RANT: Table Saw switch impossible to take apart!

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randyrls

randyrls

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2006
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Location
Harrisburg, PA 17112
I spent this morning taking my Jet table saw apart. to replace the failed power switch. I've concluded that it was assembled by people who intended for it to never come apart! The power cables (2) run from the back of the saw thru a strain relief, has a clip inside and another strain relief where it comes out of the front of the saw. AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

The power switch isn't available any longer. I've gotten a safety power switch and constructed a new case to hold it. The old case is not a standard size box. The new power switch won't fit in the old box.

Going back down now to continue the struggle!:frown::frown:
 
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I will bet it is not that hard. You are trying to hard. Stop what you are doing and step back and look at it again. Alot of times the table top comes off. I do not know what unit you have. You do not give any indication what is causing your angst. :smile: If it is just a change of switch and you need a bigger box, just screw a Handy box or also called utility box to the front of the saw covering the existing switch box. Add switch of choice and cover. Without seeing anything it is the best answer I can come up with.
 
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Call jet tools consumer line, tech rep can probably help. Do you have a parts schematic with your paperwork. These are available free at jettools.com as well. Looking at the exploded view may help
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and offers of help. I was just venting....

I did get the switch installed. It was a pain though. The switch requires a deep box and an outdoor box interferes with the mounting bracket for the switch. I only have one more strain relief to put on and put a plug on the end of the cord. I'll tackle that in the morning.

I had called jet and they could not give me a replacement switch for this saw. I purchased it in 1999. Hope I don't have to do this for another 13 years! I had considered buying a switch from Rockler that has the switch already mounted in a box. It is made for DIY router tables and such.
 
I have a little Delta table saw... dinky little thing, but works for my purposes.... I've had trouble with the switch almost from the beginning... it fills with sawdust or the rocker slips out of it's cradle... got tired of turning the saw upside down to get to the switch inside the housing... so since it has failed again in the on position, I've taken to just plugging it into a power strip with a switch and working with it that way.... fortunately - or maybe unfortunately - I don't use it a lot and the table winds up being a storage place for my blanks and works in progress... need to cut a board Monday and spent 15 minutes getting stuff off the saw and somewhere else so I could use it.
 
TellicoTurning said:
I have a little Delta table saw... dinky little thing, but works for my purposes.... I've had trouble with the switch almost from the beginning... it fills with sawdust or the rocker slips out of it's cradle... got tired of turning the saw upside down to get to the switch inside the housing...
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Chuck; There may be replacements that are dust tight available.

While I had the switch out and wasn't going to reuse it again, I took it apart. The contacts inside were pitted (gone) like you wouldn't believe. I tossed the switch and I am happy with the new switch.

Electronics Tech in Navy, so I am familiar with wiring. I carefully checked all the wiring before plugging it in.
 
jttheclockman said:
I will bet it is not that hard. You are trying to hard.
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John; Ain't that the truth! I have kill switches on all my tools. Once my saw turned on by itself just as I reached over the blade. :eek:

I didn't have one on my lathe though. So I ordered one from Rockler for my lathe.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17401&site=ROCKLER

Guess where this is going? Yep; The switch in that box is an exact replacement for the one I changed on my table saw.
 
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