Switch for the Jet 1642

[Greg Just]

The on/off switch on my 6 month old Jet has been acting up where the lathe will not turn on. It is an intermitent problem right now, but problems like this usually don't fix themselves. I'm guessing it is probably dirty. Any suggestions on fixing it?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Greg - dust can get in there... so try compressed air and see what that does for the problem.

[Greg Just]

Good idea Steve; had not thought of that. I'll give it a try tomorrow as I'm done for the evening after blowing up a travel mug!

[Richard Jones]

Greg,

With Steve's tutorial/help, I added a remote switch to my 1642, and I really don't think I've used the "main" on-off since. You can't believe how handy it is, nor how easy to do.

Good luck with your fix.

Rich

[Josh Bowman]

+1 on remote switch

[John Keeton]

Greg, I had similar issues just the other day. A quick blast with compressed air seemed to cure it. I still need to do the remote switch!!

BTW, make sure to unplug the lathe prior to removing the cover plate for the switch - lot of exposed wire connections! Touching the cast iron housing would make for some excitement, I am afraid!!

[David Gilbert]

I moved the entire switch and speed knob out of the headstock and put it on the end of a 4 foot long cable. The nice thing about the wiring for the switch and speed pot is that it is all low voltage. All of the real 110 or 220 voltage doesn't get to close to these switches. Using compressed air will almost certainly work to get it unstuck.

Cheers,
David

[Rich Aldrich]

I added Steve's switch to my 1642 lathe also. It really works well. His tutorial is easy to follow and it is inexpensive.

[Greg Just]

A little compressed air seems to have fixed the problem. Thanks!