Router Table Power Switch

[Lori Kleinberg]

I would like to install a power switch on the side of my router table. I don't know what kind would be the best and most economical. I did a forum search, and a couple of the threads talked about just using something like a regular light switch control. But then they talked about amps and hp:confused: . I have a dewalt 2 1/4 hp router and my electrical is all 110.
Do I need to do something special :confused: :confused:
Thank you in advance for your help.

[Steve Clardy]

Rockler sells a universal switch for that. I have three of them.
Jet sells one also.
Rockler sells for 19.99. On sale once in a while for 14.99


Welcome to the creek!!

[Jim Becker]

Although you can use a regular light switch (I did...with a pilot light), I think that the "machine-like" red/green switches that are available are a better idea in the long run, especially if they have a guard around the "on" button. It's a safer arrangement.

[Jack Ferrell]

Found this one for $13.99
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1888

[Steve Clardy]

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10402&SearchHandle=DADBDBDFDADADDDGDADJDJDGDGDDDDGBCNGDD DGBDBCNDEGCDIDJCNDIGEDCDHCNDFGCGCDHGDGGGEDAGFDHGBD EDADADADBDADADADBDDHCGPHFHEGFHCCAHDHHGJHEGDGIDADAD ADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADADADADAD ADADBDADADADBDDHCGPHFHEGFHCCAHDHHGJHEGDGIDADADADBD B


I like these. No receptacle in front for the cord to be in the way.
Looks like they've had quite a price increase since I bought mine.

[Jack Ferrell]

The switch Steve found does look to be a better set up. Thanks to Steve's post I did find a reasonable price foot switch for my scroll saw.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5465&SearchHandle=DADBDCDBDADADDDGDEGCGBGDGGDJDCDFCNDHD BGGDGCNDEDFDIDHCNDJDGGFGBCNDJGBDGGGDIDIDCGEGCGCDJD IDADADADBDADADADBDGHDGDHCGPGMGMCAHDGBHHCAHAGFGEGBG MDADADADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADAD ADADADADADBDADADADBDGHDGDHCGPGMGMCAHDGBHHCAHAGFGEG BGMDADADADBDB

[Matt Meiser]

Agreed on the Rockler. I stole the same switch off my Jet DC blower and use it on my router table. I need to pick up another one from Rockler to replace the worn out one on my bandsaw.

[Hoa Dinh]

I have two of the Craftsman Router Table Switch (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00925188000). They work fine, and you can pick them up local.

[Matt Meiser]

Hoa, the craftsman switch looks good from the picture. It says it has two receptacles on the back too, which would be nice for plugging in a worklight too. I'll have to stop at Sears Hardware and check it out.

[George Summers]

I use a Lowes Item #70612 (sorry but the page won't copy/paste).
I have the router cable coming out of the table right next to it and can unplug the router to change bits, etc., without having to reach over behind the table to unplug from the wall. I use the switch to turn the router on and off. It also gives me another outlet I can plug a tool into when I need something close. I run an Hitachi M12V and have had no problems electrically.

George

[Ken Fitzgerald]

That extra receptable on the Craftsman works well too if you are using a shopvac with your router table for dust control.

[Dev Emch]

I would like to install a power switch on the side of my router table. I don't know what kind would be the best and most economical. I did a forum search, and a couple of the threads talked about just using something like a regular light switch control. But then they talked about amps and hp:confused: . I have a dewalt 2 1/4 hp router and my electrical is all 110.
Do I need to do something special :confused: :confused:
Thank you in advance for your help.

Dont forget used industrial junk. For example, you may be able to locate some used red and green or red and black Allen Bradley switches on that online flee market auction site. But you may need to snag a three phase starter as well. For a router a, very small 00 or 0 or 1 should work. As an extra beni, you can wire your dust collection vacum through one of the extra legs and turn it on when you turn the router on. All works on 110 volts as well. Just make sure your coil is 110 volts.

[Lori Kleinberg]

Well thank you all. I will definately have to look at these various options. Just from the look I think I like the Rockler, but will have to see. All these options are a lot safer, then what I am using.

[Matt Meiser]

Dont forget used industrial junk. For example, you may be able to locate some used red and green or red and black Allen Bradley switches on that online flee market auction site. But you may need to snag a three phase starter as well. For a router a, very small 00 or 0 or 1 should work. As an extra beni, you can wire your dust collection vacum through one of the extra legs and turn it on when you turn the router on. All works on 110 volts as well. Just make sure your coil is 110 volts.

I've bought a few off Ebay for in the $20 range. The one I got at a garage sale for $1 was a better deal though. www.automationdirect.com (http://www.automationdirect.com) is a good source for new and relatively cheap.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

I got the Rockler one, put a knee paddle on it, and it works great.........

http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/router_table/rt_control1.jpg

http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/router_table/rt_control2.jpg

I've since painted the paddle RED and wrote STOP on it with a marker.

Works great!

[Doug Shepard]

This isn't a switch, but if you're using a shopvac to collect dust from the router table, these outlets are pretty nice. It makes the vac shut off when you shut off the router. You could use this in combination with whatever front panel switch you end up using for the router.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00924031000

[Steve Clardy]

This isn't a switch, but if you're using a shopvac to collect dust from the router table, these outlets are pretty nice. It makes the vac shut off when you shut off the router. You could use this in combination with whatever front panel switch you end up using for the router.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00924031000

Got one of those hooked to my F 150/3 sander and fein mini. Nice!

[richard poitras]

Check out the one from hartville tool that is the one I have and I do like it. It has a larger switch so it is easy to turn off and on with the safety key (if needed) 15 amp and the cord plugs in the back so it is easy to un plug when changing the bites.

www.hartvilletool.com (http://www.hartvilletool.com) part #19164...hd cost $24.99

[Lori Kleinberg]

That's the one I am going to buy. Hartville tools gives a 15% discount to Woodnetters (I am one). Thanks all for your help

[Ralph Okonieski]

I put one sold by Benchdog (http://www.benchdog.com/powerloc.htm) on my table. It is pricey but then again I felt the safety aspect was worth it.

[Ted Shrader]

Lori -

Jim's recommendation about the Red and Green off/on is a good one. You have to try to turn the switch on - vice accidentally bumping one without a guard. I use the Jet switch. Have had it for a number of years with no problems.

Ted

[M. A. Espinoza]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8988

This is a good, cheap switch if you are building a router table. Not a plug and play, but easy to build in with the amperage rating.

I have a similar switch on a sander and find it works well in that the large paddle still gives you the "panic button" in an emergency and you have to actively try to power on. Meaning you can't just bump it and accidentally start your tool.

Edit:

Just looked at the Hartville and found its the same as the Grizz, but already boxed.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

You can pay for a fancy switch or you can grab a nice solid click on/off light switch. It's not like you are running a lot of power through it as you would with a planer or TS.