Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone mounted a Safety Power Tool Switch on their SS? At times the position of the table can make access to the control panel on the SS difficult.

I have not but there have been a few times over the years that I wished it were there. I think the issue has always been where to mount it. The position would need to change in the SS's different modes. That issue could probably be mitigated some how though.
Paul

This discussion has been stated before. before I upgraded to the Power Pro I had one of the safety paddle switches with the big "OFF" switch controlling the power. The switch was mounted on a piece of TV mast in a small bucket filled with concrete. I put some small wheels on the bottom of the bucket so it could roll around and be placed anywhere it was convenient. no need to reach under the table to find the switch. Problem is that the system did not work with the Power Pro.
There was also a discussion on this forum where someone was trying to interface the Tekna Tool wrist watch size on off controller for the Nova lathe into the PP headstock but I don't know if that ever came to fruition or not. If it could be done it would be a great convenience as well as a good safety improvement.
Bill V

It can still be used as an "EMERGENCY OFF" switch.

c2h6o wrote:Has anyone mounted a Safety Power Tool Switch on their SS? At times the position of the table can make access to the control panel on the SS difficult.

NO! I have made a few futile attempts however. I have given some serious though to a modification to the motor cover because it is almost always in the same location (right there in front of me) and it is sturdy.

Thank you. I was think of mounting it on right front bracket that holds the way tubes. That way I could use a knee for emergency off. I have read and heard that the PP doesn't work with a power strip. I have mine plugged into a power strip which is on a GFI circuit and it works just fine. Is that the only reason a Safety power switch wont work or will it actually damage the PP electronics/motor?

The 'problem' with the power pro is that removing power then reapplying power causes the PP to go through a 'boot up' process that takes time. I.E. "OFF" on the panel is actually 'Pause'.

Got it. An inconvenience for sure-but perhaps acceptable if used only as an emergency kill switch. Thank you.

JPG wrote:The 'problem' with the power pro is that removing power then reapplying power causes the PP to go through a 'boot up' process that takes time. I.E. "OFF" on the panel is actually 'Pause'.

Yes, and then you have to reset the speed again. This is a PITA to a scroll saw user that used to use a foot switch. To me that "feature" makes the SS mounted scroll saw all almost unusable on the Power Pro.

A programmable start speed would help some but for safety reasons SS will never do that.

What about using a remote switch such as this one, mounted in a metal box that could be magnetically held to the motor housing or belt cover.

https://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-D4151- ... B005W17FRS

This switch is not a power strip type, but instead has 4 prongs just like the switch in my Type B casting from my 1986 510.

So, I was thinking of buying a 4-wire cord (like for electric dryers), wiring it to the safety switch, and then having the cord enter the headstock where the current old school toggle style switch is located, where I could connect the 4 wires from the safety switch to the 4 wires that are currently connected to the original toggle (which of course come from the SS power cord from underneath the headstock or go to the motor).

I could leave enough slack in the cord so that I could magnetically reposition the switch box depending on the operation. As mentioned, on the motor housing or lower portion of belt cover would be a great spot because in an emergency I could hit the paddle with my knee.

This prevents me from having to drill a hole in the motor pan.

Of course alternatively you could find a way to splice the switch in to the power cord below the headstock, before the power cord enters, might be a cleaner solution I'm not sure.

I don't know enough about the PP headstock but this may not be applicable there. Is the physical electric switch literally always left "on" on the PP, and you simply use a button to turn the motor off while the computer stays running? Or, does turning the physical switch off remove power from the motor but not the computer? If it's the latter, then there is likely a way to replace the existing switch with an external paddle - but as I said I don't know enough about how the PP operates or is wired.

Thoughts??