auto-off switch for slab saw
Dec 4, 2013 19:02:52 GMT -5
Hard Rock Cafe, GeorgeStoneStore, and 2 more like this
Post by Peruano on Dec 4, 2013 19:02:52 GMT -5
For some time I had intended to devise an auto off switch for my slab saw, but had taken the cautionary comments of others that many switches turn off but do not go beyond the true "flipped switch" point such that when the sled is moved and the tension slackens, the saw starts unintentionally and possibly with the cover open spewing oil.
I sought out a toggle or long levered switch hoping that might help solve the dubious off situation.
I have always had a switch on my saw motor so, I was simply intending to add an additional switch in line (i.e. both switches must be on for the saw to run but either switch would turn it off.
Here is the switch I selected. Good for 20 amps at 120 volts. Many other alternatives existed (some with even longer levers) but most were designed for 12 v and might not have been appropriate for the amperage of my saw motor.
I decided to extend the leverage of the switch a bit and facilitate fastening a cable onto it with a tapered fitting robbed from a respiratory catheter hose laying about, but any short segment of the proper sized vinyl tubing would have worked.
I used picture (braided) wire to avoid the transition of chain to wire through the tank wall. To allow slight adjustments of the wire length in response to different rock sizes, I fastened the wire to the vice sled with a clamp that can be easily moved forward or back with a thumb screw tightener. I made a deliberate attempt to have the hole through the tank wall higher than the attachment to the sled hoping that oil would run into the saw rather than out of it. If needed I will attach a bead or rubber gasket to cause any oil to drip off rather than run toward the tank wall opening.
I've run the saw through several iterations and always with a complete throw of the switch and without autostarts when the sled link was slackened. So unless my switch objects eventually to being slowly turned off, I believe I'm good to go without autostarts.
I'm already quite habituated to using the primary switch so we will hope that no new complications arise.
I sought out a toggle or long levered switch hoping that might help solve the dubious off situation.
I have always had a switch on my saw motor so, I was simply intending to add an additional switch in line (i.e. both switches must be on for the saw to run but either switch would turn it off.
Here is the switch I selected. Good for 20 amps at 120 volts. Many other alternatives existed (some with even longer levers) but most were designed for 12 v and might not have been appropriate for the amperage of my saw motor.
I decided to extend the leverage of the switch a bit and facilitate fastening a cable onto it with a tapered fitting robbed from a respiratory catheter hose laying about, but any short segment of the proper sized vinyl tubing would have worked.
I used picture (braided) wire to avoid the transition of chain to wire through the tank wall. To allow slight adjustments of the wire length in response to different rock sizes, I fastened the wire to the vice sled with a clamp that can be easily moved forward or back with a thumb screw tightener. I made a deliberate attempt to have the hole through the tank wall higher than the attachment to the sled hoping that oil would run into the saw rather than out of it. If needed I will attach a bead or rubber gasket to cause any oil to drip off rather than run toward the tank wall opening.
I've run the saw through several iterations and always with a complete throw of the switch and without autostarts when the sled link was slackened. So unless my switch objects eventually to being slowly turned off, I believe I'm good to go without autostarts.
I'm already quite habituated to using the primary switch so we will hope that no new complications arise.