Scary Stuff - Saw Starts Due to Vibration!

[Hans Braul]

I had a scary incident a few days ago and thought I'd post this as a warning. I accidently bumped the side of my starter and the saw started! Hit the kill switch and it didn't stop! Here are pics of the starter...
Starter1.jpgStarter2.jpg
The starter block was not securely attached inside the enclosure, so when I bumped the box, the block moved enough for the green start microswitch to become depressed. The enclosure is designed such that the block should "click" into catches on the side of the box, but these were not well designed, and there was no clear, positive engagement. I fixed it by bolting the block to the box, and have had no problems since.

BIG lesson learned: I will NEVER again touch the blade of my saw without unplugging the machine first!

Regards
Hans

[Dan Hintz]

What kind of saw is it?

[Bruce Volden]

What kind of saw is it?

Dan, I'm thinking ---table saw

Bruce

[Dan Hintz]

Dan, I'm thinking ---table saw

Bruce

Sorry, should have said "brand"

At least you didn't reply "The sharp kind..."

[Steve Peterson]

I was adjusting the tabletop on my PM66 saw and had the bolts snug, but not fully tightened. I needed a little bit more adjustment and hit the side of the table with a rubber mallet. This vibrated the magnetic starter enough for the saw to start up. My hands were well away from the blade, but I am now much more careful about unplugging it when adjusting anything.

The next thing I did was cut the cord in half and install twist-lock plugs so I can unplug it without crawling underneath the table to reach the wall plug. It makes it so much easier.

[Don Jarvie]

Steve, thats a pretty good idea. I'll have to file that one away.

[Matt Meiser]

I bought a $20 disconnect switch at Lowes and installed it right before the receptacle for my TS. Now its REAL easy to walk 3' to it and throw the handle--and as a result I do. Something like:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_12587-1318-L...d=10151&rpp=24

Since there's a breaker in the panel feeding this, and since the TS has its own motor protection, I just installed the biggest fuses that they sold that fit. 30A I think.

[fRED mCnEILL]

Its a well known fact that magnetic starters can engage with a bump. I have a big honkin receptacle on the saw so its easy to unplug it (its also 3 phase)

[Van Huskey]

I bought a $20 disconnect switch at Lowes and installed it right before the receptacle for my TS. Now its REAL easy to walk 3' to it and throw the handle--and as a result I do. Something like:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_12587-1318-L...d=10151&rpp=24

Since there's a breaker in the panel feeding this, and since the TS has its own motor protection, I just installed the biggest fuses that they sold that fit. 30A I think.

I used a A/C disconnect, since they are required by code they are inexpensive and I just got one with a breaker.

[Larry Browning]

I ave never had mine do that. But you guys are scaring me! I would have to crawl under the table to unplug mine so I don't do it. I am thinking I will start looking for a safety cut off switch of some kind. When I think about what could happen if the saw came on at just wrong time.... Oh my!!!!!

[Rick Moyer]

I have been sometimes changing blades etc. without unplugging, not often , but sometimes. I will now unplug always! Thanks for the heads-up. It's only a step to unplug for me, was just lazy. I will now unplug whenever I am not using the saw.

[Hans Braul]

What kind of saw is it?

General 350. Same problem could apply to any machine. I'm glad my experience has served as a heads up to potentially dangerous situations.

Hans

[Ed Edwards]

Did you notice where the switch was imported from??

Ed

[Hans Braul]

Did you notice where the switch was imported from??

Ed

The switch was from Poland.

[Andrew Kertesz]

I unplug every tool that I have used when I am done in the shop.