Awkward on off buttons

[Graham Orm]

I am constantly bemused as to why the 'off' buttons on machines are so awkward/inaccessible. I use a DeWalt table saw for site work and have to reach under the table 6" to a button that is the size of one finger tip and has such a strong spring that it often has to be pressed a second time as the first press wasn't hard enough.
With all the H&S parlavour these days surely they have missed something here.
I have seen machines (can't recall where or what) with a huge pad for the off switch, with a hole in the middle through which you push a finger to the on switch.

Has anyone seen a conversion kit or DIY adaption to make these things safer or easier to use?

By the way, it's my birthday today......thanks in advance :lol: 8)

 

[Gary Morris]

I have a draper saw which has a similar button and -

Many Happy Returns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gary

 

[marcros]

i was thinking just the other night how good the buttons are on my axi bandsaw. the whole switch is a large "emergency stop" type off button, and you lift up the flap to turn it on.

On the kity table saw that I had, the buttons were in a sensible place, but were not quite as easy to hit off, particularly if working to the far side of a piece.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

On the tailstock end of my lathe , I wired the flex through a switched cable outlet which gives me another switch if I'm long hole boring, or working near that end. It has come in handy when I've pushed my luck, and stood to one side when I've tried something a bit dangerous.

 

[AndyT]

I've got a cheap Axi tablesaw which has the usual box with the red and green buttons.
I've done just what you suggest Graham - fixed a length of wood onto a hinge screwed into the underside of the table. There's a hole in it, so one finger can find the on button, but to turn it off, any part of the wood can be pushed - quick and easy.

 

[barkwindjammer]

One of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-240 ... 19cc789312

 

[Graham Orm]

I've got a cheap Axi tablesaw which has the usual box with the red and green buttons.
I've done just what you suggest Graham - fixed a length of wood onto a hinge screwed into the underside of the table. There's a hole in it, so one finger can find the on button, but to turn it off, any part of the wood can be pushed - quick and easy.

I'll be working on something soon Andy, it really gets on my nerves and often strikes me as dangerous should I need to turn off in a hurry, all well and good having fast stopping blades, pretty useless if you can't turn the thing off.

One of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-240 ... 19cc789312

That looks good, but the saw has to be turned on every time at it's own switch, unless I start messing with the wiring which then voids any warranty I may have left.
I'll stick some pictures up if I come up with anything.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've got a cheap Axi tablesaw which has the usual box with the red and green buttons.
I've done just what you suggest Graham - fixed a length of wood onto a hinge screwed into the underside of the table. There's a hole in it, so one finger can find the on button, but to turn it off, any part of the wood can be pushed - quick and easy.

I'll be working on something soon Andy, it really gets on my nerves and often strikes me as dangerous should I need to turn off in a hurry, all well and good having fast stopping blades, pretty useless if you can't turn the thing off.

One of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-240 ... 19cc789312

That looks good, but the saw has to be turned on every time at it's own switch, unless I start messing with the wiring which then voids any warranty I may have left.
I'll stick some pictures up if I come up with anything.

Just interupt the lead with an nvr (as above) - you're not interfering with the saw's wiring? You'd have to switch on both, though.

 

[AndyT]

The item linked to won't need any wiring work - it plugs into the mains, the tool plugs into a socket on the NVR. It looks very handy!

(You might need to hold the tool's own switch in the ON position - on routers people do this with a cable tie. )

(My hinged stick doesn't need any wiring either.)

 

[DMF]

Happy birthday Graham! Hope there is much cake and prezzies!

Dean

 

[Graham Orm]

The item linked to won't need any wiring work - it plugs into the mains, the tool plugs into a socket on the NVR. It looks very handy!

(You might need to hold the tool's own switch in the ON position - on routers people do this with a cable tie. )

(My hinged stick doesn't need any wiring either.)

Ah, didn't think of the cable tie idea!

 

[Graham Orm]

Thanks for the birthday wishes guys