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Momentary Foot Switch
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Jan 24, 2023 07:32:16   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I finally ordered a Wen momentary foot switch for my DeWalt table saw. The standard switch is in a hidden location under the table. I can never find it on the first try. I still have ten fingers, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Camel3 sent me an email telling me that it's on sale for about $13. That gave me the push to buy it.

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Jan 24, 2023 07:52:03   #
melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country
 
Careful, Jerry: so much danger of accidentally stepping on it during setup. I would shut off the saw's switch until cutting starts.

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Jan 24, 2023 08:04:12   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
melismus wrote:
Careful, Jerry: so much danger of accidentally stepping on it during setup. I would shut off the saw's switch until cutting starts.


Ugh! That's right! I can see myself stepping on it throughout the day and giving myself a heart attack. I'm attempting to cancel it now.

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Jan 24, 2023 08:27:31   #
dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
OSHA has banned foot switches for most tools because of the danger that a person might accidentally step on the switch ar an unsafe time. Also, most modern saws and similar tools tools have a feature that requires a reset after the power source is interrupted.

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Jan 24, 2023 09:22:42   #
BebuLamar
 
Should you have a 2 hand switch instead? And an easy to reach switch to shut it off? I never have a table saw. I always afraid of it.

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Jan 24, 2023 09:41:34   #
Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas
 
Get a table saw with SawStop installed - it's the one that stops in about 5 milliseconds when skin touches the blade.

Check out this site for the 16 Safest portable table saws | Skin detection? (2023 Upd.)

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Jan 24, 2023 10:29:32   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
BebuLamar wrote:
Should you have a 2 hand switch instead? And an easy to reach switch to shut it off? I never have a table saw. I always afraid of it.


My first saw, from Sears, had the blade sticking up from the table. I still have that, but the motor konked out. Modern saws have a protector over the blade and a "thing" to keep the wood from gripping the blade. Much safer.

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Jan 24, 2023 22:00:15   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
I never use my guard (gets in the way of too many operations), but I always use a splitter and hold downs on the fence. Plus I always unplug it when changing blades. Not selling my trusty Unisaw to buy a Saw Stop, but if I were buying new, I might consider it, and schools that still have shop classes (they all should) ought to have them. When it activates, it destroys the blade and also requires a cartridge replacement, but a lot cheaper than losing fingers.

BTW, on most tools, a magnetic start switch is an extra cost option.

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Jan 25, 2023 05:15:53   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
melismus wrote:
Careful, Jerry: so much danger of accidentally stepping on it during setup. I would shut off the saw's switch until cutting starts.



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Jan 25, 2023 05:19:42   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Ugh! That's right! I can see myself stepping on it throughout the day and giving myself a heart attack. I'm attempting to cancel it now.


They do make a foot switch that you have to put your foot under a cover to step on it, but they are a bitch to use.
You can get a new switch cover with a big paddle on it to turn the saw off. (Amazon)

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Jan 25, 2023 06:02:04   #
OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey
 
jerryc41 wrote:
I finally ordered a Wen momentary foot switch for my DeWalt table saw. The standard switch is in a hidden location under the table. I can never find it on the first try. I still have ten fingers, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Camel3 sent me an email telling me that it's on sale for about $13. That gave me the push to buy it.


You should have one face mounted so when your done, your knee is right at the off switch....just lean in with knee and shut it off, have um all my table saws. Most top brands ( shop saws) come with them in that position.

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Jan 25, 2023 06:11:23   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Manglesphoto wrote:
They do make a foot switch that you have to put your foot under a cover to step on it, but they are a bitch to use.
You can get a new switch cover with a big paddle on it to turn the saw off. (Amazon)


I saw that switch and laughed. That would be more dangerous for me than the manual switch. My foot would be kicking it around the floor trying to find the opening.

I like those big paddle switches, but I'd have to build an extension to get it out from under the table. If I did that, I could use the original switch. I have one of those paddle switches on my router table.

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Jan 25, 2023 06:13:07   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
OnDSnap wrote:
You should have one face mounted so when your done, your knee is right at the off switch....just lean in with knee and shut it off, have um all my table saws. Most top brands ( shop saws) come with them in that position.


The table overhangs the frame by several inches. If you consider that, the switch is face mounted - hidden under the table.

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Jan 25, 2023 06:20:56   #
Ollieboy
 
jerryc41 wrote:
I finally ordered a Wen momentary foot switch for my DeWalt table saw. The standard switch is in a hidden location under the table. I can never find it on the first try. I still have ten fingers, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Camel3 sent me an email telling me that it's on sale for about $13. That gave me the push to buy it.


Jerry, If you must I would wire it into a series connection with the original switch so you can keep it off until your ready to cut.

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Jan 25, 2023 06:29:48   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Ollieboy wrote:
Jerry, I would wire it into a series connection so you can keep it off until your ready to cut.


Or, I could turn it on when I'm ready to cut.

I just realized it's a Ridgid from 2008. Most of my other tools are DeWalt. It's on sale for $399, and it looks unchanged. The price is similar to what I paid, but the model number is different. The stand is tricky to operate. It always takes me a while to figure out how to open and close it.



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