2 inch difference in the tables is all in tfront of the of the blade. Having owned the original JSS for two months, I would have paid an extra $100 to get that 2 inches and the dust collecting blade guard. Regardless, the JSS is an amazing saw for the way I work in my small home workshop.
Bob
Looks like that SawStop low fence was a work around of Stanley Black & Decker’s patent. SBD used them on the DeWalt jobsite saws. Sawstop should take note of the DeWalt fence. That is how you build a table saw fence system! Excellent design and excecution. Besides a Besemeyer on a cabinet saw, best you can get. $1500 and you get a fence that is loose on the end! No thanks. Kinda defeats the saftey aspect as kickback can certainly injur you just as easily as the blade cutting you?
Obviously SawStop can’t copy SBD’s fence without permission. Tool companies will sometimes do Patent swaps. Something to the effect, “You can use our fence if we can use your light”.
However in my opinion due to SawStops judicious use of litigation in the past I don’t see any tool company competitors wanting to work with them.
Too bad because I certainly would buy a DeWalt flex volt 10 inch table saw with injury mitigation technology. I might even pay $1500 for it. I would want the Bosch designed system, 60v x2 battery power and the corded A/C adaptor. Throw in a free rolling stand and you got a winner.
Matt J
Are we sure the DeWalt system is patented? Hitachi and Milwaukee’s M18 cordless models both use it. There might be others out there as well but I can’t imagine DeWalt was eager to license it to Milwaukee for use on (at the time) the only other competitive cordless model.
Matt
If he’s talking about the rack and pinion style I don’t think it’s an exclusive patent unless it’s been licensed out. It sure is a convenient and accurate fence system. I have the flexvolt saw with adjustment and the occasional check in it cuts very accurately.
Brian Hettinger
I’d pay 2 grand for the saw you described if it cuts 35″ wide like the Hitachi!
RogueJello
Seems like the introduction of another JSS at ~$1500 indicates that the $400 model is not possible, or at least very challenging. It’s telling that Bosch basically took a $600 saw, added the safety tech, and the price was in that same $1,500 ball park.
Maybe it’s possible to do one a less expensive saw, but that appears to be three attempts (original SawStop JSS, Bosch Reaxx, new SawStop JSS) with none even cracking the $1000 mark.
I obviously haven’t done a market analysis, but if they could get this down to adding ~$100-200 to the cost for the safety tech, I think they’d more than make up for the difference in markup with volume. Yet this hasn’t happened.
Bob
Perhapse Bosch priced their saw at $1500 think that was what the market was willing to bear? Maybe their tech was only a few hundred dolars but figured they could take the rest as profit? Or put it aside for the legal battle against SawStop.
I think your right. Flesh sensing injury mitigation is expensive tech or at least the R&D for it is.
Wonder when the saw stop patent expires? Bet we see alot of competition then if no government mandate requires it first.
Just looked it up. 14-20 years. Hopefully someone comes up with something better before th hopefully someone comes up with something better before then.
RogueJello
I think some of the major patents run out in the next year or two. As you said it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. We know at least one company will be competing with SawStop. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar offering from Grizzly. Since they sell SawStop on their site, they already have some idea of how many of their sales go to SawStop. I know my next table saw is going to have a riving knife and flesh sensing tech.
Sal
This technology is not that new. In fact it has existed for more than 3 decades.
I’m a locksmith by trade. This technology was used by GM in their Cadillac cars.
GM called it VATS (vehicle anti-theft system). Basically, a diode with a specific resistance is put in-line with the power. If the resistance changes, it will not fire (turn on). On the Saw Stop, this diode interfaces with the blade mechanism. If flesh touches it, it changes the resistance and will trigger the brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is similar to an air bag. The diode is all but .5 cents. These Saw Stops in my opinion are ridiculously overpriced.
RogueJello
The whole systems is NOT 0.05 cents. You need to build and arbor and trunions that can withstand the braking effect. You need to add in the brake mechanism, and the shoe (which is retailing for ~$80, so figure $8 to manfacture). Then you need to install a safety system that will make a determination of how much capacitance to cut down on false alarms. Finally a key switch, and fail safe, to disable the system, and an LED to give the user feedback.
Oh, and then incorporate all that into some the nicest table saws on the market.
It might not be worth the whole $600-800 premium they’re adding onto the saws, but I doubt you’ll see a SawStop type mechanism in a cheap contractor saw for much less that a couple hundred dollars over an equivalent system without.
Sal
I said the diode is about .5 cents. Also Bosch and DeWalt both came out with table saws that had similar tech for less than Saw Stop. Saw Stop didn’t want the competition, so they served Bosch and DeWalt a cease and desist. The Bosch version was called the Reaxx, I believe. I saw it a few years ago being liquidated at Lowes.
And again, you really are giving Saw Stop way to much credit.
RogueJello
I never saw the DeWalt, but the Bosch Reaxx was based on their $600 JSS, but they bumped the price to $1500, pretty close to the same price as the SawStop.
https://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/saws/bosch-reaxx-1041a-vs-sawstop-jss-mca/14982/
MichaelHammer
Of course we’ll see the technology become cheap and ubiquitous. The use of the technology will explode as soon as the patent runs out. Especially since there is active pressure to put it in every table saw sold in America.
Corey Moore
Scrolled immediately for price. Suspicion confirmed, and interest squashed. Whatever happened with the cspc ruling? Still irritated thinking about the flop that rally for support was, but there’s been plenty of table saws released since, that don’t incorporate the tech.
Addicted2Red
I would gladly pay 500-800 for a saw like this.
At the current price the safety factor doesn’t justify the cost for a such a small saw.
Kevin Wayne
I paid about 3400$ to put my finger back together, if you use a saw on a daily basis I think its worth it.
Matthew
Very true. And not all finger and hand injuries are salvageable. If your main profession involves using your hands and you cut off your fingers or hand and it can’t be reattached, there goes your livelihood. Usually when u reattach a finger you still will never have the same dexterity, strength and sensation you had originally, which can greatly hinder your ability to work. Glad you were able to get your finger back on bud.
Francois Boutin
Bosch Reaxx still available in Canada
Nothing better!
MichaelHammer
From what I saw, it is a superior system. You can still buy them in Europe as well.
KevinB
one of the major companies should just buy whirlwind and it’s patents. I prefer it over sawstop, it has integrated lighting, dust removal and is non destructive to the blade.
Nathan
I was about to say I want to see someone make a blade stopping feature that uses an IR camera and a laser gate to stop the blade – then apply the same to mitre saws and table saws and router tables etc. beating saw stop at their game.
I think a 1000 dollar premium is just too high for their “safety” feature. Sure I don’t want to loose a finger or hand – ok so I one keep the guard one and two treat the saw with respect.
MichaelHammer
Oh boy where to start with this thing. I don’t believe Festool’s parent company has any will or desire to build SawStop tech into anything approaching a reasonable price. Just look at the Festool model of extraordinarily overpriced products that that aren’t built better and come with only the case they’re packaged in.
The logic that we should pay a lot for safety if you look at the alternative is kind of silly. How much is your life worth? Should we pay $100,000, $250,000 extra for a car’s safety features? After all it is your life at stake and the alternative…
The size and weight of this saw is exactly the opposite of what to look for in a job site saw. Speaking from the residential side of the industry. First there’s transportation. Real estate in a truck, van or trailer is a precious commodity. Compact is better. The weight really demands two people to get it inside and it’s larger foot print means less room to work. The fence is a concern. It is common to rip 2X material which puts a lot of stress on the fence, the whole fence. Framing material can do weird things when you suddenly relieve some unknown stress within it. Straight boards can become S-shaped.
The blade guard dust collection system… I’ve never seen a blade guard used, not ever. Even on OSHA regulated sites we would make a placard “danger, no guard,” because we did not use a guard.
Finally the price. The SawStop JSS is approaching cabinet saw pricing. In my experience, most finish carpenters have a shop-based cabinet saw. It has more power, way less vibration, more precision. It’s bigger, heavier and more accurate. Typically you use a higher end blade and don’t rip PT 2X12’s on it. You bring the job to the saw. This saw seems like it’s trying to be some sort of hybrid, which gives you the worst of both worlds. You get bigger and heavier while also getting lower power and less accuracy. Without a cast iron table, I would guess there’s considerably more vibration too.
DeWalt has a nearly perfect jss. If it could be stored like a suitcase, it would be perfect. The idea of a blade-stopping safety feature is great, especially since most of us aren’t using blade guards. The price has to be more reasonable to buy in as well as maintain. $200 additional cost for the saw seems doable and under $50 to replace the cartridge. Less than $40 if it’s going to destroy my blade.
Jonas
Spot on.