On: The Anti-Helicopter Parent’s Plea: Let Kids Play

[dzdt]

I have only used old table saws. How does the saw stop tell a finger from a board?

[lfowles → dzdt]

Conductivity. You're not supposed to use them with damp boards or metals (I guess you can, but then you're replacing the saw after it brakes)

[DannyBee → lfowles]

s/saw/saw blade/

;)

I actually miter cut aluminum the other day and it didn't trigger, it depends on how electrically isolated your metal is.

[mikestew → dzdt]

It's a corporate site, but should give you an idea: http://www.sawstop.com/why-sawstop/the-technology/

Summary: kind of like how your capacitive touchscreen can tell that a finger is touching it.