20 Amp Safety Switch for C Series Headstocks
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 2:45 pm
I have read a number of posts about the Shopsmith Safety Switch used in the C Headstocks, and only recently had to replace one.
I walked into our local service center that repairs my DeWalt, Milwaukee and many other corded and cordless power tools and asked for a switch like the one in my hand. I didn’t even tell them what it was on.
They popped into the back and brought me a 20A, EATON Safety Switch in a few seconds. It was less than $14.00. They even provided me 4 insulated ¼” terminals to crimp on to the ends of wires that I would likely have to salvage from the existing bad switch, if mine weren’t long enough, as many weren’t for older switches with the imbedded pigtails.
Only then did they ask me what it came off of. I told them Shopsmith Mark V made since the early 1990’s, and they said we will add them to our list of machines these fit. This switch is what we use for a bunch of Delta, several Porter Cable, and Black & Decker products, even some Sears items they said.
So I was curious… not so much anymore after researching it as I believe there must be over a hundred models of various tools that use this exact replacement switch. To find it stocked locally in my town, was refreshing. They indicated one should be able to find one just about anywhere with a repair center servicing tools.
So if you ever need one, you may be in luck, if you don’t tell them it’s for a Shopsmith first. They won’t have it then, unless you show them the switch itself.
And… since a picture is worth a thousand words ….
And there are dozens more out there. I also know that folks sometimes choose to replace this with a 20A Rocker Switch that is not a Safety Lock-Out Switch, when kids safety is not a concern.
I just thought you might be in a pinch someday as I was, and need a compatible part that you might find locally.
Everett
I walked into our local service center that repairs my DeWalt, Milwaukee and many other corded and cordless power tools and asked for a switch like the one in my hand. I didn’t even tell them what it was on.
They popped into the back and brought me a 20A, EATON Safety Switch in a few seconds. It was less than $14.00. They even provided me 4 insulated ¼” terminals to crimp on to the ends of wires that I would likely have to salvage from the existing bad switch, if mine weren’t long enough, as many weren’t for older switches with the imbedded pigtails.
Only then did they ask me what it came off of. I told them Shopsmith Mark V made since the early 1990’s, and they said we will add them to our list of machines these fit. This switch is what we use for a bunch of Delta, several Porter Cable, and Black & Decker products, even some Sears items they said.
So I was curious… not so much anymore after researching it as I believe there must be over a hundred models of various tools that use this exact replacement switch. To find it stocked locally in my town, was refreshing. They indicated one should be able to find one just about anywhere with a repair center servicing tools.
So if you ever need one, you may be in luck, if you don’t tell them it’s for a Shopsmith first. They won’t have it then, unless you show them the switch itself.
And… since a picture is worth a thousand words ….
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I just thought you might be in a pinch someday as I was, and need a compatible part that you might find locally.
Everett