Does anyone else think this isn't safe?

The science behind it is actually quite neat!! It's basically a carpenter's worst nightmare; a huge screw digging into a chunk of wood that's not pre-drilled...... It's gonna split the wood! ;)

While it may not be the safest option (I think swinging an axe would be a lot safer than that), it offers simple, economical, and VERY effective mechanical advantage, and that is what makes it all worthwhile imho; A table saw isn't as safe as a hand saw either, but I'd rather stuff twelve foot planks of wood through the table saw than waste a week trying to cut it with a hand saw... And really, safety is mostly dependent on whether or not the end user is a dumbass. As the old saying goes; no matter how idiot-proof you make it, someone will make a better idiot.


- CK